Righteous Obsession (64 page)

“My God!”  Colin exclaimed, collapsing down on the bed
as all the strength fled his legs.  “How did they find him?”

“It was in a great part due to that show you did on
MTV Saturday night.”

“I don’t understand.”

“The police official I spoke with did speak English,
but his speech was heavily accented and I’m not sure I understood everything he
said.  The gist of it was the village where Father Michaels has been hiding has
a restaurant with a television and a satellite dish so they’re able to get
MTV.  A lot of the younger kids were watching you on MTV, saw the picture of
Father Michaels that MTV put up and recognized him immediately.  They
apparently got together with their parents and pastor, discussed the situation,
and decided to call the police.”

“He’ll be extradited then?”

“Yes.  I’ve got all the proper forms in hand as we
speak and I’m meeting Detective Madison at the airport.  We’ll be leaving on an
evening flight to Rome.”

“When do you think you’ll be back with him?”

“I’m not sure, but I’ll call you as soon as we land
and we’ll set up a time for you, Liam, Alethea, and Mr. McGregor to view the
line-up.”

“Okay.  We’ll be at Alethea’s parents.”  He gave her
Beau and Louisa’s phone number.  “We’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

Alethea was standing beside the open front door.  She
turned as Colin came slowly down the stairs with a stunned look on his face. 
She hurried over to him.  “What’s wrong?  You’re white as a sheet!”  She led
him into the living room and made him sit.

Colin shook his head as if to clear it then said, “It
looks as if we’re going to New Orleans sooner than we planned.”  He paused then
continued, “They caught Father Michaels.”

Alethea’s eyes widened and her mouth opened, but
nothing came out of it.  The sound of the movers coming up on the porch
distracted her.  She looked at Colin in confusion, appearing not to know
whether to stay or go.

“Why don’t you go with them and we’ll discuss this
when they leave,” he suggested.  “I’ve got to call Liam, and mom and dad
anyway.”

“I’ll call mom and dad later to let them know what’s
happened and we’ll be coming down in a day or so.”  Alethea replied, still
looking dazed.  She left the room.

The phone rang again, startling Colin.  He moved out
on the front porch where he could better hear them.  “Hello?”

“Colin!  Did you hear?”  Liam asked.

“Yeah!  I can’t believe it’s actually happened and I
probably won’t until I can look that son-of-a-bitch in the eye!”

“I’m glad this is just about over!  When did you want
to leave for New Orleans?”

“In a couple of days.  We’ll be staying with Beau and
Louisa.  I’m going to call Steve and ask to borrow our new Lear jet.  I’ll call
you later with definite plans.”

“Okay.  Talk to you later, Colin.”

He had no more hung up from talking to Liam when the
phone rang again.  This time it was his father.  “Dad!  I was just going to
call you, but I see Liam beat me to it.”

“He called us right after Detective Wickersham called
him.  Your mother asked me to tell you she’d call you tonight.  She left work
early so she’d be home when Deb gets home.  She’s going to break the news to
her.”

“Good!  Tell Deb not to worry, okay?”

“We discussed it and we’re going to tell her until we
know something definite, there’s no need to worry.”

“Will you do me a favor?”

“If I can.”

“Can you call the grandparents for me?  I would, but
my head’s going in circles and I’m afraid I’ll forget.  I wouldn’t want them to
hear from somewhere else.”

“I’ll do it as soon as I hang up, Colin.”  Peter
hesitated momentarily then asked, “Are you going to call Jeff?”

“I don’t think so, Dad.  At this point, I don’t know
what I’d say to him.  I think I’ll lay low and let him call me.”

“What about Luke and Nora?”

“I imagine Jeff probably called them as soon as he
heard about it from Detective Madison.”

“If you need anything at all, Son, don’t hesitate to
call us.  Okay?”

“Okay, Dad.  Thanks.”  The movers were leaving just as
he finished talking.  There was a loud rumble as the truck pulled out of the
driveway.  Alethea stood in the doorway.  She appeared undecided about what she
should do next.  Colin got up and went over to her.  “It looks really nice in
here – really homey and comfortable.”

