"Father, we are planning the wake, and, to be honest, I didn't know where he attended mass. It has been a real shock."
"I know, it always is when one parts this earth, before his time. He wasn't a regular by any means, but he did stop in from time to time. It has been a while since we talked. He will be missed. Forgive me for asking, but I just heard of his passing this morning...how did he die? I wasn't aware of him being sick." Father Patrick was reading Henry and could tell that he had best keep it vague. He was also covering for his slight verbal blunder, though he didn't think Henry had noticed.
Henry, though not religious, was feeling the need to unburden himself. Father Patrick's question nudged Henry forward enough to get him to divulge his suspicions about Mickey's death. "Father, I don't think it was an accident. I think he was murdered."
Father Patrick lowered his head and said a prayer. Henry lowered his head, too.
"I didn't know Michael well enough to know about his family. He didn't mention anyone. Will you need help with the arrangements?"
Henry felt slightly better. The offer of help with the arrangements was a Godsend. Henry explained to the priest that Mike and Luna were putting together the wake…and then he ran out of steam. The thought of burying his friend before he found the killer, or even working on the funeral, was almost more than he could bear. There was a long silence.
"Yes, Father, I would like some help with the arrangements. Let me talk to Luna and Mike. We will call you tomorrow. Your timing couldn't be better."
Father Patrick smiled. "I hope you are wrong about it being murder. I will pray that you find the truth, and if it is as you suspect, then I will pray you find the men who did it."
Henry shook the priest's hand and showed him to the door. He returned to his desk and opened his notebook. He started to write down his memory of the conversation, mostly out of habit, but partly because his gut told him it might be important. He jotted down that the priest was a few years older than him, possibly even early 50s, had blue eyes, and stood about 6 feet tall. He noted their conversation, the subject, the date, and then he paused. Something was bothering him.
Henry picked up the phone and dialed.
"Luna, Henry here."
"I know. How are you doing?" she said with a gentleness that Henry sorely needed.
"I’m doing fine. Thanks." And though he was not doing fine, hearing Luna's voice did make things better. "I was wondering if you and Mike had contacted a church yet?"
"No, we weren't sure where he went. Mike was going to call you later today and ask."
"I just had a visit from a priest, Father Patrick, who said he knew Mickey. He offered to help with the arrangements."
"That was very kind of him."
"Yes, it was." Henry said in a tone which had just a hint of accusation.
Luna picked up on it. "What is it Henry?"
"I don't know, it may be nothing, but I wonder how he knew to come see me. Have you read today's paper?"
"Yes, there was a small piece about the accident and it mentioned...wait a minute...I'll get it."Henry heard her walk away from the phone and then back while flipping through the paper "Here it is: 'A local, and much loved local, by the name of Michael Thomas Moore, was struck and killed by a car outside The Dublin Rogue. At this time police are ruling it an accident, but are looking for the driver. If anyone has any information....' Then it gives a number people can call if they know anything."
"I suppose Mickey could have mentioned me. Thanks Luna, you have been a big help. Could you save that for me?"
"Sure thing. Will you be around later? Mike and I thought we would come by to check on you."
"I have to head down to the library, but I should be here later in the day. Thanks again."
After he hung up the phone, he paced around a bit. It was quite likely that if Mickey did know Father Patrick, Henry could have come up in the conversation, as Mickey always told stories about his friends. Why did Henry still feel like there was something out of the ordinary? Was it something he had said?
Back and forth he paced. He imagined the greeting at the door, then the conversation. Finally Henry got it and said aloud, "I know, it always is…when one parts this earth before his time." The paper had said it was an accident. If that was the case, shouldn't a priest conclude that it was Mickey's time?
Henry went to his list, which only contained the one item, “Meet with Mr. Brown.” He added the number two and then wrote, “Look into Father Patrick of St. Peter's Catholic Church.” Henry grabbed a phone book, looked up the address, and noted it as well. Then he added his next task next to a numeral three, “Talk to Marian the librarian.”