Back in the Habit by Alice Loweecey Read Free Book Online

hallway.
    â€œEver wonder if their eyes are following you?”
    Sister Bartholomew nodded. “I hear it’s the worst for your annual spiritual review.”
    â€œI’ll tell you the story of the grilling I got the first year after temporary vows.” She glanced at the Novice. “Maybe not.”
    A shrug. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve heard plenty from the fourth-years.” A gleaming mahogany door stopped their conversation. “Want me to wait?”
    Giulia turned her gaze on the dark circles under the Novice’s eyes. “Yes, because it’ll prevent three more people from sending you on errands.” She raised her hand to knock. The flowery print proclaiming “All things come to those who wait” still hung in its frame next to the door.
    Giulia murmured, “Welcome to the Puppet Master’s realm.”
    Behind her, Sister Bartholomew made a strangled noise and her footsteps retreated. Giulia forced her face into neutral and knocked.
    â€œCome in.”
    The room on the other side of the door was not the one Giulia remembered. Fabian must’ve won a home makeover contest.
    The vinyl chairs with worn brown slipcovers and the faded tan walls were no more. Off-white textured wallpaper covered three walls of the sitting room. An earth-tone striped couch and two matching chairs surrounded a green glass-topped coffee table. The fourth wall, opposite the windows, had been painted to match the glass tabletop. The hardwood floor—Giulia had to look—still had that “hand-waxed and buffed by minions” glow, but a discreetly flowered area rug reached from the door to the couch.
    â€œGood afternoon … Sister Regina Coelis.”
    Fabian, you oughta stop sucking lemons before meeting with me. It’ll prevent wrinkles.
    Giulia sat in one of the new chairs. “I’ve begun telling the Sisters that I left, and my petition to re-enter was granted. Because of the merger and the many of us who’ve left, no one’s batted an eye.”
    The Superior General’s frown deepened. “That’s not the way I’d planned to explain it, but if the Sisters accept it, then I won’t argue.” She opened one of the manila folders on the coffee table. “I’ve typed out everything relevant to Sister Bridget’s suicide. How will you conduct your investigation?”
    â€œWho knows the real reason I’m here?”
    Sister Fabian’s lips thinned. “Only myself and Father Raymond. You must blend in with the Community. I presume you are still a Catholic in good standing and will be able to receive Communion at Mass.”
    I’d forgotten how easy it is to hate you. Giulia cloaked herself in every atom of “reasonable adult” she could muster. “Driscoll Investigations is always professional. Everything I do will reflect that.”
    Sister Fabian’s earlobes—all that the veil allowed the world to see—reddened like those eyeglasses that get darker when the sun hits them.
    â€œYou will come to my rooms every day at four with a detailed progress report.”
    â€œSister, people will certainly take notice if you and I have regular appointments. For an undercover investigation to be successful, it must be invisible. I’m sure you appreciate that.”
    Sister Fabian’s earlobes turned tomato-red.
    â€œSister. Mary. Regina. Coelis. The Community is paying for this investigation—”
    â€œI’m aware of that. I will conduct it in a way that will bring about a satisfactory conclusion for everyone involved.” She stood. “Which Sisters were close to Sister Bridget?”
    The Superior General’s collar jogged up and down as she swallowed. “Sister Mary Bartholomew, her fellow Novice; and Sister Arnulf. She is on an extended visit from her convent in Göteborg. Sister Bridget spoke Swedish, so she often interpreted for Sister Arnulf.”
    â€œThank