Page 64 of Nun’s Prayer

“We’ve got a serial killer,” I said.

“Yup. Feds are on their way, because this one is crossing state lines. They’re going to want to put Nun in protective custody or use her to bait him.”

“Nun won’t play ball,” Cassidy stated before I could speak. He wasn’t wrong.

“Only three out of nineteen have been identified?” I asked.

“Grace disappeared fifteen years ago; each office moves at its own pace.” Hatton shrugged. “You’ve run the pictures through the database, but seeing how distorted their faces are, there’s a lot to wade through. We’ll keep at it; this takes priority until the Feds arrive,” Hatton ordered.

“This guy is some sort of religious fanatic; what he does to the bodies can’t be called anything else,” Cassidy said.

“What are you thinking?” Hatton asked.

“These women repented the sins he thought they had; he’s made them macabre angels. These, I bet they didn’t repent quickly enough, and he increased the torture until they broke.”

“Jesus. And now he is after Nun?” I murmured. “That woman won’t break.”

My eyes landed on the pictures, and I shuddered. I couldn’t imagine Nun’s face imposed on theirs. She wouldn’t ever give in, no matter what was done to her.

“We need to warn her,” Hatton said.

“She’s on vacation with Blue and Priest,” I replied.

“As much as I hate to disturb that, we can’t let her continue unaware. It’s too dangerous for her. This is a real threat. This guy’s already watching her, and the risk is imminent. You have to recall her now. At least get her back amongst her sisters so she has people around her. Stress that she must not be alone,” Hatton ordered.

“She won’t obey me, but she won’t disobey a direct order from Sapphire. You’ll need her on board,” I said.

“Brief Sapphire on the minimal details. A serial killer is targeting former nuns, and Nun is in their crosshairs. Don’t discuss the other women. Both of you go fetch Nun now; I’ll keep the facial recognition running,” Hatton remarked.

We rose from our chairs and nodded. Sapphire, then Nun.

Nun

I glanced up and did a double take as Sapphire marched into the lounge area where Blue and I were sitting. One glance at her face told me everything: our vacation was over.

“Go and get the others, then start packing,” I murmured.

“Blue, round everyone up. There’s a situation.”

“But we’re on holiday,” Brielle said, sounding upset as she skidded to a halt.

Sapphire turned to her. “Go pack, Brielle; we’ll make this up to you. But you must all return to the clubhouse immediately.”

My gut knotted as more of my sisters poured in. There was only one reason.

“The threat is real?” I murmured.

Sapphire nodded as Cassidy and Wylde approached.

“Feds have been called,” Wylde muttered so Brielle didn’t hear.

“Okay,” I clapped my hands, “Blue, find Kiki and Susan. We all need to leave. Brielle, I understand how upset you are, but there’s a situation, and we gotta go. Don’t argue, kid; I’m gutted too. You’re not back at school yet, so once this is resolved, I’m sure we can take another one, and we’ll come again when the snow falls. You can learn to ski,” I bribed.

Well, that worked. Blue caught Brielle’s hand and walked away with her.

I turned to Sapphire.

“Serial killer. Some of the victims have been identified. They’re all former nuns,” Sapphire summed up.