The Church

"When I first met Lena, it was during the start of the school year. I remember it clearly. What a beautiful and gentle lady she was..."

Dim light spilled from the crystal chandelier. In the café, Carter stared blankly at the relief carvings on the wall, as if lost in some memory.

"Lena had only recently lost her husband back then, and she still wore a black veil. Mm, and her dress was the latest style in Caspar City!"

Carter looked utterly smitten, but Wu Ming could only roll his eyes at the sight.

Given Carter's looks and personality, wasn't it far more likely that his feelings had grown over time?

"Mm, in short, it was the story of a customer falling for a waitress..."

Wu Ming lifted his chin. "And then?"

"Really..."

Carter spoke in a sorrowful tone. "I once considered marrying her, but Lena turned me down. She loved her husband deeply, and she had her reasons. I respected her choice and gradually distanced myself from her, though I occasionally sent a little business her way... The normal kind! Then, recently, I saw the injuries on her body. I asked her about them several times, but she wouldn't answer, so I thought of following her..."

"Did you find out anything?"

Wu Ming was curious.

"She seems to have taken up with some secret religious sect. She often goes out alone, and she's been donating large sums of money..."

Carter clutched his hair with both hands. "It has to be an Evil Cult! If they hadn't bewitched her, why would my Lena leave me?"

"An Evil Cult?"

Wu Ming rubbed his chin.

After the war, and newly widowed, she would certainly need some spiritual comfort. It did seem quite possible.

"But how can we draw a conclusion before we've