Galilee Rising(84)

The sermon is short and sweet. Time for the eulogies. Brendan's brother Martin is first. He speaks of their growing up in the suburbs of Jericho and happy afternoons playing football. Poor Martin breaks down in the middle of the speech and takes a few seconds to collect himself. God, I hate funerals so fucking much. I start wiggling around in my seat like a Mexican Jumping Bean. I can't stop it. The people around me keep glaring. I would too. Rudeness should be frowned upon. Yeah, this was a bad idea. I did what I came to do. I can leave now before I have a freak out as I did at the last two funerals I've attended.

I wait until Martin finishes so as not to been seen as completely rude, and while the priest announces the next eulogizer, I get up and make my way down the pew. More glares follow. When I reach the large reception area, also filled with flowers and pictures of Brendan, I take a deep breath. I lasted longer that I thought I would.

Quick movement to my left of the lobby draws my attention. I knew it. I'd recognize that thin frame and dark hair anywhere. He's rushing down the hall toward the side exit. He must have been watching the funeral from the door and took off when he saw me get up. I'm right. He turns, sets eyes on me, and quickens his pace. I can't shout in church but I can run. I kick off my heels, pick them up, and take off after him. He's out the door when I'm halfway up. By the time I'm through it too, he's climbing into a cab. A few vultures snap my picture and shout questions, but I plow through them to reach the cab. Just as the car starts moving, I throw open the back door and it comes to a skidding stop.

"Lady, what are you--" the driver says.

"Sorry," I say, out of breath. "Keep driving."

The cabbie glances at Jem. "It's fine." The driver turns back around and pulls away from the curb again. "What are you doing?" Jem whispers. "We shouldn't be seen together."

"I had to talk to you, I'm sorry," I whisper back. "I figured it out."

"What?"

"Your brother. How he learned about our friend. The real reason for his visit. He put cameras and microphones all over my house. He saw our friend enter a room he couldn't have known about."

Jem's silent, then says, "It's logical. Have you removed them yet?"

"I considered it, but…you know what this means, right?" He shakes his head no. "We have the upper hand. He doesn't know we know. We're a step ahead."

He stares at me, eyes slowly narrowing. "You have a plan."

"Hell, yes. Someone very smart and very ruthless reminded me of something. Pride is the deadliest sin of all because those afflicted rarely realize they are. Hubris has taken down many a great man. It's gonna take down your brother too. We've just got to give him exactly what he wants."

"And what is that?" Jem asks with trepidation.

"You, hero." I grin. "You. I'm going to destroy your life."

And it's gonna be a hell of a show.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN




Center Ring



The stage is set, the costumes ready, the cameras are in place, now I simply have to wait for the players. Who are late. If they show up at all. Jem seemed cautiously optimistic this will work, but since he's the one who'll suffer the most, I understand his reluctance to fully commit. Lexie's the wild card. God, please let her show up. Operation Three-Ring Circus needs her.

I'm exhausted. Five hours of flying, a funeral, the realization I'm living in a fishbowl, fear this won't work as planned, it's all caught up with me. I don't even have the energy to change from my funeral clothes. Dobbs drove me home, and I came right downstairs to the lair to "work," pretending to review footage around the church. I've never been much of an actress so even this farce is taking a lot out of me. They need to get here before I fall asleep on Doris or run out of fake things to do. I don't know, maybe this whole thing is insane. Cain'll see right through it in five seconds flat. Of course that--

I sense someone staring at me and pivot around in my chair. Jem's still dressed in his clothes from earlier as well. I don't stop my smile. And it's show time. "Jem. You came." I rise. "Thank you."

"Three heads are better than one."

"Oh. Right," I say, sounding a little disappointed. I sit again. "I was just, uh, going over the memorial footage. I don't think he was there today."

"Should you be using the computer?"

"Lizard and I wiped everything. It's safe now."

Jem ambles over, standing close next to me and resting his hand on the back of the chair. I visibly tense and glance at him. "I can review it. If he did come, he would have been in disguise. I'd recognize him before you would."

"Good idea." I click the mouse and rewind the footage. "So, how are you? I didn't get to ask earlier before you kicked me out of your cab."