Inside the sanctuary, Viv stopped to admire the surroundings. Bright primary colors exploded behind the communion table, where an expansive stained-glass window filled the entire wall. For a moment she held her breath, looking at the red, blue, green, and yellow design. Primary colors like a rainbow. The promise of God to Noah.
Her eyes traveled downward to a table. A white cloth covered the goblet, and another similar cloth covered the plate. An open Bible lay to one side.
Viv inhaled, detecting a touch of incense in the air, along with beeswax. The smells reminded her of church when she was a child. Appreciating the tall white candle next to the chancel, she tried to remember its significance. A Christ Candle. At least I think that's what they called it.
She felt her elbow being tugged. Rex whispered in her ear, "Let's sit close to the back. We can see everything from there without looking too obvious." He directed her to an empty row.
Taking the end space closest to the aisle, he pulled Viv next to him. Their thighs touched, and she felt a tingle up her spine. She wondered if she should move away but then decided against it. Instead, she drew her dress over her knees and reached for a hymnal. Feeling self-contained, she stopped to appreciate the familiarity of church.
Rex looked toward the front of the room. He twisted his neck slightly, letting his eyes do the rest of the work. I bet he's clocked everyone in this room already, Viv thought. She'd seen him do the same when he was on stage. Take in everyone, his face assuming a bland expression. Once a mentalist, always a mentalist.
As she thumbed through the hymnal, a woman stopped at their pew, leaning over to speak. "Would you like a bulletin?" Dressed in a form-fitting red suit with large pearls at her throat, Viv assumed she was important. Maybe a head deacon or an elder. A person who had worked her way to the top of the church hierarchy.
I bet she's got matching heels, Viv thought.
Sure enough, a quick glance confirmed her suspicion. Three-inch red heels, making the woman appear taller, close to six feet.
Rex shot her a smile. "We'd love a program."
When the woman's eyes narrowed, he immediately corrected himself. "I mean a bulletin. So sorry. This isn't a Broadway show, right?"
"Welcome to St. Bart’s," the woman said sharply. She handed him the bulletin and turned on her heel.
He leaned in to whisper, "I suspect that she's already sussed me out as a heathen."
She patted his thigh. "Don't worry. Heathens are churches’ best customers. If they sense you're a lapsed Catholic, you're practically home free. Episcopalians love snatching up one of those." She felt him stifle a laugh.
As more people took their seats, Viv continued to look around. "Have you caught sight of the admiral yet?"
"If I could put on my sunglasses I would be more efficient and less obvious," he lamented.
"Better not, Jack Nicholson," she said. "You're not at the Oscars, you know. How about I take in the right side and you look at the left. Do you think he'll be in uniform?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, a startling sound filled the sanctuary. A throaty gasp accompanied plaintive notes. Viv did not recognize the specific piece, but she knew that the pipe organ must have cost a fortune.
"Bach’s ‘Fugue,’" Rex replied under his breath.
Her chin raised as she gave him a surprised glance. "What do you know about Bach?"
"I know stuff," he commented dryly. He flipped open his bulletin. "Yep, I'm right. This is a good one. Keep listening. But don't applaud at the end. Not the right thing." This time he patted her thigh.
“I know that," she hissed. As the music grew louder and the notes more frenzied, Viv felt overwhelmed. She held her breath, taking in each note. The music reminded her of a group of children each speaking over the next to get their say. One after the other, the busy notes rushed to an abrupt conclusion. Followed by the echo of the last note and then silence.
Then a man stood in the pulpit. He placed his hands on both sides as he leaned slightly forward. "Welcome to St. Bartholomew's church," he said in a deep, sonorous voice. "My name is Samuel Daniels and I'll be bringing the word today."
Viv grinned.
Rex leaned over to whisper, "I think we've found our guy."
"Looks like it," she said with a smirk.
"And now the word of the Lord," the preacher added, glaring right in their direction.