Last Breath Read Online Free Page B

he was destined for the hierarchy. Monsignor at the very least. So what was he doing as parochial vicar under a much younger man? Brendan couldn't figure it out, and his network of friends didn't have a clue. And if Dominic knew, he wasn't saying either.
    “What's going on, Brendan?” he asked bluntly.
    “There's been a crucifixion in the church,” Brendan answered with equal bluntness. As soon as he spoke, he wanted to call the words back. They showed nothing of his usual tact or consideration. In fact, they sounded almost like a joke.
    That was Dominic's initial reaction. He could see the flicker of impatience in the older man's gaze, then saw realization dawn. “You're not kidding, are you.”
    “I wish to God I was. Is the rehearsal over?”
    “All except the cops trying to get everyone's names, addresses, and phone numbers. It's making them all very uncomfortable. And people are demanding to know what's going on.”
    “Oh, man.” Torn, Brendan hesitated. On the one hand, there was the victim in the church. On the other, his newest flock members were being needlessly upset. What would any of them know about this? They'd all arrived in the church this morning
after
Sally and her teachers. “Let me see what I can do. Is there a detective over there named Matt Diel?”
    “No detectives, just uniforms.”
    “All right, hang on a minute.”
    From the courtyard, the entrance to the church led directly into the sacristy, where priests robed for Mass. From there, he walked directly onto the altar. Detective Diel was still there, he saw, making notes and talking to one of the criminologists. Chloe was still there, too, sitting in the front pew, her arms folded, her gaze watchful, looking, he thought, like a Valkyrie ready to spring into action.
    “Detective Diel,” Brendan called out.
    At once the detective turned. He said something to the criminologist and came over to Brendan. The body, thank heaven, was still shrouded, though men were now on ladders poring over the huge wooden cross.
    “Yes, Father?” Diel seemed amiable enough, but Brendan didn't trust the friendliness.
    “I want to know why your men are upsetting all the people in the parish hall.”
    “We need to know who they are. We might need to question them later.”
    “The church can provide that information. But you need to stop upsetting them. They're supposed to come back into this church tonight for their Rites of Initiation. I don't like you scaring my flock away.”
    “I don't like people being murdered either,” Matt said flatly. “But it happens anyway.”
    “Can you give me one good reason why you need to treat these people like criminals?”
    “There's been a murder.”
    Point non plus. Brendan felt irritation rising in him. “You have no reason to think any of them are involved.”
    “Father, they were here when the body was found. One of them might have been here for … another reason.”
    Brendan's face set against the anger he was feeling. “Do you really think a new convert would want to do something like this? Why would they be here if they felt that way? This was a thrust at the heart of the church.”
    Matt nodded. “It could also be directed at
you,
Father.”
    That set Brendan back on his heels. He didn't know what to say.
    “This is a bizarre way to murder someone,” Matt continued almost conversationally. “It screams
message.
”
    “Yeah,” said Chloe, joining them. “It does. But it could just as well be a message to anyone in the parish.”
    Brendan told himself not even to think about that. He had more important concerns. “You have a crime to investigate, but I have a parish to shepherd. Your men are getting in the way of that.”
    Now it was the detective's turn to look taken aback. “I’m doing my job, Father. I’m sorry it's making your people upset, but whoever's hanging on that cross was probably pretty upset too. Sometimes it's an upsetting world.” He turned to Chloe. “You of all people should