Cqofegypt does not own Father Brown or any characters, program spoilers, or Lord Byron's "We'll go no more a'roving"

Review Response

Ratfink: Oh my Gosh! thank you so much for your last two reviews! You're awesome! Anyway I'm glad you've enjoyed reading it. And the good part is, we're just getting started! :D French: haha well there shouldn't be too much more, but we'll see! Stay tuned!

Note to Readers. Being this is Father Brown's POV he's a little out of character. Enjoy! :D


Stars in Her Eyes

Father Brown's POV

We'd started out the day just fine between the Lord and I before Mrs. McCarthy came in complaining as to how I wasn't ready.

"Ready?" I asked, "ready for what?"

"For Ruby Adams' birthday celebration, what else?" she huffed.

I thanked the Lord again in his infinite wisdom and mercy that this woman was old enough to be my mother, as I had no feelings for her, nor would I ever, as a wife...

She was a nag and a brag- her days of youth had long surpassed, and yet, I supposed she did have some usefulness at times...

Nevertheless, as we started our journey on foot, I started to look for buttons to amuse myself, this in comparison to bicycle riding which at some point during the duration of our travel, Old Trusty was sure to crumble due to our combined masses...

Anyway, as we neared the Adams estate, mrs. McCarthy started scolding me again, but instead of ignoring her, I tried to appease her.

"Egyptian, this one. What kind of a cheapskate puts a foreign coin in a church collection?"

"Better than a button." I commented.

"I don't know. I came across some rather nice ones this morning, Father."

Of course you did, my dear... I thought with a smile.

When we arrived at the estate, Mrs. McCarthy started going on about buttons; I jokingly (not quite) commented about a pocket that I needed sewn up- being a priest, I am unable to tend to everything...

"When I get six that match, they're going on one of my cardies."

Who cares about your sweater? It's June, for goodness' sake!

"Perhaps you can mend the hole in my pocket while you're at it." I smirked.

She looked offended. "I am the parish secretary, not your seamstress!"

So why did you volunteer to come along if you have so much work to do? I thought cynically, yet unrepentant.


Susie my housekeeper opened the door for us, which I thought was rather odd...

"Are we late? Or has the play started early?"

"Father, you didn't see notice on the gate?" Susie asked.

"We cut across the fields." I smiled.

"Party's cancelled. Mrs Adams is unwell." Susie said. For a moment I wondered if she'd been told to say that.

Father, I'm sorry you've come all this way." Ruby Adams came to the door, looking sad.

"The play's off." Now there was a voice I hadn't expected.

Lady Felicia, whom I had known was Ruby's godmother, came gliding into the room. Dressed in a becoming ensemble of light green and pinstripes, she looked lovely as always.

Despite the business of the day, she gave me a smile and a nod. I smiled in return, commanding my cheeks not to redden.

"Did you hear Ann-Marie?" I asked, wondering why she would be practicing, if the play was off.

"Rehearsing. She didn't want to let people down." the Colonel nodded.

I was confused. Say what?

"But the fever's too strong." Felicia added.

I shook my head, beginning to think something was going on, that they weren't telling me.

Quickly I searched Felicia's eyes, and found a spark of something. She noticed me, and shook her head.

I nodded.

"Well! As we're here..." I started.

"The least we can do is help you clear up." Mrs. McCarthy added. What was that she had said about being church secretary?

"I've just finished." cut in the Colonel.

That was it. This lot was definitely hiding something... I'd get it out of Felicia one way or another...

She looked at me, shaking her head again. "But there's masses of cake in the kitchen. You can certainly help us with that." I would have sworn she winked at me as she smiled.

Mentally I licked my lips. While I genuinely cared about Mrs. Adams' welfare, I followed the group to the kitchen where confectionery sweetness and the beauty of humanity awaited...

As Ruby and the Colonel, and Ruby's young man Mr. Van Ert argued in the foyer, I tried my best not to listen, but something was going on here!

Not a moment later, I choked on my cake and spewed my tea as Lady Felicia screamed.

This wasn't a scream of histrionics or dramatics, this was a scream filled with agony, pain and fear, all into one.

Needless to say I soon found out that Mrs. Adams was not ill at all-

Mrs. Adams was dead...


Shortly after the police came, I noticed Mrs. McCarthy was quick to jump into action, comforting a hysterical Ruby.

"Now, dear, come on. You drink this. It's all right. Where's that blanket? She's frozen. Wrap it around her, quickly."

