Chapter 16The church looked different by the light of day. The stained glass windows glowed from the sunlight streaming inside, and the pews gleamed, the wood soft and freshly polished. Flowers were strewn across the altar, but it was the prayer alcove, its candles lit and flickering that drew Sullivan and the two Strike soldiers.
It wasn’t empty. Kneeling in front of the candles, Maria seemed oblivious to their presence, her head bowed, her murmured prayers the only sound to whisper through the otherwise empty church. She wore a simple black dress, her hair tucked into a severe braid, and her hands were folded together in her lap.
Rutledge took off his hat and held it loose as he clasped his hands together in front of him. Escobedo was slower to respond, his gaze taking in the entire ch
