Caught in the Fire

Chapter XXXIV: Heaven Can Wait

"I felt it. That twinge of fear. She is the traitor."

Chloe grabbed her things, abandoned her desk, and motioned for Michael to follow. They went up the stairs and straight toward the elevator. Once they were inside, she allowed herself to talk. "Are you sure it's the new lieutenant? You were antagonizing her just now. You were accusing her of betraying the LAPD. The look in your eyes scared me, too."

"I know what I felt. Tell me what happened the day she arrived."

"I wasn't here that day, but she threatened to arrest Lucifer if he didn't show up at the station to testify about Pierce's death. But he couldn't show up because he was stuck with that... that face." Because I made him feel like a monster that day. "I had to convince him to give his testimony. I guess calling him helped him get his face back."

"It is her, Ms. Decker. She was appointed mere hours after Cain's death for a reason."

"Pierce did put in for a transfer. I was there. He decided to stay because I..." She scratched her head, biting her lower lip. She stole a quick glance at the evidence closet and decided not to answer. "It doesn't matter. Her story makes sense."

"She threatened to arrest my brother because she wanted him to come to the station. She wanted to get to me. When nothing happened, she assumed I was not coming and moved forward with her plans to avenge Cain's death by coming after 'Lucifer' and you. That is why she ordered her men to attack us at the mall."

"That's a lot of assumptions. Look, let's say you're right about everything. Does she even look familiar to you?"

"I have never seen her before in my life."

"You'd never even seen her before." Chloe sighed again. "Michael, Barrow said that he didn't know her name; that nobody did. We know her name. It's Elisa."

"She is the lieutenant, and as such, she would have the ability to delete the surveillance footage. She has been here all day; she knew we were close to finding her. That is why she told us to leave the precinct. That is why she sent Bluestone! And you were almost killed!" he cried out, his voice breaking.

"I'm okay. Okay?" He nodded, closing his eyes in pain. "I promise you, Michael, if she's guilty of anything, we'll find it. But first, I need you to figure out who'd want revenge against you and why. Maybe start by making a list."

"I do not know. I have rarely been to Earth in the last two millennia. Anyone who could have held a grudge against me has passed away. What human alive today could possibly want to hurt me?"

"Maybe a religious fanatic? Maybe it's a vendetta passed down for generations? Maybe it's an immortal like Pierce? Figure it out because you may be in danger."

"I am more worried about you. When the Sinnerman Network discovers that I am here, they will suspect that I banished Lucifer and they will stop at nothing to avenge Cain. All of you are in grave danger. We need to tell Daniel and Ms. López the truth about me."

"You're right." The informant was still on the loose, the Sinnerman Network was after them, and the two other people involved in Cain's death needed to know the truth. But she didn't want to expose them to Michael, not until she knew of his true intentions. "For now, we split up. They'll need time to regroup after Bluestone failed to kill us—especially after they find out who you really are. That'll buy us some time. I'll meet you at the penthouse so we can go over the plan."

"I must accompany you, now more than ever."

"No, Michael," she said, forcefully, leaving no room for discussion. The elevator doors opened, and she quickly exited through one of the parking lot levels. He, however, followed her. "The two of us being together makes us an easy target."