Vow of Chastity by Veronica Black

Author:Veronica Black [Veronica Black]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780709097044
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 2012-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

Eight

‘Reverend Mother, may I speak with you privately?’

She had waited a moment or two to compose herself before returning to the recreation room.

Mother Dorothy shot one keen glance at her face and rose at once, her voice brisk and ordinary.

‘Sister David, please go on with what you were saying. Excuse me, Sisters.’ Outside, the door closed, she asked in a lower voice, ‘What is it, Sister? You look exceedingly pale.’

‘Petroc Lee is lying below the altar, Mother. He’s – he’s dead.’

The prioress wasted no time on further questioning. She turned and went swiftly down the stairs, Sister Joan at her heels.

The latter had the sudden thought that this incident might be like the brief disappearance of the crucifix again. Perhaps Petroc wouldn’t be there when they entered the chapel.

Petroc was still there, lying in exactly the same position. Mother Dorothy bent over him and straightened, her own face whitening.

‘You haven’t touched anything?’

‘No, Reverend Mother.’

‘Remain here. I will tell the others to stay in the recreation room, send Sister Margaret down to keep you company and then telephone the police. I fear the grand silence will have to be postponed tonight.’

She sketched the sign of the cross over the boy and went out. Sister Joan knelt, automatically beginning to whisper the prayers for the dead while her mind wrestled with shock and outrage. Someone had carried the boy here, left him for the sisters to find when they came into chapel for evening prayers and the blessing. Who?

‘Sister Joan, Reverend Mother just told me – oh, the poor child! Is this –?’

‘Petroc Lee,’ Sister Joan said.

‘Someone laid him here.’ Sister Margaret’s round face was distressed. ‘I hope it was not done in mockery. Shall we pray, Sister?’

For a quicksilver lad who had swum and splashed in a willow-fringed pool, for a child of twelve whom someone had killed and brought here.

‘Sister Margaret.’ The prioress had returned. ‘The police are on their way. I have informed the other sisters that a great tragedy has occurred and instructed them to remain in the recreation room in case they are needed for questioning. The prayers and blessing and subsequently the grand silence will be accordingly delayed. Will you brew some very strong sweet tea? I feel it may be beneficial. Oh, I have sent Sister Hilaria over to the postulants’ house, to tell them to join the other Sisters at recreation. I fear it is necessary to bend the rules a trifle at a time like this.’

‘Yes, Reverend Mother.’ Sister Margaret hurried out, with a last shocked and sorrowing glance towards the altar.

‘Is there anything you want me to do, Mother Dorothy?’ Sister Joan felt herself taut as an arrow, ready for flight.

‘I think that you had better remain here until the police arrive. Then come to the parlour. I shall place it at their disposal. As you made the report your presence will doubtless be required.’

Sister Joan nodded and sank again to her knees, bowing her head, waiting for shock to be transmuted into anger and grief.

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