Page 21 of Thin Lives

Affonso frowned.

Emma was shocked to see how honestly sad Affonso looked.

“It’s because of who you are, not what happened to the priest,” Affonso replied quietly. “You know that, Cal. You won’t be blamed for this—your last name just causes the police to get into an uproar.”

The priest?

Something happened to the priest?

The only priest Emma knew that Calisto would make any effort to spend time with was Father Day. She was aware he had been Calisto’s counselor and confessor for years. He had been at the church the day of the accident, too.

A heaviness settled in Emma’s stomach.

“What happened to Father Day?” she asked before she could stop herself.

Calisto tensed, but didn’t turn around.

Affonso passed her a look, but stayed quiet.

“Someone could answer me,” Emma said, frustrated and tired.

“He was murdered in his office this morning,” Calisto replied, his tone barely above a whisper.

Emma had strained to hear his words, but she couldn’t possibly miss the pain coating each one when he said them. Her heart hurt for him, and for Father Day.

Who would have done that?

And why?

Her gaze drifted past Calisto to Affonso. What was it that he said? Calisto had come in accusing Affonso …

Oh, God.

She didn’t want to think Affonso was capable of doing something like that, but the better question on her mind was why he would have to do it.

The two men went back to staring at one another again, silent but warier than before.

Finally, Affonso spoke first, breaking the tension. “Why would you have that sort of suspicion about me, Calisto? Because you called me this morning and then you found him? It was coincidence, nothing more. I don’t understand what would make you think I did this. I cared for that man—he’s been my priest for years.”

“I just thought—”

“Thought what?” Affonso shouted.

Calisto turned his head to the side, giving Emma a view of his pained profile. “I spoke to you about the dream, and like you always do when I’m trying to remember something, you were unhappy and irritated. Snapping at me like I was doing something wrong. I want to remember, zio. Why don’t you want me to remember?”

Affonso stood straight, his stare flicking quickly to Emma and then back to Calisto. “Of course I want you to remember. Cal, it’s not that I don’t want you to remember, it’s that you’re happy, and alive right now. The past two and a half years that you’re missing were hard for you. After your mother died, you didn’t just go downhill, you might as well have ran down it. You were in so much pain, my boy. And now you’re not, you’re okay again. Why would I want you to feel that way when you don’t have to?”

Emma literally had to clench her fists to keep herself quiet.

Calisto had all but relaxed entirely. His anger was seemingly gone as his fists uncurled at his sides, his arms limp. The tension in his back released as well, softening his posture.

“You’re right,” Calisto said. “I just …”

Affonso sighed. “What?”

“Still feel like I’m missing something.”

Emma’s eyes prickled, but she willed the tears away.