Why couldn't she be that kind and considerate to others... Lady Felicia for one?

Lady Felicia, whose mind was so intent on caring for her goddaughter at that moment, she never gave a flying flip to Mrs. McCarthy and her orders...

Poor Lissie... I shook my head. There would be time to speak to Felicia... in a more private setting.

I sighed to myself. Why is it against my practice for me to marry?

Later, while I argued with a miserable buffoon named Valentine, whom I considered to be a dear friend, I noticed something near the crime scene.

A button? No, it was too big to be a button...

It was a coin! But not an English coin... Hmm... this one was more foreign...

"That? Er no. That must be mine."


Two days later, after Mass, I was finally able to speak to Felicia.

"Lady Felicia, let me first tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your friend. She will be sorely missed."

Felicia smiled and nodded sadly, leaning toward me as if...

As if she were seeking comfort from me...

Comfort, that sadly, due to my office, I could not give...

A moment later, she retracted, as if she felt she had overstepped a boundary.

No, my dear you haven't! I thought.

Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I had waited one more year...

"Thank you, Father" she whispered hoarsely. Her face was still downcast, and her eyes held unshed tears.

To get her mind off of her loss if only for a moment, I changed the subject to what had been bothering me since our last encounter. I suggested a walk outside.

She nodded, and we walked together in silence for a moment.

"It seems like everyone is hiding something." I prodded.

"If I tell you, you must promise to let it drop, on your honour." she warned.

I looked at her with all seriousness.

"If it's not criminal, I promise."

Felicia shook her head. In disbelief, anger... I wasn't sure.

"She was tight. She'd had most of the bottle of vodka. I'm amazed she didn't fall over sooner."

I nodded fitting the pieces together. "She was an alcoholic."

She nodded, her eyes replaced with anger. "Now you know why Reginald didn't want the whole world to know..."

Just then, someone had caught her eye.

"Who's that?" she asked.

I looked at the stranger, and then back at her.

"I don't know." I had been about to gently grasp her arm, and guide her back to the church, but she was too quick and got away from me.

Rolling my eyes, I sighed and followed her. This could lead to trouble.

"Hello! I'm Lady Felicia. Welcome to Kembleford. Planning a long visit?"

"I am now." the man said with a smile. He had just placed a bouquet of Chrysanthemums on Mrs. Short's grave. Could he be her son?

"Father Brown. My condolences. Mr Short?" I reached out my hand to shake his as I did everyone.

"Oh, no. My old nanny. Chrysanthemums always were her favorite."

Something was very odd here. She had been nanny only to the Adams family that we knew of.

"But she was the Adams' nanny." I said, trying not to let my suspicion show.

"You aren't Anne-Marie's brother?" Felicia said; I tried to ignore the hopeful tone in her voice.

"On my way to see the family now." said "Mr. Short". I didn't trust him. He'd stay 'Mr. Short' to me until proven otherwise...

"Are they expecting you?"

"Everybody loves a surprise, don't they? I came straight from London airport, flew in from Nairobi this morning."

"So, you haven't heard?" I asked.

"Heard what?" Mr. Short asked, looking confused.

Felicia and I looked at each other. Oh dear.


At the funeral...

Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon her. And may she rest in peace. Amen.

"Not looking too bad for two decades in the Kenyan sun." Felicia smiled approvingly as she held the picture in her hands.

Something, I wasn't sure what yet, didn't set well between myself and the stranger.

I noticed this and felt something stir up in my chest "Happy Valley must have lived up to its name." I said, hoping to steer Short's attention away from Felicia.

"I can't complain." he said to me, then smirked at Felicia. Part of me wanted to deck him.

Half listening to the others, and watching Short like a hawk, I mulled over information Short had shared.

Chrysanthemums, Anne-Marie's brother, Kenya, and Italian lira... nothing was making any sense...

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at Felicia's laughing.

Listening carefully to the group's conversation, especially Felicia's, something didn't feel right about Anne-Marie's death- perhaps it was time for me to do some investigating on my own...

And just in time, too, as Mrs. McCarthy came towards me with something resembling waste-on-a-plate.

"Here we are, Father. Not a patch on mine, but edible." she said, turning her nose up at Susie's offering.

"Since you sell it so well, I'll pass. Hold the fort, would you, please, Mrs M? Call of nature."

I felt Felicia' eyes on me, and yet, I was on a mission.

