This fic is rated R
�
There was no answer and Therese hung up the phone. She stared at the body on the floor. She tried to think. Her mind was frozen in that moment when she pulled the trigger. All she could see in her mind's eye was the moment he fell. The look on his face. Why was he surprised? She called Ray's number again. Someone answered.
�
"Is Father Santos there? " her voice was stronger than she expected.
�
" He is out to dinner with his family" the housekeeper replied.
�
"I must reach him.. where did they go..?"
�
�"Can Father Tomas help you?" the housekeeper asked in a curt voice.
�
"No" Therese answered flatly.
�
�" Well, I don't think Father would want to be disturbed now and .."
�
Therese cut her off.."It is an emergency"
�
"I can take a message and have him call you.. that is the best I can do" the housekeeper said firmly.
�
"All right, tell him it is Therese and the worst has happened. Call me at 555-2424 as soon as possible."
�
The housekeeper hung up and stared at the phone for a moment. She hated to call him with such a strange message. After all.. who is this person to demand that Father Ray call her immediately. She stood there tapping her foot, arms folded across her chest. Then she picked up the phone and dialed the number for the towers.
�
Ray was laughing at a joke that Michelle told him and Danny was shaking his head. Usually Michelle forgot the punch line and then said "Oh well, it was really funny" The were discussing the marriage vows and what each wanted the other to know. Ray was so happy to see that they really understood each other now. They were so much in love. Ray felt just a twinge of envy. The waiter came to the table with a phone and told Ray that he had a phone call for him.
�
Ray took the call in silence. He hung up the phone and Danny and Michelle stared at him as though he had suddenly grown another head.
�
"What the hell is wrong Ray, you look like someone just told you the church was on fire."
�
"I have to make a phone call, a parishioner I have been counseling is in trouble"
�
"Now?, "Michelle asked
�
"I'll just be a minute, I will be back.. O.K.?"
�
He rushed to the pay phone by the elevator.
�
She answered the phone in a whisper " Hello"
�
"Therese , what is it?"
�
"I killed him Ray.. he hit me and I killed him. "
�
Ray stood there in stunned silence. He looked over at the table where Michelle and Danny were laughing and the whole thing seemed surreal.
�
"Call the police, Therese and I will be there in a few minutes. Don't worry.. I will get you a lawyer.. O.K. Don't say anything until I can talk to you. Just call the police and sit tight."
�
He rushed back to the table and asked Danny for Ben Warren's number.
�
"Why do you want his number?" Danny looked puzzled
�
" The parishioner I told you about. She just shot her husband .I have to go.. I have to see her."
�
�
By the time he arrived the police were there and Frank pulled him aside.
�
"Ray Santos isn't that right.. father Santos?"
�
" Yes, that's right"
�
"Mrs. Howard is a parishioner of yours Father? Isn't your parish on the other side of town" Frank seemed to emphasize the word other.
�
"Yes, we are aquainted .. she came to see me the other day .. she was concerned about the fact that her marriage had become violent. She told me this outside the confessional so I feel free to tell you that much"
�
Frank nodded his head and said" Father , aren't you related to Danny and Carmen Santos?"
�
Ray answered him as politely as he could. This man was beginning to annoy him. Just then Ben Warren walked in and Frank shook his head as if to say" I knew it"
�
"Well, Ben Warren to the rescue .. again" Frank said sarcastically
�
Ben smiled and shook Ray's hand.
�
"Father , we have a problem here I can help you with?" he said ignoring Franks remarks
�
" Yes, can I speak with you in private for a moment Ben"
�
"Of course " he and Ben walked to the far side of the bedroom. Meanwhile the coroner removed the body and Therese was sobbing with her head in her hands.
�
"Ben , this senator.. Howard he was beating her. She told me that he is ... was connected to the Riveira family. He has connections everywhere.. so be aware of that.. "
�
Ben grimaced and said" Great.. but at any rate she was only trying to protect herself , correct?"
�
Ray told him he believed that to be true.
