Cathedral Read Online Free PDF Page B

He now felt the fatigue that he had fought off for so long, and he sank down to the damp floor. He sat against the wall next to the chest, facing the stairway. "If we awake in Long Kesh . . ."
    "My fault. All right? Go to sleep."
    Flynn drifted off into fitful periods of sleep, opening his eyes once to see Maureen, wrapped in the blanket, lying on the floor beside him. He awoke again when he heard the casket bottom swing down and strike the wall of the passageway. He jumped up and stood at the entrance to the passage.
    In a shaft of light from the crypt he could see the coffin floor hanging, its grotesque mockery of a dead
    stuck to it like a lizard on a wall.
    The torso of a man appeared: black shoes, black trousers, the Roman collar, then the face of Father Donnelly. He held a tea tray high above his head as he made his way. "They were here and they're gone."
    Flynn moved down the passageway and took the tray that the priest passed to him. Father Donnelly closed the coffin, and they walked into the chamber, Flynn placing the tray on a small wooden table.
    Father Donnelly looked around the chamber the way a host examines a guest room. He stared at Maureen's sleeping figure, then turned to Flynn. "So, you blew up a sixer, did you? Rather daring, I'd say."
    Flynn didn't answer.
    "Well, anyway, they traced you as far as the McGloughlin farm up the lane.
    Good, loyal Ulstermen, the McGloughlins. Solid Presbyterians. Family came over from Scotland with Cromwell's army. Another three hundred years and they'll think this is their country. How's the lady?"
    Flynn knelt beside her. "Sleeping." He touched her forehead. "Feverish."
    "There's some penicillin tablets and an army aid kit along with the tea and bacon." He took a small bottle from his pocket. "And some Dunphy's, if you've the need of it."

    37

    NELSON DE MILLE

    Flynn took the bottle. "Rarely have I needed it more." He uncorked it and took a long drink.
    Father Donnelly found two footstools, pulled them to the table, and sat.
    "Let her sleep. I'll take tea with you."
    Flynn sat and watched the priest go through the fussy motions of a man who took food and drink seriously. "Who was here?" asked Flynn.
    "The Brits and the RUCs. As usual the RUCs wanted to tear the place apart, but a British army officer restrained them. A Major Martin. Know him, do you? Yes, he's quite infamous. Anyway, they 0 played their roles wonder-fully.1f
    "I'm glad everyone had a good time. I'm only sorry I had to waken everyone so early."
    "You know, lad, it's as if the participants in this war secretly appreciate each other. The excitement is not entirely unwelcome."
    Flynn looked at the priest. Here was one man, at least, who didn't lie about it. "Can we get out of here?" he asked as he sipped the hot tea.
    "You'll have to wait until they clear out of the hedgerows. Binoculars, you understand. Two days at least. Leave at night, of course.
    "Doesn't everyone travel at night?"
    The priest laughed. "Ali, Mister
    "Cocharan."
    "Whatever. When will this all stop?"
    "When the British leave and the northern six counties are reunited with the southern twenty-six."
    The priest put down his teacup. "Not true, my boy. The real desire of the IRA, the most secret dark desire of the Catholics, no matter what we all say about living in peace after the reunification, is to deport all the Protestants back to England, Scotland, and Wales. Send the McGloughlins back to a country they haven't seen in three hundred years."
    "That's bloody rubbish."
    The priest shrugged. "I don't care personally, you understand. I only want you to examine your own heart."

    38

    CATHEDRAL

    Flynn leaned across the table. "Why are you in this? The Catholic clergy has never supported any Irish rebellion against the British. So why are you risking interm-nent?"
    Father Donnelly stared down into his cup, then looked up at Flynn. "I don't involve myself with any of the things that mean so much to you. I don't care what your policy is or even