MURDER IN THE CHAPEL 2

**********The flight************

Johnpaul alighted from the car,he bent and took a last look at Fr. Michael who nodded and smiled. The lad knew he was going for an unscrupulous mission but he knew just like his dad had said,he that is sent to robbery by his father breaks the door with his leg...he relied on the security and assurance of a priest. He walked towards the gathering, the Block rosary attendants seemed much. He scampered through the crowd of kids and found a spot to survey his target. The kids boisterously ran around the premises as the prayer session had ended,he thought it wise to hasten up before the kids troop out. He hastily made a glance through the kids standing at the water tap trying to collect water. He found him resting with his back on the wall patiently waiting for his turn to get a fill of his water bottle. Their leaders seemed to be absorbed with the papers a bit far from the target spot,he hastened towards him.

" Johnbosco, how are you doing? You look cute today on this attire?" Johnpaul ensued a conversation.

"Thank you brother,do you know me? My mummy bought it for me,she said she will buy me more before Easter if I take first position this time in school. Brother I will…" he enthusiastically kept talking.

" Wao, you have been in the leading position all these while? What class are you right now?" He asked, rubbing his hand on the boy's hair. He took a glimpse at the environment,took out a pair of scissors from his back pocket and trimmed his hair and abruptly dug it into a nylon.

" Yes brother, It was only last term that I took second. A new student in my class mischievously took the first position. Grandma said I should study hard" He shoved his water bottle in Johnpaul's palm. " Brother, help me collect some water".

" Okay" he came back, squatting before him. " How many teeth do you have now johnbosco?"

" I lost one sometime ago "

" That's bad, should I restore it back?"

" You're joking brother. Are you a seminarian?"

" No,a mass servant,I hope to be a priest one day. Seems other kids are going home now johnbosco. Wouldn't you mind allowing me to perform a magic and return your lost teeth ?"

" Yes, " he replied excitedly.

" Okay pour a saliva on this my bottle,I will put it in the altar during Mass and believe me you will see it growing up soon"

He knew he had lied to him,he shouldn't have,it wasn't the initial plan but it happened spontaneously. He corked the bottle and bid the lad a farewell immediately he saw a lady approaching for the kids at the water tap.He hurried towards the gate, another lady was staring at him suspiciously, he knew this would take a turn if mishandled,he smiled at her and made a bow as she walked up to him.

"I haven't seen you here before boy" She asked rather politely.

"I came to visit a cousin a little far from here, heard a block rosary is here but unfortunately couldn't make it before the closure" he replied feeling uneasy. He regretted lying again.

" Okay, hope to see you here tomorrow. Have a wonderful night" She said and walked out.

Fr Michael felt excited immediately he sighted him approaching with curls of smiles hovering over his face. He opened the side door for him from his inside and placed his hand on his shoulder immediately he sat down. He surveyed the samples and nodded excitedly. Turning on the ignition,they set out for another hour journey back to the Parish house. He knows he needs someone in this trivial moment,it doesn't matter the age or gender,but the necessity for a backup and witness is second to quest. He swayed through the club street,a busy lane on the weekends. He watched keenly as commercial sex workers hunt for customers,the gridlock held him for half an hour as the night opened its petal to envelope the day. He couldn't picture it well but he assumed the ladies lack shame like business men displaying their wares and attracting customers to have a look. He felt embarrassed and intimated as an ebony girl approached him—this must be crazy,he hurriedly locked his windscreen. It must be funny he mused over Johnpaul's laugh. The lad has matured more than he thought.

" Do you still have the dreams?" Fr. Michael asked in a bid to ease the long time silence.

" Am not a seer"

" I didn't say so. I only want to know"

" I don't want to anymore,they drains me" Johnpaul replied with his face shown gloomy.

