Priests and Poison (A Holly Daye Mystery Book 3) by Rachel Lynne

Author:Rachel Lynne [Lynne, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seven Oaks Press
Published: 2023-05-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter twelve

Running into Dewey had both solved one of my problems and given me another. Leave it to my brother to be where he shouldn’t and now be in trouble!

Knowing my brother had not murdered Father Michael did little to ease my mind. Should the authorities get off their rear ends and start a proper investigation, they’d soon know Dewey had ties to the murder and now I had another compelling reason to find the killer. I rolled my eyes. Like I needed more pressure!

Belly full, The Colonel was worn out from his walk and ready for a nap so I took a chance and decided he could be trusted in my room alone long enough to clear Father Michael’s quarters. I had just closed the door with an admonishment for my dog to behave when Brother Eric found me.

“G-good morning, Holly!” He nodded toward a tray he was holding. “You didn’t take breakfast with us, so I thought…”

“How nice but you shouldn’t have!” I took the tray from him and searched for something to say that wouldn’t hurt his feelings. I rarely ate breakfast, and when I did, it was usually just coffee and toast or something sweet if I was near The Split Bean.

My new friend blushed. “It was no trouble, and I wanted t-to ask you something.”

His concerned tone made my brows rise. “Of course, what can I do for you?” I sipped coffee and nibbled on a piece of bread as he gathered his thoughts.

“Well, it’s about our young guest, Amy. Have you met her?”

I shook my head. “Not formally, no. I did notice her in the refectory yesterday, but she didn’t appear to want company, so…”

Brother Eric vigorously nodded. “She probably didn’t and that is what I wanted to ask you about.” The ever-present blush made another appearance, and he stammered several times before getting to the meat of his concerns. “You know she is with child?”

Biting back a grin, I nodded. “Yes, I had noticed.”

“Yes, well she is rather advanced in the, uh, the gestation and I’m worried. She rarely leaves her room, except for meals, and then barely eats enough to keep a bird alive.” His gaze was troubled as he met mine. “That can’t be good for her or the baby.”

“You’re right, it isn’t, and I noticed her lack of eating yesterday.” I’d also observed her being ignored by the monks, or so I’d thought at the time.

With Eric’s concern, I had to revise my assessment. I still felt the monks were ignoring Amy because of the prior’s disapproval, and seconds later, Eric proved my theory was correct.

“The thing is, we don’t know what to do with her, or for her really.” He wrung his hands and looked over his shoulder before continuing. “We aren’t used to women staying with us, especially not a pregnant one! And then the prior was so angry with Father Michael over bringing Amy here that none of us has wanted to draw attention…” He sighed and met my eyes wearing a pleading expression.

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