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spoken to her as
he did.
    Why was he flirting with
me? She knew he found her attractive, but
would he make a play for a nun? Did he know she wasn’t? Did it
matter to him either way?
    “ Good evening, Sister Bernadette,”
Father Conlyn broke into her thoughts. “You look upset. Is
something wrong?” He stood smoking his pipe under the portico in
front of the chapel.
    “ I’m fine, Father.” She leaned
heavily against the fluted pillar and expelled the breath she’d
been holding.
    “ Mother Immaculata told me your
sister was missing. Have you heard anything?”
    “ Nothing helpful,
Father.”
    “ What is your sister’s name?” He
tapped out the ashes from the bowl of his pipe.
    “ Teresa. Her name
is Teresa.” Now I’m lying to a priest. I’m
going to fry.
    “ I’ll pray for her, Sister
Bernadette.” He tucked the pipe into his breast pocket and entered
the chapel to hear confessions.
    Teri glanced around and saw Angel Garcia watching
her from the end of the walk. He lifted his hand as she turned and
fled into the shadows of the chapel.
    Father Conlyn entered the
confessional. Several nuns and a few area residents wandered into
the chapel.
    Teri crept behind one of the
curtains. When he opened the window she poured her heart
out.
    “ My dear child,” he said. “You
cannot continue to live like this.”
    “ I know, Father,” she said. “But I
feel that I have no choice. My life is in danger and I’m so
afraid.”
    “ The students say your classes are
excellent. You must have a gift for teaching.”
    “ I’m trying my best, Father but I
know I’m a complete fraud.”
    “ Indeed.” Father Conlyn was silent
for a long moment. “I cannot advise you to endanger yourself. Are
you asking for absolution?”
    “ No, Father.” A sudden thickness in
Teri’s voice betrayed her emotion. “I needed to confide in someone
who could keep my confidence and bolster my courage. It seems to be
fading.” Tears rolled unnoticed down Teri’s cheeks.
    Father Conlyn cleared his throat as
though he, too, was having trouble managing his emotions. “Let me
bless you and pray for your safety.”
    “ Thank you, Father.”
    #
     
     

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    Saturday morning, Teri and her
roommates awakened bright and early. They stripped their beds and
gathered towels and washcloths. Teri volunteered to go to the local
bakery. Clemmie and Miriam took all of their linens to the laundry
facilities in the apartment complex while Connie mopped the
bathroom and kitchen floors.
    Teri jogged the two blocks to
Lucia’s Panadería. The run made her feel a little less apprehensive
although slightly out of breath.
    The aroma of freshly baked breads
and glazed donuts permeated the air. She ordered freshly made flour
tortillas and assorted pan de dulce, the sweet bread she had become
addicted to since arriving in San Antonio.
    She stopped in the small
convenience store next door and purchased a gallon jug of orange
juice and a pre-paid cell phone. As she exited the store she found
Detective Garcia leaning against the brick storefront.
    She almost dropped the juice.
Glaring up at him, her chin jutted out in a most defiant
manner.
    He returned her gaze with the same
intensity as he had the day before. “Let me carry that for you,
Bernie.”
    “ No, I’m fine.” She clutched the
bags close to her breast.
    “ Nonsense,” he said. “Let me help
you.” He took the bags from her, peering inside. “Breakfast. Pan
and juego de naranja. That’s a healthy breakfast. But the cell
phone, Bernie. What am I going to do with you?” He started toward
the apartment and she fell into step beside him.
    “ Leave me alone. That would be
good.”
    “ Can’t do that,” he said. “You need
to come clean, Bernie. Tell me the truth.”
    She fought down a choking
sensation. “I can’t. Not now.” She reached for the bag containing
the cell phone but he tucked in under his arm. “Why are you
following me?”
    “ I’m looking after you.” He