Page 131 of For I Have Sinned

Joanna’s smile drops slightly and turns to Bekah, who shrugs. “Okay.”

They follow me past the chapel, where Celine and Esther are backed against the wall, watching us. When we get to the halls with the offices, I hear Joanna’s soft intake of breath when she sees Father Keaton standing with the two officers.

“Hello, Joanna, Bekah, I’m Officer Luther,” he politely introduces himself. “This is Officer Mason. We would like to ask the two of you some questions.”

Joanna’s body language has shifted. She is no longer full of happiness, but worry. Her shoulders fall a bit, and her lips form a straight line.

“Just the two of us?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Officer Luther responds. “We will speak with you first, Joanna.”

“You aren’t going to talk to us together?” she asks, eyes shifting to Father Keaton, whose eyes narrow at her in a secret communication.

“No, we are not. Now, if you could please step into the office. It will only take a few minutes.” Officer Luther gestures for her to enter Father Keaton’s office and then looks to his partner. “Stay out here.” And then he turns to me. “You too.”

Officer Mason stations himself beside the now closed door. There is an awkward, tension-filled silence in the hall, and I position myself closer to my office. Father Keaton and Bekah don’t stand close to each other, the latter looking utterly confused by what is going on. I drop my eyes to the floor because I don’t want to make eye contact with anyone, but I can still feel the heat of Father Keaton’s stare as it sears into my skin.

Of course, he knows that I had something to do with this, and because of that, I wish I could disappear into my office or be anywhere else in the church right now.

The sound of a door opening has me raising my eyes, and Joanna enters the hall with a weight to her step. Her arms are crossed over her chest as she places herself next to Bekah, who then walks cautiously into the office.

Joanna’s face is flushed, anger spewing out of her pores. I notice her fingernails digging into her arms, but she keeps her eyes forward and jaw tight while the officer questions her friend.

Father Keaton, on the other hand, stands there with a calm expression, apparently because he has nothing to worry about. You can tell by the way he holds himself that this will go in his favor. The cops didn’t find any evidence on his computer or phone, and I’m sure these women have been trained to lie to protect him.

After a few more minutes, Bekah steps out of the office with a pink tint to her cheeks and stands next to Joanna, who takes a small step to the side to distance herself. Hurt flashes across Bekah’s face, but she keeps quiet.

Officer Luther leaves the office and looks to Father Keaton. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Father, but when we get those types of calls, we need to take them seriously.”

“I completely understand,” Father Keaton says patiently

“We will get out of your hair,” Officer Luther says. “Again, sorry for the bother.”

What? No, they can’t leave.

“I’ll walk you out,” Father Keaton offers, leading the officers down the hall.

I glance over at the two women standing in the hall with me. Joanna is still staring forward, that anger threatening to explode and take out anyone in its path.

“Joanna?” Bekah tries to get her attention.

“Don’t talk to me,” Joanna says sharply.

Bekah’s shoulders tense, and then she closes in on herself. When I hear footsteps coming from the lobby, my eyes shift to Father Keaton. The rage is evident on his face, but before he can say anything, Joanna leaves the comfort of the wall, stomping his way and slaps him.

Bekah gasps, my eyes go wide, and Father Keaton lifts a hand to where hers met his cheek.

“How dare you!?” Joanna yells, pointing a finger in his face. “You told me that I was special. That I was the only one. I sat in there and lied to the cops to protect you!”

“Joanna…” Father Keaton says her name calmly.

“But you lied to me because clearly I wasn’t the only one,” she seethes. “What else did you lie about?”

Yes, Joanna. Push him to tell the truth.

“Nothing,” he spews yet another lie. “Bekah came to me needing help.”

Joanna turns towards her friend, fury taking over her body as she lunges for Bekah. I quickly shove myself off the wall and grab Bekah’s arm, tugging her into me as Father Keaton wraps his arms around Joanna.