that clearly went over the line.
“Whatever it is, you’ll tell me what you find out?”
“You bet. If I’m lucky, expect a call tonight. Might be a bit late.”
“I’ll keep my phone close.” Then time for Sarah to pause. “Jack?”
“Yup?”
“What you saw, in the woods. That means someone had been there, that somehow this might be a murder, not a medical accident?”
“That’s right.”
“And if someone wanted Byrne dead, they won’t be happy with what we’re doing?”
“I imagine not.”
“So, I’m just saying. You, me — we should be careful, don’t you think?”
“Always. Safety first. No unnecessary risks.”
“Like tonight. Whatever it is. You be careful.”
Another great laugh from Jack. “You know, I do love it when you worry about me.” Then his voice turned serious. “I’ll do my best Sarah, you can count on that. And I hope you find out something about our three seekers of peace and serenity.”
Who hadn’t seemed serene just moments ago.
“Okay, will do. Speak later.”
And with a quick “bye”, Jack was gone, with Sarah left wondering what it was he planned on doing.
Plausible deniability?
More like, worrying about Jack for the next few hours…
She got into her car, and started down the meandering drive away from the property, where it felt like the woods, the buildings, and the people could all be hiding secrets…
10. A Night Mission
Jack used the light from his phone to look at the rectory door.
It was ancient, the lock as well; should give easily, he thought, and he’d broken into many similar back in New York.
But in this case, he discovered that if he simply pulled, tugged, and rattled the wobbly door knob, the door popped free of its latch.
That, Jack thought, should definitely be repaired. Anyone can get in here.
He quickly entered the dark building then pulled the door closed behind him.
He waited until his eyes had adjusted to the gloom.
Once he did, there was enough ambient light from outside that he should be able to find his way up the stairs, and to Byrne’s room.
Breaking and entering.
Yup. Better that Sarah should be out of this loop.
One of these days he’d be doing something like this, and good old Alan — the local cop — would roll up in his patrol car.
It was — after all — illegal.
A few seconds, and he was ready to go, and he started moving to the stairs.
*
At the end of the hallway, near Byrne’s room, its door open, Jack saw that a big window with net curtains let in milky light from the quarter moon.
He could also see the shadows of tables and armchairs in the wide hallway.
The rectory was big — far too big just to house the local parish priest. At some point this place must have been filled with priests, passing through on their way to missions around the world, bringing the Holy Roman Church to the four corners of the globe.
But these days, that globe had changed, the church had changed; business, Jack guessed, was off.
And somehow, despite his own lack of belief, he regretted that.
The world seemed more solid and safe back then, when he was a kid. Priests and nuns had all the answers, after the Pope and God of course.
These days — who had any answers?
Back to work…
To his right was a bathroom, the curtainless frosted window letting in the moonlight. He went in, his eyes quickly scanning the space.
A seventies bathroom suite. One towel. One bar of soap. A bottle of shampoo. Above the hand basin was a small cabinet. He opened it — just a few toiletries.
No meds. Maybe in the bedroom?
He slipped out into the hall again, then stepped into Byrne’s room.
Though Sister Mary had let him check out Byrne’s office, where they found the watch, Jack wondered if a man like Byrne, a gambler, someone who liked the ponies, would have a place to keep secrets?
The room was so dark he’d have to use the light on his phone.
He pulled down a shade so that the light wouldn’t be seen by anyone outside,
“Whatever it is, you’ll tell me what you find out?”
“You bet. If I’m lucky, expect a call tonight. Might be a bit late.”
“I’ll keep my phone close.” Then time for Sarah to pause. “Jack?”
“Yup?”
“What you saw, in the woods. That means someone had been there, that somehow this might be a murder, not a medical accident?”
“That’s right.”
“And if someone wanted Byrne dead, they won’t be happy with what we’re doing?”
“I imagine not.”
“So, I’m just saying. You, me — we should be careful, don’t you think?”
“Always. Safety first. No unnecessary risks.”
“Like tonight. Whatever it is. You be careful.”
Another great laugh from Jack. “You know, I do love it when you worry about me.” Then his voice turned serious. “I’ll do my best Sarah, you can count on that. And I hope you find out something about our three seekers of peace and serenity.”
Who hadn’t seemed serene just moments ago.
“Okay, will do. Speak later.”
And with a quick “bye”, Jack was gone, with Sarah left wondering what it was he planned on doing.
Plausible deniability?
More like, worrying about Jack for the next few hours…
She got into her car, and started down the meandering drive away from the property, where it felt like the woods, the buildings, and the people could all be hiding secrets…
10. A Night Mission
Jack used the light from his phone to look at the rectory door.
It was ancient, the lock as well; should give easily, he thought, and he’d broken into many similar back in New York.
But in this case, he discovered that if he simply pulled, tugged, and rattled the wobbly door knob, the door popped free of its latch.
That, Jack thought, should definitely be repaired. Anyone can get in here.
He quickly entered the dark building then pulled the door closed behind him.
He waited until his eyes had adjusted to the gloom.
Once he did, there was enough ambient light from outside that he should be able to find his way up the stairs, and to Byrne’s room.
Breaking and entering.
Yup. Better that Sarah should be out of this loop.
One of these days he’d be doing something like this, and good old Alan — the local cop — would roll up in his patrol car.
It was — after all — illegal.
A few seconds, and he was ready to go, and he started moving to the stairs.
*
At the end of the hallway, near Byrne’s room, its door open, Jack saw that a big window with net curtains let in milky light from the quarter moon.
He could also see the shadows of tables and armchairs in the wide hallway.
The rectory was big — far too big just to house the local parish priest. At some point this place must have been filled with priests, passing through on their way to missions around the world, bringing the Holy Roman Church to the four corners of the globe.
But these days, that globe had changed, the church had changed; business, Jack guessed, was off.
And somehow, despite his own lack of belief, he regretted that.
The world seemed more solid and safe back then, when he was a kid. Priests and nuns had all the answers, after the Pope and God of course.
These days — who had any answers?
Back to work…
To his right was a bathroom, the curtainless frosted window letting in the moonlight. He went in, his eyes quickly scanning the space.
A seventies bathroom suite. One towel. One bar of soap. A bottle of shampoo. Above the hand basin was a small cabinet. He opened it — just a few toiletries.
No meds. Maybe in the bedroom?
He slipped out into the hall again, then stepped into Byrne’s room.
Though Sister Mary had let him check out Byrne’s office, where they found the watch, Jack wondered if a man like Byrne, a gambler, someone who liked the ponies, would have a place to keep secrets?
The room was so dark he’d have to use the light on his phone.
He pulled down a shade so that the light wouldn’t be seen by anyone outside,
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