‘We can’t do that. Lilith’s presence in the near future is entwined around mankind’s survival. If we derail her now, we’ll upset an entire chain of events. The key is to avoid her until Manny and I leave for Xibalba.’

‘You know where Xibalba is?’

He points to the heavens. ‘Somewhere out there. According to the Mayan prophecy, Manny and I won’t travel to Xibalba until our twentieth year. Avoiding Lilith for six years will be next to impossible, unless …’ His eyes widen as another option takes shape within in his mind.

Belle Glade, Florida November 5, 2027 7:25 p.m.

Lilith Eve Robinson sits at the kitchen table weeping, her tears aided by the irritation of the soap.

Detective Teak Colson hands her a tissue. ‘I know you’re upset, but I need to ask you a few more questions. You say you came home around eleven?’

‘Yes, sir. I was visiting my uncle at his hotel. My grandfather was lying on his bed when I got here.’

‘Did you ever see your grandfather use drugs?’

‘He … he pops these pills. Said it was for his arthritis.’

‘According to the coroner, those pills were Oxycontin. Coroner found about six hundred milligrams of the stuff in him, and it was all chewed up. Oxycontin is a time-released drug, it was made to swallow whole. Chew it up and you release toxic amounts of the drug.’

‘Oh my God… . He should have known that, right?’

‘I think he did. I think your grandfather committed suicide.’

‘No … he was murdered. Look at those wounds? How do you explain the blood loss?’

‘Self-inflicted. With all that painkiller in him, he probably never felt a thing. Did you know he changed his Will?’

‘I didn’t even know he had a Will.’

‘Changed it yesterday. Fits the suicide pattern. This whole thing was premeditated. His lawyer will be speaking with you later this afternoon.’ Colson checks his notes. ‘Now this uncle of yours—Don Rafelo. I’m going to need his statement.’

‘Of course.’

Colson looks over her shoulder, his expression darkening. ‘Oh, hell—’ He hurries into the living room to the television.

The scene is live, broadcast from a news chopper hovering over the Gandy Bridge in Tampa. Rescue boats are circling, divers are in the water.

Colson turns up the sound.

‘… the former president’s limousine was struck as it approached the construction area of the bridge. The vehicle crashed through the temporary barricade and into the bay.’

The scene zooms in on a Coast Guard rescue boat.

‘Jennie, Brian Bahder here. We’ve just received word that former president Ennis Chaney and the driver of the vehicle have been rescued. Both men are now aboard the Coast Guard rescue boat in stable condition.’

‘Brian, what about the missing Gabriel twin?’

Lilith kneels by the screen, her heart racing. Please not Jacob …