Let’s say Father Ike was about to spend a few months in a beautiful beach house. He would have told a few people, wouldn’t he? Why not brag a little about getting laid in paradise? But that’s what Cyrus would do. God knows that’s what Nora would do. But is that what Father Ike would have done?

Priests were supposed to be humble. They weren’t. Cyrus knew that for a fact. Father Ike never struck him as a show-off or a blowhard, however. Really, he seemed a quiet, responsible sort of man. Maybe a quiet, responsible sort of man wouldn’t brag, but he’d request time off. At least warn Sister Margaret he was planning to be gone for such a lengthy time.

Cyrus called Sister Margaret. She answered on the third ring.

“Any news?” That was her hello. Poor lady, he didn’t know what to tell her.

“Still looking, Sister.”

“Well…I understand it might take some time. Isaac’s sister is arriving tonight. I’m picking her up at the airport. Will you be at the funeral?”

“When is it?”

“Saturday at St. Valentine’s.”

“I’ll try. Look, this is kind of a weird question, but did Father Ike mention anything to you about taking a long trip to Grand Isle?”

“Grand Isle? Oh yes, he went there a couple weeks every June. Soon as school was out.”

“What about soon? Like before the end of the year?”

“He wouldn’t take a trip in fall. He had to work. Why?”

“He paid a deposit on a house on Grand Isle. But I don’t know when his reservation was.”

“Maybe the owner of the house will tell you, if you let them know it’s an emergency.”

“That’s a good idea. Thank you, Sister.” Before he hung up, Cyrus decided to ask one more question. “Did Father Ike go to Grand Isle alone on his vacations?”

“As far as I know. He talked about how much he liked the peace and quiet of going down there.”

“Do you know where he stayed?”

“I have the address somewhere. In case of emergency. I’ll try to find it and get it to you.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you, Sister. I’ll call again when I know something.”

“Mr. Tremont, you said Ike paid a deposit on a place on Grand Isle?”

“Yes, Sister. A big one.”

“The place he stayed in the past, it’s owned by a member of the parish. Ike paid for the place by check.”

“You sure?”

“I’m certain. A very devout family owns the place and offers it to clergy at a decent rate. A sort of ministry of theirs.”

“Yeah,” Cyrus said, “I’ll definitely need that info.”

“I’ll get it for you right away.”

A few minutes later, Sister Margaret called back with the address. Cyrus jotted it down along with the name and phone number of the people who owned it.

As soon as he got done speaking with Sister Margaret, he called the owners of the house. Since nobody answered their phones anymore, he had to leave a voicemail message. Not wanting to tip his hand, Cyrus lied and said he had heard from a friend at St. Valentine’s that their Grand Isle vacation home might be available for rent.