Vincent, Father James, Mathew, and his crew all sat around the large dining table at the presbytery finishing their meal. Mrs Oakes, the church housekeeper began collecting their plates for washing.
Father James had convinced Vincent to stay for some refreshment after they arrived back from the funeral, suggesting that with full stomachs they might be able to better decide how to proceed with informing Mathew of their suspicions, regarding the coffins in the catacombs at Mandrake Hall.
“Thank you, Mrs Oakes,” said Father James. “That really was an excellent meal, and most welcome.”
The middle-aged housekeeper nodded and continued collecting up the empty plates.
Mrs Oakes was, in the priest’s opinion, an indispensable addition to his flock. A widow who had lost her husband far too young
