November 1947 by Ellery Queen

Author:Ellery Queen [Queen, Ellery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9785171347093
Publisher: American Mercury
Published: 1947-06-15T14:10:57+00:00

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Fiction

A PRAYER ANSWERED

By David Dean

Art by Allen Davis

Real-life police chief David Dean has a new case for his fictional police chief Julian Hall. EQMM has been publishing Julian Hall stories for some twenty years, but Julian wasn’t always a police chief. Like his creator, he’s climbed the ranks of the Jersey shore force to which he belongs. This time Juian investigates alongside his priest, in a case that’s a test of faith. Mr. Dean is an EQMM Readers Award winner, a Derringer Award nominee, and, currently, for his EQMM story “Erin’s Journal.”

Father Gregory hastily parked the old black Buick a half-block from his destination, running it up onto the curb in the darkness. Driving was still a new experience for the priest and only recently learned. In his native India, his diocese had been far too poor to afford such luxuries as automobiles and, he thought with a sigh, he had been much thinner in those days as a result. With a grunt, he slid out of the tilted vehicle. In one hand, he clutched the valise that contained the Sacraments, while the other struggled to keep the white stole round his neck from being blown off in the rising wind.

A young policeman approached him from a cluster of emergency vehicles that pulsed with red-and-white strobe lights that made the young officer appear to shift from side to side like an apparition as he drew nearer. With what seemed impossible speed for a walking man, he loomed ever darker and larger. Father Gregory unconsciously smoothed his black shirt over his plump belly and smiled nervously. “Hello,” he called out. “I am sent for by Chief J, I believe ... yes, um ... yes, I think so.”

The officer was suddenly in front of the priest, as tall and broad as a tree that had miraculously sprouted forth from the asphalt. How do Americans grow so large? Father Gregory wondered as he awaited whatever the policeman might do.

“Father Gregory?” he asked abruptly, then, not waiting for an answer, said, “Follow me, sir, the chief is inside.” Turning on his heel, he indicated the house surrounded by the police cars and set off once more. Nearby, an ambulance sat idling, its occupants slumped in their seats, bored-looking and unconcerned in the flickering red wash of lights. Next to them, a white panel van sat empty on the lawn, its rear doors thrown wide, revealing nothing but a greater darkness within. On its side were printed the words MEDICAL EXAMINER.

Father Gregory, hurrying to keep up with the striding officer, managed to ask, “Is there more than one person hurt?”

The policeman glanced back over his shoulder. “Nope ... just one.”

“Then why ...” The priest struggled with both his English and his shortness of breath. “Then why is the ambulance still here, may I ask? Surely the injured should have been taken to hospital by now?”

The officer slowed and turned, and Father Gregory thought he could discern an expression of concern on the young man’s face.

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