The Gospel

Gospel

Hesta set Eleven down and hurried to the coat rack. Before the last elderly woman could take off her coat, she got there first and took it down for her.

"Here you are." Hesta offered the shawl with both hands.

Ligo was utterly baffled, and the old woman froze for a moment. But she soon lowered her eyes, accepted the coat, and softly said thank you.

The diners gathered around began to disperse. Ligo raised her brows and headed toward Hesta. Just as she was about to ask, "Why are you handing clothes to those people?" Hesta pulled her two steps forward.

"...What are you doing?"

"Look at this." Hesta held the Scepter Brooch before Ligo. "Do you recognize it?"

"Oh!" Ligo realized. "So that was why you—"

Ligo took the brooch. She could never forget this little thing. Compared with the ones on the ship, this one was smaller, heavier, and looked far more expensive.

"I was wondering whether I'd seen it wrong," Hesta said softly. "It's the same one, isn't it?"

"You took it off that person's clothes?" Ligo asked.

"Yes. Several people had them on their coats," Hesta said quietly. "They were all identical."

"You think—"

"Jane!" Eucali called from nearby. Both women turned at once and saw the kind woman who had helped them holding Eleven's hand, smiling at them.

"...Sorry." Only then did Hesta and Ligo realize their rudeness. They hurried back and thanked the woman together.

"It was nothing, just a small favor." The woman spoke gently. "Are you tourists visiting the area?"

"I was recently transferred here for work." Hesta extended her hand. "Jane Hesta."

"Valeria." The woman smiled as she responded, then looked at Ligo. "Did the police say roughly when they'd arrive?"

"Probably another ten minutes," Ligo answered. "No rush.