He was shaking uncontrollably when he opened his eyes, thinking he would see hellfire all around him. Instead, he felt a thin film of cold sweat clinging to his skin. He ran his hands along his face and swiped hard at the tears on his cheeks. Then he breathed deep and exhaled quickly before running his quivering fingers through his hair.

“I’m sorry,” he said to the empty room. “There are no friends in war.”

As soon as he spoke those words, something buzzed in his pocket. He was momentarily confused, wondering if his dead friend was returning for another visit. When it buzzed again, his mind was transported back to the moment. The buzzing was his cell phone, and there were only two people left to call him.

Steven connected the call without speaking. Then the voice he’d come to know so well moved through his entire being.

“Gabe’s dead,” the angel said in a cold, rough voice. “It’s up to us now. Do you understand?”

Steven nodded.

“Good. They’ll find the final message soon, and we’ll fight for the last time. I’ll let you know where when the time is right. In the meantime, rest, and whatever you do, don’t fall for the tricks of the enemy.”

Coletti was lost in thought when he walked into police headquarters. Gabe’s suicide had struck him particularly hard, in part because he blamed himself.

For years he’d known, deep down in the place where such truisms exist, that the priest was innocent of the Confessional Murders. That feeling was confirmed in vivid dreams and idle thoughts that gripped him in quiet moments. As he walked into homicide and into the captain’s office, the pressures of the case showed on his face. Mary Smithson noticed.

“Are you okay?” she asked, looking up from the paperwork that lined the captain’s desk.

“I’m fine,” he said.

“Good, because they just arrested the three men who best fit the profile. They should be bringing them down in a few minutes.”

“I know,” Coletti said. “I just came to check on you and see if you needed anything else.”

“No, I don’t need anything. I’m still looking through your old cases to see if there’s something we missed.”

Coletti grunted in response.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, sounding more than a little concerned.

He was hesitant to tell her his true feelings. Not that it mattered. He couldn’t hide them if he wanted to.

“I’m just tired,” he said. “It’s been a long couple of days.”

“I know. But it’ll be over soon.”

“That’s what I’m hoping,” Coletti said in a weary tone.

“That’s what we’re all hoping,” Smithson said earnestly. “Not just for your sake, but for everyone’s.”