Read Online Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 03 - The Priest Who Ate a Poison Petit Fore by Kee Patterbee - Free Book Online
Authors: Kee Patterbee
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hand and shaking.
“Please, call me Ray.” The clergyman stepped back and looked the two over. “I’m guessing you must be Hym and Hannah,” he said with another toothy grin. “He speaks of you two in high regard.” He looked over to Magdalen, adding, ““I’ve heard him mention you in the same manner as well.”
Hannah started to respond, but Hym interceded. “Well, we think the same of him.”
“Walk with me,” Janus responded.
Hym walked almost beside the man. Magdalen followed one step back, Hannah noticed. Instant respect , she determined. Turning her eyes to observe Janus, she recalled his last words and analyzed them. Not a request. Expected , she concluded. Authoritarian .
Janus led them to an elevator, talking along the way. He explained that he was second behind Whipson as on staff clergy and a member of the episcopal faith. Hannah found that his conversation was a one sided affair. He’s interested in what he has to say only , she concluded. No room for others . Odd .
When they reached the third floor, the doors opened and everyone stepped off. Janus led the three to a small office. Upon entering, Hannah noticed the forward desk and a door leading to another room. Sitting behind was a young man wearing a black habit. Late twenties. 5’10”” to 5’11”. Hazel eyes. Weighty. Dishpan blond. Glasses. Thick lips. Glancing over his desk, she noticed it was unkempt, cluttered with stacks of files. The trashcan held several candy wrappers and an empty box.
Janus made introductions. “This is Brother Wessel.”
The man offered his hand but maintained a stoic expression. “Richard, if you prefer.”
“Brother Wessel works for the Reverend and here in the hospital as well.”
“Beyond these duties,” Wessel gestured toward the desk, “I’m part of the nursing staff.”
Hym and Magdalen nodded but Hannah found herself fascinated.
“How interesting. I wasn’t aware that you operated outside the church.”
“Most people are unaware. I believe they still have the impression we don’t talk, and hang around the church chanting or beating ourselves.” He smiled. ““I can assure you, we live quite full lives.”
“I’m sure you do.”
Janus cleared his throat and Wessel turned his attention to his duties.
“I’m sorry,” Wessel said in an apologetic tone. “Let me get the Reverend for you.”
The young brother moved to the rear door and knocked. Watching the situation, Hannah again reaffirmed her assessment that Janus was authoritative. She also noted he held a certain sense of demanded order. Impatient , was the word she applied to his growing mental file.
Whipson opened the door and smiled. He stepped out with open arms to entice a hug. Magdalen responded first, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Then Hannah gave him a hug. As he wrapped his arms around her, she noticed a second figure standing to the rear. His unexpected appearance startled her, though she sized him up all the same. Smallish . Late 70s. About the same age as Whipson. Square face. Bulbous nose. Hunched a slight bit. Grey hair. Worn, brown eyes. Glancing him over, she studied his clothing. He wore a medium blue coverall jumpsuit that was well maintained but worn. She determined him to be on the janitorial staff. Custodian . Seeing him lift a hand and gnaw at a nail, she added, nervous and mousy by nature .
After Whipson shook Hym’s hand, he introduced them to the man.
“This is Jackie Rhoades, an old friend.”
Rhoades gave a nervous smile and quick head bob of acknowledgement.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he expressed in a quick manner.
Whipson looked to Rhoades. “We’ll have to talk later. It seems I’m running behind.”
Rhoades nodded and produced a weak smile. He then moved past everyone and exited the door. Whipson watched, and once the man was out of sight, he said, “So, what brings this unexpected pleasure? I’ve got a meeting with Father Janus here, but it shouldn’’t
“Please, call me Ray.” The clergyman stepped back and looked the two over. “I’m guessing you must be Hym and Hannah,” he said with another toothy grin. “He speaks of you two in high regard.” He looked over to Magdalen, adding, ““I’ve heard him mention you in the same manner as well.”
Hannah started to respond, but Hym interceded. “Well, we think the same of him.”
“Walk with me,” Janus responded.
Hym walked almost beside the man. Magdalen followed one step back, Hannah noticed. Instant respect , she determined. Turning her eyes to observe Janus, she recalled his last words and analyzed them. Not a request. Expected , she concluded. Authoritarian .
Janus led them to an elevator, talking along the way. He explained that he was second behind Whipson as on staff clergy and a member of the episcopal faith. Hannah found that his conversation was a one sided affair. He’s interested in what he has to say only , she concluded. No room for others . Odd .
When they reached the third floor, the doors opened and everyone stepped off. Janus led the three to a small office. Upon entering, Hannah noticed the forward desk and a door leading to another room. Sitting behind was a young man wearing a black habit. Late twenties. 5’10”” to 5’11”. Hazel eyes. Weighty. Dishpan blond. Glasses. Thick lips. Glancing over his desk, she noticed it was unkempt, cluttered with stacks of files. The trashcan held several candy wrappers and an empty box.
Janus made introductions. “This is Brother Wessel.”
The man offered his hand but maintained a stoic expression. “Richard, if you prefer.”
“Brother Wessel works for the Reverend and here in the hospital as well.”
“Beyond these duties,” Wessel gestured toward the desk, “I’m part of the nursing staff.”
Hym and Magdalen nodded but Hannah found herself fascinated.
“How interesting. I wasn’t aware that you operated outside the church.”
“Most people are unaware. I believe they still have the impression we don’t talk, and hang around the church chanting or beating ourselves.” He smiled. ““I can assure you, we live quite full lives.”
“I’m sure you do.”
Janus cleared his throat and Wessel turned his attention to his duties.
“I’m sorry,” Wessel said in an apologetic tone. “Let me get the Reverend for you.”
The young brother moved to the rear door and knocked. Watching the situation, Hannah again reaffirmed her assessment that Janus was authoritative. She also noted he held a certain sense of demanded order. Impatient , was the word she applied to his growing mental file.
Whipson opened the door and smiled. He stepped out with open arms to entice a hug. Magdalen responded first, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Then Hannah gave him a hug. As he wrapped his arms around her, she noticed a second figure standing to the rear. His unexpected appearance startled her, though she sized him up all the same. Smallish . Late 70s. About the same age as Whipson. Square face. Bulbous nose. Hunched a slight bit. Grey hair. Worn, brown eyes. Glancing him over, she studied his clothing. He wore a medium blue coverall jumpsuit that was well maintained but worn. She determined him to be on the janitorial staff. Custodian . Seeing him lift a hand and gnaw at a nail, she added, nervous and mousy by nature .
After Whipson shook Hym’s hand, he introduced them to the man.
“This is Jackie Rhoades, an old friend.”
Rhoades gave a nervous smile and quick head bob of acknowledgement.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he expressed in a quick manner.
Whipson looked to Rhoades. “We’ll have to talk later. It seems I’m running behind.”
Rhoades nodded and produced a weak smile. He then moved past everyone and exited the door. Whipson watched, and once the man was out of sight, he said, “So, what brings this unexpected pleasure? I’ve got a meeting with Father Janus here, but it shouldn’’t
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