"I have to drop you at home,you have tried so much for me today. Please remember to keep this discreet"

Back to the Vicarage he stepped out and walked halfway through the garage,he remembered he had seen a particular vehicle following him through the journey home. Now he remembered the Penitent confession again,what murder was he confessing and who's he upto? The thought of the coincidence of events within the short period got him flabbergasted and totally disturbed. He felt a vibration on his pocket and then a ringing,he brought out the phone and got startled. Is it possible that Caro got information about their mission today? Was she the one following them or somehow someone has briefed her about their communication with her son? He mused as he stared at the incoming call.

" Hello Michael " Caro's voice rung from the other end.

" I thought by now you should have learnt to address me as a priest "

" Hahahaha,spare me that Micheal. A Priest with a son. Heaven knows his servants" She mocked

" What do you want from me this time?" He asked, feeling uneasy and restless .

" We need to see,you have no objection to that. Tomorrow by 11;30 a.m at the amusement park. Don't try putting on those priests attire''

" You don't order me around Caro. I am an adult with his right" he screamed at her.

" Adult with no emotion. I will be there with your son and probably I might need a time with you privately somewhere close"

" You're mad ! " He blurted aggressively. " I will advise you young lady, visit a therapist because you're losing your sanity.

" Thanks Rev, Fr Michael. Hope you're happy ? I will try to do that but remember the time tomorrow " she hung up.

He stared at the screen for seconds, thinking about the audacity of her blackmail draining his sanity. He had heard of such play on men by women; a conjugate-term manipulation,it didn't damn on him that he would be a victim. Nevertheless he remembered again he got it poured out ,he also remembered her complaining of him being too sensitive after the sexual escapade. Science would allege a possibility of precum leading to conception...he doubted it—he got it perfectly withdrawn. He hurried out of the garage,he met Emmanuel leaving his room apparently had been there to see him.

"Padre"

"Good evening,were you looking for me?" He asked, making his way to his door.

" Yes,a stranger left a few minutes ago. He said he would have loved to see you. He rather dropped a letter" He replied, stretching a neat-folded paper.

" A stranger? How did he look? " He became anxious and a bit frightened remembering the trailing car.

" Just a tall ebony young man, apparently in his thirties. Slim and...he said you will know him once you read the letter" .

" Alright,you can go" He replied and hurried inside his room. He found his butt on his chair and hastily opened the paper.

" Meet me at the Sharaton hotel tomorrow at 12 o'clock. Don't miss it.

#The murder penitent.

Goose ran through his body,as his hands trembled and let the paper slide down the floor. Perspiration grabbed him and he could feel his heart pounding,he sprung up and ran into the bathroom...he felt a substance making a way to his throat, it seemed he would throw up. He let out a scream when it damn on him he couldn't get anything out of him,he walked back into the room and got hold of his phone—he thought of calling Doctor Spencer, that was the only person that knew about this incident.

" Hello Padre"

" Good evening doctor"

" I was about calling you, hope you are doing good Fr ?"

"Not at all, doctor they're after me. They have gang up against me" He sounded anguished and desperate.

"Calm down, what's the problem Padre?" Doctor Spencer asked curiously and confused

" Caro and the Penitent,I have not told you about him but I got a message from the two just this night requesting to see me tomorrow" He muttered and sat at the edge of the bed with his left hand resting on his head.

" I don't really understand,but I think you should report to the police"

" Will that make sense? What if it wasn't a threatening meeting? What if they discover beforehand? Am thinking maybe they already knew of this plan, wouldn't they take more drastic measures afterwards that might jeopardize my life ?"

" You're talking too much Padre. Tomorrow is already at hand,get in touch with the appropriate law enforcement for professional advice and security"

" Okay doctor,I will do that right away" He sighed and hung up.

*******Before the Easter*********

A week before Easter,Fr. Michael felt this would be the last battle against the forces of darkness,he knew and believed that he would conquer through Christ that strengthened him. Christ conquered death so that we may have life and have it in abundance. And this Easter will not only bring an abundance of blessings,but a closeness to the grace which abounds in Christ Jesus.

He looked at the congregation during the Friday morning Mass ,he spoke to them and directed the words to his soul,he needed the words more. He stepped out of the pulpit and stood at the sanctuary rail. His soul felt so uneasy and troubled,how would they have known that the priest before them is In great temptation...he mused within him.

