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covered more, but no respectable nun’s anatomy should have been in the same zip code with them.
    â€œProof positive I’m no longer a nun. Take that, Frank Driscoll.” She wriggled into the dress and zipped it. “Someday, Frank, perhaps you will admire this underwear.”
    Collar, veil, black flats. Now her reflection made her shiver, and she closed in on the mirror till her nose touched it. “You. Will. Not. Beat. Me.”
    The doorbell rang.
    Frank stepped backwards when she opened the front door. “Giulia, every instinct of mine expects you to whap me with a ruler because you’re dressed that way.”
    She raised her eyes to Heaven. “It’s a disguise, nothing more. Pretend it’s a practice run for Halloween.”
    He tried to straighten the nonexistent collar on his sweatshirt. “Right. Sure. You all set?”
    _____
    In the passenger seat of Frank’s Camry, Giulia maintained correct posture: both feet on the floor, spine straight, hands clasped in her lap. The night before, she’d mended the pocket and shoulder seam in her worn black raincoat.
    â€œI won’t be able to call you with updates. The walls between the bedrooms are wicked thin.”
    Frank merged onto I-79. “I figured as much. We’ll stick to texting then.”
    â€œIf nothing else, it’ll improve my texting speed.”
    â€œRight. So here’s the plan.” A Hummer cut them off. Frank cursed and swerved onto the shoulder. “Sorry, Sis—.”
    â€œArgh.” She banged the back of her head against the headrest. “You’re going to drive me to violence. Will you please look past this disguise? I’m still under here.”
    â€œSorry, Giulia. It’s too convincing.”
    If I had no morals, I’d make you pull over and then I’d show you my underwear. In daylight. And in public. That was what she wanted to say. She settled for, “Why don’t you watch for renegade SUVs while we talk. That way you can pretend I’m not Sister Mary Intimidation.”
    Frank bit his lip. “Got it.”
    They drove in silence for a few miles. Frank muttered at the prevalence of minivans filled with children distracting the driver. Giulia settled deeper into her old self—that is, her character for this assignment.
    When the traffic thinned, Frank said, “Texting’s the better choice anyway for now. The guy Blake put me on used to be a small-time drug dealer. Jimmy talked to Narcotics, and I’ll be working with them for the next few days.”
    â€œHow is Captain Teddy Bear?”
    â€œSomeday you’ll call him that to his face. I just hope a dozen cops are there when you do.” He merged right and exited onto 376. “He’s fine and so are Laura and the new baby.”
    â€œBaby?” Giulia’s character immersion slipped. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’d’ve made a batch of sauce to give the new mom a break.”
    â€œYou are not getting within five blocks of Jimmy. He’ll try to hire you away again.” Frank looked over at her. “I’m not letting you get away from me. That is, from Driscoll Investigations.”
    Nice Freudian slip, Frank. If only you meant it. “Back on topic: Sister Mary Regina Coelis would have no reason to call a man on a cell phone she’s not supposed to have. The texting plan works out.”
    â€œWho?”
    Giulia laughed. “I forgot you didn’t know the name I was given at my Investiture.”
    â€œWhat a mouthful. Is that Latin?”
    â€œYou slept through religion classes, didn’t you? Yes, it’s Latin. I was once named for Mary Queen of Heaven. Fabian and I are going to tell the curious that I petitioned to return.”
    â€œWhat about the cover story I thought up for you?”
    â€œToo complex. I’d’ve had to remember the name of a fictitious brother, his wife, their imaginary orphaned child,