Chapter Fifty-Seven

Margo Angelhart

Ifollowed Jack to St. Dominic's. We arrived twelve minutes after Theo's text, just after 9:00 p.m. I'd called Theo from the road and he hadn't answered, so I called Uncle Rafe and he hadn't answered, either. Fear crept into my head during the twelve-minute drive, and not because Jack far exceeded the speed limit on both Highway 51 and then the side streets leading to the church.

As soon as Jack exited his truck he said, "There was no call to 9-1-1. You said he called 9-1-1."

"I told him to," I said, fearing for Theo.

The church was lit up; I didn't know why.

"Funeral," Jack said, gesturing to a hearse parked right outside the main doors.

That didn't make me happy. It might explain why Uncle Rafe hadn't answered his phone, but not Theo.

"Check the church," Jack said. "I'll check the rectory. I asked for a patrol to meet us."

We parted and I walked around to the main entrance, then entered. The Mass was ending and Uncle Rafe was there, on the altar giving the final prayer. More than a hundred people filled the pews; none of them was Theo or Peter Carillo.

I left before Rafe saw me and scanned the street. Theo's car was parked under an oak tree where he had a clear view of the church and the rectory. But I couldn't see him.

That worried me.

I ran over to the vehicle; he wasn't there.

Jack called me.

"Come to the rectory," he said.

My stomach dropped and I ran across the parking lot, behind the church, and to the small house. I didn't knock, but walked right in.

"In the kitchen," I heard Jack call, and walked to the back of the house.

Theo sat at the table holding a baggie of ice on his head. A rag in his other hand had blood on it. Father Diaz was making fresh iced tea.

"Theo, what happened?"

"He got the drop on me."

"Carillo?"

"Yeah."

"You saw him?"

He didn't say anything.

"Theo," I snapped my fingers, "answer me."

"I saw him walk behind the church. At least, I thought I did. It was hard to see in the twilight. That's when I texted you. He came in here, and I was about to call 9-1-1, I swear, just like you told me, but then the priest was about to go inside and I had to stop him, tell him someone broke into the house. He said the door isn't locked. Who doesn't lock their doors?"

"Priests," Jack and I muttered at the same time.

"Don't blame the boy," Father Diaz said. "We lock up at night, but since I was at the social hall, I didn't see a need to lock the house. I was certain it was a parishioner who'd entered. I know there's been a bit of trouble, but I doubted that man would return. So I went in."

"And I ran around back, in case he ran out. And well, he did."

"Did you see him before he hit you?"

He didn't say anything.

"Shit," I muttered, then winced. I tried not to swear around priests. Didn't know if it was a mark against me, but it was best to avoid it.

"It was dark and I heard a sound and turned and wham! I was down and he ran. I mean, I can't swear it was Carillo. I think it was him, walking behind the church, but it was dark. I just can't swear to it. I'm sorry."

I squatted next to Theo, looked him in the eyes. They were focused and the pupils were the same size. "Don't apologize," I said. "I'm glad you're not seriously hurt, but you're going to have a whopper of a headache tonight."

"Did you see anything, Father?" Jack asked.

He shook his head, poured iced tea for everyone. I detested iced tea, but didn't say anything. "I left at seven thirty for a meeting at the social hall. I always turn off the lights, except the lamp in the entry. When I came in tonight, after encountering Theo, the office light was on. I called out and a man ran from the office and out the back door. He wore all black and I didn't see his face."

"Father, you shouldn't have come in alone when there was an intruder."

"We get a lot of visitors, even at this time of night. It's part of the job."

I knew that to be true, but I didn't like it.

"You should lock your door at all times," I said.

He didn't respond, and I doubted he would listen to me. I'd appeal to Uncle Rafe, but he, too, could be stubborn.

"What's in the office?" Jack asked.

"It's our personal office, not the church offices, which are attached to the main building."

My stomach fell. Carillo was looking for information about Annie. He thought Rafe knew where she was and that he might be able to find answers here, in the rectory. He intentionally came here when the priests were out; I didn't want to think about what might have happened if Rafe were here when he broke in.

"Did you check if anything was missing?" I asked as I was already on my way down the hall to the office.

Father Diaz followed me. We stood in the doorway—the room had double pocket doors, which were both open. Two desks against opposite walls, a small couch between them and a comfy chair in the corner. Narrow bookshelves were stuffed with books and files next to each desk, and a painting of the Holy Family was displayed directly above the couch. It was a cramped but cozy room.

"Can you tell if something's missing?"

"No," Diaz said slowly. He went to first his desk, then Rafe's. "He wasn't in here more than a few minutes. But—it looks like someone opened the drawers. They're not fully closed."

Uncle Rafe walked in and said, "What happened?"

"Peter Carrillo was here," I told him, "and searched your desk. But only for a few minutes. Could he have found anything that might lead him to Annie?"

"No," Rafe said. "I assure you, there was nothing in here about anyone involved."

"Where's your computer?"

"Upstairs. I—I suppose if he accessed my computer he might be able to access emails, but..."

"He wasn't here long, but would you please check?"

Rafe didn't hesitate, heading straight upstairs to his room.

Jack hadn't said anything for several minutes. In fact, he was still in the kitchen with Theo. I went back and said, "I need help, Jack. I don't know what to do here. I'm afraid Carillo is so desperate someone is going to get seriously hurt."

A loud knock sounded on the door and Jack went to answer it, saying, "It's the police."

Rafe came down and said his laptop was undisturbed. I breathed easier. We didn't tell the police that Peter Carillo broke into the rectory because Theo couldn't swear it was him. He did, however, state that he saw a man approximately six feet tall who drove up in a blue minivan enter the rectory. Father Diaz confirmed that the door was unlocked, that someone had been in the office when he entered, and that the person ran out the back. The police took photos of Theo's head and said they would file a report, but without a license plate or description there was no way they'd be able to trace the assault to Carillo.

And I couldn't in good conscience ask Theo to lie.

I might have lied, had I been there during the attack. I might have rattled off Annie's plates to put the pressure on Carillo, have the police look closer at that bastard.

But I didn't say anything. After the police left, Jack and I walked Theo to his car and told him to be careful. "If you see Carillo, call me," I told him. "Don't take any chances."

"I don't have a death wish," Theo said. "That's why I want to work at the crime lab, not on the streets." He waved as he drove off.

As Jack and I walked back to the rectory to make sure both Rafe and Father Diaz knew to lock up always, I said, "This isn't going to stop until he hurts someone. We need to go on the offensive."

"Do you have an idea?"

I was beginning to, but I had no idea if it would work.

"Maybe, but I need your help."

Jack glanced at me with a half-grin. "You don't even have to ask."