Read Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon for Free Online

but the state monitor s us closely . I solicit donations and, along with the overseer, recommend how the money should be allocated. But I don’t handle it.”
    “ Have other girls come here in the same situation as Brigid?”
    “You mean pregnant and victims of incest ? No, and we don’t save all those who do. Not that I’m in the savior business, but we do what we can.”
    Brigid came back into the room. “I asked around. No one here has any idea about Dudley, Lieutenant Lucier. Is that all, Brother Osiris?”
    “Yes, Brigid, that’s all . T hank you.” A slight bow of her head and she was gone.
    Diana watched her go. “And you, Mr. Slater, mentioned being broken in to pieces and put back together like your mythological counterpart. What’s your story?”
    “Oh, I’m afraid it would bore you. Let’s just say that I’ve seen hell, and it made a huge impression on me.” He paused. “Anyt hing else I can help you with?”
    “No, I don’t think so, but if Deems shows up, I’d appreciate a call.” Lucier handed Slater his card.
    Slater turned to Diana. “If you don’t mind my asking, are you officially involved in this investigation? I seem to recall that after your shocking experience recently, you said you were leaving the entertainment business and would no longer assist the police in finding missing persons.”
    “That’s true, but I could hardly ignore the disappearance of an infant. I haven’t been much help locating her, but I don’t give up easily.”
    “I wish you success.”
    “Thanks,” Lucier said.
    Diana stopped in front of the bookcase on the way out of the office. “I see you’re a student of religion. Are you a devotee of one in particular?”
    “I follow no religion but am interested in all of them. I’m a disciple of faith and reverence. I’ve seen some dreadful things in my life. Things that make me respect the power of evil. One must never be complacent. It is only then that the soul is damned.”
    “ W hat happens then, Mr. Slater? What ha ppens when the soul is damned?”
    The electricity in the room crackled. Diana and Slater traded stares, neither surrendering the stage. Luc ier stood silently to the side.
    “Why, you go to hell,” Slater said, maintaining the intensity of his visual focus.
    “Ahem, um, I think it’s time leave , Diana. I’m sure Mr. Slater has other things to attend to, and I have to get back to work .” Unopposed
    But the two people remained locked on each other until Slater broke contact.
    “It’s been very interesting,” Diana said, her outstretched hand ignored. She smiled. Slater was afraid of her touch. “Maybe one day we can continue this conversation. I’d love to discuss mythology with you, considering your obvious fascination with the subject.”
    “It would be my pleasure. The goddess Diana is a n important presence in mythology, with threads to nature and fertility, as is Osiris, I might add.”
    “S he’s also Goddess of the Hunt.”
    Again, the sparks ignited, and a small smile played across Slater’s lips. “Yes, she is,” he said. “A versatile and talented figure. Are you in the hunting business, Ms. Racine?”
    “I hope not, Brother Osiris.”
    When they left the building, Lucier showed his irritation. “What the hell went on in there? I felt like I was watching a stage play, with you two in the lead roles and me without a script .”
    “I’m not sure, Ernie. You noticed he wouldn’t touch me, didn’t you? I think he was afraid of what I’d see.”
    “And did you see anything without the touch?”
    “No, but I sensed Edward Slater is a very conflicted man. I’m not sure whether he’s the real thing or a blatant charlatan, a do-gooder or an opportunist, but he has a magnetic charisma, and he knows how to use it. He’s smooth as silk.”
    “Did you see the girl? She wasn’t his secretary; she was his disciple . There’s a difference.”
    “ More his slave , I think . The way she looked at him before doing