Whether for her or not, I would find out myself what had happened to Anne-Marie.


A moment later, I heard a familiar huffing and puffing and growled under my breath.

Who but Mrs. McCarthy had to follow me when I specifically told her to stay put!

Then again her deductions were somewhat useful at times...

"Father. Father, what are you doing? Didn't you hear Ruby? That's probably what happened to poor Anne-Marie!"

I tried to appreciate her concern, I really did, but did she always have to treat me like a misbegotten five-year-old?!

"There's blood, under this oar."

She blinked owlishly. "Well, maybe she fell into the boat and then hit her head on the oar in there."

I shook my head. "That's impossible."

She huffed as she always does when I don't see things her way. "But the oars were right there when Ruby found her mother!"

"Which tells us that Anne-Marie was hit by the oar and then the oar was put back."

There was indeed blood on one of the oars. Anne-Marie had been hit? By whom? Certainly not by the family... or Felicia, Susie, or Van Ert...

GASP!

I KNEW it!


Inspector Valentine was there when I returned. I had to intercept him quickly before he did anything foolish...

"Inspector. May I speak to you outside?"

"I need to speak to the colonel."

"Valentine?" Colonel Adams looked confused.

"I need to speak to you urgently about Mrs Adams' death."

"I don't think so." Valentine shook his head.

"It is rather important." I insisted.

"What could be so important now?" the Colonel asked.

I shook my head.

"I believe it was murder. I believe you were involved." Valentine said.

I looked at the Inspector in disbelief. "Where's the motive? This is ridiculous, Valentine, even for you."

The ladies were also discussing the case. I could hear them if I ignored Valentine hard enough...

"It can't be murder, it can't!" Ruby protested.

" And even if it were, it certainly wasn't Reginald!" Felicia stated.

"What scares me is, in that case, the real killer still walking free." Mrs. McCarthy tutted.

I rolled my eyes.

"Is it just me who's thinking it? She'd just fired Van Ert, forbidden your marriage..." Felicia contiinued.

I shook my head, Not quite, my dear...

"No way. Not John!" Ruby objected.

"They say most murders are committed by someone known to the victim." piped up Mrs. McCarthy.

I rolled my eyes. Being a gossip she would know that...

"Who is this Van Ert?" Short asked.

"Ruby's old tutor. He was thrown out of the States for being a Red." Felicia said.

"A Communist?" Short said again.

Do'h Didn't she just say that, you twit?

"Yeah."

As Short went on about Reds and Communism, back in our group, I was drawn to Valentine hounding the Colonel.

"Do you deny that after she told you marriage was till death do you part, you said, "Well, yours is going to be sooner rather than later?"

Yes! Well, no, but I didn't mean I'd kill her! We'd have come to an arrangement, worked something out.

Valentine turned to me. "Mrs Adams was one of your lot. Would she ever have agreed to a divorce?"

"As a devout Catholic, no, she would never" I shook my head.

The Inspector continued with the "evidence" he had gathered

This was a total miscarriage of justice! There was nothing I could do, save hit Valentine with my umbrella which would probably land me in a noose next to the Colonel.

I had a feeling I knew who the killer was... Now I had to figure out why. And, I gulped try to keep Felicia away from him... grr

Quietly, I listened to Short chat it up with Felicia, and it caused my fists and teeth to clench.

I cleared my throat after he kissed her. Ohhh... Norman Bohun had nothing on Mr. Short...

I sighed. I would stay quietly by and wait...Felicia may or may never come to realize how much I care about her, but I will love her just the same...

Short passed by me first, giving me a dirty look. I wanted to give him the French finger... but I didn't.

Felicia looked over and saw me standing by the door, ready to walk out.

"Father?" she asked. I turned at her voice, she looked like the young girl I had known long ago.

"Yes, my Lady?" I asked.

"You... did see that?" she asked, she sounded guilty.

"Yes, your Ladyship, I did" I said, wanting to get out of there immediately.

"I... erm... that is..." she seemed flustered.

"Yes, my Lady?"I asked quietly, willing to wait for a reply.

"N-nothing, Father... I'll see you later, at the funeral" she turned, her cheeks flushed.

"Yes my Lady" I whispered, as I finally walked out, leaving her to her own thoughts.

I wanted desperately to share my suspicions, to warn her... of the sanctity of her vows, let alone the danger she was in while cavorting with Short.

