Page 83 of Ruin Me With Lies
Cora laughs along with me, shaking her head.“No matter how much more I cook each time, there’s still never enough.It always goes so fast.”
We’re at the Cathedral for “Grace Day.”A monthly outreach event offering aid and support to the struggling and homeless.Cora tagged me along, since the three Castello bosses have been radio silent all day.
Half an hour ago, we set up our station stacked high with containers of hot, home-cooked meals.In less than fifteen minutes, it’s all gone.
Other stations around the cathedral are still laden with school supplies, clothes, household appliances, groceries, books, vouchers…
With grateful smiles and words of appreciation, people mill about, taking what they need.A strong sense of community in the atmosphere.Rare but beautiful.
Cora discreetly pulls a stack of envelopes from her handbag and slips a few to me.
“What are these?”I ask.
“Cash.Stefano’s contribution,” she replies.“Go around, mingle, and use your intuition to gift these to the ones whoreallyneed them.There are plenty of hopeless addicts who show up just to freeload, and we’re not interested in supporting their habits.We want to help those truly struggling.This is why we keep it quiet, yes?”
“Got it.”
We split off into the crowd.
Some twenty minutes later, I’m deep in conversation with a single dad whose young daughter is terminally ill, when something catches in my periphery.
A nun, being quietly led off to the side by the priest.
At first glance, it looks innocent.A guiding hand on her arm.But I know the signs.I know how to spot abuse hiding in plain sight.His broad frame towers over her, while she keeps her head bowed, nodding meekly to whatever he’s saying.
Too meekly.Too practiced.
The second he releases her, she scurries off down the hall.
He turns, and a polished smile spreads across his face as he returns to mingling.
Hmm.Not very priestly of you, Vale Fontana.
Surreptitiously, I slip an envelope to the single dad with a quiet wish for better days, then move on.
While Vale is distracted chatting with a small group, I break off toward the hall the nun disappeared down.Dull lights overhead cast ghostly shadows against the walls, evoking a depressive vibe.Heavy wooden doors are on either side.
From behind one of the doors on the right, muffled voices filter out.
Hushed female tones.
A stifled sob.
A hard thud...
I’m about to test the handle when a voice stops me cold.
“Do you need help with something?”
I look to the mouth of the hall.
Vale’s standing there, arms loose at his sides, watching me with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
Hmm.More vigilant than he seems.
“Oh, yes!I’m trying to find the bathroom,” I say, dialing up the ditzy charm.I shift from foot to foot, palm over my lower abdomen.“I really need to, um, pee.”
“The restroom is across the other hall.”His fake smile doesn’t crack.“Come, I’ll show you.”