" My good people in the Lord,Christ came not only to be a source of light that will lead us to eternal life,but to bring a living water that will quench our thirst. The Bible made us understand that,in the beginning ...the spirit of God walked on the surface of the water,but this water was not God,now who is the living water? When Jesus went to the Samaritan woman and requested for water,he told the woman that he will give him the water that will quench her thirst forever. Can we see the limelight of whom we are looking up to ? The light and the water of life?

The congregation looked with interest,his words seemingly directing them to the period of lent which the church would guide them to understand—the essence and importance of whom they believe.

"The Lord God of host made a declaration and He Said " If my people repent of their sins and come back to me,I will be their God and they my children" that's the way to get this living water. You and I need to turn back to him and mend our ways. For he has made it clear that " my people have dug a cistern without water" and have forgotten him. Let's use this Lenten season to turn away from our iniquities and embrace him that came to offer us the best thing in life. Praise the Lord!

"Thanks be to God" The congregation chorus in unison.

At the Sacristy,he removed his Chasuble and alb and walked to the Chapel with the stole hung round his neck. He thought it would be best to confide more on God than the protection of humans. The police have assured him of their maximum protection,but if the Lord does not watch the City,in vain is the watchman. His thoughts wandered around the day he was ordained. He saw his parents from the line of deacons as they matched to the open square followed by the bishops. He knew he had conquered the battle,his father found it hard to swallow his pride and religious inclinations... his devout faith in Pentecostal way to that of Orthodox Church. He had criticized the honor of the Virgin Mary,the power of the pope and the sentimental Chastity of the priesthood. He watched his son genuflect before the Bishops proclaiming his obedience, Chastity and poverty. He watched him lay in silence without objection to the principles of the Way,he lay there as they sang the litany of the saints—the same litany that converted his soul to this service. He knew finally that he had lost his son to God,he let the indescribable tears find its way through his cheeks and watered his white brocade.

" Bless me father" His father beckoned on him and knelt to receive his son's blessing.

" May the Almighty God bless you,in the name of the Father,the Son and the Holy Spirit"

"Amen," He respond. He felt a goose and ran his eyes through his son as he forced himself to stand. His glistening Cassock moved his imagination.

The acceptance of his priesthood was a battle won. He knows he will win again,but his soul needs to feel it—the uneasiness and torments of trouble and persecutions. Christ passed through it and won,he too will win. He refused to accept the doubting spirit,the spirit that reminded him that he probably might be the biological father of the boy,it can't be...he mused and waved off the idea.

" I fall to the Caprice and lure of a woman,but the Lord will save his servant" He mumbled

He knelt before the Monstrance — he has believed even aside his profession the presence of God in the Blessed Sacrament. He gazed his eyes on it and began to pour his soul in silence. He couldn't have figured out how long he had stayed,he didn't want to leave,for he had found comfort in Him.

He sensed a movement,a figure seemed to be at his back...it suddenly went still. He heard him walking inside,what could a stranger be doing in the private Chapel meant for the priests...he wondered and hastily turned to behold the figure. His heart hastened up his mouth,he left a scream and shivered within his Cassock. He turned abruptly face down and muttered a silent prayer. His teeth clinged, while his lips quivered in fear, sweats formed quickly around his forehead,he picked up a Bible and clung it close to his chest.

"Padre... Padre! " A voice muttered at his back.

" Johnpaul " He mumbled,his face flushed with fear. He forced himself up ,and spontaneously stared round the small chapel.

" I heard your voice from the staircase on my way to deliver Monsignor's Mass box in his room. Are you okay Fr.? " He asked, his face written with worries.

" No, I am fine. I…" He paused, looked at the lad. He knew he wanted to lie to him,so he waved at him to come closer.

"Did you meet any stranger on your way here?"

"No Padre"

" Your dreams boy,your dreams are manifesting. Your Rev Fr. Is in trouble"

He looked at the lad who seemed not perturbed at the news,he appeared less concerned and unmindful—an absolute negligence.

