012

It was late at night when Cole and Zafira arrived back at Markus Santana's slum house.

"Wait here," Zafira said.

She left Cole's car and carefully stepped over the front yard litter. She climbed the sagging porch and knocked on Markus' door. He cracked open the door slowly, then opened it fully.

"Who are you and what do you want?" he asked brazenly.

"Here," Zafira said, handing him the unmarked envelope.

Markus opened the envelope and read the letter. "What the hell is this? There's no way my brother would write something like this! He would never confess to everything he has done."

"You don't have to believe it," Zafira said. "But the police who search your house tomorrow morning need to believe it. They will come looking for a 9mm Belgian revolver, which you will tell them is in your brother's possession."

"And why would I do that, lady?" Markus asked.

"Because your brother is dead. There's no reason for you to protect him anymore. You can finally get on with your own life without being your brother's scapegoat. This is a fresh start for you, Markus. Don't blow it."

Markus stood there dumbfounded. Zafira turned her back to him and stepped off the porch.

He stopped her. "Wait! Are you an angel?" he asked.

Zafira turned and giggled, "I'm far from an angel."

A tear ran down Markus' face. "Thank you, whoever you are."

Zafira got back into Cole's car. Cole started the engine and drove off. An uneasy silence haunted their drive back to Zafira's lair. Cole parked under the overpass that Zafira called home.

"That was quite a noble thing you did," Cole said. "Not quite the behavior I'd expect from a demon."

"I did it for my own benefit. Don't get things twisted."

Cole snickered, "Well, everything turned out alright, even though we didn't find who killed Maria."

"Yeah, I suppose. Tomorrow I'll be free and clear of the night club murder. That should at least get your boss off your neck."

"Yeah, one less thing to worry about," Cole admitted.

Zafira turned to Cole. "They will probably try to pin Maria's murder on Antonio though, you realize this, right?"

Cole nodded his head. "It doesn't matter. We know the truth, and once you perform this ritual, we'll know for sure who killed my wife."

Zafira paused for a moment. "Are you sure that's what you want?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm sure, more than anything," he replied. "I can't rely on old fashioned police work for this. I have to knowexactly what happened that night."

Zafira sat in silent contemplation for a moment. "We'll make plans for the two remaining items we need tomorrow. Meet me here when you get off work."

"Okay," he agreed.

Zafira opened the passenger door, stepped out, then closed it. She watched as Cole put the car in reverse, easing back into the access road. He waved at her as he drove into the night.

Zafira stood there, reflecting on all that had transpired today.

"I hope you have the strength to live with the answers you seek, Cole Harvey."

A small tear escaped the corner of Zafira's eye.

"Some knowledge isn't worth the pain.".....