It was then the furnace exploded in the nearby room. A jet of burning oil sprayed through the connecting heat vents into the workshop, drenching Ann as she stood transfixed in her moment of glory. She screamed as the oil burst into flames, turning her into a blazing torch.

Damien, as though his mission were accomplished, quickly crossed the lobby upstairs. All around him, the museum's alarm system, triggered by the fire below, began its defeafening clanging.

And then the sprinkler system finally burst, enveloping Ann's body in a cloud of steam.

Too late.

Joyous in her flaming death, like some demonic Joan of Arc, she lifted her face toward the heavens and cried out, 'Damien! Damien! DAMIEN!'

At the front door of the museum, Damien paused and looked back, a semblance of sorrow filling his eyes. And then he pushed open the door and went into the night.

Stretched out before him lay the great city of Chicago, still glowing brightly in the clear night sky. Far off in the distance came the wailing sound of fire engines, speeding to fight the holocaust threatening to destroy the famed Thorn Museum.

Down below the entrance, the sleek black Thorn limousine awaited him. Murray, ever the efficient chauffeur, stood erect beside the opened passenger door on the right side.

Damien trotted down the wide steps fronting the museum building and quickly ducked into the back of the car.

There, sitting comfortably in the dark interior, were Paul Baher and Sergeant Neff, both smiling and looking satisfied.

Damien signaled the chauffeur to start the car. As the limousine slipped quietly away into the night, the young man named Damien once more looked out the back window toward the museum, which was now nearly consumed by the fire. The blaze reflected onto the car's windows, and across Damien's face, which bore a look of delight at the flickering dance of the flames.

And Damien smiled.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light. (2 Corinthians 11: 13)