"I think you need to have a rest, Padre. I doubt if anyone can harm you in this private room"

" Huh,you called it hallucinations?" He asked, flabbergasted at his audacity.

" Sorry, I didn't mean that" He muttered and turned to leave.

" Johnpaul"

"Yes Padre," He answered, facing him.

" You will help me to deliver the sample tomorrow morning after the morning Mass"

"No problem" He retorted abruptly and left the room in a hurry.

He watched him disappear through the door and his back leaving his gaze as he ascended the stairwell which could be seen from the chapel. Adulthood comes with many difficulties and the most ordinary comes with reckless mistakes one forgot to clean up….he mumbled and took a glance at his wrist watch. He genuflected before the Blessed Sacrament and left the Chapel to his room. Analyzing the time,he calculated the distance to the amusement park and hurried to dress up.

The park was crowded,he scampered through the multitude to the Love garden. He forgot to ask for the spot,he took a long glance at his wrist watch,it was already getting late for the Sheraton hotel schedule. He could see the police men tracking him from a meter away in casual wear.

"Hey Michael" He got startled by the call from his back.

" Caroline, address me with my title" He blurted.

" You're mad, should I scream that you're a priest here? Who cares for that? " She bashed furiously at him.

" What brought me here please?"

"Follow me" She led him to a secluded spot made with tambourine, crowded around by children hovering over the swing game .

She sat and pointed at a seat for him,her face had disappeared from the previous brood...now offering a deceptive smile,quite suspicious and scary.

"You don't seem to be comfortable,are you okay?" She enquired smilingly.

" I have an appointment,can you hurry up so that I can leave?".

" Hurry? Oh dammit Micheal. I called to see you for the last time and intentionally wish to have an extensive time with you, okay ?" She asked winking and licked her lips sexily.

"Last time? How? Why? " He found himself puzzled and withdrawn.

She looked at him ardently, lowered her head and suddenly puffed.

" I thought of bringing him for you two to meet for the first time, probably the last as well. You see Micheal,you might see it that way,that I am having a psychological issue but I wouldn't mind if that's true or contrally. I have loved you and have dreamed of being there in the morning when you wake up, giving you beautiful children and getting old with you. My dreams were shattered,not only crumbled,I realized that you have created a chasm in my heart,the hole that couldn't be filled by anybody else. You didn't know what you have done to my life".

" I thought we should have outgrown this? Caro, you're just obsessive...and this is a chronic psychological problem. See a therapist and you will get over all these"

"Shut up !," She yelled uncontrollably and stared at him with a blood thirsty look. " What the hell do you know about me? "

" We have outgrown this Caroline. All these happened close to twelve years ago, please find a way to move on and help your future. I can't leave my profession just to satisfy your ultimate desire"

" You don't need to Michael,you don't need to. Everything has been settled,am moving on without you" She Mumbled in soliloquy...with a clear state of melancholy.

" That will be the best step ever ,I will be leaving to catch up on an appointment" He uttered, standing to leave.

" Beware of the Jezebel's messenger" She Mumbled and stared at her painted toe nails. She seemed to be unaware he was still standing before her.

" The Jezebel's messenger? Sounds closely to beware of the Ides of March?

Understanding she probably might not reply him,he hurried out of the park, dashed into his car and drove through the Etche road ...followed up by the police who tailed him two meters away with private vehicle.He has missed the fixed time but he hope to make it a few minutes before it got late...he mused and drove into the hotel car lane. His heart jumped and a slight fear gripped him, mustering the courage he stepped into the hotel.

"Hello dear,I got an appointment with …"

" Are you Fr. Michael ? " The young brown-skin girl, apparently in her twenties, cut him short.

"Yes" He mumbled nervously.

" Oh, a young man who had lodged here dropped a note for you. He left a few minutes ago" She handed him an envelope neatly written with his name.

"Thank you" He muttered and dashed into his car. His hands shiver as he stared at the envelope. He thought of drawing the attention of the police before he could open it,but it really damn on him that he has not revealed the reason for the visit to them either and this might jeopardize the invitation if it goes out to be friendly...of course priests are in position to answer calls for the salvation of souls.

