Read Online And Blue Skies From Pain by Stina Leicht - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Stina Leicht
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doomed.”
Bishop Avery frowned.
“I apologize, Your Grace.” Father Murray pushed up his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. His head was pounding. He didn’t do well on shorted sleep—never had, and it was only getting worse as he got older. Don’t fuck this up. Do you want to end up in that padded room? “It’s been a difficult day.”
“Heightened security levels are in effect for your safety. The fact that you’re living in that suite against my better judgment is concession enough.”
“Liam has resided at my sister’s house for two weeks. There’s not been a single incident. Not one. I’ve observed him since he was a lad of thirteen. I’m in no danger.”
Bishop Avery folded his hands together on top of the heavy oak desk. “Why is this issue so important?”
“He was interred in Long Kesh and at Malone. Psychologically—”
“I’ve read the reports,” Bishop Avery said. “I still don’t understand the problem.”
Have you not visited the prisons? Do you not have the slightest idea of what they’re like? Father Murray paused to get some control over his emotions. Certain newscasters liked to compare the facilities where Irish political prisoners were kept to comfortable hotels, but he didn’t know of anyone who could do so after looking into the eyes of anyone unfortunate enough to have been interred in one of them for any length of time. “If he is treated like a prisoner it will affect the results.”
“You assured me that the strip search incident was an unusual circumstance.”
Father Murray said, “My recommendations shouldn’t have been ignored. I told them not to do it.”
“That was an unfortunate error. However, Father Conroy has since reported that Mr. Kelly was agitated and confrontational during the medical examination.”
“He was terrified. I’d be frightened too if I’d gone through what he has,” Father Murray said. “Could someone please speak to Gerry about his bedside manner? He threatened to sedate the lad against his will. I understand Gerry isn’t used to dealing with the living, but that was too far even for him.”
“All right. I’ll have Declan talk to him.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Father Murray said. “I’ve another request.”
“Yes?”
“I’d like a list of the tests to be performed. It will decrease the lad’s anxiety.”
“Why?”
There came a knock on the door and Father Thomas entered with a tray containing a teapot covered with a brown cosy, sugar and milk, spoons and two white porcelain cups with saucers. He set the tray on top of Bishop Avery’s desk and asked, “Will you need anything else, Your Grace?”
“I believe that is everything. Thank you,” Bishop Avery said.
“Then, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Declan,” Bishop Avery said.
Father Murray exchanged nods with Father Thomas and waited until the door clicked closed to continue. “It has been demonstrated that the Fey cannot be photographed without their consent. We don’t know whether or not other results can be affected. We must have Liam’s full cooperation if we’re to get useful data.”
“Has Mr. Kelly indicated that he won’t cooperate?” Bishop Avery poured milk into the first cup and paused with a questioning look.
Father Murray declined with a shake of the head. “I didn’t say that.” He sighed. “Look, we must admit that we don’t know what we’re doing. The Fey are not the Fallen.”
“Perhaps.” Bishop Avery picked up the white porcelain teapot. Steam arose from the spout as he poured, and the scent of strong black tea soon joined that of the incense. “However, our policy in the past has been that they be numbered among the angelic host who chose to remain neutral in Heaven’s conflict with Lucifer. That they were banished to earth as a result.” Bishop Avery offered a steaming cup of tea. “Therefore, there are those who say the Fey are justifiably classified as Fallen. Neutrality in
Bishop Avery frowned.
“I apologize, Your Grace.” Father Murray pushed up his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. His head was pounding. He didn’t do well on shorted sleep—never had, and it was only getting worse as he got older. Don’t fuck this up. Do you want to end up in that padded room? “It’s been a difficult day.”
“Heightened security levels are in effect for your safety. The fact that you’re living in that suite against my better judgment is concession enough.”
“Liam has resided at my sister’s house for two weeks. There’s not been a single incident. Not one. I’ve observed him since he was a lad of thirteen. I’m in no danger.”
Bishop Avery folded his hands together on top of the heavy oak desk. “Why is this issue so important?”
“He was interred in Long Kesh and at Malone. Psychologically—”
“I’ve read the reports,” Bishop Avery said. “I still don’t understand the problem.”
Have you not visited the prisons? Do you not have the slightest idea of what they’re like? Father Murray paused to get some control over his emotions. Certain newscasters liked to compare the facilities where Irish political prisoners were kept to comfortable hotels, but he didn’t know of anyone who could do so after looking into the eyes of anyone unfortunate enough to have been interred in one of them for any length of time. “If he is treated like a prisoner it will affect the results.”
“You assured me that the strip search incident was an unusual circumstance.”
Father Murray said, “My recommendations shouldn’t have been ignored. I told them not to do it.”
“That was an unfortunate error. However, Father Conroy has since reported that Mr. Kelly was agitated and confrontational during the medical examination.”
“He was terrified. I’d be frightened too if I’d gone through what he has,” Father Murray said. “Could someone please speak to Gerry about his bedside manner? He threatened to sedate the lad against his will. I understand Gerry isn’t used to dealing with the living, but that was too far even for him.”
“All right. I’ll have Declan talk to him.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Father Murray said. “I’ve another request.”
“Yes?”
“I’d like a list of the tests to be performed. It will decrease the lad’s anxiety.”
“Why?”
There came a knock on the door and Father Thomas entered with a tray containing a teapot covered with a brown cosy, sugar and milk, spoons and two white porcelain cups with saucers. He set the tray on top of Bishop Avery’s desk and asked, “Will you need anything else, Your Grace?”
“I believe that is everything. Thank you,” Bishop Avery said.
“Then, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, Declan,” Bishop Avery said.
Father Murray exchanged nods with Father Thomas and waited until the door clicked closed to continue. “It has been demonstrated that the Fey cannot be photographed without their consent. We don’t know whether or not other results can be affected. We must have Liam’s full cooperation if we’re to get useful data.”
“Has Mr. Kelly indicated that he won’t cooperate?” Bishop Avery poured milk into the first cup and paused with a questioning look.
Father Murray declined with a shake of the head. “I didn’t say that.” He sighed. “Look, we must admit that we don’t know what we’re doing. The Fey are not the Fallen.”
“Perhaps.” Bishop Avery picked up the white porcelain teapot. Steam arose from the spout as he poured, and the scent of strong black tea soon joined that of the incense. “However, our policy in the past has been that they be numbered among the angelic host who chose to remain neutral in Heaven’s conflict with Lucifer. That they were banished to earth as a result.” Bishop Avery offered a steaming cup of tea. “Therefore, there are those who say the Fey are justifiably classified as Fallen. Neutrality in
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