Malachi could hear the whisper underneath his words and carried on without pause. He'd given him the chance to give his prayer, and Richards had spent that time sniffling and offering thanks instead.

As soon as he was finished, the other priest left the confessional. Malachi exhaled a sigh before he went to follow.

Out of the church, into the presbytery, down the hall -- until Father Richards disappeared into his room, and Malachi eyed the darkness that obscured the little gap beneath the door.

That wasn't very promising.

Malachi stood there a moment longer, then turned. Again he departed from the presbytery, not to return until morning light.