Chapter 32

There's a knock on the door as Betty Breen is enjoying her morning cuppa. She lives in the small house next to the chapel, at the end of town. It's a comfortable place, and comes with the living. Really it's all the space she needs, she and Maggie alone as they are, with Maggie coming and going like any 35 year-old woman who doesn't like sharing space with an aging mother. But as Betty reminds her, Maggie has yet to marry. What's the point in paying rent when she can save for her nest egg? Since Maggie works at the quarry, she also gives Betty regular updates on Arthur O'Meirgen and her grandchildren. It isn't an ideal situation, two adult women living together, but it's good enough. Besides, Betty wants the parish money to go towards building a bigger church. Glancing at a sketch of the future Chapel of the Covenant hanging on her kitchen wall, Betty smiles. One day, she thinks before going to open the front door.

"Can I help you, Sir?" she says to the finely-dressed gentleman standing there. He looks gentile in an expensive brown suit with his gold-tipped cane. He's an outsider and rich, by the looks of it.

Removing his hat, he smiles. His smile is warm but his eyes are not. They are cold and dark. "Good morning, Minister Breen. Let me introduce myself. I am Branigan Stone from Lomlare. I've just bought the quarry there and I would like to have a word with you."

Betty frowns. Here is yet another stone carver threatening to destroy The Angel Shrine. She closes the door slightly. "What can I do for you?" she asks suspiciously.

Branigan Stone leans on his cane. "I think it's a case of what I can do for you, Minister Breen. I'm a devout man and I understand Arthur O'Meirgen is responsible for the destruction of The Angel Shrine on Mount Bluff. As a boy my father and I made yearly pilgrimages to the shrine to pay homage to Mother Mary. Upon returning to the county, I was surprised to hear she was in danger. …Minister Breen, I am a man of great influence with deep pockets. It would give me immense pleasure to help you save The Angel Shrine from the destructive forces at work at O'Meirgen's Quarry. If that should help my own quarry succeed, then all the better for me. I see no shame in saying that the closing of O'Meirgen's Quarry would serve both our interests. Can we talk?"

Betty Breen flings the door open. Cold eyes or not, this is a man she wants to know. "Come in, Sir. I must say your words settle my troubled mind. O'Meirgen's Quarry is the bane of my existence. If you know a way to shut it down, I would be glad to help you."

"I thought so," Branigan Stone says, sitting at the kitchen table. "If the rock that a Church rests upon is not stable, then religion itself is at risk of returning to the dust."

"Well put," Betty says, pouring Mr. Stone a cup of tea. "But you said you also have a quarry. May I ask the difference between your business and the one we have here? Indeed you are both focused on destroying the Irish landscape, are you not? In my opinion there's nothing lofty about digging gaping holes to Hell."

Branigan Stone smirks. "The difference is in the god we serve, Minister Breen. Whereas I answer to the Lord, Arthur O'Meirgen is a slave to his wallet. I donate large amounts of stone to the religious community, for new churches and monuments which honour our Holy Father, similar to the church on your wall over there." Rising, Branigan Stone studies the sketch. "My, that is a beautiful little church. The new Chapel of the Covenant, isn't it?"

"One day, I hope," Betty answers.

"I'd like to help you build it, Minister Breen, if you and your Parish are open to helping me," Mr. Stone says.

"How would we do that?" Betty asks.

"By putting O'Meirgen's Quarry out of business, which would save The Angel Shrine and avenge your daughter Molly's death." Mr. Stone is grimacing when he focuses on Betty again. "I'm sorry to bring it up, but it was in the news at the time. What a terrible accident. I'm sure you blame your son-in-law for it."

Tears sting Betty's eyes. "Indeed I do, Mr. Stone. Arthur was blasting rock when my dear Molly was killed. The walls of her home caved in on her. You think Arthur would have learned his lesson, but no. He built the same stone house on top of my daughter's bones and now my grandchildren live there, while I wait for the walls to cave in on them. I don't have a moment's peace thinking about it."

"All the more reason for us to shut down the quarry," Mr. Stone says, returning to his seat.

"What would be involved?" Betty wants to know, wiping her eyes.

"Some would call it sabotage, but I prefer to think of it as good old-fashioned mischief. A game, you could say. For the common good. And if we should win this game, your grandchildren will be safe, The Angel Shrine will remain intact, and you will get a new church. My business will also flourish, meaning I will have a greater opportunity to donate money and stone to the religious community. It's a win-win situation, even for Arthur. It can't be good for him, putting his life in danger like that every day." Mr. Stone smiles thinly. "Not that I imagine you're concerned about it."

"Not in the least," Betty Breen answers. "What about the men working at the quarry, though? Something like this will put them out of work, too."

"Not if I have a quarry in the next town, Minister Breen. If they're willing to make the journey, I can guarantee them better jobs with more pay," Mr. Stone assures her.

Betty nods. "How do we go about playing this 'game', Mr. Stone? Without being detected, I mean. I can't imagine the law will look kindly on the parish putting a man out of business."

Branigan Stone's eyes glow, like he's done this before. "You leave that to me, Minister Breen. Like any good story, each actor will have their part to play in the undoing of Arthur O'Meirgen's quarry. And I can assure you, when it comes to games, I don't like to lose."