The River Murder by Patrick J. Collins

Author:Patrick J. Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Flanker Press
Published: 2023-08-10T18:36:49+00:00

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As he left the courthouse, Sean could hear the clanking and clattering of shovels and rakes coming from behind the tall prison walls. Inmates, unfortunate enough to be imprisoned during these summer months, faced hard labour of moving rocks and clearing land every day except on Sundays. Since he came to Harbour Grace, Sean had seen the prisoners at work as early as daybreak, swinging grubbers and hauling rakes. Judge Bennett was known to show no mercy when it came to sentencing.

So far, the rain had held off, and broken clouds allowed for much more sun than expected. The Roman Catholic Palace, the residence of the Bishop of Harbour Grace, was just across the street, so Sean was able to leave his bike at the courthouse under the watchful eye of a young prison guard standing watch at the prison’s entrance.

As he opened the heavy iron gate to the Palace grounds, he was struck by the beauty of the many flower gardens. They overflowed with extensive flora containing multiple species of flowers. Most were in early spring bloom. Various scents, both sweet and pungent, hung in the air as he followed the flagstone walkway through the maze of neatly trimmed shrubs and bushes. A more dominant smell of lavender permeated the air. There was an abundance of flowering bushes and tall deciduous trees with benches placed in shaded locations. Sean thought this peaceful park-like setting must serve as a place of peaceful reflection for the holy men who lived inside the bishop’s mansion.

He was curious about the absence of blue flags that were so prevalent in Riverhead. Surely, he thought, the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary must have significance here as well. Yet the flagpole here at the Palace was bare. This was strange, thought Sean. It was the very same parish.

Bishop Ronald MacDonald, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harbour Grace, had the good fortune of being the spiritual leader of the entire Roman Catholic Church outside of St. John’s, extending as far west and north as St. Anthony, including all of the east and north coasts. As such, his coffers were filled weekly with huge contributions from tithes paid by parishioners right across the country.

The Palace residence and office was a massive three-storey brick building. Standing in the shadow of the magnificent cathedral next door gave a quiet peacefulness and a sense of security to the bishop’s residence. A dominant widow’s walk was something Sean thought to be ironic, since it was atop a household filled with celibate men. A wraparound gallery, fully sheltered by an overhang, offered several points of entry, with the main entrance being an extensive and elaborate stone staircase. The front landing of the Palace extended the width of the house with an extra-wide set of steps. The steps were fitted with ornate concrete balusters and thick marble railings supported by fancy wooden spindles.

Sean had never met Father John Shea, since the priest celebrated Mass Sunday mornings at St. Joseph’s School chapel in Riverhead.

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