Korre's smile was radiant, almost blinding in its sincerity. She clasped Coonie's hands tightly, her voice trembling with pride.
"I'm so proud of you, Coonie. Pastor will guide you."
Coonie forced the corners of his lips upward, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"Yeah, Mom. I'll… catch up."
The moment she turned her back, the mask slipped. His gaze darted toward the side corridor near the altar a narrow passage with a sign that read STAFF ONLY, almost invisible in the dim light. During past visits, he had watched church workers vanish through that door with boxes, never returning for long stretches. Something down there was hidden. And tonight, he was going to find out.
His heartbeat thudded in his chest like a pre–game tip-off. One step. Two. He slipped behind a pillar, pressing his back against the cold marble wall. His palms were slick with sweat.
Outside, in the comm nestled within his collar, Evan's voice crackled quietly.
