The Hour Glass Part Eleven

Samuel had two decisions to make. The first decision involved the question of carrying on the bi-weekly and daily Masses while the mystery of the murders went unsolved. No one in authority were searching for the dead couple. No one in the area wanted to talk about their deaths. Similarly, no one talked about the disappearance of Harry Kedge. Most thought he was dead as well.

Samuel did not want to risk putting any of the faithful in danger. Yet, while there were priests, Mass should continue.

His second decision had to go with a confession he had heard. He knew who the murderer was but he could not tell anyone because of the seal of confession. All he could do was to give counsel to the person to give himself up and to repent and not repeat his crimes. He had heard this confession two days after blessing the now-deep snow covered graves. Thomas Howard had gone back to the house, picked up the dead cat and buried it in the forest behind the field. No one would care about a dead cat's grave. The snow fell for over a week, and the winds kept people inside. Therefore, the first decision of Samuel's was put off by the weather.

The second was more serious. He had asked advice of  Columcille, who agreed that the man would have to give himself up. The seal of confession was sacred. And, as the authorities wanted the demise of the Catholic Church, no one was following up on the whereabouts of missing Catholics.

Sitting by the warm pool in the cavern, Columcille and Samuel prayed to the Holy Spirit for advice. Then, Columcille heard the secret bell, a small bell carried by Thomas Howard, who was requesting entrance to the caves.

To the surprise of Columcille, who rolled back the stone, two Thomas Howards stood at the entrance. They were wearing Canadian snowshoes to hide their tracks.

"We must come in." Columcille closed the door and led them to the warm large cave room. The men sat on the wicker chairs, looking a bit ridiculous, as their large frames hardly fit.

"Another death. Another dead Catholic. Abby, our dear Abby."

Samuel blanched. This was not unexpected. "Go on, tell us."

"Well some people say it was suicide, but Abby was so Catholic, she would never do such a thing. And, the children, her daughters, she would not leave them, would she now?"

The second Thomas spoke up. "We have been talking and we think we should move all the Masses to the caves. We think the Beach House is no longer safe, and we know the pub on the Lion Road is not safe. We need your advice."

"Where is the body, Thomas?" Samuel asked. "The family buried her in the old Anglican cemetery. I mean, her husband is or was Anglican. He was really broken up." Columcille wondered at this, as Abby had told him and others that there was no love lost between the two. The older Samuel fell into a deep silence, his head on his hand.

Columcille took the lead. "Howards, we had been talking about suspending the Masses completely. Do you believe the cave is safe? Should we move even farther away, perhaps up by Thetford Forest Park was a safe house, a small cottage known by both priests. Maybe they should go there for awhile. They had been in this area for two years. Maybe that was too long to expect not to be followed or anticipated.

"What do you think of the Thetford area? It is far and our families would not have the sacraments for awhile, but we could come back?"

Thomas One answered, "We were talking about the same thing. You know the safe house there and so do we. I can move and Thomas here can as well. No one cares if we stay. We have no families but the Catholics."

Samuel finally spoke. "What about the caves? Do we abandon this good hiding place?"

Thomas Two answered slowly, "It is no longer a hiding place. There are tracks, and dog tracks all around the outside, and up on the top of the hill. Someone knows you are here. The policeman has been tracking you two"

"We shall go, tonight. Will you go and tell all the people we are leaving, but do not tell them where?"

"We can still serve the seminarians outside of Diss from the Park."

Thomas One looked at Samuel. "This brings us to something else. Thomas and I were talking about our own selves. Well, we decided that we think God wants us to be priests. Will you take us with you?"

The two priests could feel a great peace come upon the place where they sat. "God is good. Yes, of course. I think two Howard priests are just what we need. We shall leave at midnight. One of you send word to the house in Thetford Forest, and the other go and tell all no more Masses in this area for awhile. Be ready at midnight, no, wait. Let us all meet at the seminary house outside of Diss, not here. We shall leave within two hours, and you can get there as soon as you can."

"Good idea, Samuel, as then I can come from Thetford Park and be there sooner. I feel bad about Abby, though, and the children."

"God has His ways, Thomas. Let us pray for her, her husband and children."

The two cousins left and immediately the two priests gathered their small bunch of belongings, putting on layers of clothes, leaving no trace of human habitation. The last thing to pack was the Crucifix in the cupboard in the wall. Columcille took the cupboard off the cave wall, took it apart and through it into the deep pool. They had dismantled the few wicker chairs, and one small wicker table and threw the wooden pieces into the warm, deep water. These would never be seen again. The caverns chemicals would destroy all the wood and the pool was incredibly deep. They were ready to go.

Outside, Columcille damaged the door in the closed position so that no one could get in easily, if at all. He shook the branches of the heavy fir trees to make the fresh snow drop over the front. No footprints could be seen at the entrance.

Then, the two priests hurried towards Diss. On the Old Roman Road, covered in snow and ice, the two saw a black dog in the distance. Then, they saw the policeman. The stocky man called to the dog, and put it on a leash and muzzle.

"So you are leaving. Good. You know as much as I do why I want you gone. You religious ones ruined my life, and the life of others with your harsh morality. But, you also know there will be no more murders. Get out of here before I decide to arrest you. I am sick of religion." The short man pulled the dog near his legs and let the priests pass. The two could not believe this man was letting them go. But, the policeman had his own personal grief to deal with and he was being irrational, thankfully. Further down the road, Columcille asked Samuel, "Do you know what he is referring to, Samuel?"  Samuel looked at the younger priest. "I cannot give details, but he is right. There will be no more murders." These deaths would never be investigated or solved.

What Samuel knew was that Abby had killed the Catholics who had discovered that she was committing adultery with the policemen. These good people had tried to talk her out of her sin. She felt desperate and trapped in her lies. She had lied about her home situation and her relationship with her husband. She was the one who caused the family strife. She had lost her faith and was pretending at Mass, with her children, with her own sister. But, Samuel was keeping his priestly oath. He alone knew she had, indeed, taken her own life. He would say thirty days of Masses for her soul. Abby had despaired. How she had overcome the large Kedge was with sweet talk and poison. She had probably poisoned Ann and Max. She may have poisoned the cat. She most likely poisoned herself.

Samuel had known her family for decades. They were a mixed group, all highly strung. But, despair was not in the genes. Yes, he would pray a month of Masses for this tortured soul.

The Roman Road was empty because of the worsening weather. The priests thanked God for the snow and ice and sang Vespers and Compline as they trudged along.

Before the light of evening fades,
we pray O Lord of all;
That by your love we may be saved,
from every grievous fall.

Repel the terrors of the night,
and Satan’s power of guile.
Impose a calm and restful sleep,
that nothing may defile.

Most Holy Father grant our prayer,
through Christ your only Son;
that in your Spirit we may live,
and praise you, ever One. Amen.

To be continued....