Meanwhile it was a week later. The priest was waiting for Sophia as she entered the police station. She stopped when she saw Patrick and put her hands on her hips.
“I thought I had seen the last of you?”
“Please, can we talk in private? As a humble servant of God, I have been instructed to present you with an offer.” Patrick looked both expectant and exhausted.
“Follow me.”
The two entered a side office.
“My superiors hope you might reconsider our original offer.” Patrick handed Sophia a printed proposal and said, “The material concerns the mayor’s previous deal with OmniXor?”
“And this affects me, how?”
Patrick thought for a second. “I know about your new identity, and I assume others know the same information.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Sophia said coldly.
“I can understand why you are having trouble dealing with all this after the mayor’s death and your…transition. Take your time reviewing the document. In confidence, I can tell you they are prepared to sweeten the offer if so required.”
“Who are they?”
“Please, we both know who.
“Where did you get this crazy story?”
“I am not a liberty to say.”
“Then I think we are done.”
“Please…there is another matter we need to discuss,” Patrick paused, “I have been instructed to make you a marriage proposal.”
Sophia burst out laughing. “You? I am sorry. I know you’re a priest, but it’s pretty clear you’re….” She stopped speaking when she saw the hurt in his eyes and said, “Why would they think that?”
“They believe a single woman in her thirties—might be interested,” Patrick said flatly.
Truth was Patrick also had trouble with the new orders. The personal complications created by the offer would force him to leave the priesthood and relinquish his papal ambitions. He was quietly confident Sophia would reject the offer, but his superiors’ indifference to his position gave him new insight into the depths of church duplicity.
“Wow, they really are out of touch.”
“Agreed.”
“Don’t worry, I am not interested.”
“Thank you,” Patrick said relieved. “You understand I needed to ask.”
“Well, that was awkward. What is this really about?”
“I have been told to tell you; everything is on the table. Except for God of course…but otherwise we welcome your thoughts on how the partnership can be better. Again, read the proposal, make a few notes, and we will workshop your best ideas.”
“They do know I am a detective.”
“Yes, but you are on the front lines of good versus evil.” Patrick shared a look. “Can I be honest with you? They are totally delusional. One cardinal told me religion should be more celebrity dance show and less a spiritual war.”
Sophia shook her head in amazement.
“If I may ask?” Patrick waved his hand dismissively. “Why are you still working here? This job can’t be a challenge anymore and the building stinks.”
The police station was Sophia’s haven. She loved everything about police work, including the words, forensics, narcotics, autopsy, ballistics. The worst problem was the sheer volume of stupidity that filled her day. Fortunately, it was the constant exposure to the worst of humanity that helped Sophia adapt to her new supernatural job. The truth was, Sophia often worked late nights to avoid going home to an empty apartment. For now, resignation was out of the question.
“I like my job,” Sophia said with a shrug.
The captain entered the room unannounced and said, “Can we talk?”
“I was about to leave,” Patrick said edging towards the door.
“Please…stay.”
“There has been a murder. Last night, down at the beach. The victim was Whitly Noble.”
The two detectives looked at Patrick.
“You think I did it? Well, that would be very stupid of me after the gun incident.”
“Or very smart.” The captain said adjusting a bra strap. “Where were you last night?”
“I was in my apartment.”
“Can someone confirm this?”
“Yes, I was engaged in personal counseling. It’s part of my foundation’s outreach mission.” Patrick said unsettled.
“And you have someone able to collaborate this?” asked Sophia.
The reality was Patrick hired a call boy who was not one of his regulars. He paused to collect himself and moved on the offensive. “Is this a witch hunt? Because it seems to me, a man like Whitly Noble had more than his fair share of enemies. Maybe someone hated him enough to kill him.”
“So, you are telling me you had no issues with Whit?”
“You know sometimes things are not what they appear to be,” Patrick said looking directly at Sophia. “I refuse to answer any more questions without my lawyer present.”
“Fine. You can go, but we expect to see proof you spent the night at home,” said the captain.
After Patrick left, the captain asked, “What was that?”
“What?”
“The look he gave you. Is there something going on you are not telling me?” The captain rarely missed a tell.
“No. The good father was trying to mess with me.”
“You sure? Do you want to talk?”
“No, I’m good.”
Sophia sat on a bench in a small park near the police station. She often retreated here when she was having a bad day. The detective unwrapped a warm meatball sandwich as dog walkers and students hustled by. Suddenly, two shopping bags full of trash were dropped beside her feet. Sophia looked up to see a haggard street person with a baseball cap pulled down over their eyes.
“Good weather, don’t you think? Me, I like the heat,” said the man.
Sophia tried her best to ignore the vagrant.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.”
She thought, how do these people find me?
“We need to talk. I have information for you.”
Right, they always need to talk, she searched the park for an empty bench. “Excuse me, can I be alone? I am trying to eat my lunch right now.”
