Friday, March 26, 1:52 p.m. Passion Ministry

Gospel music played as a muscular man ran his hands lightly over the Passionate wannabe in front of her. Virginia observed, amused by the irony. He didn’t touch under the visitor’s arms. She swallowed, pushing down her panic. Heart plunged when the guard reached for a metal detector.

She glanced back, through the crowd, to the main doors. Two beefy men. So much for making a break for it. She smiled weakly at the guards in front. One sandy-haired man seemed vaguely familiar. Maybe...

The strapping guard nodded to her.

“Hi, I’m Virginia Darrow. Call me Gina,” she warbled, thrusting out her hand. “So pleased to meet you!” The man hesitated, then gripped her palm. “I’m so excited to be here at last! I’ve followed the blessed Apostle for years. And you,” she added, striding over to the sandy-haired guard. “Believe we’ve met before.”

The tall man gave her a slow once over. “I don’t think so.” Unflinching, she gazed back. His hand crushed hers. “Oscar Lavoie, Chief of Security.”

“No.” She flexed bruised fingers. “No...that’s not it. Not Oscar.” She smiled winningly. “Don’t worry, it’ll come to me. Never forget a face, ‘specially one as handsome as yours.”

“You’re mistaken, Miss Darrow. Please, follow me,” he ordered, firmly gripping her arm.

Virginia had to step quickly not to stumble. “What? Where’re you taking me?”

A ripple of excitement swept through the line-up.

“It’s all right, Miss Darrow,” Oscar hissed. “Don’t make a scene.” He propelled her inside a small room.

Virginia glanced around. The room was empty, highlighted only by a sliding glass door which opened onto a small garden. The other walls were bare, save the outline of a door. Looks bad…think!

Making a show of rubbing her forearm, Virginia studied Oscar. His narrow face was tantalizingly familiar.

“Why’ve you brought me here?”

Oscar smiled. So dazzling, it would soften a criminal. “Sorry if I frightened you.”

She shrugged.

“Your background check’s very interesting.”

“Yeah?”

“Uh huh. Seems you’ve done some television reporting, Miss Darrow, or should I say Virginia, Live at Five?”

Mind spinning, she crossed her arms. Almost flinched as the gear dug into her.

“Surely you can understand that we must be very careful who’s allowed into the Ministry. John the Apostle’s a very popular man—” He crossed himself. “—but even the blessed have their detractors.”

Virginia held her tongue.

“I apologize but we have to be sure of our guests’ motives.” He smiled again. Virginia started to grin in response, then faked a yawn. “We’re always turning down interview requests. I’m sure someone with your background understands.”

Virginia caught herself about to nod.

Oscar eyed her. “Let’s just run just through a bit of protocol so that we’re on the same page here, okay?”