" You shouldn't have called a follow up". The letter read. He was abacked,he mused over the possibilities of knowing his movement.

" How did he find out ? Oh my Mother Mary! "

He dashed out of the car and hurried to the police vehicle, handing them the letter,the seemingly leader tapped his shoulder and sighed softly.

"Wait for me here,I need to see the receptionist" The police officer said and left towards the hotel building.

*********The revelation*********

Francis paced the room agitated and furiously,he paused and took a glimpse at his wrist watch and shook his head in disgust. He hurried to the door immediately he heard a knock. Caro took a step back,his countenance baffled her. She knew things wouldn't go well—she anticipated a beef immediately she got his call asking for a sudden meeting.

"Would you prefer to stay out there?" Francis queried impatiently and walked back.

" What's your problem son of Adam?"

He was quiet and face down,tapping his foot continuously on the floor tiles.

" Fuck you nigger ! What the hell brought me here? Or …"

" Caroline,I need to understand why you have to bastardize my mission. What was your plan? " He asked aggressively.

" Hahahahahaha, your mission or mine?"

" Whoever? "

" What actually happened baby? Why are you aggressive this evening? Did you attend church today at all?" She inquired, rubbing his bald head.

" The church is filled with hypocrites like you. Remove your hands From my body ! "

Quite astonished, she withdrew and took four steps back and stared at him suspiciously. Some moment of silence ensued as she moved a few feet away from him and sat on the bed. Her mind wandered over the spontaneous attitudinal display, though she hadn't been briefed beforehand the reason for the meeting— she least expected such an unwelcome attitude.

" You were with the priest yesterday right?" Francis asked, swinging his mood calmingly.

"Yes. How did you know?" She asked and stared fervently at him...bewildered .

" I want to ask,I think this would be the second time,what was his offense?

" Your job is to execute a target"

" Execute a target you're having a close contact with? " He blurted and fumed." Your closeness will jeopardize my mission"

"You knew you're saying gibberish,an indescribable nonsense" She fumed and stood up making a way to the door.

" In clean professional work,I shouldn't have had more closeness with you".

"Where the gods fear to thread,I walk" she turned and faced him " maybe you shouldn't have been on my bed all along" She taunted and left.

. . . . . . .

Mosignor Jordan couldn't remove his eyes from him as he walked absent minded towards the Parish hall,his face looked broody;a clean state of melancholy and troubled.His capeless cassock exposing a weight lost,he apparently might not have noticed that. Monsignor has never seen the young priest in such a state,he ruminates over the few months since he came under him if there could be instances of stressful encounters, probably he might have hidden cases of that. It wouldn't be easy for newbies in the ministry as they cope with several activities required in the calling and the thought of being single till death...that is what we all signed for,he mused and shaked his head in pity. He believes he will get over it ,he is still young though but much is required from him,he really will be equal to the tasks. But that notwithstanding,he thought it wise to chip some words to him. He waited for him to draw a bit closer to the spot he was before gesturing his attention.

" Good evening Fr."

" Oh Mosignor, sorry I wasn't aware you're the one here" He said smilingly.

"I am. You don't seem to be okay to me. Hope you're doing well?

" Of course Mosignor,I am more than mighty" He uttered still smiling.

Monsignor Jordan shaked his head and laughed loudly,his voice extending two meters away and creating a scene. He paused and took a glimpse at Fr. Michael and gestured to him to come closer.

"I have been suspecting strange movements and attitudes from you. I received a report that you hardly eat in the refectory these days Fr. ?" He stared at him in anticipation of his response.

" There's no serious issue on the desk" He replied reluctantly.

'` I will advise you to visit a doctor , you're losing weight and something is weighing you down a lot.' He muttered and began to descend the stairwell '' Try and do that before tomorrow,I doubt if this Holy week will offer us chances for enough personal matters".

