Chapter 258 – Turn of Events
Finally, Jack walked over and stood near Elizabeth, but didn't reach for her.
"I am not mad." Elizabeth said. "We agreed to be honest and walk away before we pushed each other. We had an emotional talk and I shouldn't have kissed you then. When it got more intense than I thought, I had to pull back."
"I know." Jack said. "But it is getting harder and harder to stop, especially when we have emotional conversations."
"Then for the time being." Elizabeth said. "Maybe we limit physical contact when we have emotional conversations, especially when we are alone."
"I couldn't agree more." Father Mark said, walking out.
Jack turned and you could see the blush on his cheeks. He shook his head and tried to change the subject.
"Get everything done in town?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Father Mark said.
"Was there something that you needed?" Elizabeth asked.
"I just wanted to check in with both of you." Father Mark said. "You both were quiet last night and we haven't had much of a chance to talk today. It has been a long emotional week and Jack has a show this weekend."
"I think we are doing better." Elizabeth said. "We did two more lessons in the marriage prep and we watched some YouTube videos about a couple subjects. I got Jack to talk to me a little bit."
"Jack?" Father Mark said.
"I agree it is better." Jack said. "I still feel frustrated, but not as much out of control as I did on Wednesday."
"Good." Father Mark said. "If you are doing better, then Gran wants you to come downstairs. They have been baking up a storm."
Jack looked at his watch.
"I am sure supper will be soon." Jack said. "It is already almost five."
"I will head down." Elizabeth said. "I get the feeling that you both need a minute."
"Thanks." Jack said, giving Elizabeth a quick kiss.
They both watched Elizabeth walk away and close the French doors. Jack then turned and looked at Father Mark. Jack could see the pain on Father Mark's face and wondered what happened. He was pretty sure that his cousin had gone into town to see the doctor that day so maybe he found something and Father Mark just wasn't ready to talk about it yet.
Father Mark just combed his fingers through his hair. He didn't say anything, but pulled his white Roman collar off, slipped it in the pocket of his shirt and unbuttoned the top couple buttons on his black shirt. After a few minutes, he let out a deep sigh and hung his head.
Jack quickly took a seat near Father Mark and looked at him closer. Jack knew something was wrong and he wanted to ask, but there was a part of him that was afraid.
"Are you okay?" Jack finally asked.
"Yes, no, I don't know." Father Mark said.
"How about you tell me why you went into town?" Jack said. "Also why do I have a feeling that there was more to why you took a month off then family coming and me being here."
"I just need a little time." Father Mark said. "It wasn't an easy day."
"Okay." Jack said. "But you know I am here for you. You have always been there for me and I hope you know that you can tell me anything."
Father Mark nodded.
"Can you just give me a few minutes alone?" Father Mark asked. "I will come down for supper in a bit. I just need a few moments."
"Okay." Jack said. "I will give you time because you give me time when I ask."
Jack stood up, patted Father Mark on the back, then headed inside and downstairs. Father Mark waited until he heard the French door close before he let the tears he had been holding fall. He needed to get it out, but he wasn't ready to talk about what happened while he was in town.
… … … …
Jack got downstairs just as people were working to set the table. He immediately went to wash up and help. Gran looked at him and Jack motioned upstairs before he shook his head.
"I will save him some food just in case." Gran said.
As they were finishing up everything to eat, Gran grabbed a plate and made up one for Father Mark. She covered it and set it in the oven to stay warm. Everyone else took a seat at the table and Trish poured the wine or cider for everyone.
"Looks good, Margaret." James said. "And this Sauvignon Blanc is perfect."
James set his glass down after taking a sip of his wine and then looked at Jack.
"JP." James said. "Please lead us in prayer."
Jack nodded.
"In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." Jack prayed. "Lord God, be with us this evening as we enjoy this meal. Be with us as we enjoy the company of family and friends. Bless this food to our bodies and the hands that prepared it. In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
"Amen." Echoed around the table.
"Girls and James." Trish said. "There is a bowl of just buttered noodles and baked chicken breast for you. The rest of you there is chicken cordon bleu pasta."
"Thank you, Mom." Maddie said.
"Yes, thank you." James said. "I am trying, but old habits die hard. It smells good, I might try a bite."
"It is okay." Trish said. "There is plenty and it is your house, you are allowed to have your preferences and to have them honored. There is a second pan in the oven and there are three more plain chicken breasts as well."
"There are also plenty of garlic rolls over there." Gran said. "But please save a couple for Father Mark."
The meal was rounded out with roasted veggies consisting of asparagus, mushrooms, sliced green, yellow and red peppers, squash and zucchini. The fruit platter was also on the table. They had barely started to eat when there was a knock at the front door. James got up and went to see who it was. He was surprised to see two city police officers. He ushered them into the house.
"What can I do for you this evening?" James said. "We just sat down to supper."
"Sorry, Mr Sims." The first officer said. "But I am looking for Father Mark Sims. We were told he was out here."
"Yes, my grandson is supposed to be around." James said. "I personally haven't seen him as he didn't come to the dinner table."
"Can we see if anyone has seen him?" The second officer asked.
"Come this way." James said.
