The priest beckons me inside the little office with a smile.

Thank you, Father, I say, walking past him.

I immediately scan the room, trying not to be too obvious about it.

I know that what I'm looking for only by second or third-hand description,

which makes things a little harder.

Right away, I see two small angel statues, one on a bookshelf and one on the corner of the

priest's desk.

See something you recognize?

The priest says, noticing that I'm looking at the statue on the bookshelf.

No, just looking at your books, I say,

trying to play it off. I was staring at the thing, stupid. Please, take a seat, Mr. Oh, right,

I say. My name is Sean Blake. You can call me Sean. Okay, Sean, have a seat.

I sit in one of the two chairs in front of the little desk.

The priest sits behind the desk, looking expectantly at me.

So, I say, I was expecting Father Ballard.

I don't think you and I have met before. No, I don't expect

we have. You can just call me Father Jacob. I'm visiting here while Ballard takes care of some

personal business. He'll be back next week. But you can tell me whatever you came here to speak with Father Ballard about.

That's what I'm here for.

I study Father Jacob for a moment, wondering if this could really be the man I'm looking

for.

He looks like an aging priest straight out of central casting.

...