“No problem,” Junior said brusquely. There was a pause. He looked at his brother. “It always seemed too risky to go back home, but this could work.”
“I’m going back,” Eddie said, determination in his voice. “I’d never close an eye if anything happened to Mama before I got to see her again.”
Charlie frowned. “We’re going to have to act fast. The seats may already be gone.”
“They better not be.” Junior glowered. “When you heard about them, you shudda told us right away.”
Charlie took out his cell phone.
“No, call from our phone. Put it on the speaker,” Junior ordered.
“Of course.”
“St. Mary’s Convent,” a woman’s voice answered softly. “Sister Joseph speaking.”
“Sister Joseph, this is Charles Santoli, Sister Margaret’s cousin.”
“Yes, how are you Mr. Santoli?”
“I’m well. Is Sister Margaret there?”
“No, I’m sorry, she’s doing some last-minute shopping for her trip. We were advised to bring extra sweaters or wraps.”
The brothers looked at Charlie. “Ask her,” Junior said impatiently.
“Sister, do you happen to know if the flight to St. Stephen’s is full?”
“I think it is, but let me take a look.”
“There’s gotta be room,” Eddie whispered, clenching and unclenching his hands.
“I’m back, Mr. Santoli. I was right. We were full, but we just had two cancellations. One of our elderly sisters isn’t well enough to make the long flight, so she and her companion are staying home.”
“She better not have a quick recovery,” Junior growled. “Book us those two seats.”
On the other end of the phone, FBI agent Susan White, who had been sitting in the convent for several hours, waiting for the call, gave a thumbs-up to Rich Meyers.
Then she began to write, “Brother Stanislas and Brother Casper…”
Marge and Charlie were marvelous, Sterling thought, smiling from ear to ear as he realized that the first phase of the plan had worked perfectly.
Marissa, we’re getting there, he thought.
“Good night, Marissa,” Denise said, as she tucked her daughter in and bent down to give her a kiss.
“Good night, Mommy. I can’t wait to wake up tomorrow. It’s my birthday and it’s Christmas Eve.”
“We’re going to have lots of fun,” Denise promised as she turned out the light.
Downstairs, she joined Roy, who was drying the pots. “Everybody bedded down?” he asked cheerfully.
“Yes, but it’s strange. I thought Marissa would be upset tonight, but she seems to be excited and happy, as though she’s expecting a miracle, as though Billy and Nor will be here tomorrow.”
“Then she’s in for a terrible letdown,” Roy said mournfully as he folded the dish towel.
“I got them everything they need,” Charlie fretted. “The monks’ habits, the sandals, the prayer books, the suitcases-real beat-up ones, like the brothers took the vow of poverty and meant it.”
He and Marge and Sterling were sitting in the Santolis’ living room, all of them tense with concern that the Badgett brothers would smell a rat before the pilgrimage charter plane took off.
“How about their passports?” Marge asked. “Any chance of a glitch with them?”
“First-rate forgeries,” Charlie said. “They took care of that themselves.”
“How were they getting to Teterboro?” Marge asked nervously. “I hope they didn’t go in that showy limo.”
“They were having the limo drive them to New York to one of their dry-cleaning shops that was closed. They were going to change there and take one of those cheap car services to the airport.”
It was 11:55. The plane was due to take off at midnight.
“I don’t know. Those two have a sixth sense,” Charlie moaned. “If at the last minute they figure out this was a setup, and don’t get on that plane, I’m dead.”
“Did you pick up any indication that they were suspicious when you saw them earlier today?” Marge asked, nervously shredding a cocktail napkin.
“None. I’m their new best friend. Don’t forget, I’m the one who’s getting them home to see Mama.”
If this doesn’t work, I’m the one who gets blamed for suggesting it, Sterling thought with a pang of guilt.
The ring of the phone made everyone jump.
Charlie grabbed the receiver. “Hello.”
“Mr. Santoli?”
“Yes.”
“This is Rich Meyers. You’ll be glad to hear that a certain charter plane has just taken off, with Brothers Stanislas and Casper on board.”
Charlie’s relieved smile told Marge and Sterling what they needed to know.
“They should be landing in Wallonia in eight hours. The police there are waiting to arrest them. Our agents on board will shed their clerical robes and ride back home as soon as the plane refuels.”
Charlie felt as though a two-ton weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “I imagine you’ll want to be taking further statements from me.”
“Next week. Enjoy your holiday. I know you’ll cooperate with us.” Meyers paused. “Don’t worry too much, Mr. Santoli. I think you know what I mean.”
“Thank you,” Charlie said quietly.
Sterling stood up. “It’s going to be okay,” he said. “You’re going to be fine, Charlie. You’re a good man. And now I must leave you.”
“ Sterling, how can we ever thank you?” Marge asked.
“Don’t even think about thanking me. Just use your time on earth wisely. Believe me, it goes very quickly.”
Marge and Charlie entwined their hands. “We’ll never forget you,” Marge whispered.
“Never,” Charlie echoed fervently.
“We’ll meet again. I’m very sure of that,” Sterling said as he disappeared.
“How much longer? This robe is making me itch,” Eddie hissed, and was rewarded by an elbow in the ribs from Junior.
Junior fished a pad from his pocket and wrote, “Vow of silence. Shut up. Almost there.”
At that moment the voice of the flight attendant came over the loudspeaker. “We are due to land at Monastery Airport in twenty minutes…” The usual instructions followed.
Eddie was twitching with excitement and beside himself with joy. Mama Heddy-Anna! I’m coming, Mama! he thought.
Junior didn’t know the exact moment when the sinking feeling started. He looked out the window and narrowed his eyes. It was cloudy and, as the plane began to descend, light snow drifted against the windows.