Page 127 of For I Have Sinned

My mind tries to wrap around the fact that Father Keaton is engaging in these activities with Bekah, too. I can’t even imagine what Joanna would do if she found out the person who has been her friend—the one woman who has stood by her side —was also fucking Father Keaton.

I may not like Joanna or Bekah, but my heart breaks for them. No one should have to go through what they are. Father Keaton is corrupting both women, making them believe that the sexual acts they are performing with him are to please God.

The disgusting things I saw on his computer creeps back into my thoughts, causing me to press my fingers to my mouth as I begin to feel sick again. He needs to go down for this.

“What do we do?” Esther finally breaks the silence.

I continue to pace with my mouth still covered, but send my gaze to Alex, who runs a hand down his face and looks my way. He is angry with me, and as much as I don’t want him to be, I’ll just have to deal with his irritation later because sneaking into Father Keaton’s office and looking through the computer was the right thing to do.

“I don’t know,” Alex responds, almost sounding defeated.

Stopping my feet, I stand behind where Esther sits and place my hands on the back of the chair. I look directly in his eyes and say, “We need to turn his computer in to the police.”

“We can’t,” he disputes. “Not with the shit that is on there of me and you.”

“I deleted it,” I say, and he looks at me with perplexity. “That’s why it took forever to get me out of there. I deleted it, and then made sure to delete it permanently from the trash.”

“Smart,” Esther mumbles.

“It was a smart move, but how would we get the police involved? What would we even tell them?” Alex asks, glancing between Esther and me.

The room is silent for a moment as we brainstorm how to get the police here. I can’t come up with anything, and I know by the look on Alex’s face that no plan is coming to his mind either.

But then, Esther speaks up. “I could call using my cellphone and explain the situation to them.” Alex moves his eyes to her, and Esther turns in her seat to look up at me. “Father Alexander shouldn’t call, and I don’t want you calling because, if this all goes south, and Father Keaton figures out one of us called, I want him to know it was me. I don’t want you to get blamed for it.”

“I can’t ask you to do that, Esther,” I protest.

“You aren’t asking. I’m offering.”

“What would you say?” Alex asks curiously, pulling her attention.

She faces him, and with a shrug, she says, “I’m not sure yet. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what Celine and I just saw, but I will come up with something that will get them here.”

“Celine?” Alex says my name, looking for approval.

“I don’t like thinking of the vengeance that Father Keaton will rain on Esther when he finds out,” I frown. “Because he will know it was one of us who called.”

“I’ll take his whatever he throws at me,” she states confidently. “It can’t be any worse than my father’s.”

Heels click down the hall, causing me to groan. “My mother is here.”

“Is your head in the right place to have a visit with her?” Concern lines Alex’s face as he asks.

“No, my head isn’t in the right place, but I don’t really have a choice,” I sigh. “The two of you should come up with a solid plan and fill me in later.”

They both nod, and I release the grip I have on the back of the chair, plastering on a fake smile and turning toward the door. I step out, just as my mother approaches Alex’s office door. She’s not looking down at her phone for once, and when she sees me, she smiles.

“Hello, Celine.”

“Hello, Mother,” I greet her with my award-winning smile. “Shall we?”

She walks past me and into the office next to Alex’s. I follow in behind her, not bothering to shut the door. My mother takes her usual spot, and I take mine.

“You look a little flushed,” my mother points out.

“I was cleaning in the library for a little while. Sister Greta doesn’t like it when the windows are open, so it gets a bit stuffy,” I lie.

“Someone needs to tell her that fresh air will do her some good.”