I shook my head as I got on my bicycle, ready to ride back to the church. It would be a long weekend, I was sure...


I welcomed the Colonel and refused to look at Felicia until she pulled me asidee, giving me a specific detail about the Colonel himself and the case- an alibi if you will...

I nodded to her, still frowning when she returned to sit with Short.

I didn't miss Short's second dirty look and acid response when I arrived late to the reading of the will..

"I do declare this day that I, Anne-Marie Adams, "being of sound mind"

"Sorry. Sorry, I'm late. Apologies to all. Mr Higgins." Out of propriety I decided to call him the pseudonym for obvious reasons.

"Father." The colonel and everyone greeted, save Short.

"What's the priest doing here?" he sneered.

"We'll come to that, it's in the order of business." Said the Colonel.

Take that, con artist! I thought.

"We'll start with a few special clauses." said the Colonel.

"Firstly, to my best friend, Felicia Montague, I leave various "mementos and trinkets of sentimental value. "

As I sat next to her, I looked from her new hair pins to her lovely golden hair, and thought how lovely they would look.

"Oh!"- with a tear filled smile, I knew she would treasure them always.

"And to my beloved daughter, Ruby" Ruby opened her case to reveal the Flying Stars.

"They're so cold. Mum died in them, I don't want to wear them."

"What shall I do with them, then?" The colonel asked.

"Put them in the safe. They should be locked away." Ruby suggested.

Reginald nodded, continuing on. "I'm left some sentimental items, books and photographs."

"The rest of her estate has been left in its entirety... to the church." Everyone looked at me, and I was startled to say the least.

"Most unexpected and very generous. Did Anne-Marie not leave anything for her brother?"

Short tried to put on a fake mask of modesty, but he wasn't fooling me...

"Well, I don't need her money. I can't wear her jewels." Of course you don't!

"Actually, I'm interested in a different kind of legacy. Her play." Why, so you cam make off and steal the Stars? I think not!

I will admit that Short gave a fine pep-talk about the play, and celebrating Anne-Marie's life.

Puh, he'll be celebrating that he stole the crown jewels!

I crossed myself after that. That had been very judgmental...

A short while later, Susie came to tell me that Mr. Short had been seen leaving he premises.

Where? And for what purpose?

Whatever was going on, I had to warn Felicia, and I had to warn her immediately...


I slipped in during rehearsals where Felicia, police coat over her dress, was waiting for her cue.

"Sorry to bother you, my Lady, but Susie told me this morning. James left the building"

"She saw James herself?" she asked, dubiously.

I nodded. "And Mrs McCarthy rang London Airport and there WASN'T a flight from Nairobi on the morning of the wake."

I sat back to watch her expression. "So what do you think?"

She didn't look at me. "I think you're being too suspicious." and jealous she thought.

My mental balloon deflated. After all this time, surely he would have given her some hint to be suspicious!

"He's a decent man. Interesting, educated - you should hear him on the Vatican. He probably knows as much about it as you do."

Oh, come now! Was she absolutely serious?

I sighed, and tried again. "Don't you think that's strange in a man who spent two decades in Africa?"

Need I remind you my dear, darling, misguided Countess that the Vatican is in Italy, not in Africa?!

"I think it's commendable. . Don't raise your suspicions about James with him. You'll just make a fool of yourself."

Pffffttt Woman you have lost your mind!

"And when has that ever bothered me?" I asked, hoping she'd catch the ice in my tone, if not, for the moment, in my expression as I glared at her! (and then at the floor)

She sighed, seemingly bored about the conversation. "Father I don't know about the flights but the reason he's been creeping about at night is to see me."

By then, I felt as if all air had been pushed from my abdominal region. She, he, they had what?!

"I hope I can rely on your discretion."

As she walked on stage, I pushed all self pity away from me. Did not Christ say we were to love at all times?

I glared at Short and swore I'd have him arrested.

He looked strait at me and smirked. "We'll see about that."

True, it was one of his lines, but it made me shiver and pray yet again for Felicia's safety...

"Not investigating, I hope, Father." Valentine smirked as he came up to me.

"Apparently my spare cassock has a starring role." I smiled, covering up my irritation from Felicia.

"We'll see about that. James Trewlove is off the suspect list. I've already checked him out."

I was confused. "But what about the flights?"

Valentine shook his head. "He was definitely still in Nairobi when Anne-Marie died. I have confirmation from the Chief of Police."

