Slowly, he managed to wriggle his fingers around the weapon, extracting the gun from her with much deliberation. As soon as he freed it from her grasp, he placed it on the floor, gently pushing it toward Decker’s direction. Kneeling, Decker retrieved the semi and took out the magazine clip. For the first time, he realized how wet his hands were, face and body drenched with sweat.

Bram held his mother’s hands. As he stood, he brought her up from the chair.

“I love you, son,” she said, crying.

“I love you, too.”

“You’ll never leave me?”

“Never.”

“You’ll stay with me forever?”

“Yes, Mom, I’ll stay with you forever.”

“But what will happen when they come for you, Abram? When those idol-worshiping bishops call you to Rome?”

“I won’t go, Mom. I won’t leave you.”

No one spoke.

Bram inched his mother forward. “We have to go to the police now, Mom. We’ll get you a very good lawyer. Then you and he can talk about Mr. Waterson…what he told you, what he did.”

Dolly stopped walking. “He’s an evil, evil man.”

“Yes, he is. And we’ll tell the police that.” Bram glanced at Decker. Decker nodded back. The priest continued. “Once your lawyer arrives, you can tell them all about Mr. Waterson. The lieutenant here? He’ll want to hear what you have to say. Right, Lieutenant?”

“Right,” Decker answered.

Bram said, “And I’ll be with you when you talk to the lieutenant. I’ll be with you, your lawyer will be with you…isn’t that right, Lieutenant?”

“Absolutely,” Decker replied.

“You love me?” Dolly asked her son.

“Yes, Mom, I love you very much.”

“Hug me, Abram. Hold me, please.”

The priest embraced his mother.

“Big bear hug, gorgeous.”

Bram squeezed his mother tightly.

“I love you, Abram,” Dolly said. “I want to be with you. I want to be with you, forever!”

The way she spoke sent chills through Decker’s spine, sent his reactions into overdrive. As soon as he saw her hand dip into her caftan, he charged her.

But a fraction too late.

Fire exploded from Dolly’s hand, Bram slipping from her grip, hitting the floor. Decker flew into her, knocking her down as the gun went skittering across the floor, firing as it hit the wall.

“Shit!” Decker screamed as he raced toward Bram. “Shit, shit, shit!”

Oliver wrestled Dolly to the floor. “I got her, Pete.”

“Oh my baby!” she moaned. “I’m supposed to die, too!”

“Get her out of here!”

“Oh my God!” Michael shrieked. “Oh my God, oh my God!”

A pair of uniforms ran into the room.