6:40 p.m. Passion Ministry

Maggie felt like fresh kill surrounded by snarling wolverines.

“Where’s the Christ child?” bawled a journalist.

“Come on, Sheila!” another bellowed. “Show us the clone.”

“I repeat,” Sheila said, “there will be no interviews—”

A woman shouted, “Where’d John get the piece of the Shroud?”

“Yeah, Maggie, inquiring minds wanna know,” added another voice. “Bloody rag’s locked up tighter’n Fort Knox.” Several people laughed.

Sheila glared until the throng of reporters was silent. “At this moment, I can confirm that Dr. Andrew Somerville, 1984 Nobel Prize winner for science and staff member of the Passion Ministry, has been working on cloning humans for some years. I’m sure you can all appreciate that scientific work requires rigorous testing and peer review. We have nothing further to say until Dr. Somerville publishes his work.”

The push happened in a flash. Two men lurched towards Sheila.

Oscar’s movements to grab the culprit were so quick, the young man didn’t realize he had been shoved before he hit the ground. Flashbulbs exploded as Oscar glared down at the startled man.

“Hey! Watch who you’re pushing,” a man hollered.

The crowd surged, driving against Oscar. Enraged, he held them off with flying, outstretched hands.

Terrified, Maggie stumbled back. She had never seen Oscar so close to losing control.

“That’s all for the moment,” Sheila shouted. The trio backed up to the safety behind the Ministry’s gates.

“Oscar, what’s going on?” Maggie whispered. “You almost...I’ve never seen you so angry.”

“Anti-cloners! He replied. “Rats abandoning the ship. And them.” Oscar pointed to the slogan carriers. “Johnny-come-latelies.”

“Come on, Oscar,” Sheila said. “What happened?”

“Nothing!”

“Nothing?” barked Sheila. “Your manhandling almost started a riot! You’re head of security, for God’s sakes. Get it together, Oscar. This’s just the beginning.”

“More like the end of the beginning,” whispered Maggie.