Page 19 of Lust
In came an average height, slim woman wearing a shapeless business suit. The masculine jacket draped over her frame, and the pencil skirt came down to the woman’s knees. No makeup, a few freckles, and spun golden-red hair tied at her nape in a bun. The Harry Potter spectacles resting on her nose were smudged.
She also stopped.
She didn’t jolt. She didn’t flinch. Her eyes narrowed coolly.
Then Liza recognized her.
“Oh, shit. Alice, right?” Liza pointed at her.
Alice’s brown gaze darted between Mary and Liza, and then she transformed. A smile illuminated her face and she nodded.
“Do I know you?”
“Liza Lazarus. Parker’s sister.”
Alice used her pointer finger to adjust her spectacles at the bridge. “Oh! Of course. I’m so stupid. I should have recognized you both. I mean, it’s not like I’ve not seen you before. I only run errands to your place like every other day, am I right?”
She giggle-snorted.
Mary cleared her throat.
“Oh, sorry, Mama,” Liza added. “Have you met Alice? She’s Parker’s assistant.”
Alice adjusted a package. Her spectacles almost fell, but she recovered nicely and held out a hand to Mary. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lazarus.”
To anyone who knew Mary, the blank look she gave Alice wasn’t as benign as it appeared. A million thoughts calculated behind Mary’s eyes as she worked out whether Alice was a threat, friend, or a pawn they could use to their advantage. Then Mary suddenly animated, much like Alice had done earlier, and she became a new person.
“Lovely to meet you,” Mary said and shook Alice’s hand. “I’m afraid the cathedral is closing. They’ve just shut off the lights.”
“Oh, I know the Mother Superior.” Alice tapped her package—something book-shaped but wrapped in a plastic bag. “I promised her I’d give her this before the end of the day, but you know Parker. He likes things to be perfect before he leaves. And sometimes he never leaves.”
“If you need me to show my bro who’s boss, just let me know.” Liza tipped her chin down.
Alice blushed and looked away. “Oh, no. It’s all good. It’s my job.”
A sound behind them had them all turning. A nun restocked the tabernacle with loud, precise movements. Her habit hid her face, and the shadows gave nothing away. Alice gave them a small smile and nodded as she sidestepped.
“Well, nice seeing you,” Alice said.
“Likewise.”
Liza opened the big double doors and stepped outside. When she turned, she realized Mary still stood on the threshold, eyes boring into Alice’s back as she walked toward the nun, a slight limp in her step.
“Everything okay?” Liza asked.
Mary snapped out of her daze and then joined Liza on the landing of the steps. The door closed heavily behind her.
“It’s nothing,” Mary replied.
“Didn’t look like nothing.”
“There was something familiar about her. That’s all.”
“She’s Parker’s assistant. I’m sure you’ve seen her before.”
“You’re probably right.”
6
