Raphael (Deadly Virtues #1)(13)

Her hands shook as she reached up and slowly removed the headdress. The pins in her bun came next, and Maria let her long hair fall from its captivity and flow down her back and over her bottom to the tops of her thighs.

“Stand please, sister.” Father Quinn’s voice was gravel. Maria got to her feet, eyes cast to the floor. “Turn around.” Maria did as instructed. She didn’t know what the priests wanted, or why they wanted to see her hair. There were no words spoken as the priests got to their feet and walked around her, assessing her.

“Yes,” Father Quinn said, a hint of excitement in his voice. “This will work very well.”

An hour later, Maria stood at the monastery’s gates. Father Quinn and Father Murray waited at the main doors of the building while Mother Superior came to speak to Maria. Sister Theresa took Maria’s hands. Concern was written all over her face. “My child, are you sure you want to do this?”

Unease flooded Maria’s heart, but she nodded her head and squeezed the older lady’s hands. “I am.”

Mother Superior stepped closer. “I don’t know what they have asked of you. Father Quinn doesn’t have to tell me. Nor do you. But I know how hard it will be for you to leave these gates.”

Maria dropped her eyes, but then raised them again to say, “Reverend Mother, you have worked with me for years to get me to this point. To where I have the courage to leave.”

“Are you sure you’re there?”

Maria wasn’t. She was honest with the woman who had been her rock since her first days as a postulant. “I’m sure I have to try. These priests are good men. They have been patient with me.” Maria attempted a weak smile. “You always wanted me to entertain the idea of missionary work outside of these walls.”

Mother Superior sighed. Hugging Maria, she whispered, “Be careful, child. I’ll see you when you return.” She left Maria without another word and went to speak to Father Quinn. Maria watched her go with a lump in her throat.

“Are you okay?” Father Murray asked as he came to stand beside her, the cold wind seeping into the very depths of her bones. Maria kept her focus on the iron gates, and the lock that was firmly in place.

“I haven’t been beyond these gates in nearly five years,” she revealed, for once not caring if she sounded weak and cowardly. The outside world scared her. That was the honest truth. She would never lie.

“We will look after you,” Father Murray said again. Maria smiled up at the young priest. “I promise,” he assured her. “You have my vow.” She knew she did. Father Murray was a good priest. He loved his church and faith. She could see it in his face.

“Thank you. I trust you. I trust you both.” With that said, Mother Superior opened the heavy lock, and Fathers Quinn and Murray stepped over the threshold to a waiting car. With a kiss for Mother Superior, and a soft farewell, Maria stepped over too, ready to sacrifice herself for Christ.

However that may be.

*****

Maria didn’t recognize herself in the mirror. She wore a black dress that fell to mid-thigh. The immodest skintight material showed off her every curve. Maria had not worn anything form-fitting since she was a young teen, and even then it was nothing like this. A thick layer of makeup had been painted on her face by a lady the priests had hired under the guise of Maria being a regular girl about to celebrate her twenty-first birthday with her brother and father.

The stylist had curled her hair, making it glossy and voluminous. The curls shortened the length slightly, but only by an inch or so. Large silver hoops were clipped on her unpierced ears. Her blue eyes stood out against the black kohl liner and mascara that rimmed them. Bright red lipstick and black high heels completed the look. Maria’s skin was fair, and the dress strategically hid all of her scars. The scent of roses drifted up her nose from the strong perfume Father Quinn had given her to wear on her neck and wrists.

Maria heard a sharp inhale behind her. She spun to find Father Murray in the doorway, dressed in civilian clothes—they all were. It was part of the ruse. No one could know they were here on official business of the Catholic Church. Once the man had been captured, he would be turned over to the police and dealt with through the proper channels. Maria didn’t question a word from the priests. They wouldn’t lie. They were devout men of God.

They were stationed in a hotel in downtown Boston. Maria had grown up not too far from where she now stood. It was strange being back around familiar streets. Familiar, yet felt so distant from her life now.

“Sister Maria . . .” Father Murray whispered. Maria felt her cheeks blaze under the priest’s brown-eyed scrutiny. She rebelled against his roving eyes, taking a step back. Seeming to catch the sinful way he was regarding her, Father Murray stood straighter and quickly averted his eyes.

“Father Quinn sent me to see if you were ready. It’s time.”

Maria took one last look at her foreign reflection and picked up the purse the priests had given her. Inside was a tracker. A panic button also lay in the lining of the purse, along with a few other things. When she was ready for the priests to come into the club, or if she felt in danger, she would press the button and they would be there in minutes.

She turned and walked into the living area of the hotel suite. It was an opulent room, all rich golds and thick velvets. The plan was for her to visit the club every night until this “Raphael” appeared. If she could, she was to get as close to him as possible. If God was on her side, she could carry out the more detailed plan.