The man lifted his cap to reveal Michael from the men’s group.
Sophia flashed her badge, “Michael, you should know I am a real cop.”
“Understood. Is this weird? Do you feel weird? Because…I don’t want this to get weird?”
“Is there a reason you’re here?”
“I’m here to help you.”
Sophia re-wrapped the sandwich and stood to leave.
“Wait! I was sent here to ease your pain. I am a real angel,” Michael confessed. “And yes, I know that sounds crazy.”
“Please! It’s my lunch break.”
“Let me prove it to you.”
Sophia sat back down against her better judgment, “Make it quick.”
He pointed to the ground. The gray pigeons feeding at Sophia’s feet instantly transformed into two beautiful white doves.
“A cheap magic trick.”
“Then put your hand in mine.” Michael could see she was losing patience, “If you do, I promise to leave.”
Sophia agreed, not entirely convinced he was harmless.
“Please relax.”
They touched hands and a supernatural light filled her entire being sending soft vibrations up and down her spine. The released kundalini energy created a state of exhilaration. Then all went quiet.
Sophia turned to Michael and saw her dead father instead.
“Hello, Sophia.”
“Oh, Dad,” Sophia immediately began to cry. “My God, I miss you so much.”
“I know. Please don’t cry. Everything is alright.” He hugged her tightly and kissed her on the cheek.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. I am so proud of you. You have grown into such a strong and beautiful woman, but you must go on with your life. Don’t be sad. There is so much to do and enjoy,” he said wiping away her tears.
Her father’s voice filled Sophia’s heart full of hope. “Dad, what is the afterlife like?”
“You feel eternal love and acceptance. All that and more.”
“Sounds amazing.”
“It is…but no same-day shipping.”
Sophia broke into a brief smile.
“Oh, and no smartphones. No mobile devices of any kind.”
“That is going to be a problem,” Sophia said thinking of her friends.
“Sweetheart, it’s just another stage of life. You see things without filters. It is a different perspective. Time and space are an illusion.”
A look of confusion crossed his daughter’s face.
“Just be kind. Enjoy each day. Life is a great opportunity. Take advantage of your time here. All this is a gift.” He looked around the park, “Everything here is so vivid and alive.”
Her dad looked just as she remembered. Sophia wished their time together would never end.
“How is your mother?”
“Good. She misses you every day, but she has her friends and her chardonnay.
“Tell her I love her. Oh, and Sophia, you need to forgive the drunk driver.”
“I’ve tried.” She didn’t have the heart to tell him about the salesman’s heart attack. Sophia had no idea if the man survived her visit.
“Don’t be so….”
“So what?”
“Honey, you know.”
“No, Dad. I don’t know!”
“Just don’t try to control everything. Sometimes you have to let things go.”
“I know, but I am going through a stressful time right now.”
“Try acting like a beautiful swan floating calmly over turbulent waters.”
“Dad, what are you talking about?”
“Or a majestic eagle?”
“Something that swoops out of the sky and kills prey?”
“You know some indigenous cultures believe eagles are spiritual messengers between the gods and humans.”
Sophia tilted her head genuinely confused.
“I am sorry dear. I am new to this,” confessed her father.
“And what’s with all the bird talk?”
“There is a lot of free time in the afterlife, and I’ve begun studying ornithology. It’s the study of birds.”
“I know Dad.” Sophia tried to collect herself, “It’s only that…I’ve missed you so much.”
“I know sweetheart. Sophia, the forgiveness is for you, not for him. Hate only lives in the person who feeds it. Believe me if I could take your sorrow away, I would,” he said softly. “You can’t bring me back, but you can forgive the driver. Trust me. Beauty will come of all things in its time. Besides, sadness will give you frown lines.” He squeezed Sophia’s hand. “It’s time to go. This is where I leave you.”
“Please, Dad, not again.”
“Don’t worry, we will meet again.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I am with you forever. And remember, try to be kind.”
Her father dissolved into a sphere of light that morphed back into Michael. The angel waited patiently for Sophia to regain composure as birds sang in the trees.
“You did that?” she whispered wiping away the tears.
Michael smiled.
“Thank you.”
A few weeks ago, the visit would have gave her a nervous breakdown, but the recent changes in Sophia’s life made the extraordinary seemed ordinary. Her father’s death had changed her life forever. Nothing was the same again. Sophia tried her best to help her mother with the loss and fill the parental void in their family, but nothing felt right. And she lived with the constant regret of never being able to say goodbye to her father.
Until today.
Now her grief was gone. She was finally free.
“We will meet again. There are many things I need to tell you,” Michael said and stood to leave.
“Tell me, was my dad’s visit real?” Sophia’s voice slightly choked.
The angel nodded and looked down, “Are you going to…um?” Michael pointed at her lunch.
“No, please, take it.” Sophia handed him the sandwich and watched the angel shuffle away.