“No problem,” Hank said.

“We’re the night owls,” the plump woman said with a small laugh. “We were planning to stay up all night to watch over the church.”

“Looks as if we failed,” another man said.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Chief Burke said. “Looks as if you called 911 in time to save the church.”

He pointed to the front doors, where firefighters had begun trickling out. I felt a sudden wave of relief when I saw Michael’s tall form among them.

“Is it the same prankster, Chief?” one of the men asked.

“Too early to tell,” he said. “Were the five of you the only people in the church?”

“Yes,” said the plump woman.

“As far as we know,” muttered one of the men.

“The doors and windows all locked?” the chief asked.

“And checked every hour,” the plump woman said, nodding vigorously.

“And you didn’t let anyone else in at any time?”

The members of the watch all shook their heads, some of them frowning uneasily.

“Good.” The chief nodded absently. He appeared to be lost in thought. I hoped the watch members were reassured by the fact that he was staring into space, not at any of them. I know I would have been relieved.

Chief Featherstone came over.

“We’re still finishing up in the basement,” he said. “But the fire’s out, and you’re welcome to come in and start your investigation. And I expect these folks would like to get in out of the cold. Okay with me as long as they stay out of the basement.”

“And with me as well,” Chief Burke said. He turned and strode toward the church. My passengers all murmured thanks to me and scrambled out of the car to follow. I decided to tag along.

Since the night watch had all been in the social hall when the fire broke out, the chief sent them there, with orders not to talk to each other until he’d interviewed them—and a deputy to watch over them and make sure they followed orders. I went along and busied myself making a pot of coffee so I’d look useful enough that they wouldn’t kick me out. In fact, I decided, I’d fill the big pot we used for receptions. The firefighters might want some before they went home, and there were bound to be more deputies showing up soon, not to mention curious parishioners.

When the coffee was ready, I grabbed a cup with my good hand and went out to hand it to one of the firefighters or deputies, so I’d have a good excuse for taking a look around. I spotted the two chiefs in the vestibule, talking intently about something. I headed their way.

Then I saw my dad appear in the vestibule, medical bag in hand. He said a few words to the two chiefs, then trotted briskly in my direction.