The second reel was similar to the first, except for the scene in Baladine’s study. This time Nicola was begging for money for her child’s hospital bills and Baladine was telling her impatiently that he paid her a good wage and that she had a hell of a nerve to try begging for money on a made–up story. Nicola offered herself to him and he laughed at her. It was a scene of such agonizing humiliation that I finally left the library to pace the school corridor. When I came back, Morrell had finished the tape and rewound it. Father Lou had slipped into the room while I was walking around.

“There wasn’t anything on it about the necklace or her arrest. We’ll have to imagine that part,” Morrell said.

“That poor child,” Father Lou said. “What a crucifixion she endured. That man, her boss, he’s the one you’re after?”

I was as sweaty and depleted as if I’d run a marathon and could only nod.

“I still don’t know if you’re doing the right thing or not, but I’ll help you out. Let you use the library here for your press conference.”

I blinked. “But, Father, you know—Baladine not only has a lot of artillery at his disposal, he’s not afraid to use it. Women and children don’t mean anything special to him. I couldn’t possibly guarantee your safety, or the safety of the school. Unless …”

“Unless what?” Morrell said sharply when I didn’t finish the sentence.

“Unless I get Baladine to come to me first. Before we lay the case out to the media. Especially since we can prove Frenada was at his pool the night he died. If I bring him to me, I won’t have to lie here tensely waiting for him to make some kind of move.”

“No,” Morrell said. “Putting your head on the block for him to chop off is nuts. You know Freeman Carter would give you the same advice.”

I scrunched up my mouth in a monkey face. “More than likely. But I’m tired of walking around in terror. Ever since he sicced Lemour on me in June, I’ve had to watch every step I take, and my time in Coolis has only made me more nervous. If I let him know I’ve got these tapes and the tape he made of him and Alex, I think he’ll come get them. And if I leave the church, he won’t do it here where the kids will be in danger.”

“Your press presentation is your best route,” Morrell said patiently. “Bringing that much publicity not just to his Coolis operation but to his use of a Chicago police officer to plant drugs in your office will force Baladine to stop harassing you. Probably force his board to make him quit, too.”