There were a million things he wanted to say, and very few of them could be said. He was in control now. He had mortified the flesh until he was in full control of it. Then why did his chest still flutter at the sound of Mr. Crane's voice.

"Please... why don't you step in for a moment?" Gabriel said. That was bad. Dangerous. Of course. But they had to talk eventually, and it couldn't be done here in the public eye. Father Brennan wouldn't be back for an hour or so at least, Gabriel believed. He'd speak to Mr. Crane quickly, and then the business would be finished forever.

That thought hurt him more than it should.