“We will certainly keep an eye out. I will also ask the other inspector if he noticed any papers while searching her room. Do you know if she told anyone else about her visions?”
“Father Gareth knew. Sister Mary Margaret didn’t. As far as I know, she told me and Sister Mary Elizabeth because—”
At the quelling look from the other nun, Sister Mary Ignatius froze with her hand raised at her mouth.
The smell of orange blossoms at the gate. “Because you both have abilities, too.”
A look of being cornered mixed with relief on the women’s faces. The redheaded nun nodded first. “I’m a fox shifter, though I haven’t shifted in so long, I don’t know if I’m capable of doing so anymore.”
“Metal is where my abilities lie. I’m rusty, but I’ve been soldering the gate shut every day, hoping to bide us time should anyone try to get in. You must understand, we give up the person we were when we enter this life, powers and all. As far as we know, we’re the only ones here with magic, but we can’t swear to it.”
As Oliver jotted the rest of the conversation down, Felipe stood. “Sisters, you have been more than helpful today. I promise Sister Mary Margaret and Father Gareth won’t hear a word of this from us, so your secret is safe. One last question, the cook mentioned Sister Mary Agnes gave her letters to mail for her and some of the other sisters. Do you know to whom she was writing?”
“A family friend she grew up with. What was his name?”
“Peter? I think.”
Beside him, Felipe froze. It was so brief Oliver thought he had imagined it, but the pang of adrenaline that flickered across the tether confirmed it.
“Do you happen to remember Peter’s surname?”
“No, she just called him Peter.”
“I think that was in case Sister Mary Margaret overheard her, she could pretend she was talking about the apostle.”
“Thank you, Sister Mary Ignatius, Sister Mary Elizabeth. We will let you know if we find her writings.”
Chapter Eighteen
Mors Immatura
Felipe managed to holdin the emotions raging to come out while they said their good-byes to Sister Mary Margaret with the promise to return once the case was solved. Oliver must have sensed his feelings hissing like an angry cat across the tether because he made a beeline for the driver’s side of the steamer. Probably for the best if they both wanted to make it until the end of the week alive. Slamming the passenger door shut behind him, Felipe clenched his shaking fists and road out the urge to yell.
“I can’t believe it.” Running a hand over his face, Felipe shook his head. “I can’t fucking believe that little shit.”
“Can you please tell me who it is you have in mind? I can think of three Peters at the society alone.”
