In Plain Sight

“That’s far enough,” a uniformed policeman said, holding out his hand to block Alex’s progress.

Alex turned and started to raise his fist, determined to strike the man down for daring to block his path to the Father. Iggy quickly seized Alex’s hand and stepped between them.

“The sister called for you and you talked to her, but this is a police matter,” the cop continued, seemingly oblivious to Alex’s rage. He was short and a little chubby, with plump cheeks and dark eyebrows but his uniform was clean and neatly pressed. This one would be a stickler for the rules.

Alex’s mind went instantly to the half dozen runes he could use to render the officious cop inert, but before he could settle on one, Iggy spoke.

“Where is your coroner, young man?” Iggy asked.

“Not here yet,” the officer said. Iggy handed him his card.

“I’m Doctor Bell. I consult for the coroner’s office. Since he isn’t here, I’m offering my services. Who’s in charge?”

The chubby policeman scrutinized the card, then nodded toward the back where a group of detectives stood.

“They grabbed whoever they could for this one,” he said. “I don’t know the Lieutenant in charge, but he’s back there.”

“Thank you,” Bell said, sweeping past the man. “Come along, Alex.”

Alex followed along, finally managing to control his anger.

“Thanks,” he whispered.

“Think nothing of it,” Iggy said “But get hold of yourself for now. There’ll be time for grief later.”

Alex wasn’t sure he agreed with that, but he knew Iggy was right about one thing, if he let his emotions get the better of him now, the cops would throw him out on his ear. As they crossed the hall, Alex noticed the bodies on the floor. Each was pale, with red lesions on their exposed flesh.

“Should we be wearing our masks?” he whispered to Iggy. The old doctor shook his head.

“Whatever killed these people did it in a matter of a few hours,” he said. “The police have been here long enough that if it were contagious, they’d already be showing signs.”

Alex didn’t think that conclusion was wrong, but it felt like they were betting their lives on it. Still, Iggy was almost never wrong.

Almost.

“Who’s the Lieutenant?” Iggy asked, as they reached the knot of suit-clad detectives.

“Callahan,” Alex said, recognizing the big man. “I thought they’d have you down at the warehouse.”

Frank Callahan looked at Alex and a sour look passed his face. “I was,” he said. “I was there all damn day and when they finally let me go home, I get sent here. What brings you around?”

“I know…I knew the priest here.” Alex turned and nodded toward Father Harry’s body. The pain of seeing the great man lying on the floor like yesterday’s garbage pierced him again, but much of its power was gone.

“So you’re the one the nun called?” he asked.

“Yes,” Alex said. “I lived here for five years after my dad died. Father Harry took me in.”

Callahan’s features softened. “I’m sorry,” he said. He opened up a spiral notebook and flipped to a new page. “What did you say the priest’s name was?”

“Harrison Arthur Clementine,” Alex said.

“The nun said you were here last night,” one of the other detectives said. Alex nodded.

“I’m a runewright. I was repairing the runes that keep out the rain. The roof’s leaked for years.”

“You see anything out of the ordinary?” Callahan asked.

“No. I got here around three and worked till just before eight — that’s when they start dinner.”

“All right,” Callahan said, flipping his notebook closed. “If you think of anything else, call me at the precinct. For now, go home.”

“No,” Alex growled, his hands balling into fists. “You need my help.”

One of the detectives casually slipped his hand inside his jacket, others wore scowls, but Callahan’s face remained calm.

“You’re too close to this, Lockerby,” he said. “You know it and I know it. Now go home.”

“He is, indeed, very close to this,” Iggy said, stepping up in front of Callahan. “But he’s also quite correct, you need his help. His and mine.”

“And who are you, Jeeves?” Callahan said, his gruff manner squarely back in place.

“I’m Doctor Ignatius Bell. I’m here to offer my medical services in lieu of your absent coroner.”

Callahan turned to one of the other detectives. “When’s the coroner supposed to arrive?”

“Just as soon as they sober him up,” a sardonic voice replied.

Callahan mulled it over for a long minute, looking back and forth from Iggy to Alex.

“Fine,” he said at last. “I want to get home before sun-up.”

“I very much doubt that will happen,” Iggy said. “You and all your men need to clear this room immediately.”

Callahan rolled his eyes and sighed.

“Why?” he asked in a tone of voice that clearly indicated that he didn’t want to know. Iggy pointed to one of the corpses, sprawled across a table as if he’d collapsed while eating.

“What do those lesions on his skin look like to you?”

Callahan shrugged and shook his head.

“Boils?”

“It looks like smallpox to me,” Iggy said. A murmur swept the assembled detectives.

“Are you saying that smallpox did this?” one of the detectives said.