Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82439 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
I nod, even though he can’t see me. “I met someone,” I tell him, hesitant but needing advice.
“As in a woman?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Yeah,” I breathe out, feeling the gravity of my confession.
“Benedict, no. You can’t get involved while you’re working this case. The ramifications…” he trails off, the unspoken consequences hanging in the air.
He doesn’t have to finish. I know how bad this is. A priest isn’t supposed to date, let alone get entangled. And an agent getting involved while undercover? That’s just as bad.
“I know,” I say, my voice heavy with the burden of my choices. “But it’s complicated.”
Vin sighs, still maintaining the appearance of prayer. “Complicated or not, you need to stay focused. If anyone finds out, it won’t just be your career on the line. It could jeopardize the entire operation.”
I look around the empty chapel, the silence amplifying the seriousness of Vin’s words. “I get it. I just… I didn’t expect this to happen.”
“No one ever does,” he replies. “But you have to control it. For your sake and everyone else’s.”
I nod again, more to myself this time. “I’ll handle it. I promise.”
Vin stands up, still in prayer mode, and walks out of the pew. “Stay safe,” he says before leaving the chapel, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the daunting task ahead.
The church remains quiet, a sanctuary of secrets and vows, and I know I must bury this distraction deep within me. The mission comes first. Always.
I keep myself busy around the church, feeling like I could possibly go insane with the weight of my double life. To occupy my mind, I head to the confessional booth, glancing at the time to ensure it’s the appointed hour for confessions.
I settle into my seat, waiting for my congregation to filter in. Most times, only two or three people come to confess, and that’s plenty fine with me. Each one brings their own set of burdens, looking for solace and forgiveness.
Honestly, I feel bad most days. It’s like I’m committing a sin by pretending to be a priest and accepting their confessions. These people trust in something sacred, and I’m trampling all over that trust for the sake of my mission.
However, this is the only way. Most of the key players in this investigation are members of this church, and I need them to confess their sins to me or at least drop hints that can further the case. The delicate dance between deceit and duty weighs heavily on my conscience.
Primarily, I need Gregory Saunders to walk through my door. He’s the accountant for the Delgados, and his confession could provide the breakthrough we desperately need.
The minutes tick by slowly, each second stretching my nerves tighter. The soft murmur of prayers and shuffling feet outside the booth are the only sounds. I force myself to breathe steadily, to focus on the task at hand.
Finally, the curtain rustles, and someone enters the other side of the confessional.
“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned,” comes the familiar opening line.
I listen intently, hoping against hope that this will be the confession that cracks the case wide open.
It’s him. Gregory Saunders. My heart nearly trips over itself as I recognize his voice.
He starts easily, confessing about the time spent away from his family and wishing he didn’t have to put work first. His voice carries the weight of his struggles, and I can sense the guilt gnawing at him.
“Maybe you should think about that,” I say, trying to figure out the best way to broach the subject of his job. “If you have a job where you can’t enjoy the profits, is it really worth it?”
He laughs lightly, a hint of bitterness in his tone. “You don’t understand, Father.”
“Help me understand,” I encourage, leaning closer to the screen that separates us.
“I work for men that won’t let me quit. They’ve got me by the balls, I mean, sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. But they’ve brought in this new player. A real jackass, sorry again.”
I chuckle softly, hoping to put him at ease. “It’s okay. I’ve heard worse. Go on,” I urge, wanting him to feel as safe as possible.
“These men are bad men, and they don’t really take a two-week notice, if you know what I mean.” His voice wavers, tinged with fear and apprehension, and I’m ready to blow my cover to help him. “And this new guy. I don’t know.”
I nod, though he can’t see me, my mind racing. This is the opening I’ve been waiting for. Is the new guy Enzo from Vegas? Or is it somebody else entirely? “It sounds like you’re in a difficult position,” I say gently. “Is there anything you can do to protect yourself? To find a way out?”
Gregory hesitates, the silence heavy. “I don’t know, Father. I’m trapped. If I try to leave, they’ll come after me. And not just me, but my family too.” He sighs. “You can’t tell anybody what I confess, right?”