SISTER (ALTON RHODE MYSTERIES Book 4) by Lawrence de Maria Page B

after all these years, you feel compelled to learn what happened?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why?”
    The “why” again. I was beginning to wonder who the detective was.
    “I said it was complicated. I’m not sure myself. I think we both thought we had a future together.”
    “You were in love with her.”
    “Yes.”
    “And she with you?”
    “She said so, to me, and in her diary.”
    “Diary?”
    I told her about Ronnie’s journal.
    “Postulants are supposed to get rid of such things. Oh, never mind. We all break some rules. So, the police tracked you down through her journal. Sounds like they know what they are doing.”
    “They had a special interest. I went to Holy Cross.”
    “In Worcester.”
    I nodded. She looked wary.
    “And you are not still a suspect?”
    “I had an alibi. The cops never thought I was a serious suspect anyway. They were hoping I’d know something. Holy Cross is no more than a coincidence. But I believe in serendipity. It’s almost as if Ronnie is drawing me back, as if she wants me to solve her murder. Does that sound silly to you?”
    “No. Now I have a rather delicate question for you. You were wondering whether something happened to her after she left Staten Island. After she left you. Something that may have driven her to a religious life.”
    “I didn’t mean to imply that she was driven.”
    “I understand. But is it possible that you were the reason she changed her life?”
    I had to admit that the thought had crossed my mind. I knew I wasn’t the reason her entire family left Staten Island. But, as Detective Huntley intimated, was it possible our affair had somehow soured Ronnie on human love? Our sex lives had been fulfilling. That much she even put in her diary. And we had fun out of bed. We talked about everything, except her family. We made plans. I believed her when she said she was faithful to me at college. But could I have missed something?
    “No,” I finally said. “It wasn’t me. We were happy. If something happened, it came later. As you pointed out, perhaps it was just a calling.”
    Sister Barbara looked thoughtful.
    “I believe you,” she said. “There is another possibility. Which also may be difficult for you to accept. It is not unusual for a woman who is conflicted about a vocation, and who has never known love with a man, to, how do I put this delicately? Well, for a man they would say he was sowing his wild oats. Trying out the merchandise, so to speak. Don’t look so startled, Mr. Rhode. Surely you realize that not every nun comes to us as a virgin. I myself was married before my husband passed away.”
    “I don’t think I was a trial run, Sister. And I’m sure of it after reading her diary.”
    “Are you a Catholic, Mr. Rhode? I know you went to Holy Cross, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
    “I was raised Catholic. Attended parochial schools.”
    “And now?”
    “I’ve fought in a couple of wars since then.”
    “I’ve heard that there are no atheists in foxholes.”
    “But plenty of agnostics come out of them.”
    “Somehow I don’t think you are a hopeless case, Mr. Rhode. I think I will pray for you.”
    “I’m counting on it.” 
    “Are you married, Mr. Rhode? Or been?”
    “No. But I guess you could say I’m in a serious relationship.”
    I don’t know why I said that. But Sister Barbara was just someone that you could talk to.
    “Does she know that you are investigating this?”
    “Yes. In fact, she insisted I do it.”
    “Sounds like a remarkable woman.”
    “She is. Now, if you don’t mind me getting in a few questions? Before I have to renew my license.”
    Sister Barbara laughed.
    “Of course.”
    “Did Sister Veronica ever mention her parents, or her brother?”
    “She told me that her mother was dead, and she hadn’t heard from her father in years. So sad. And until this moment I never knew she had a brother. I only knew about her aunt. Did he pass on, too?”
    “I don’t know. He may have. I didn’t