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surprised by the anger in her voice. “It works for her. And frankly, if I had to choose between his attitude and hers, hers wins. Hands down.”
    She changed the subject. “Where to?”
    “Next name on the list.”

 
    CHAPTER NINE
    Thursday, August 11
    11:50 P.M.
    Mira stood gazing at the Sister of Mercy windows. She and Deni, aided by Deni’s boyfriend, Chris, had worked on them nearly nonstop for the past thirty-six hours. Now, the only evidence of the vandalism that remained was the lingering smell of the acetone they’d used to clean them.
    “We did it,” she said softly, looking at Deni, standing beside her. “I feel like I just fought a battle with the devil and won.”
    Her friend met her eyes and smiled. “It’s a great feeling, isn’t it?”
    “It is. And if every part of my body wasn’t screaming protest, I might even do a happy dance.”
    “Too tired for the Corner Bar?”
    The cleaning process had been grueling, both a physical and mental workout. The respirators were unnatural and cumbersome to wear, her upper body ached from the repetitive motion used in the cleaning process, her back and feet hurt from balancing on a ladder for a day and a half, and her eyes burned from straining not to miss a single fleck of the spray paint.
    Even so, Mira knew there was no way she’d be able to sleep. “Are you kidding? A drink at this point is a must.”
    “My God, they’re beautiful,” Chris said, coming up beside them. “Father Girod would be pleased.”
    Mira smiled at him. “I prefer to think that he is pleased.”
    Deni tucked her arm through Chris’s. “We’re thinking alcohol.”
    “Good by me,” he said. “The Corner Bar?”
    “Is there anywhere else?”
    “The truck’s loaded,” he said. “Everything but your coveralls.”
    “Let’s go then,” Mira said.
    The two exited before her. She set the alarm, then made certain the door was locked and met them at the truck. After removing and stowing their coveralls, they climbed into the vehicle, Chris driving and Deni in the middle. The Corner Bar, appropriately named because it sat on the corner of Willow and Dublin streets, was a true neighborhood joint. All the regulars lived or worked within walking distance of it. And that included Mira and her crew—the studio was located just a couple blocks over.
    As they walked in, the owner called out a greeting. They returned it and ambled over to the bar.
    “How’s it going, Sam?”
    “S’okay. Business is steady.” He wiped the bar top. “What’re you three doing out so late?”
    “Celebrating a job well done,” Chris answered, sliding onto one of the bar stools.
    “We restored the windows at Sisters of Mercy,” Deni added.
    Sam’s face puckered. “Poor Father Girod. He was a hell of a great guy.”
    “He was,” Mira agreed, taking the stool next to Deni. “How did you know him?”
    “Went to Sisters of Mercy my whole life. He baptized both my kids and presided over Maggie’s funeral. May she rest in peace.” He crossed himself, then turned his attention to the reason for their visit. “The usual?”
    When they all agreed, he set about making cosmos for Mira and Deni and got a bottle of Abita Amber for Chris. He set the drinks in front of them along with a bowl of pretzels. “As old as Father Girod was, after Katrina he was out in the heat, helping gut flooded homes. Can you believe that?”
    They said they couldn’t, and after a couple more moments, he excused himself to help another customer. Mira lifted her glass. “To you two, for working your asses off. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
    “No, you couldn’t,” Deni agreed. “Slave driver.”
    She laughed. “I am a little intense when it comes to my windows.”
    “I loved it,” Chris said. “It made me feel like I was really doing something important. You know, making a difference.”
    Deni looked at him, grinning hugely. “Isn’t it cool! I knew you’d love it!”
    Chris had been a great find,