“Thank you, I…are you happy, Abram?”

“Yes, I am—I mean I’m not happy at this moment. But I feel I made the right decision.”

“That’s wonderful.” Rina began wringing her hands. Softly, the priest put his palm over her tightened fists.

“What’s on your mind, Rina?”

She relaxed her hands. “Nothing.”

Bram pulled his hand away and waited.

Rina said, “What did you mean when you said there might be friction. Did you mean friction between you and Peter?”

“Maybe.”

“What kind of friction?”

The priest sighed.

Rina said, “Forget I said anything.”

“No, I’ll answer you.” He paused. “You know we’ve told each other private things. Not officially under the sacramental seal…but things in confidence. Have you thought about what you’ll do if he starts asking questions about me?”

“Why should he? Our past has no bearing on this case.”

“But what if he thinks it does?”

No one spoke. The car ground to a halt as they reached the grounds of the church. Rina looked out the window…mobbed with people.

“I’ve got to get out of this lane.” He jerked the car to the left, then made a sharp right until he was riding on the grass. An attendant flagged him down, then saw who it was.

“Father Sparks, I’m very sorry for your loss.” He looked down. “Everyone’s loss.”

“Thank you for your sympathy, Ralph.”

“You didn’t ride in the limo with the others?”

“No, I was tied up with other things. Where should I park?”

“Just go straight over the grass.” Ralph pointed out toward the field. “All the way in front of the line. I’ll radio Tim that you’re on your way.”

“Thank you.” Bram jammed the car into second gear, the tires stalling in the soft dirt. He downshifted back to first and tried again. The Toyota bucked forward.

“Another long day.” His eyes watered. “There’s going to be lots of them. What a nightmare! My heart’s coming out of my chest.”

“You’ll get through it.” Rina spoke assuredly. “Everything’s a blur now…time is endless…but the day will end, I promise you. And you’ll survive.”

“You should know.”

“Believe me, I do.” But Rina wasn’t as certain as her words. Trying to keep her stomach from coming through her throat. Seeing the black limos, seeing him dressed in black. Too many memories.

“Rina, about what I said—”

“He won’t interrogate me, Bram. He’s not like that.”

“I phrased it badly. I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

Rina buried her head in her hands. “You didn’t imply anything. I’m acting defensive. I’m sorry.”

“Rina, just let me get this thought out, okay? Because I don’t know when—if ever—we’ll be alone again.”

“Go ahead.”