06-25-2022, 01:20 PM
The fact that Father Brennan had seemed to be absent from the presbytery that night was nothing new. The priest seemed to enjoy being out at night, despite Gabriel's warnings that the Whitby alleys were dangerous after dark. His fellow priest was usually back by morning, and Gabriel was aware enough of his own sins not to ask questions.
But it had been Malachi's turn for the main Mass that morning, and he had not been there. Gabriel had already prayed his private Mass, but when the altar server had come to get him, telling him that the few people who came during weekdays were still waiting and about to leave, Gabriel had offered the Mass.
Father Brennan was probably occupied elsewhere. Perhaps a dying person whom the priest had given Holy Unction did not have anyone to wait by him or her. Gabriel didn't think Brennan would leave such a person just because 'his job' was done. Or perhaps an urgent baptism followed by the need to comfort the bereaved parents.
When it was noon and there was still no sign of the priest, Gabriel began to worry a little though and he could see that Mrs. Higgins was concerned as well.
"It's not me business..." she said as she cleared the table after lunch. "But I do wish 'e'd tell us if 'e's plannin' to be out for so long."
Gabriel had told the housekeeper not to worry. It probably wasn't planned. Whatever had drawn him away, it was probably something in one of the neighbouring villages and he had decided to walk back.
Surely.
Then late in the afternoon, he had finally checked his fellow priest's room. It was empty, safe for the furniture that had been there before Brennan came. Mrs. Higgins had been as astonished as he was. Brennan had left then? Without a word. Just like that? Had there be some scandal? But surely the bishop would have told him he was pulling Brennan out. Had he gone away willingly?
"I'll check in with some people who might know her," he promised Mrs. Higgings during dinner.
And so here he was, at around seven 'o clock, entering the police station. He approached the desk. Elijah! No, Mr. Crane. He was so happy to... He was mortified.
"Constable Crane," he greeted, the now familiar dizziness striking once again. "How have you been? I haven't seen you at..." Wrong opening. "Sorry... Have you seen Father Brennan today?"
But it had been Malachi's turn for the main Mass that morning, and he had not been there. Gabriel had already prayed his private Mass, but when the altar server had come to get him, telling him that the few people who came during weekdays were still waiting and about to leave, Gabriel had offered the Mass.
Father Brennan was probably occupied elsewhere. Perhaps a dying person whom the priest had given Holy Unction did not have anyone to wait by him or her. Gabriel didn't think Brennan would leave such a person just because 'his job' was done. Or perhaps an urgent baptism followed by the need to comfort the bereaved parents.
When it was noon and there was still no sign of the priest, Gabriel began to worry a little though and he could see that Mrs. Higgins was concerned as well.
"It's not me business..." she said as she cleared the table after lunch. "But I do wish 'e'd tell us if 'e's plannin' to be out for so long."
Gabriel had told the housekeeper not to worry. It probably wasn't planned. Whatever had drawn him away, it was probably something in one of the neighbouring villages and he had decided to walk back.
Surely.
Then late in the afternoon, he had finally checked his fellow priest's room. It was empty, safe for the furniture that had been there before Brennan came. Mrs. Higgins had been as astonished as he was. Brennan had left then? Without a word. Just like that? Had there be some scandal? But surely the bishop would have told him he was pulling Brennan out. Had he gone away willingly?
"I'll check in with some people who might know her," he promised Mrs. Higgings during dinner.
And so here he was, at around seven 'o clock, entering the police station. He approached the desk. Elijah! No, Mr. Crane. He was so happy to... He was mortified.
"Constable Crane," he greeted, the now familiar dizziness striking once again. "How have you been? I haven't seen you at..." Wrong opening. "Sorry... Have you seen Father Brennan today?"
