Chapter 7
Before Sharon could answer, Jerry intervened. "That's where I come in Horatio. On Thursday of last week and Tuesday this week, some guy came into the confessional box, extremely agitated, and told me he had sinned against a friend. But when I tried to get him to say more on Thursday he just upped and left. I didn't think too much about it at the time. When he returned on Tuesday he said much the same thing except this time he told me his friend was also a friend of mine, and that he just didn't know what to do as his family was in danger. So this obviously caught my attention."
Horatio asked, "Couldn't you see who was in the box?"
"Afraid not, the guy must have been sitting well back in the corner, and I didn't recognise his voice."
Jerry continued, "The only friend I could think of was John, as he hadn't been seen down the basketball club for several days. I phoned Sharon and told her what had happened and asked her if John was around, and she and Michael came to see me immediately, and Michael told me just what he has told you."
"As Michael also told me they were trying to get you to come to New York prior to the wedding Horatio, I suggested that maybe you could help us while here and pretend to be a priest for a few days, and I managed to get Cardinal Benedetti to agree to talk to you as I knew he was going to be in Miami on the first of April."
"Why do you think this would help Jerry?"
Looking at Sharon and Michael first, Jerry replied, "We thought that with your interrogating experience Horatio, you may be able to get more out of him than I was able to. We know that with that Irish charm you can put on so easy, you can be very persuasive. Most people in my Parish are Irish, and they react well to Irish priests. I really believe this guy will return, but he isn't going to talk to me even if he does."
"If, I agree to act as a priest, and this guy turns up and tells me anything of use, I couldn't pass it on to you Michael as that would be seen to be entrapment? So what's the point of all this?"
"Don't worry Horatio; I will somehow get over that little problem."
"Okay, another question, how on earth do you expect me to become a priest overnight Jerry? Especially if you are going to have an indisposition," said Horatio, with eyebrows raised, and a smirk on his face.
Jerry looked at Michael and grinned. "Hmm...Sounds like the Cardinal said a bit too much. He wasn't meant to say that."
"But why would he say that anyway Jerry?"
"I was going to disappear thinking it best if I was out of the way, but I have since decided it wouldn't be fair. I'll be around to give you some coaching Horatio. Meanwhile, I hope John will turn up somewhere safe and well, and this will all become unnecessary."
"So pleased you changed your mind Jerry," Horatio muttered under his breath.
Michael looked at his watch and asked, "So, will you help?" Horatio nodded his head.
"Ok, let's get this show on the road then. I'll drive you and Jerry to St Agnes's now."
"Before we go Michael, how much do I owe you for the air fare?"
"Nothing at all Horatio, paying your fare is the least we could do."
Horatio picked his jacket up from the couch and as he did so caught sight of Michael giving Sharon a wink, and stored that in his memory.
Just before leaving the office he gave Sharon a hug, and whispered in her ear" I'll do my best sweetheart," and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Then having said their goodbye's to Sharon, Michael drove Horatio and Jerry to the Rectory which just around the corner from St. Agnes's church, and after removing Horatio's luggage from the boot, he drove away immediately.
Once inside the Rectory, Jerry showed Horatio to a spare bedroom and left him to get settled in. Horatio was pleasantly surprised as the room was much nicer than he had expected, and there was an adjoining shower room. So after unpacking, he had a hot shower, put on a complete change of clothes, had a shave and felt a ton better, and then wandered downstairs and found his way to the kitchen where Jerry had just made a coffee.
"What do you want to do about eating Horatio? You must be starving by now."
"Not really hungry Jerry."
"In that case let's eat later, and settle for coffee now," said Jerry as he handed a mug to Horatio.
While sipping his coffee, Horatio glanced around and saw a long black robe draped over a chair, and grimaced.
Jerry, noticing his look said, "Try it on. Remembering you are about six feet tall, I picked this one out for you this morning," Jerry held the robe up against Horatio and said, "I think it will be a perfect fit."
So to appease Jerry, Horatio put the gown on, and it was indeed a perfect fit.
"Do you know Horatio, you look every inch a priest; the cassock becomes you my friend. Go and look at yourself in the hall mirror."
Horatio did and was surprised to note that the cassock didn't look too bad, and laughed when he realized he was preening, in a cassock of all things.
Jerry following him into the hall said, "Look I know you feel uncomfortable, but we want you to look as authentic as possible. How about you wear the cassock tomorrow evening for confession and Sunday Mass, and at other times you could just wear the clerical black shirt which I also picked out for you. We will have to risk you not wearing the clerical collar though as you are not an ordained priest."
Horatio was silently happy about this as he didn't even like wearing shirts buttoned up round his neck. He felt like he was being choked, too many memories of his father's hands around his throat.
"Okay Jerry, that sounds fine. I don't wish to be awkward, but my profession being what it is, I am going to feel so darned hypocritical wearing priest's clothing."
"I know Horatio, I know. I wouldn't have asked you had this not been so serious."
Glancing at his watch Jerry said, "Look, it's only seven pm, so if you don't mind, I think I'll get down to the church hall. There's a teenage boys' basketball practice scheduled for tonight, and I could still make it. I forgot to cancel it in my rush to get to Michael's office today. In fact, why don't you come with me?"
"That sounds good. You get going though, I'll follow on soon." So Jerry went ahead, understanding Horatio needed some space for a while.
Horatio arrived at the hall some thirty minutes later, and was met by the sight of a dozen or more boys already playing basketball. He grinned. It brought many good memories back to him.
Jerry, catching sight of Horatio was pleased to see him still wearing the cassock; he caught his eye and blew his whistle and said, "Hey boys, I want you to meet an old friend of mine, Father O'Malley, who is on a visit to me for a few days, and I can tell you he used to play a mean game of basketball when he was younger."
Horatio laughed to himself. So he was to be Father O'Malley was he? Well, that's a name as Irish as they come he thought.
The boys all glanced at Father O'Malley with interest.
"How about joining in Father O'Malley? Do you want to shoot some baskets? Would you give the boys a demonstration for me?"
"I'll have a go Father Downey; just give me a minute. Horatio removed his robe and placed it on a chair at the side of the hall. Luckily, he was wearing a pair of black trainers for comfort. He sauntered into the middle of the hall, grabbed the basketball, and wanting the boys to join in he gestured to some of them on the side to come on the court and said, "Ok here we go; see if you can stop me." He moved swiftly amongst them dribbling the ball up and down the court; shooting at the basket at both ends, and out of a dozen shots he only missed the basket once. He felt good, he hadn't played in ages and it was exhilarating.
Father Downey smiling said,"Well I see you haven't lost your touch then Father O'Malley."
One boy piped up "Wow that was cool Father O'Malley."
The boys all gathered around, wanting him to teach them how to shoot the ball with such accuracy. He spent an hour with them, and then Jerry blew his whistle and said it was time to close the hall. The boys packed their gear, and left in good spirits; they had enjoyed their evening with the cool priest. And Jerry was pleased to see Horatio looking better now. It was obvious that playing basketball had taken some of the tension out of him. His friend had... had a long day.
On leaving the hall they decided to eat at a small nearby restaurant that Jerry visited regularly. They had salmon steaks and salad with a glass of wine, and then returned to the Rectory.
Before retiring for the night, Jerry suggested to Horatio that he should join him at the hall again the next morning for the young boys basketball club session; and then to be visible for a while by taking a walk around the local area; and to finish the day by listening to the early evening confessions.
Horatio was happy enough to go along with these plans.
TBC