Chapter 6 - THE CHURCH WITH NO PRIEST
The church should have been empty.
It wasn't.
Janevra knew something was wrong before Elio did.
St. Augustine's front doors stood unlocked, yet no candles burned inside.
No priest greeted them.
No caretaker appeared.
And the security camera above the entrance had been turned toward the wall.
"Elio."
"I see it."
His hand touched the small of her back.
"Stay behind me."
Normally she would have argued.
This time she didn't.
They entered through the side aisle with Bruno and four security men.
Lucia's note had included three numbers.
12-4-7.
Janevra searched the church until she saw the old Stations of the Cross.
Twelfth station.
Fourth pew.
Seventh floor tile.
Underneath was a metal box.
Janevra knelt.
Elio remained beside her.
She opened it.
Empty.
"Someone beat us here."
Then applause echoed through the sanctuary.
Daario stepped from behind the altar.
Three men appeared beside him.
"Always underestimated you, cousin's wife."
Elio moved in front of Janevra.
Daario smiled.
"You married a decorative little princess, Elio. Turns out you brought a bloodhound into the house."
"Where's the ledger?"
"Safe."
"And you're not."
Elio's tone changed the room.
Daario's smile faded.
Then glass exploded behind them.
The confrontation was over almost as quickly as it began.
Bruno dragged Janevra behind a stone column while security moved.
Daario escaped through the vestry.
Elio chased him.
"Elio, wait!"
Janevra followed.
She reached the corridor just as part of the old wooden ceiling crashed down.
Elio stumbled beneath it.
Janevra saw the second support beam shifting.
She lunged, caught his jacket, and pulled him through the sacristy doorway seconds before the beam struck the floor.
For the third time in two days, she had saved him.
Elio stared at her.
"You keep doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Refusing to let me die."
Before she could answer, Bruno called from the sanctuary.
They had captured one of Daario's men.
The man carried a photograph.
Janevra took it.
May you like
It showed Bruno entering a restaurant with a Santoro lieutenant.
Date-stamped three nights earlier.
