The Shepher

er rural church-weathered wood, a rusted bell, and a broken gate that creaked in the wind. But inside, it was aliv

nce rooted in faith and experience. A natural leader, he unites communities with empathy and resolve. Despite his age, he remains intellectually curious, reading widely and engaging with people of all backgrounds. He is h

resence. He walked like a man aware of every secret sin in the room, yet forgiving enough not to mention any. His black c

Sophia sat in

e?" she w

er right away. His eye

d up and smiled-gentle, t

se of God," Ramirez said, not wi

ood. "I broug

us than a gun," the p

anded him th

d the image, and something cold passed thr

him," Rod

go. Said his name was Dominic. Told me he had no need for forgive

forward. "He'

d. "Then he ha

side pressed against the window

-

lt. He wasn't just praying-he was prep

dier. Angry. Proud. Reckless. He recruited me, but I declined. He said something then that

d. "He's here. S

leaves a footprint you can follow. He

espionage. It was theater-crafted by a man who thrived

riguez said, "becau

"Then you came to the wrong p

d toward the altar. "Wh

it's snuffed. "Not 'with.' From. Dominic doesn't interact. He

-

eard to Ramirez in the confession booth. Sophia wa

amirez handed her a f

this?"

nic didn't erase. He m

oman's name, and a stree

ed his eyes. "You

God knows. And I haven'

ised. It was the first time i

moment w

in. "He's not testing her streng

e. "What doe

lock. And she is the key. Dominic's game is about combinatio

to leave. "Then

once, seeing Ramirez

uietly, "because the devil

bent shadows over the gravel path. Rodriguez led Sophia to the car, a

efore climbing in.

swer. He just looked

Ro

't park

wly. A soft breeze danced past

she

ked under the wiper: a

rcled in black ink: "There is a

Behind it, taped beneath the

uez pla

ce crackle

priests have secrets-and debts. You think you're

cond voice

, Lord. But I h

wallowed

trembled. "He bu

nodded, j

message. The warning wasn't

Sophia whispered. "We're

. "Then it's time we stop hiding.

car s

chapel's steeple, a red lig