“So you weren’t shocked or surprised when she overdosed.”

“I was saddened. I took it as a failure on my part.”

“Did she tell you what she intended to do?”

“She told her husband and he came to me. She was a very troubled young woman. Since Ned wasn’t Catholic, they’d wed in a civil ceremony at the courthouse. He believed Lenore was upset in part because she knew they weren’t married in the eyes of the Church. He assured me he was willing to take instruction and convert if it would ease her suffering.”

I felt an inappropriate laugh bubble up and coughed to cover it. I said, “Really? He thought the basis for her depression was his failure to convert to the Catholic faith?”

“I believe it was more a matter of his desire to do what he could for her.”

“That speaks well of him, assuming he was sincere.”

“I’m certain he was. I’ve no doubt of it. We had a lengthy chat, after which I counseled Lenore to allow him the opportunity to demonstrate his good intentions.”

“Did she seem open to the idea?”

“She was upset.”

“And why was that?”

“She said I’d taken his side. She said I was all she had left and now he’d poisoned the well. She felt he’d turned me against her, which wasn’t true.” He blinked and his nose reddened. “I assured her it wasn’t the case. I wanted her to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“Because you felt he was acting in good faith?”

“He gave me every reason to believe he’d follow through. I encouraged him to come to Mass with her. I also suggested he join the group class we offer on the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults so that he could learn Church history, as well as our beliefs and values. He needed a sponsor, of course, and I explained that if all went well, once the end of the liturgical cycle neared, he would be deemed ‘an elect.’ At that point, he’d prepare for the Rite of Election, the Call to Continuing Conversion, and the Easter Vigil.”

“He hadn’t yet taken instruction, so you’re talking about his conversion Easter of the following year?”

“I am.”

“Sounds like a lengthy process.”

“And rightly so. There are many steps along the way.”

“Am I correct in assuming he was eventually baptized a Catholic?”

“Unfortunately, he was not. Lenore’s death was a devastating blow. I’d hoped his faith would shore him up, but I could see he was faltering. We spoke many times and I thought he was coming around, but then he took little April and left town without a word. I’ve heard nothing from him since.”

I hesitated, unsure how hard to push. “There are people who believe he killed her. Were you aware of that?”

“If Clara Doyle said as much, she’s to be censured.”

“No, no. She refused to comment. This was an inference I drew, but not from anything she told me. I suspect Pete was tracking the idea, or why else would he drive all this way?”