"And how does the Chief of Police know?" I asked suspiciously.

"Um they were having dinner."


Saturday

Ruby came in giving instructions. The hall's filling up, take your positions. Is everybody ready?

"Amore mio, mi sto innamorando di te."

"That was lovely" Felicia said with a smile.

For some reason, she hadn't been able to shake Father Brown's suspicions from her head. She had known the priest nearly half her life; give or take a few years. And in the few months she'd been here, he'd never given her a reason to mistrust him...

"That's beautiful. I wish I knew what it meant."

"THAT would be telling." James grinned, tickling her ear.

That funny feeling was back. Why not just say what it meant? Why all the secrecy all of a sudden?

"How did you manage to learn Italian, anyway? Out in Africa?" she asked, her stomach flipping. She tried to dismiss it as nerves.

"Well, that would be telling too!" James kissed her cheek. He left, and Felicia rubbed her cheek before fastening her police barrette.

Why hadn't she listened to Father Brown earlier?

I looked at the admission- a shilling per seat.

"I suppose I should, or Felicia will never talk to me again."

I ignored Mrs. McCarthy again as she went on about liras. I saw the Inspector and went to talk to him.

"I didn't think theatre was your thing."

"I'm not here for the show. Not that one, anyway. We're about to make an arrest."

"Who? Not John?"

"Not Van Ert, no. He's got an alibi. When I spoke to Ruby earlier, she, erm vouched for him."

Are you telling me they were having sex?" Valentine looked at me as if I'd gone stark raving mad.

Insulted, and frustrated, I growled under my breath. "I do know what sex is, Inspector."

For the sword outwears its sheath,

And the soul wears out the breast,

And the heart must pause to breathe,

And love itself have rest.

My thoughts were brought back to reality by the Inspector clearing his throat.

And she won't be the first girl who lied for her lover. So who is your chief suspect?

For once, we may be singing the same song. I'm here for Lady Felicia. When she comes off stage, I'm taking her in for questioning.

"Have you gone...?" I was about to add 'completely mad' when the Inspector interrupted me.

"I've got witnesses who've seen her at the house in the small hours.

"Yes, but..."

"That gives me clear motive. Her affair with the colonel, her best friend's husband".

"The Colonel? No, that's not right."

"James Trewlove saw them together."

"James did?!"

Forgive me, Lord, but what the hell?!

Lady Felicia's suspicions were further confirmed when Susie said she laid out James Trewlove's shoes. Apparently they were the ones that had been too big on him.

Felicia gulped. She felt she were going into the lion's den...

"Cue coming up - where are the heels?"

"Here. Those are the best I could do". He didn't look at them. He knew they weren't his!

Oh, Lord in Heaven, what have I done!?

"No, I'll have to wear mine."

"Help! Police! The safe's been broken into!"

Felicia was frozen on the spot. She couldn't move...

"And we're on. Come on! Go on! You're going to be great!"

Felicia did the one thing she knew she had to.

"Police! Oh, you're here! Help, police!"

I looked back at where Valentine and his men were standing. Something was definitely wrong...

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Put your hands up, don't say a word."

"Why would you do this to me?" From where I could see he placed a real gun, not a prop, into her waist...

"Didn't you hear me? I said shut up, or I'll shut you up!"

I stood up. These lines were not in the rehearsed play; he'd been caught and he knew it, and now Felicia was in danger...

"You and anyone trying to help." He sneered at me, as he'd seen I had stood up.

Something took hold of me then; something fierce, fiery, protective... it felt like a case of deja vu, except instead of a sword, Felicity, erm, Felicia... was being threatened with a gun- a lot faster, and deadlier unless quick action was taken...

"I always thought she was a little actress!" Mrs. McCarthy sneered.

I was too preoccupied with Felicia and Short to reply acidly to Mrs. M...

"You'll never get away with this. Help me! Help m-mph!"

Things took a turn for the worse in mere seconds... Short had placed a hand over her mouth and...

BAM!

"NO!" I stood yelling, praying that red mass was ketchup and not blood...

"We'll see about that!" Short yelled, running off stage.

In an instant, Short was gone, and so was Felicia...

I had a feeling, as I rolled the trunk out of sight, that Felicia would be safely in the Lord's care, and the casts once they opened it.

Next to the trunk was a spurt of something red... I tasted it, which had confirmed my earlier suspicions...

Felicia was alive in the trunk.

