With Dahlia's years of experience, she cleaned the mess in just a few seconds, not pausing to speak. But as soon as the ceramic shards were in the garbage and the sponge in the sink, she asked, "the Antichrist? What are you talking about?"
"Saint Optus, tenth century. He said that the woman of the wheel would leave the Church and walk into the arms of the Beast."
"Ah," she laughed, "so you're jealous."
"Don't be so literal," he demanded.
"Is that all he says?"
"That's the important part."
"Why?"
"Because that's how we find the Antichrist, by following you. But you lost us." He laughed. "I should've known."
"What else does he say?"
"He says the Beast will give you something."
"Something? What?"
"Something that completes you."
Dahlia's expression confirmed his suspicions. "I have a feeling you got out of St. Patrick's pretty quick. You didn't come straight here, did you?"
"No."
"Who did you see?"
"I don't know."
"Dahlia."
"I don't know who he was."
"So you did meet someone."
"Yeah, but I can't tell you who it was. His name was Bob. That's all I know."
"Where were you?"
"In his apartment."
Johnny laughed heartily. "Well, that might give us a clue. Where's the apartment?"
"The East Side," she said. "Seventies… something."
"How did you get there if you don't know where it is?"
She smiled. "You do believe in God, don't you?"
"Come out, then," he said. "Show me."
She had trouble saying no to Johnny. Well, half of her did.
"I don't know. You guys are terrorists."
"Obviously, you have no idea how powerful this guy is."
"How dangerous he is?" she asked.
"Yes."
"I know how dangerous you are," she responded, her own words exciting her.