The only physical contact Gabriel had had with another human being for ages was when he put his hands on someone's head or made a cross on someone's forehead, when he blessed, anointed, or distributed ashes. His hand between Elijah's... he wanted to keep it there forever.

Instead, he withdrew it gently. He pulled out a chair and sat down, turning his eyes away from the constable and to the table. "Did you... get my letter?"