Sacred Sins

the Church, Tess, my dear, but he's Catholic right down to his toes.” Tim sat back, pleased with himself. “Sixty-second analysis is my speciality.”
    “I believe it.” She pulled a file out of her briefcase. “I hope you have as much luck with this. I cleared it with Captain Harris. This is my updated report. You'll also find the transcripts of my phone calls. I'd appreciate a miracle.”
    “I'll see what I can do.”
    “Thanks for listening.”
    “Any time.” He rose to go to the door with her. “Tess, if you have any more nightmares, give me a call. It never hurts to ask for a little help.”
    “Where have I heard that before?”
    Logan watched her go through the outer office before he closed the door.

    H E watched her exit the building. It was dangerous to follow her, but he knew the time for caution was almost over. She paused by her car, looking for her keys. Her head was bent, as if in prayer. The need billowed up inside him until his head rang. Groping, he found the white silk in his coat pocket. Cool, soft. It steadied him. Tess pushed the key into the lock.

    If he was quick enough, sure enough, it could be over in minutes. His fingers clutched and unclutched on the amice while his heart thudded in his throat. A few forgotten leaves, dry as dust, rustled around her ankles. He saw the wind blow wisps of hair around her face. She looked troubled. Soon, very soon, she would be at peace. They would all be at peace.
    He watched her get into her car, heard the door close, then the sound of the engine. A puff of smoke spurted out of the tailpipe. The car made a gentle sweep of the parking area, then turned onto the road.
    He waited until the police car made the turn before he went to his own car. She would go to her office now, and he would continue the vigil. The moment hadn't arrived. There was still time to pray for her. And himself.

    T ESS hung up the phone, leaned back in her chair, and shut her eyes. She was batting about.500. In her game, that wasn't nearly good enough.
    Joey Higgins. How could she treat the boy if she couldn't talk to him? His mother had taken a stand. Joey was no longer drinking, therefore, Joey was fine and no longer needed the embarrassment of a psychiatrist. It had been a painful and ultimately fruitless conversation. She had one more shot. She had to make it good.
    Leaning forward, Tess buzzed her secretary. “Kate, how much time do I have before the next appointment?”
    “Ten minutes.”
    “All right. Please get Donald Monroe on the line for me.”
    “Right away.”
    While she waited, Tess looked over Joey's file. Their last session remained very clear in her mind.
    “Dying's not such a big deal.”
    “Why do you say that, Joey?”
    “'Cause it's not. People are always dying. You're supposed to.”

    “Death's inevitable, but that doesn't make it an answer. Even very old people, very sick people, cling to life because it's precious.”
    “People say when someone dies, they're at peace.”
    “Yes, and most of us believe there is something after life. But each of us is here for a reason. Our life is a gift, not always easy, certainly not always perfect. Making it better for ourselves and for the people around us takes some effort. What's your favorite thing to eat?”
    He gave her a blank look. “Spaghetti, I guess.”
    “Meat balls or meat sauce?”
    The smile was quick, but it was there. “Meat balls.”
    “Suppose you'd never tasted spaghetti and meat balls. The sky would probably still be blue, Christmas would still come once a year, but you'd be missing something pretty terrific. And if you weren't here, say you'd never been born, we'd still have the sky and Christmas, but something pretty terrific would be missing.”
    Her buzzer brought her back to the present. “Mr. Monroe on one.”
    “Thank you, Kate. Mr. Monroe.”
    “Dr. Court. Is there a problem?”
    “Yes, Mr. Monroe, I feel there's a big problem. I'm strongly opposed to Joey withdrawing from treatment.”
    “Withdrawing? What do you mean?”
    “Mr. Monroe, are you aware that Joey missed his last session?”
    There was a pause before she caught just a whisper of a weary sigh. “No. I suppose he decided to take off on his own. I'll discuss it with Lois.”
    “Mr. Monroe, I've already spoken to your wife. She's decided to take Joey out of therapy. I take it you weren't informed.”

    “No, I wasn't.” Another pause, then he drew a long breath. “Dr. Court, Lois wants Joey to resume a