The cast would care for her... I had to find Short, and quickly.

If she died, I would be hunting...for his blood...


"Woman in dark clothing came out the front door and got in a cab." Sid said.

"Which way did she go?" I asked as I hurriedly got into the car.

"Down the drive." he responded, confused.

Resisting the urge to bark at Sid and yell at him to 'step on it,' I trusted that Susie would faithfully deliver the message I had entrusted her, to Valentine.

Back at the house, Valentine had assumed he'd caught his killer and burglar... Little did he know...

"...and the Countess? Well, the fact that she's run means she's got something to hide. Solving a theft and a murder in one day, that's not a bad innings."

That's when Susie spoke up.

"Inspector, before he left, Father ask me to give you message. He said you must let Lady Felicia go."

Valentine growled. "What is it with that priest? I don't turn up on Sundays to give his sermon! It's all right, dear. I haven't caught her yet."

As Valentine continued to chase his tail, I was getting whacked on mine while on my hands and knees trying to find a 'woman' with a particular pair of shoes...

"... I believe the Countess could kill, but for love, not money. I don't believe she'd steal diamonds. That's not why she ran."

"Ran?" Ruby cried. "You think she left?"

"Well, she's not here."

Van Ert shook his head. "I was outside waiting for Ruby until the moment you had me arrested. Lady Felicia didn't leave the building."

"Then where is she?" Valentine challenged.


"Excuse me. I do beg your pardon." I passed a lady, thankful she was my last one.

I looked in one of the compartments, and cheered to myself. I had him; that lying, thieving, mass murdering ne'erdowell was mine!

"You won't get away with it. And if you wanted to pass incognito, you should really have changed your shoes."

"I'm keeping the diamonds. Leave the compartment, get off at the next stop, and nobody gets hurt."

"But somebody already has been hurt, haven't they? You killed Anne-Marie."

"That's absurd! I wasn't even in the country. And why on earth would I murder my own sister?"

"But she wasn't your sister, was she?"

I showed him the lira.

"Yours, I believe? You weren't in Africa. You were in Italy before you came to Kembleford, fought with Anne-Marie Adams on the day of Ruby's birthday, and then dropped that coin in the struggle."

"Father, you have a real talent for fiction." there he went again with that sneer...

"The photograph was a clever touch. That had me flummoxed for a while."

"How could I possibly fake that?" he was caught, and now he was panicking.

"You didn't. But your clothes weren't a costume. They were what you would have been wearing, as the nanny's son. I had it right the first time we met, didn't I? Mr Short? It must have been terrible for you, coming back from the Continent, discovering your mother had died. Visiting her grave and finding her buried like a pauper. Did you blame Anne-Marie for her death?"

"This is nonsense!"

"The only person who suspected anything was Lady Felicia. I don't know what she spotted, but when she came on stage, she called for the police."

Police! Oh, you're here! Help! Police!

I wouldn't do that if I were you. Put your hands up.

"But that can't have been her line. She was the police."

Shut up, or I'll shut you up!

You'll never get away with this. Help me! Help! Oh!

I only hope that was chloroform I smelt on your hankie, and that you haven't really hurt her...

If he dared harm a hair on her head, priest or no, I'd kill him...

"I... didn't... harm... Felicia. I just had to shut her up. As for Anne-Marie I didn't mean to hurt her. She deserved everything she got."

Was he mad?

"She deserved to die? For not paying your mother's pension?"

"Mum worked for them for 45 years! She brought up two generations of that family. They saw more of her than I ever did! And then when she got old, they turned her out without a penny. That's what killed her. Anne-Marie's the murderer, not me!"

"But she didn't have a penny to give. They were as much paupers as your mother was"

"But the will, the bequests!"

"After the diamonds, her estate was bequeathed to the church. So we got a rather nice icon, a Bible, and two rosaries. The financial value of the bequest was precisely zero."

Short looked confused. "Why didn't she just tell me?"

"You hit a nerve. And I hear she had been drinking."

He nodded in agreement. "She was plastered. I just wanted the money Mum was owed. Enough for a proper gravestone, for a start."

"Why didn't you go in, try to save her?"

"I... can't swim. Yes, I was angry, but I didn't want her dead. I loved her."

Despite all of the frustration he had caused the last few days, I saw his repentance was real. Not that I would ever trust him with Felicia.

"Give me the diamonds. I'll return them to Ruby. As for Anne-Marie give yourself up, pay for your crimes."