Alethea had the couches arranged in an L-shape in
front of the fireplace.  A large rose mahogany coffee table sat in the center
of them.  Her roll-top desk sat, kitty-corner, between the two sets of double
windows.  A comfortable recliner that Amanda had given Colin the previous
Christmas sat in front of the entertainment center.  She went over to the
recliner and ran her hand along the top of it.  “I should get another recliner
and a small table for in between them.”  She walked over to the couches and
fretted, “I also need a rug for under that table so it doesn’t scratch the
floor.”

We can shop for them tomorrow after my appointment
with Doctor Hughes,” Colin replied.  He put his arm around her.  “Let’s sit
down.”

They sat down and Alethea took a deep breath as if
steeling herself for whatever he had to say.  “What did Detective Wickersham
say?”

Colin briefly related what Wickersham had told him. 
Alethea looked uncertain.  “They’re sure it’s really him and not somebody who
resembles him?”

“They’re sure.”

“I can’t believe this nightmare is almost over!”

“Almost.  There’s still the trial with all its
attending publicity.”

She squeezed his hand.  “I know, but we’ll get through
it together.”  She paused then asked, “Do you think Jeff and Caitlin know?”

“Probably, since Jeff’s been keeping in pretty close
contact with Detective Madison.”

“Are you going to call them?”

“I don’t think so.”  He sighed.  “I don’t have any
idea what to say.  Everything I’ve thought of sounds phony, insincere, and not
to mention, dishonest.  I think I’d rather wait and let them call me.”

“Maybe, you’re right.”  Alethea rose.  “I’d better
call mom and dad, let them know what’s happened and that we’ll be coming down. 
Are Liam and Buck coming with us, too?”

“Yeah.  I’d better call Steve and tell him what’s
happened, too, so he’ll be ready for the press onslaught.”  Alethea called her
parents on her cell while Colin called Steve and told him the news about Father
Michaels’ arrest.  He told Steve the police department would delay the news
until Wickersham and Madison got back with him.

“Listen, Colin I just hired a pilot.  You can take the
jet to New Orleans and avoid any reporters who might be the beneficiaries of
any leaks from the police department.”

“Good idea, Steve.  Thanks.”  He called his parents
next.

“Colin, I was just going to call you,” Amanda said. 
“How are you and Alethea?”

“We’re both kind of in a daze still, Mom.  I don’t
think we’ll be convinced it’s over until we actually see Father Michaels in
custody.  How’s Deb?”

“She’s pretty shaken and frightened she’ll have to go
back to Minnesota to testify.  We told her in a case where two jurisdictions
lay claim to a felon; the one with the weaker evidence usually waives its
rights.  In this case Minnesota would probably waive their claim to Father
Michaels in favor of Louisiana’s claim.  I think she feels better now.”

They talked for a while longer.  Colin promised to
call them when he knew anything definite.  Tuesday morning, Colin went to his
regular appointment with Doctor Hughes.  He brought her up to date on what was
happening in his life.  He told her he was anxious to confront Father Michaels,
but he also felt scared.  She told him confronting Father Michaels was healthy,
could hasten his emotional healing and help him recover from the trauma of
being stabbed.

They left for New Orleans the next morning.  They
landed, rented a car, and arrived at Beau and Louisa’s home without any
problems.  They must have been watching for them because they came out the
front door before Colin even pulled the car to a complete stop.  They engulfed
Alethea hugs, kisses and cries of welcome.  “Alethea, darling, we’re so glad to
see you!  We’ve missed you so much!”  Louisa declared, enveloping her in a
tight hug.

“Mom, I’ve only been married for two months!”  Alethea
laughed.  She gave her father a big hug.  “Hi, Dad!  How are you?”

“I’m fine, Alethea, busy as usual.  How are things
with you?”

“Wonderful!  I have so much I want to tell you.”