The trio walked to the dining room and everyone stopped and looked up.
"Has anyone seen Father Mark since lunch?" James asked.
"He is upstairs." Jack said. "He needed some time alone after he came back from town."
"Is everything okay?" John asked.
"We just need to speak to him, Sir." The first officer said.
"I will go get him." Jack said.
Jack jumped up and headed to get Father Mark. John stood up and walked toward the officers.
"Do I need to call our lawyer?" John asked.
"That is up to you." The second officer said. "For the record can I get everyone's name?"
"I am John P Thornton, Sr." He said. "And you have no reason to identify everyone and we are not volunteering that information."
John then turned and looked at the table.
"Please continue eating." John said. "No reason for everyone's supper needs to get cold."
Most everyone went back to eating, but there was no conversation. Everyone knew that John had taken control and they were not to cross him. John stood there glaring at the officers. Jack and Father Mark walked up, causing John to turn and look at him. Father Mark had redone the buttons and replaced the collar on his shirt, but John could see that his eyes were red.
"You don't have to speak to them." John said.
"It is okay John." Father Mark said.
"Need me to call Devin or someone?" John asked.
Father Mark shook his head.
"I promise it will be alright." Father Mark said.
"We just have a few more questions for you, Father." The first officer said.
Father Mark let out a harsh breath.
"There is nothing more that I can tell you." Father Mark said. "I gave a full statement this afternoon."
"Yes." The second officer said. "But it is now a homicide investigation and we need to go over things again."
"I am calling the lawyers." John said. "No one in this house is speaking to you at this point. He said he gave a full statement. Now unless you have a warrant, we are going to need you to leave. We are under no obligation to speak to you. We are in our home and we don't have anything to say."
One of the officers reached for his phone and went to take a photo. John put his hand up.
"Unless you want a lawsuit for invasion of privacy." John said. "I would not even think about it. I will have your boss on the phone before you reach the gate if you took a photo. On second thought."
John pulled out his phone and dialed the Chief of Police's private cell phone number.
"I agree with John." James said. "My grandson said he gave a full statement and you are interrupting our supper."
"Greg." John said. "I am sorry to bother you at home. I am out at James Sims's place and two officers have shown up to speak to Father Mark Sims, James's grandson. They have interrupted our supper and are not happy that Father Mark doesn't want to speak to them. He says he gave a full statement that afternoon. Now they are trying to demand that everyone around our table to identify themselves. We have minors and people in protective custody around this table, including trying to take a photo of everyone around the table."
("I am so sorry, John." Greg said. "Please put me on speaker phone if possible.")
"Just a moment." John said.
John switched the phone over to speaker.
"Greg." John said. "You are now on speaker. I am standing here with Father Mark, James and the two officers."
("Gentlemen." Greg said. "Please identify yourselves.")
"Officer Todd Hanson."
"Officer Tim Anderson."
("Thank you gentlemen." Greg said. "Now, you are to leave the Sims family and their guests alone. I told you not to bother them and I would speak to Father Mark on Monday.")
"But Sir." Hanson said. "The victim died and Father Mark was the last person with the victim."
("I know that." Greg said. "I also know Father Mark and his family personally. If you think he did anything wrong, then I need to re-evaluate your ability to be a police officer for me. There is no evidence that he did anything wrong and if you have otherwise, you should have informed me. Now, I want you to apologize to James, John and their family. Then I want you to report to my office. I will be there in thirty minutes and you better not keep me waiting. Also, I will be searching your phones and there better not be a photo taken inside that house or you will be in more trouble than you currently are.")
Greg hung up the phone.
"Sorry, Sir." Hanson mumbled.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you." Anderson said.
James and John saw the officers out while Father Mark took a seat at the table between where John had been and Frank. Gran got up and got him his plate, setting it in front him and reminding him the plate was hot. Father Mark started to eat and other people slowly picked up the conversations that had been going on. A few minutes later, James and John returned. Once they were seated, they both looked at Father Mark.
"I know you want answers." Father Mark said. "But I can't. I still need time to process. All I will say is that I witnessed something horrible and tried to intervene. I guess I made the situation worse."
"I will accept that for the moment." James said.
"Are you injured?" Frank asked.
"Not physically." Father Mark said.
John nodded.
"Devin said to call him if needed." John said. "Peter will also be back in the morning."
"Thank you." Father Mark said. "I will talk to you later. I just need to process."
"We understand that." Frank said. "Take your time, we will all be here for you if and when you want to talk."
The rest of supper had a bit of a cloud over it, but everyone left Father Mark alone and tried to continue as normally as possible. After supper, Father Mark excused himself saying he needed to pray. He went downstairs and came back with two books, which he took into the library. He pulled the doors shut, but didn't lock them.
… … … …
Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
Ingredients
3 cups uncooked penne pasta
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened and cubed
1-1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups sliced cooked chicken breasts
3/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
3/4 cup cubed fully cooked ham
3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat cream and cream cheese over medium heat until smooth, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 cup Swiss cheese, onion powder, garlic salt and pepper until blended.
Drain pasta; stir in chicken, bacon and ham. Add sauce; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and the bread crumbs. Bake, uncovered, 18-22 minutes or until heated through.