Filippi gave an oral
report on the Etruscans in Umbria. It sounded original.”
“You mean it was rough.”
“Yes, original.”
“And Vincenza in fourth period—did she
stay to take an exam?”
“Yes. It’s here among the papers I’m
giving back to you. I corrected most of them, but I have class later and won’t
be able to finish.” She sat on the edge of the bed expectantly. “Do you have
anything else for me?”
“Very definitely. I must ask you to look
up some information at San Benedetto. It’s about Bernardo Reni. Have you heard
of him?”
“I don’t think I have him in a class.”
“He was older while in my class here
several years ago,” Sister Angela said. “I need you to check his baptismal and
confirmation records at the church.”
“If you had him in your class, why don’t
you ask his parents? That might be easier.”
The nun looked up and smiled. “I’ve
talked to the parents already. I still have a question about when and where he
was born.”
“Didn’t the parents know that?”
“They provided no exact information.
Instead of bothering them further, I thought it would be better to look it up.
I know it’s a dirty job, but once we see the paperwork, we can make sure Mrs.
Reni hasn’t forgotten anything.” Sister Angela paused. “I need to know all the
paperwork is there—if everything is in place. I also need the name of the hospital
where he was born. I wrote down the names of the parents and relatives as far
as I know them. This will help you compare.”
“Does Father Domenic keep the papers
downstairs in the rectory?”
“They are in the church basement. I’m
afraid the records aren’t well organized. You might have to look carefully for them.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes. I need you to handle my afternoon
classes again tomorrow. I’m taking the bus to Petraggio at noon. I believe the
examiner is going to look at the body tonight,” she said. “I’ll write up some
lesson plans and leave them for you in the classroom.”
Sister Angela told her the terrible
story about Father Domenic finding the body in the nave. And Bernardo, poor thing,
poor parents—the whole incident was so tragic. That is why Sister Daniela had
to get as much evidence as possible. It was not going to be easy, examining all
those records, but she would not complain. The work was too important.
Sister Daniela skipped up the stairs to
her room. Looking for clues is exciting , she thought.
*
Sister Angela read over her notes. It
was difficult to read under the light in the center of the ceiling. She had a desk
lamp, but the bulb had gone out long ago, and she kept forgetting to replace
it. So far, there was only one avenue to search—Father Domenic. Sister Angela
noticed how uncomfortable he seemed during the interview. But why? She did not
believe the priest was involved in the murder. If he had not acted the way he
did, she probably would not have a niggling need to look into it further. Why
would he be so nervous? How would she obtain records about Father Domenic’s
past without word getting back to the bishop and his assistant? Would the
bishop be thankful if she found something disturbing about his acting pastor
before he officially installed him as pastor of San Benedetto? Decidedly not.
She bit her lip. But how? Should she go directly to the bishop? Again no—unless
there was no place left to go. Who did she know in Milano? Was there anyone who
might be able to get that information for her?
She was still racking her brain after
evening prayer and could not go to sleep until she knew what to do. Suddenly she
remembered Father Claudio at the university in Milano. She met him at a
function for the bishop years ago. He, too, had a streak of curiosity, and the
pair became close, sharing mysteries they read through letters. He would
certainly know how to get the information she needed.
*
The next morning, Sister Daniela walked
directly to San Benedetto and knocked on the rectory
report on the Etruscans in Umbria. It sounded original.”
“You mean it was rough.”
“Yes, original.”
“And Vincenza in fourth period—did she
stay to take an exam?”
“Yes. It’s here among the papers I’m
giving back to you. I corrected most of them, but I have class later and won’t
be able to finish.” She sat on the edge of the bed expectantly. “Do you have
anything else for me?”
“Very definitely. I must ask you to look
up some information at San Benedetto. It’s about Bernardo Reni. Have you heard
of him?”
“I don’t think I have him in a class.”
“He was older while in my class here
several years ago,” Sister Angela said. “I need you to check his baptismal and
confirmation records at the church.”
“If you had him in your class, why don’t
you ask his parents? That might be easier.”
The nun looked up and smiled. “I’ve
talked to the parents already. I still have a question about when and where he
was born.”
“Didn’t the parents know that?”
“They provided no exact information.
Instead of bothering them further, I thought it would be better to look it up.
I know it’s a dirty job, but once we see the paperwork, we can make sure Mrs.
Reni hasn’t forgotten anything.” Sister Angela paused. “I need to know all the
paperwork is there—if everything is in place. I also need the name of the hospital
where he was born. I wrote down the names of the parents and relatives as far
as I know them. This will help you compare.”
“Does Father Domenic keep the papers
downstairs in the rectory?”
“They are in the church basement. I’m
afraid the records aren’t well organized. You might have to look carefully for them.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes. I need you to handle my afternoon
classes again tomorrow. I’m taking the bus to Petraggio at noon. I believe the
examiner is going to look at the body tonight,” she said. “I’ll write up some
lesson plans and leave them for you in the classroom.”
Sister Angela told her the terrible
story about Father Domenic finding the body in the nave. And Bernardo, poor thing,
poor parents—the whole incident was so tragic. That is why Sister Daniela had
to get as much evidence as possible. It was not going to be easy, examining all
those records, but she would not complain. The work was too important.
Sister Daniela skipped up the stairs to
her room. Looking for clues is exciting , she thought.
*
Sister Angela read over her notes. It
was difficult to read under the light in the center of the ceiling. She had a desk
lamp, but the bulb had gone out long ago, and she kept forgetting to replace
it. So far, there was only one avenue to search—Father Domenic. Sister Angela
noticed how uncomfortable he seemed during the interview. But why? She did not
believe the priest was involved in the murder. If he had not acted the way he
did, she probably would not have a niggling need to look into it further. Why
would he be so nervous? How would she obtain records about Father Domenic’s
past without word getting back to the bishop and his assistant? Would the
bishop be thankful if she found something disturbing about his acting pastor
before he officially installed him as pastor of San Benedetto? Decidedly not.
She bit her lip. But how? Should she go directly to the bishop? Again no—unless
there was no place left to go. Who did she know in Milano? Was there anyone who
might be able to get that information for her?
She was still racking her brain after
evening prayer and could not go to sleep until she knew what to do. Suddenly she
remembered Father Claudio at the university in Milano. She met him at a
function for the bishop years ago. He, too, had a streak of curiosity, and the
pair became close, sharing mysteries they read through letters. He would
certainly know how to get the information she needed.
*
The next morning, Sister Daniela walked
directly to San Benedetto and knocked on the rectory
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