“Yes, but unless he plans on leaving that point of the pentagram unfinished, there’s something there. And if everything is meant to escalate, then that’s going to be the biggest spectacle yet.”

“I know. I know. Hopefully we can catch him here.” Knoll draws a circle around the town on the map with his finger. “We’ve got things pretty locked down inside the zone. I don’t know if he’d be able to get in or out without us seeing him. He seems to want to be close by when things happen.”

“But he keeps getting further away. He probably didn’t stand around and watch the reaction to the angel killing.”

“He knew that would be televised,” replies Knoll.

“And this? If he wants us here, he’ll have no problem calling the news in if he wants it covered.”

“True.”

Keener walks in with Rosa. She looks scared, but calmer than her mother. She still seems in shock.

“Mind if Rosa sits with you guys? Johnson and I need to talk to Rosa’s mom about some grown-up stuff.”

Knoll pulls out a chair for her. “I’m going to go check out the snack machine. You want anything, Rosa?”

“A Sprite?” Her words sound frightened. She sits down and looks at the books and maps. “What’s all that?”

Keener shuts the adjoining door so she can ask Rosa’s mother some of the questions they don’t want Rosa to hear.

“I’m just trying to figure things out.” I set my pen down and smile at her.

“You look like the magician lady that works for the FBI.”

I’d taken off the glasses. I put a finger to my lips. “Let’s keep that a secret.”

Rosa smiles. “Sure. You’re very pretty. Can I use your bathroom? I haven’t gone since geography.”

“Of course.” They’d pulled her out of school and rushed her over here. Lord knows what the past hour has been like for her.

While Rosa uses the restroom I clear the table of the books and maps. I don’t know how much we want her knowing, although there isn’t much point to hiding who I am from her. Without the glasses, the disguise is half as effective.

In the other room I can hear Rosa’s mother explaining the family history. Where the father is and all the other awkward details we don’t like to tell strangers.

I set the books aside and realize something about Rosa’s behavior strikes me a little odd. She seems a little too anxious, and not just because of everything going on. She reminds me of myself when I’d tell my father a lie.

I step over to the bathroom door to ask if she’s okay.

The water is running.

I can hear her whispering.

She’s talking to somebody in a hushed voice.

She has a phone.

54

MY GUT IMPULSE is to knock on the door but I stop myself. If I pound on the door, that will tell whoever is on the other line that we know she’s talking to them. It’s probably just a boyfriend, but we can’t take any chances. We’re better off not alerting them, just in case . . .