Part 27 (1/2)
”There'll be a big age difference.”
”But he won't be alone.”
She called Robby to come for his snack. Then she poured the coffee. The sound of the television tuned to a children's program was loud enough to cover our conversation.
”Has Marcie been by lately?”
She shook her head. ”Not since the last time she sat. But Judith's ill. Martin turned down my offer to help.”
”There's nothing either of us can do there.” I sipped the coffee. ”I've a story to tell you and some
questions to ask.” ”Sounds serious.”
”I'm afraid it is.” I related the things I'd heard Roger say that afternoon and his explanation. ”I've a feeling something bad is going down and I pray I'm wrong. Did you and Roger ever...Were you...how close...?”
She shook her head. ”We indulged in a couple of heavy petting sessions but he never...He had a number of reasons that sounded right at the time. Robby. No protection. Is that what you want to hear?”
”I'm afraid so.”
”How does this fit what you said? Oh no. Do you think he and Marcie...”
”I don't know. She has a major crush on him, and even I know how charismatic he can be. It's not only Marcie. I know of at least two girls in the junior choir who take piano lessons with him.” I poured more coffee. ”Has he ever mentioned tapping your inner power?”
Her forehead wrinkled. ”Maybe once when we were involved. He said something about the power not being there. I asked him what he meant and he said he shouldn't have to explain. If I felt what he did, I'd know. What will you do?”
”Make some calls. Check his resume. Maybe take a trip upstate. Then take what I learn to Edward and the Vestry. They'll hate me again.”
”They shouldn't, especially if your suspicions are true.”
”Edward likes to think the best of everyone and he hates having to deal with sticky problems. The Vestry doesn't like to be stuck in a rocking boat.”
”Can you can't let this rest?” ”Would you?”
She shook her head. ”I know I don't have any influence at the church, but I'll back you.”
”Good...Now, tell me where you and Pete are going.”
While she talked about their plans for a weekend in the City and the play they wanted to see, I set my priorities. Tomorrow, instead of a walk, I'd drive upstate to ask questions and demand answers about Roger and why the church had bought out his contract. That should have alerted me to a problem, but I had wanted him at St. Stephen's.
After dinner, I listened to the news. Rain was predicted for tomorrow. I hoped it would hold off until I returned. Even if it didn't, my trip was necessary.*My start didn't take place as early as I'd planned. A fitful night had kept me in bed later than usual. The day was raw. A pewter sky showed glimpses of an orange, sullen sun.
I reached the red brick church, the site of Roger's previous situation, and parked at the curb. For several minutes, I sat in the car and framed the questions I needed to ask. Would the answers confirm my suspicions?
Finally, I left the car and entered, not the church, but the attached building and followed arrows to the office. When I entered the room, a young woman in her early twenties seated behind a metal desk looked up.
”Can I help you?”
”I'd like to speak to the pastor.”
”He won't be in until around two. You should have called.” She frowned. ”Are you new in town?”
”I don't live here and I left home this morning before your office opened.”
Her frown deepened. ”Maybe I can help you. The secretary's out of the office, too. I'm Barbara Clary,
Minister of Music.”
”Katherine Miller. I'm from St. Stephen's. Roger Brandon, the former organist here is there now.”
A look of disgust appeared on her face. If I asked the right questions, she might be the one to supply the
answers.
”He's a good organist.”
”And I think, a bad man.”
Her hands clenched. ”I...I'm not sure what you mean.”
I sat in the chair across from her desk. ”I need some answers about why he was dismissed here. They're
vital to someone I care about.”
Her gaze slithered past my face. ”The position here was always to be mine. My uncle...”
”I know about that. Roger made sure we knew. I'm just puzzled about why a church would let a superior