�
Ben went to Therese and asked her to come downstairs with him. She was to say nothing until he had talked to her. She nodded and followed him downstairs.
�
Ray sighed and looked around the room. It all looked so normal. Family pictures everywhere along with pictures of movie stars at fund raisers. Famous politicians and judges all shaking hands with Senator Howard. One of the crime scene technicians came to him and said they had to seal the room and would he please leave.
�
Ray went down the staircase and wondered what had happened when she came home that afternoon. He must have been enraged that she was gone all night and most of the day. He glanced at the wall and saw a small spatter of what looked like blood. He called Frank over and pointed it out to him.
�
Frank just nodded and said he would have the technician take a sample.
�
Ben and Therese were huddled in the living room. She was nodding in agreement with whatever Ben was saying. He put his hand on her arm and she touched his hand. Ray knew she was thanking him for his help.
�
Ben told Ray that he was sure there would be no problem. He talked to Frank and they agreed it was probably self defense. She still had a black eye and they found blood at the bottom of the staircase along with hairs from her head. What she described sounded reasonable and Frank knew there would be fallout because of the Senator. He knew more about Senator Howard than Ben did.. he knew about mob connections. He was still suspicious about how Ray got involved in this. He agreed with Ben that she should be brought in the next morning by him. He would set up a hearing as soon as possible.
�
Everyone left and Ray finally had a chance to talk with her. She said she felt such a mess emotionally and physically .. she just wanted a shower and change of clothes. Would he excuse her for a few minutes. Ray said of course he would wait.
�
She came back after � hour and she had obviously just washed her hair.. she was wearing a silk robe and she was barefoot. She sat down next to Ray and her robe opened slightly showing the mound of her breast. Ray tried to look away.. but he could not. Her skin looked transclucent. She turned and looked at him and there was something in her look he could not identify. Was she laughing at him, he wondered. Did his expression betray what he was thinking?
�
"Ray, thank you for coming and getting the lawyer. You have saved my life. Now I owe you mine" she put her hand on his knee. " Can I get you a glass of wine or a drink.. I know I need one.. do you mind?"
�
She walked to the bar and poured two glasses of wine. She came back to the couch ,leaned toward him and handed him the glass. Now her breasts were completely visable. Ray knew he should leave.. but he couldn't.
�
She sat close to him and they drank their wine in silence. Suddenly her hand was on his thigh again and he turned to her and they embraced. He could smell the perfume of her shampoo. His mouth was on hers now and it was too late to turn back. He removed his jacket and collar. He could not let go of her now. Nothing else mattered. He kissed her breasts and gently pulled her down on the couch. Their emotional needs and physical needs seem to click together. It was a world of their own without intrusion. It may have lasted an hour or only a few minutes .. he didn't know anymore. It was done and could never be undone. He had broken his vow.
�
A week went by and he did not hear from her. They had agreed that until the legal problems were solved it was best they not be seen together. He still had not confessed to Father Tomas he claimed to be ill so he could avoid saying mass. How could he give communion or absolution to anyone. He only hoped the courage to confess and come to terms with his feelings would come soon. He could not eat or sleep. He had sympathy for Danny now. He knew how Danny must have felt that day when he had asked for his help.
�
Two weeks went by and the papers said that her hearing was over. That no charges would be brought. She had killed her husband after years of physical abuse.
�
He tried to call her.. there was no answer. A month went by and still no word from her.
�
He told Father Tomas everything. He had his absolution. He had his church still. He ached to know what had happened to her.
�
A letter came almost 6 months later.He had seen the Chicago paper .. Ben brought it to him. She had married someone connected to the Riviera family. Ben found it amusing .Ray did not.
�
Dear Ray,
�
I am sure you know the truth by now. I know what I took from you and I am sorry. I am glad I am far away so I don't have to see the pain in your eyes. I would rather face hell that see that look on your face. I cannot explain. I am sure you are not interested in my feeble excuses.
�
You are a remarkable man. Just know that no matter what happens in my life I will always remember you.
�
Love,
�
Therese
�
THE END
�
�
�
�
