Liturgical Mysteries 02 The Baritone Wore Chiffon Read Online Free PDF Page B

henceforth know as 'the victim' was found dead in the treasury. The first question is 'Why?' She was obviously there to steal something. She also obviously wasn't there by herself."
    "The clue there being the fact that she was dead," Meg added.
    "Precisely! You know, you're getting the hang of this."
    "Please continue."
    "The cross was in the victim's hand, so although the case had been opened and re-locked, it appeared that the murderer didn't actually steal anything."
    "How odd," said Meg.
    "Odd indeed. Now why would the murderer go to all the trouble to murder someone in the treasury with the cameras turned off and not take anything? Especially when a 32 carat diamond worth over a million pounds was there for the taking. The fact that it was screwed into the chalice made it an easy target."
    "The superglue gave it away!"
    "It was an important clue. You see, the cross was meant to be the only thing the police found missing from the case. They'd assume that the cross had been stolen and never look at the diamond. In the low light of the treasury, a cubic zirconium may not have been discovered for years."
    "But how did you know?"
    "Given everything else in the case, it was the only thing that made any sense. And I had to ask myself why the victim would have Superglue on her fingers."
    "Well, you were right."
    I could tell Meg was impressed.
    "So who's the murderer?"
    "I have a couple of ideas."
    "Care to tell?"
    "Not yet. I'm still working it out."
    "You know," Meg said, looking thoughtful, "if the murderer had put the cross back, you might never have thought to look at the chalice."
    "You're right," I said. "That's a very salient point. He might not have had time. Besides, as you know, if the criminal doesn't make at least one mistake, we gum-shoes would be up a dongle."
    "Up a dongle?"
    "It's detective talk. You know – bounce a limpet, drop a wally, sling some spinach."
    "You're making that stuff up."
    "Perhaps."

    •••

    The supper hour came and went, and as I finished up the dishes, Meg finished reading my latest episode.
    "Well, your trip to England sure didn't help your writing."
    "Oh, I don't know. I think I've tightened it up quite a bit. I met a literary agent, you know. She was quite taken with my prose."
    "Yes," Meg said, "I'm sure she was. Is this doggerel going in the choir folders?"
    "Yep. This Sunday and every Sunday during Lent."
    "That's cruel."
    "It may be, but Lent is all about suffering."
    "Have you heard anything from Father Tony about the new priest?" Meg asked, changing the subject.
    "No, I haven't. I don't know anything about him except that the interim bishop has sent him over from the seminary. To give him some experience, I suppose."
    "When will you meet him?"
    "He'll be here on Wednesday to talk to everyone. I guess he knows he's just a sub until we finish the search for our new guy."
    "What about the new Christian education director? What's her name? Brandi? Boopsie? Have you talked with her?"
    "Yes, I have," I answered. "Her name's Brenda, and I'm reserving judgment. So far she's been kind of quiet during staff meetings, but I get the feeling she's just biding her time. She mentioned that at her last church they had a 'Flower Communion' and that it was a very meaningful service. Everyone brought a flower and put it on the altar. During the sermon, the members of the congregation were invited to stand and say a few words about their particular flower."
    "You can't say anything bad about her, you know. Not after you got Loraine fired."
    "I did not get Loraine fired," I said, my hackles rising involuntarily. "She got herself fired."
    "Nevertheless," said Meg, "you'd better lay low for a while."
    "You have my promise. I won't say anything to anyone until we actually get a full-time priest. I'll just go with the flow, direct the music, plant some flowers, and let the chips fall where they may."
    "That's a good plan," said Meg.

    •••

    The mood at the Slab was upbeat although the crowd was