The Returned by Bishop O'Connell Page A

personal issue I told you about. This is a felony murder being investigated by the police.” He shook his head. “Even if it weren’t, no way is John going to believe this. He’d never let you anywhere near the body.”
    â€œWe don’t have to tell him what I’m doing,” Edward said. “You can say I’m a colleague with experience in criminology, which is true. I have consulted with a few different police departments.”
    â€œAnd when you start with the magic?” Henry asked.
    Caitlin put her hand over Edward’s. “Let it go, sweetheart. We offered, and he refused. It’s done.” She turned to Henry. “But let me add one thing.”
    Henry let out a breath and motioned with his hand for her to continue.
    â€œYou said this has been going on for six months or so, right?” she asked.
    Henry nodded.
    â€œDo you think it’s just going to stop?” she asked. “Whoever is doing this has some kind of plan, and they don’t care who it hurts. Right now it’s been gang members, but what if next time they open fire in a mall? Or in the Quarter during Mardi Gras? I don’t know if Eddy will be able to figure out who’s behind this. But I do know that without him, the odds of anyone figuring it out are pretty slim.”
    Henry looked from Caitlin to Edward and back before letting out a sigh. “All right, it’s your honeymoon. If you want to spend it with me at the morgue, who am I to argue?” He took out his cell phone and dialed a number.
    â€œThis is even more romantic than I imagined,” Caitlin said to Edward.
    â€œI’m sorr—”
    â€œDon’t you dare apologize,” Caitlin said. “He’s your friend, which means he’s my friend. It’s the right thing to do.” She shrugged. “Of course, it would still be the right thing to do even if he was a complete stranger.”
    â€œJohn,” Henry said into the phone. “How are you?” He nodded. “Well, that’s understandable.” He looked at Edward. “Look, I, um, a friend of mine is in town. He’s a psychiatrist, a good one. He’s consulted with the police in the past.”
    Caitlin squeezed Edward’s hand.
    â€œNo, Boston and some departments in New Hampshire,” Henry said. “He’s an expert on scarification, and he might be able to provide some insight into your—” He listened. “Well, I’m sitting with him at Café Du Monde. We could be at the forensic center in about fifteen minutes.” He nodded. “Okay, we’ll see you shortly.”
    â€œThat seemed easy,” Caitlin said.
    Henry nodded as he ended the call and set the phone down. “John is a good man and a good doctor. He just wants to do what’s right, and this case is bothering him. That means he’s eager for any help he can get.” Henry leaned forward. “Within reason, you understand.”
    â€œI do, and I hope I can help,” Edward said.
    â€œSo do I,” Henry said. “Well then, let’s go.”
    Caitlin and Edward stood as well and followed Henry.
    â€œOur car is at the hotel,” Caitlin said.
    â€œI’m parked just over here,” Henry said and led them to the parking lot behind the café. “I’ll drop you off when we’re done.”
    They climbed into Henry’s car and drove through the city. When they crossed under the interstate, the cityscape shifted to residential. She was struck by how old the houses looked. Even the nicer houses looked like they’d been battered over the years. Then they’d go by entire blocks, or several blocks, of houses that were obviously very new. She thought of how it must feel to lose your home, and she wondered if there was any comfort in a new one. This train of thought got her to thinking about family. While she and Edward had been talking to Henry, she hadn’t really