The remark got him worried,he hastened into the house and up his room, staring at himself at the mirror,he could of course describe the sudden change in him; eye balls burge and sleepy,his forehead wrinkled with black spots,he shouldered in dismay and walked to his bed.

. . . . . . .

Francis became restless and uneasy,he has booked another hotel room in Christa lounge. He puffed a smoke from a cigarette and stared at the wall,he could feel a nut tightening up in his heart,followed by a carpenter nail digging conspicuously up his head,he jerked up and sauntered into the bathroom. Opening the tap on the washbasin,he extinguished the cigarette and dropped the remnant on the trash cane.He took a handful of the running water and washed his face,then a glimpse at the mirror ,he felt a different being...that wasn't him eight years ago before he got into the higher institution. His mind wandered the day he got into the job as an undergraduate. He had to accompany Sniper ,a new friend he met on the campus to a mission which ended up being an assassin job. The memory of the assassination kept distorting his dreams—he saw her appearing,like a nightmarish.

" You have to build up man" Sniper snapped at his complaint over the dreams.

"Build up? You took me to such a dreadful and goddamn mission without a prior commitment and you expect me to be normal?" Francis snapped back curiously and exasperated.

" This doesn't call for anger. I know what you need man. You have a strong heart,I have watched you severally on this campus and chose you. I choose you man"

It shocked him,he couldn't fathom why the job needed a successor through selection. A year after being acquainted with the job, Sniper traveled to Malaysia and got shot on the 5th month of his arrival.

He dashed into the room in a pursuant manner,he now felt more uneasy, squiffed and lightheaded,he threw himself on the bed and screamed in disgust. He abruptly jolted and sprung up,made towards the table,picked his phone and dialed a number. The receiver got to him on the first call.

" This is Francis Beck"

" I know ,I still have your number. How are you doing?"

" Am doing good"

" This one wey you remember me today,wetin dey parole? Hope Kasara doesn't boast Franc?"

"Abeg I need your help Jessy" He muttered and sat at the edge of the bed.

" Which Kain help Oloye ?" Jesse asked stuporously.

" You seem to be drunk?

" On holy week ? I can't be out of religious beliefs like you Franc. Wetin you wan ask me?"

"Is it about Caro" He mumbled and scratched his head.

" Okay"

" I am a bit confused over a certain issue. Please tell me the truth,who is the father of the child?"

He could sense the silence at the other end of jessy,it was obvious she found the question an intrusion. He least expected a rebuff.

" Why are you curious and suddenly asking after it now?" She asked, perplexed.

" Many issues gave rise to that, especially about the priest. I am confident that you knew who the father is,you knew her more than anyone she has met in life"

She sighed and exhaled heavily. He sensed how reluctant she was to divulge—apparently it is a secret.

" You should have known by now Francis,but you were reckless and insensitive. Haven't you seen the boy before? "

"Not at all. She hardly gives me the chances to or to see a picture either"

" You're the father" She muttered hesitantly

" What ?" He asked confused and flabbergasted,he sprung up and sauntered round the room in perspiration.

"Yes, you're the one"

"How ?" He found himself squatting at the corner of the room, placing his elbow on the empty vast.

" I hope you have enough call cards to listen to this " she rythorized and puffed some air " According to Caro,she was in love with a young man who she claimed was in the seminary then. She was naive and mediocre when you met her in her second year,she only knew her lover. I believe Caro was obsessive with him since she refused to give up after the young man had advised her to. Did you remember meeting her on a faculty night in 2017?"

"Yes, that was the first time we came across. I made a several declined advances, though I was able to make out with her in one of her visit to her friend's house who happened to be a cousin sister"

"Exactly, that was the day she met the Seminarian in a hotel. She had to visit the friend after the meeting and eventually gave in to your sexual quest"

"It wasn't a sexual quest !,I love her then Jessy" He blurted in defense.

" You said that now. She had no clue, probably obsessed with her lover...she couldn't fathom your approaches"

"There's a problem now Jessy,I need to get back to you" He said and sprung up from the floor.

"Problem?" She queried bewildered.

