The Mystery at Sag Bridge

Chapter 23

"It must've been a dog," he said, and moved toward his car.

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Cisco called Saint Brennan's rectory to notify them of Father McGrath's injuries. Cora was frantic he would say something in the house to further inflame Angel, but fortunately he didn't.

It was growing dark by the time they drove to Mother of Good Counsel Hospital. Cora, badly shaken, appreciated Cisco's company after the terrible events-a day that seemed never-ending, relentless, beginning with Angel's startling message and ending with crisis.

Cora typically showed unusual strength under stress. Cisco knew this, but nonetheless expressed concern. "Are you sure you feel up to going to the hospital?"

She didn't answer, but propped her elbow on the car's window frame, trying to decide how far from the house they had to be before Angel could no longer overhear them. "Give me a minute to calm down and gather my thoughts," was all she said.

Finally she told him her fears. "Cisco, back at the house, I was afraid you'd say the wrong thing, but thank God you didn't. I think-no, I know...Angel hears us there, but I don't think she does when we're somewhere else. And I think she gets mad if she hears us plotting against her. That's why Father was attacked-because he wanted us to do something she didn't like. I don't want to make matters worse, or make her mad at you too. We have to be very careful!"

Cisco said nothing, kept his eyes on the road and let her finish.

A few hours ago he pooh-poohed her belief in Angel, but Cora thought he would surely see things differently now. She eyed him hopefully, but he remained silent, apparently considering what she had said.

After a moment she asked, "Well? Are you going to tell me what you're thinking?"

"I'm working on it. I admit there is more going on than what I thought-I'm trying to get it to make sense."

Cora ran her hands through her hair, folded her arms across her chest and looked out the side window, disappointed he didn't immediately accept her reasoning. Well, at least he was open to discussing the matter. "What are some things you can agree about?"

"Are you sure you want to talk about this now?"

She drew in a breath and turned toward him. "We have to. It could be dangerous if we don't sort things out before we go home."

Cisco took his eyes from the road to watch her. "Okay," he said finally. "Well, possibly I'm ready to believe there's a wolf. I don't think that animal today was a dog either. Maybe it is a wolf."

"I noticed that you yelled, 'Get away from that wolf'. You didn't yell 'Get away from that dog'. Your first reaction in the heat of the moment was to cry 'wolf'."

He smiled, watching the road again, although Cora didn't notice the humor. "True. But I don't know if I'm ready to believe the wolf has anything to do with your Angel. What connection could they have?"