"You mean hang." he sulked. What did Felicia see in him again?

"No, it's manslaughter, not murder. It'll mean prison, but you'll give the father and the daughter justice. I suppose I don't have much choice. Better to give yourself up. Come quietly."

"Let me help you with the clasp."

As I leaned forward, he stopped the train by the cord and stumbled into Sid to get out of the compartment.

In disbelief, I watched as Short got off of the train, make for an escape, and then got run over by an oncoming train.

"What were you waiting for?! Why didn't you stop him?" I yelled, knowing that could have been prevented.

Sid scoffed at me. "You're always trying to save their souls. He lost his when he ran. You were trying to take him to the police."

"And so Ruby could get her inheritance back."

"Oh, any idiot could see your precious Flying Stars were as fake as he was." I looked from Sid to where Short had ran.

The Flying Stars had been faux all along?


Three Months Later...

I rolled my eyes at Reginald Adams when he sat sulking around.

"You should be celebrating."

Reginald looked at me. "Being taken for a fool? Losing my daughter? Having to admit we're close to losing our home?"

I shook my head. Watching Ruby with Van Ert, my heart in pain again from what I had lost that night, so long ago...

"Gaining freedom."

Reginald still looked confused. "Sorry?"

"Perhaps the truth is, this house is a burden to the next generation, not a legacy. Do you want to weigh your daughter down as you've been your whole life? And of course, you have another gain. A son-in-law. He's not a gold-digger. He would have taken her with nothing."

The truth was, in Van Ert, I saw the man I had once been, before I decided to continue my path to righteousness...

The trouble was, with every step I had taken on that path, my heart broke a little more each day.

Let me show you something I said. Reginald nodded. Van Ert got curious and he came along too.

"Just a moment..." I shook my head. "This is something you both need to see."

They shrugged and followed me into the bedroom I had been staying in.

With pain and stiffness, I raised my leg to the bed post, after removing my trousers.

As the skirt of my casok lay draped around my groin, the the two gentleman witnessed what I had long since hidden...

"Good God, man! Did you receive that from the war?" the Colonel winced.

"No" I shook my head, bringing my leg down again.

Van Ert whistled. "That's one nasty gash, Father... It looked pretty deep"

I nodded, my heart pounding in my ears. "It was, for a time, and the scar is no longer fresh, but that wasn't what pained me."

The two men looked at me strangely. "How'd it happen?" Van Ert asked.

"Long ago, I was in love with a young lady" after their initial surprise, they pressed on.

I smiled finally able to relieve some of the pain. "Did her family reject you?" Van Ert asked.

I shook my head. "It wasn't her family... it was her... betrothed"

Van Ert and Reginald looked at each other. "Soo... you just let her marry a guy who ripped a hole into you? You're pulling my leg!"

Both the Colonel and I glared at him, foolish young whelp. "Oops... sorry"

I rolled my eyes. "It's in the past. However, I shared this with you to help you see... you should never stop fighting for love... for family...It's truly the greatest blessing of all"

Reginald scoffed when Van Ert had walked off. "I suppose you want my blessing, so you can marry them?

"Oh, I'll marry them with your blessing or without it. But why go all the way to Gretna Green when we have a perfectly good church here? Come on, Colonel - what do you say?"

Two days later...

"Nice catch." Sid smirked at Susie as she caught the bride's bouquet.

"Beautiful day for it." Felicia smiled. I was curious as to what she was thinking at the moment, but I wasn't able to ask, due to the company about... perhaps later, if we could find some time alone?

Later that evening I found something wedged between the door and the post, and noticed it was a note addressed to me.

Father Brown,

Words can not express how grateful I am to you for helping me see the truth. I only wish that I had done so sooner and avoided any pain and heartache I may have caused. Perhaps within the week you would consider accompanying me for a moonlit stroll on the grounds? It's lovely this time of year.

A bientôt

Felicity Vivian Marsberg

"And what's that, I wonder?" Mrs. McCarthy came snooping up trying to see over my elbow.

"Nothing to worry about, Mrs. M" I smiled as I planned on writing a note to Felicity with an affirmative response, asking if perhaps I should bring anything.

As I pictured our future stroll, I could just see the stars in her eyes, dancing as if they could fly...

This could mean a start to a beautiful new adventure...

Crappy ending, I know... but I have more exciting things planned for Chapter 4! Stay tuned! Read and Review!