Snyder sat on his cell bunk in his gray prison uniform, with his hands clutching his rosary beads. “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen.”
He stowed the beads under his bunk.
A voice came from behind Snyder. “You got a visitor.”
Hopefully it was Father Bernard. Snyder stood at the cell door. The guard opened it and led Snyder down the hall. Inside the visiting room sat a man too young for the geeky executive ensemble of black polo shirt, khaki pants, and horn-rimmed glasses.
What’s Father Goodwin doing here?
The guard left.
Snyder asked, “Where’s Father Bernard?”
“Father Bernard has other people in the parish to attend to, not just you. He sent me.”
“I just thought—”
“Oh, don’t think you’re the first Catholic to get thrown in jail. You made things hard on us by not changing your religion registration when you returned to the church.”
“That was Father Bernard’s idea.” Made it easier to use Snyder’s post in Army Intelligence to run interference on the Empire’s religious crackdowns.
“Be that as it may, I’d like to go ahead and take down your details. Tell me about why you’re here, etcetera.”
At the end of their interview, the priest closed the notebook. “We will ensure this is prayed about, and it appears you have behaved honorably. Was there anything further?”
Other than empathy, kindness, and humanity, you have it all covered. “No.”
“Will you require another visit?”
“If Father Bernard can come, that would be great.”
“Mr. Snyder, beggars can’t be choosers. Good day.”
“Good day, Father.”
The business casual priest walked out. The guard entered. “Somebody wants to see you, and they don’t want to come inside.”
“Then they’ve got a problem.”
“Nothing they couldn’t solve.” The guard winked. “Come with me.”
Continued Next Thursday
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