None Spoken

 

12 months ago subscribers to my Patreon got the advice of Sister Agnetha (who first appeared in another postcard story, Nonesuch). Now non-patrons get the benefit of it, though if you want more, perhaps sent through the post, feel free to click through.

**** 

None Spoken

“I regret to tell you that this plot you have developed would not survive contact with the actual church.” Sister Agnetha took a moment to inhale a mouthful from the black cigarette that smouldered at the end of the holder. She put it down to pick up the manuscript again. “A vow of silence is not broken lightly, yet to save a life, or to testify when insisted upon by the secular authorities, an exception might be made. Though of course penance for breaking it, even with good reason, would have to be performed.”

Albert Herring sighed, crossed off vow of silence on his heist improvements list. He looked about the bustling harbourside café, the canopy keeping off the drizzle as people hurried dangerously across the wet cobbles. “I see.”

“Your idea of committing a crime while in a confessional booth, to hide it under the seal of the confessional… well.” She smiled. “A crime may not be a sin of course. But, strictly, to be sealed by the confessional requires a sincere repentance, acts of penance and atonement and a pledge not to commit the sin again. Requirements honoured more in the breach perhaps.”

Albert Herring had thought this unlikely and took a sip of his wine. “I had thought it a little unlikely.”

“Artistic license would easily stretch to an over-enthusiastic enforcement of vows – until some church authority with wider, perhaps political, consciousness took notice.” She shook her head. “The confessional is a flight of fancy I fear.”

Albert crossed another of the list. “And what of using the church to launder ill-gotten gains?”

Sister Agnetha paused, then picked up her cigarette holder. “I really couldn’t comment on that Mr Herring.” She took a puff then reached for her champagne glass.

She was interrupted by her phone. She glanced at the screen. “I do apologise. I will have to leave you. It seems I’m needed elsewhere.”

Albert Herring got to his feet to say goodbye. “Nothing serious I hope.”

“That remains to be seen. Someone has stolen the confessional booth from St Michaels – with Father Grunstad still within it.”