Priest entered the hospital in the same manner as before, though this time with a badged cop by his side, He approached the desk and asked for permission to visit Father Andrew Noonan. The woman at the desk called over her shoulder again for assistance and a woman motioned them to come around to the other side of the desk, where she proceeded to guide them to the elevator lobby.
When they reached Noonan’s room, the patient seemed worse than on the earlier visit. All the tubes and wires were the same, but Noonan’s skin had taken on a slightly grayish pallor. His breathing, even with the help of the oxygen mask, was thinner, and his eyelids – still closed – had a bluish hue that was not indicative of good health.
“Father Noonan,” Alana asked gently, touching him on the arm. “Father?” she s
