Bad Faith Read Online Free Page B

face-to-face.”
    “We
are
face-to-face,” Reverend Mother answered softly, “and we can see each other well enough. You may ask me any questions you have, but our rules of enclosure dictate that it has to be done this way. I hope you’ll understand.”
    “All right. If that’s the way it has to be.” Green took a breath and regarded her pensively. “The priest, Father An-selm, probably died from a heart attack, at least based on the information I’ve received so far. But until the medical investigator confirms that, I’ve got procedures to follow and I need to get some background information. Did you speak to the father today before Mass?”
    “No. Sister Bernarda and Sister Agatha met him earlier this morning, when he came to deliver some donated supplies for our St. Francis’ Pantry. Our novice and postulant probably helped put food away too, and may have spoken to him. But you’ll have to get the details from Sister Agatha. As sacristan, she may also have seen him when he came to celebrate Mass for us.”
    He glanced at Sister Agatha coldly. She was seated nearby as her duties as portress demanded. “You could have saved me some time and told me this before.”
    “You didn’t ask,” she answered simply.
    Reverend Mother spoke. “You may find it helpful to remember that, as a general rule, our cloistered sisters do not leave the enclosure except in grave emergencies. Father was allowed inside, of course. He made himself available to us for confession and counseling whenever we needed him.”
    “Were there any confession or counseling sessions today?”
    “No,” Reverend Mother responded. “And no one but Sister Agatha or Sister Bernarda could have spoken to him when he came to say Mass. The others were seated with me, within the enclosure, before he arrived.” She glanced at Sister Agatha, then back at the sheriff. “Please don’t hesitate to ask Sister Bernarda or Sister Agatha any further questions you may have. They’ll be glad to help you.”
    “I can even reconstruct some of what Father did immediately prior to his heart attack, if you’d like. He spoke to me about his day,” Sister Agatha said.
    “When I need your help, I’ll let you know,” Sheriff Green said abruptly.
    His rudeness took her aback, but she didn’t say anything. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted Reverend Mother’s disapproving expression. Had she still been Mary Naughton,Sister Agatha would have cheerfully told him he had the manners of a pig, and showed him the door. As it was, however, she knew she should find a more charitable response. Perhaps she’d pray that Tom Green found a personality donor soon.
    “For now, I’m going back to the scene. I’m expecting the district medical investigator, Jim Brown, to arrive shortly. I’ll know more once I talk to him.”
    “Then what you need is medical confirmation that Father had a heart attack?” Reverend Mother asked.
    “If that’s what it was. If his death wasn’t from natural causes, that’ll pose a whole new set of problems, and I’ll need a list of everyone who was here today.”
    “Sister Bernarda can supply that for you. She was portress and would have been outside the chapel doors greeting those who came to Mass today,” Sister Agatha said. “She’s probably in the chapel now, standing by in case she’s needed as your people do their work.”
    That was the most diplomatic way of putting it, Sister Agatha mused. Their chapel was open to the public, so the main reason Sister Bernarda would remain there until they were gone was to make sure no one broached their enclosure.
    “How long will it take you to get the answers you need?” Reverend Mother asked.
    “I don’t know yet. I’ll have to let you know.”
    Muttering a quick thank-you, Sheriff Green strode to the door, apparently heading back to the chapel to meet with his men. Sister Agatha glanced back at Reverend Mother and saw she was standing.
    “Come see me in my office.”
    Sister