Louisa turned to Colin and gave him a hug.  “How have
you been feeling, Colin?”

“Well, I’m a lot better than the last time you saw
me.”

“I can tell.”  She nodded at Liam and Buck.  “It’s
nice to see you both again.  Why don’t we go inside?  I’ve prepared a light
lunch in case you’re hungry.”

“I don’t know about anybody else, but I’m definitely
hungry!”  Liam declared.

Colin nibbled at lunch.  He really couldn’t get much
past the big knot that had taken up residence in his stomach.  He decided some
café au lait might help him relax some.  Louisa poured him a cup.  Beau, who
had little to say up to this point, suddenly asked, “When will the police be
getting back with that priest?”

“I don’t know.  Detective Wickersham didn’t give me an
exact timetable.  She said she’d call as soon as they got back.”

“I hope they’re planning to keep him locked up until
his trial.”

“I’m sure they are since I assume he’s considered a
major flight risk.”

“Well, it’d be just like some bleeding-heart liberal
judge to allow him bail and the Church paying it!”

“His bail will probably be set so high that nobody’s
going to be able to come up with it instantly,” McGregor remarked. “I seriously
doubt the Church will spring for it.”

“One of those anti-abortion groups might be able to
meet it,” Alethea said.  “Their war chests seem to have unlimited funds.”

“They’re already implicated in aiding his escape the
first time.  I think they’ll want to keep a low profile now,” Colin commented.

“What about his family?”  Beau demanded.  “Can they
meet it?”

“I get the impression Jeff’s income is well above
average, but I don’t think he could meet a half-million bail.”

“I hope you’re not planning to help him out if he
asks!”  Beau stated.  “I don’t want my daughter in even the slightest bit of
danger!”

“Dad!”  Alethea said in a shocked tone.

Colin made a disgusted sound then picked up his cup of
café au lait and stormed out the French doors, letting them slam behind him. 
“Colin!”  Alethea called.  He ignored her and seated him on the chaise in the
garden.  Alethea walked up and sat down beside him.  “Dad didn’t mean what he
said.  He’s just upset at the thought of Father Michaels being in New Orleans
again.”

“I know and I shouldn’t have stormed outside.  I’ll
apologize to him later.”

She rose.  “I’m going back inside.  Are you going to
be out here?”

“For a while.  It’s so peaceful.”

“Okay.”

Colin closed his eyes and tried to relax.  He heard
footsteps coming towards him and opened his eyes to find Liam.

“Do you mind some company, Colin?”

“No, sit down.”

Liam sat down.  “Will Jeff be at this line-up, too?”

Colin shrugged.  “I haven’t spoken to him so I don’t
really know what his plans are.”

“How come?”

“I guess I really don’t know what I’d say to him so
I’m going to let him make the first move.”

Liam made a face.  “Well, I don’t mean it to sound
nasty, but I really hope he isn’t there because he’s makes me feel really
anxious and uncomfortable.”

“I doubt he will be, but if he is, let me deal with
him.”

He nodded.  “I sure like Mrs. Ford, but I’m not too
sure about Mr. Ford!”

“Don’t let him buffalo you!  I don’t think he’s half
as gruff as he makes himself out to be.  I think he’s just really anxious and
worried about Alethea.”

“I can understand what he’s feeling, I guess,” Liam
conceded.

Colin yawned and looked at his younger brother.  “When
you’re done here, why don’t you fly up and see Alison?”

Liam looked at Colin and grinned.  “I’m way ahead of
you, Colin!  I’ve already bought a round-trip ticket for this weekend and I’m
looking forward to seeing Alison!”

“Good deal!”  Colin replied, ruffling his brother’s
hair affectionately.

“Colin!”

Colin picked up his cup and saucer then got to his
feet.  “I think I’m going to lie down for a while.  I’ll see you later.”  He
took his dishes to the kitchen then went to find Alethea.  She was sitting in
the living room.  “I’m going upstairs and lie down for a while.  Which room are
we sleeping in?”