Page 19 of A Christmas Mystery

Since the early service at this church ends at nine thirty, Theo and I are sitting on a bench nearby at nine twenty-five, drinking the coffee he got us from the coffee shop and pretending to be simply passing by.

It’s probably a silly enterprise. All this plotting for something so trivial. But here we are. Theo is clearly taking it seriously, which makes me think it can’t be too ridiculous.

Theo isn’t the kind of man to spend his time on ridiculous schemes, so maybe I’m merely feeling self-conscious about the whole situation.

“I don’t remember Mick very well,” I say mostly to fill the silence between us. “He played trumpet in band, didn’t he?”

“Yeah. He was on the chess team with me, so I knew him better, but we never hung out much.”

In my recollection, Theo didn’t hang out with anyone other than Chris’s circle. He and Chris were neighbors and were friends from the time they could talk. Chris was the outgoing one, and their social circle revolved around him. He pulled me into his orbit like he did everyone else. But I don’t actually remember Theo having friends who weren’t already in Chris’s circle.

Not that I’m one to talk. I didn’t either.

Maybe I still don’t.

“But he’ll remember who you are?”

“Yeah. Of course. We still see each other around. And I defended one of his cousins last year.”

“Oh really? What was the charge? Oh, are you allowed to tell me?”

“I’m not allowed to tell you anything that falls under attorney-client privilege, but the charge is public record. He was just a kid. A couple of the guys he was hanging out with robbed a convenience store, and he was the one who was caught.”

“Did you get him off?”

“Of course.” He meets my eyes. “Believe it or not but I’m pretty good at my job.”

“I know you are. I mean, I wouldn’t have doubted it. But sometimes even good lawyers get losing cases for whatever reason.”

“True. But I got Mick’s cousin off. He made some less than wise choices, but he’s a good kid. He didn’t deserve the railroading he got.”

“I’m glad you got him off then. Getting convicted for that might have ruined his life.”

“I know.” He’s about to say more, but the front doors of the church open just then, and people start to come out.

The early service must not be very full. There are only a few dozen people filing out the doors and down the stairs after saying a few words to the priest or shaking his hand.

“Father Paul has been here a long time,” I say, just an idle comment.

“Has he? I thought you went to the church down the block from Tee’s.”

“We do. But we visited here a few times, and I remember Father Paul from a long time ago. He was always really nice, and he made me laugh.”

Our parish priest was always lofty and intimidating, so Father Paul’s kind eyes and sense of humor made an impression on the sensitive little girl I used to be.

“There he is,” Theo murmurs, standing up and stretching out a hand to me.

I take his hand instinctively, letting him help me to my feet. Then we wander slowly down the sidewalk toward the foot of the steps.

Father Paul sees me as we approach. He waves and grins but is waylaid by an elderly lady who is walking out slowly with a cane but obviously has a number of important insights to share with the priest.

Theo calls out for Mick, who sees him and then says something brief to his parents before stepping over to us to say hello.

“Hey, Humphrey,” Mick says, shooting me a quick, casual glance. “Been a while. Do you finally have a girlfriend?”

I don’t react, but Theo frowns. “This is Maya Alexander.”

“Oh, Chris’s girl. Right.” He turns to nod at me. “Sorry about that.”

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