CHAPTER 26
The two monastics were a little embarrassed as they walked into the State Police barracks. Just about everyone in town knew of them anyway, but their gray and blue habits certainly attracted lots of attention as they walked into the modern one story building.
Trooper Jonas met with them in a little room near the front desk. “This Dymphna was caught shop lifting at Dollar General. He stole a magnifying glass with a little battery operated light in it and some pens, rubber bands, and a few other trinkets. Even though Dollar General carries items that may cost more than a dollar, everything is very inexpensive so he didn’t rack up much of a bill, so to speak. He was driving erratically when he left the store and a police officer pulled him over and took him back to Dollar General since he had items from them and no bag or sales slip. Let’s go next door and see if we can clarify things.”
The three confused people got up and went into the next room, which was just as small, containing only a few folding chairs and a table with a goose neck lamp on it. The worst fears of the two monastics were confirmed.
“Dear Lord, he does live with us, Trooper Jonas. He’s been with us almost a month now doing an Observership. He’s not officially a part of the community but we are all discerning the possibility of his vocation to monastic life.”
“Hello Anthony,” said Sister Jane simply and warmly. “How can we be of help?”
“Anthony is the one who needs help. I’m Dymphna. The only reason I got caught is because I can’t drive.”
“But you showed us your license when you came to the monastery,” Brother Matthew stated. “Remember? We needed to know if you could drive so we could send you out to do community shopping once in a while.”
“You have the wrong person Brother. Maybe your eyes are not so good. Mine are not; that’s why I needed the magnifying glass—to help me continue my investigation. Is the Little One safe? I’m very concerned about him.”
“What little one dear?” asked Sister Jane.
“You know, the little guy who prowls around the monastery at night.”
Matthew and Jane looked at one another dumbfounded.
“And the others, how are they?” the shoplifter queried.
“What others dear?”
“The other people who live at the monastery of course.”
“Oh you mean people like Abbot Francis and Sister Scholastica,” Matthew said, trying to sound relaxed but not succeeding very well.
“No, not them. The ones who prowl around when you folks are not looking—like me. There must be about fifteen of us by now.”
Trooper Jonas and the monk and nun he called in to help clarify things were more confused than ever. There was a pregnant pause. One or the other of the three “investigators” began to say something, then they let the thoughts and words die before their birth.
Finally, Sister Jane de Chantal, like her patron saint might do, took matters in hand. “Trooper, might we have a word with you in private?”
“Sure, why not? Nothing else seems to be working.”
Three of the four people returned to their earlier meeting room.
“Obviously Anthony is having some sort of break down. I know that is an imprecise and catch all sort of term but I can think of none other at the moment. Might we call in Detective David Gold, a friend of the community, to meet with you and try to sort out the legal end of things? Might we also take Anthony back to the monastery and have Detective Gold’s wife, Doctor Chantal Fleur, meet with Anthony?”
“At least that’s a plan, Sister. I’m sure we can release this gentleman into your care. As you know, we’ve all worked on other cases together and helped to solve them. I have faith that this one will also be solved.”
The state trooper smiled a devilish smile. “If we can resolve this case without the help of Brother Francis I think it will be a feather in all our caps—and we will have official proof that he was out of the country through his passport!”
“A sense of humor always helps,” Brother Matthew added.
Sister Jane made a few phone calls and she, Anthony / Dymphna, and Brother Matthew drove back to the monastery in near silence.
When they got out of the car, Doctor Chantal Fleur was waiting for them on the porch. The look on her face was hard to decipher. She was certainly in her forensic psychologist mode.