Chapter 24: As Non-Supernatural as Possible
Chloe took Beckett's spare Kevlar vest and threw a glance at Lucifer. The Devil was staring intensely at the church. They had people scattered around the building, people watching all the entrances and exits, and based on the timeline from Thompson's journal he should be here, or nearby, having already selected and stalked his victim.
While the New York team finished their weapons check Chloe took the moment to stand beside Lucifer. "Is he here?" She asked quietly.
Lucifer flicked her a glance. "Either that or my sister has taken refuge in the church. Which wouldn't be like her at all."
Chloe finished checking her gun and glanced at the New York detectives. Realistically the easiest and safest way to deal with this would be to send Lucifer in alone. However despite being fully aware of what he was capable of, all Chloe's training prevented her from doing this. If Lucifer went into situations alone, it was because he was going behind her back and it still frustrated the hell out of her. If they had been at home, this might have been the exception to that rule.
In this situation there was no way Detective Beckett was going to let him go in alone. Chloe steeled herself, straightened things in her mind and spoke. "Lucifer think's he should already be in the church."
Kate Beckett looked up at her. "No one has seen him go in yet."
Chloe flicked a glance at Lucifer who watched her impassively he wasn't going to chip in here from the look on his face. "Line's up with what he did all the other times."
Beckett frowned and then nodded slowly to her team. "Let's head inside, take it slow and coats over Kevlar. We need to see if he is already inside." Everyone donned their coats.
Ryan glanced at Lucifer who still had one eye on the church. "Can you even go inside a church?"
Lucifer blinked and looked down at him in surprise. "Of course I can. I don't like to, bit too sanctimonious for me and Dad really doesn't deserve so much devotion, but I'm not going to burst into flames." Chloe bit her lip to hide the smile remembering all Lucifer's muttering whenever one of their cases headed church-ward.
Ryan shrugged slightly. "I figured that because you're the devil…" There was only the faintest note of mockery in his tone which Lucifer ignored as usual.
"I'm still an angel." Lucifer reminded him. One shoulder shifted slightly in a habit Chloe had noticed since his wings had reappeared. Chloe often pictured Lucifer's wing's fluffing up indignantly whenever he did that.
"Let's go guys." Beckett called to them. Ryan sent Lucifer one more look before turning away.
The six of them split up into their natural pairs.
Lucifer opened the door they had been given and Chloe was grateful that Beckett hadn't insisted that she hang back or bring a New Yorker with her. It would seriously cramp Lucifer's ability to interfere.
Chloe strolled into the church as casually as she could, Lucifer strolling beside her. She scanned the dim light of the church. In an effort to not frightened off Thompson they hadn't cleared the church initially. As soon as they confirmed that Thompson was inside the officers outside would block the exits.
"You have the feather right?" Chloe asked Lucifer in an undertone. Lucifer didn't bother to soften his voice when he replied. "Of course Detective, not that it matters, it's not as though I've got to go far to get another."
Chloe winced. "Let's keep this as non-supernatural as possible, please Lucifer."
"Whatever you say Detective." Lucifer told her with a sideways smirk. Chloe rolled her eyes, she knew that look. It was the one that meant while Lucifer was vocally agreeing with her, when it came right down to it; he would do exactly what he wanted anyway.
The ear bud in Chloe's right ear crackled. Back rooms are clear. Esposito and Ryan had gone through the back door. Beckett and Castle had the main door. Chloe looked around. "Is there anywhere else he could be hiding?" Chloe asked.
"I don't exactly make a habit of hanging out in churches Detective." Lucifer almost sounded insulted. Suddenly there was a scream from their right.
"I think that might be a good place to start." Chloe said, drawing her gun and running towards the noise, Lucifer close on her heels.
As Chloe rounded the corner she came face to face with a heavy wooden door. Another, more muffled scream, came from behind it. "Lucifer!" She stepped back from the door as her partner stepped forward without hesitation and slammed his hand, palm out into the door.
The wood shattered, smoking slightly, away from Lucifer and Chloe ducked around him and down the corridor.
There, for the first time, she came face to face with Jason Thompson. He had one hand around a woman's neck; the other held a knife to her throat. The woman, who had to be Parker, whimpered as the knife pricked her skin, a line of bright blood dripped down her neck.
Chloe stepped out of the way of the door, circling left to try and get a clear shot. "Put the knife down Thompson."
Thompson had turned to face her, though he had one eye on Lucifer who had stepped right and fallen still, his eyes searching and judging. "I have work to do, and you…you are getting in my way." Thompson snapped, pressing the knife harder into his victim's throat.
Chloe gritted her teeth; she did not want this woman to die. She flicked a glance at Lucifer. Despite the physical risk Lucifer could easily take Thompson if he could get his hands on him, but to do that he would need to move angel fast. Thompson's victim was almost unconscious with fear and Thompson already knew about angels. It wasn't much of a risk.
"Lucifer, do it." Chloe told him firmly.
Suddenly a voice called out into the room. "Hands where I can see them Thompson and drop the knife." Chloe's heart sank; Beckett had appeared in the doorway, Castle close by her side.
Chloe glanced helplessly at Lucifer whose expression was dark. Had they missed their chance?