"I will get back to you Jessy,I promise" He mumbled, dropped the phone back at the table and hurried into the bathroom. In a jiffy,he dashed back to the room and grabbed the phone and dialed Caro's number.

" Hey Caro,where are you ?

" To finish the job bro" She Mumbled at her end, apparently to avoid a third party picking up the conversation.

" Jesus! Where exactly are you? "

She was mute —unresolved to answer his question. He could hear a noisy background,a bus conductor calling passengers enroute artillery junction...that should be 15 minutes more journey to St, Christopher's Parish. He calculated the distance and time lapse,he could make it within 12 minutes to the Parish before her through the market road. He hurried to the wardrobe,pulled out a black shirt and rushed down to his car.

******Murder in the chapel*******

Fr Michael felt a slight uncomfort,he sluggishly walked up to his reading table and grabbed his cell phone. He could feel the beat of his heart making a swipe to the dictate of his fears. Nothing is more realistic to him now than waking up from this nightmare, obviously he knew it wasn't a nightmare but the rhyme of reality has taken down more of his positivity of life. The doctor's number wasn't reachable,so he dropped the phone and left the room.

He found himself standing at the chapel,he initially didn't thought of coming here... absent minded,he might have unconsciously pictured the best place to have a good time outside the world of disturbing thoughts would be here—here in the lay faithfuls chapel,it was empty he wondered where those people frequently on it have gone.

"Something sinister is hovering around" he mumbled and walked into a pew.

"Mmmh !" Someone chucked from behind.

He turned and faced her...Caro,She stood smiling malevolently at him,her countenance written with exasperation.

"What are you doing here Caro ?" He asked bemused.

"In the Lord's presence,we all have the right to be anytime".

"Caro,you and I knew you can't be here without a mission. What's the problem this time?" He snapped at her.

She looked at him ardently, lowered her head and giggled.

" You see Micheal...yes I have a mission " she muttered and drew a pistol out of his purse " yes I have…

" Jesus Christ !"

"He wouldn't be able to save you Micheal " she giggled tauntingly.

" It haven't reached to this Caro, we can settle this amicably and in God's chosen way"

He suddenly was thrown aback, Francis dashed into the scene breathing heavily. He stared at Caro,he knew she must be serious this time and standing in her way will be a big catastrophe. He hurried before the priest and blocked him from the gun point.

"Caro put that down" Francis ordered authoritatively

" You must be stupid by thinking of standing on my way Franc."

" Caro, I see no reason why you should do this please ".

" Please calm down " Fr Michael pleaded from his back.

" I have found out the truth Caro,you hide this all these while. You knew he wasn't the father of the boy and…"

A blared,he paused suddenly and looked at the priest. The gun was at close range and purposely was aimed at his head. He felt a relief,he was okay...She missed the target,he saw her hand shivering on the trigger.

" Wait, you have a red stain on your chest" Fr Michael blurted shockingly.

Francis stared at it , touched the spot and felt a warm sensation. He looked at Caro, she was drawn aback and transfixed... staring at him in amazement.He felt lightheaded and nauseated,his eyes were blurring and heart failing gradually from the regular beat. He slumped in Fr Michael's arm,he could hardly find his voice as he struggled to speak.

"Forgive me Fr. for my sins " He muttered softly.

" Hold on a bit,hold on, let me hurry outside and call for help" Fr Michael beckoned and stared at Caro who stood watching them,tears formed in her eyes started dropping profusely.

" He is dead Fr." She screamed and dropped on the floor.

" What happened...we heard a shot Fr? " Fr Michael looked up again,it was the Church security men,one of them rushed towards him while the second man stood at the door staring at the pistol lying close to Caro.

"The police, Edet ,call the police" The first security man ordered his second.

She knew it had come to an end,the gun had only one bullet. She heard more footsteps trooping in. She closed her eyes in despair,she regretted it—She should have followed up the therapy,now nothing less than years in prison awaits her.She folded her legs and waited for the police.

Disclaimer : Any resemblance to incident or person, event and place in this story is a coincidence. Please kindly see it as fictitious and inspirational.

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