I CONSIDER WHAT HELEN said to me as we drive to the monastery. It’s dark by the time we turn off the main road onto the long gravel drive. Outside of Brother Martin’s cabin are two Maryland State Police cars, their occupants speaking to Brother Martin by the light of the headlights.
Helen parks and gets out. I fumble with my seatbelt and follow her.
“Troopers,” she says. “What’s going on?”
A Latina trooper says, “Detective, the suspect was not in his cabin. This gentleman,” she indicates the elderly monk, “refuses to let us into the main building.”
Looking at me, Brother Martin says. “I’ve explained to these officers, it’s the great silence. We cannot disturb the brothers.”
“It’s important, Brother Martin,” I say. “We need to find Father Leonard. Do you have any idea where he is?”
He
