The Narrow Gate

by Mark Posey

  “To whom?”

  “To the prints left at the scenes of both murdered priests.”

  Alice narrowed her gaze. “That cannot be a good thing.”

  *

  The neat and somber rows of headstones in Arlington National Cemetery lay before her as far as the eye could see. The breeze fluttered Alice’s veil as the bright and cheery sunshine reflected off the myriad white stones. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was a perfect sunny day. The complete and total opposite of her mood.

  The three-hour drive down from Philadelphia had done little to improve her mood. If anything, it had made it worse. Three hours to brood about attending George’s funeral. A full military funeral, at that. As it turned out, George was the last surviving soldier who served during World War One. It was sure to be an absolute circus, with cameras and reporters from every corner of the civilized world.

  Staring down at the rows of headstones beneath the shade of a cherry tree in full bloom, she hoped she could use her lack of height to hide from the cameras, perhaps behind Constable Rafferty and Geraldine. With Roberto wanting her to disappear for a while, getting caught on the broadcast of the funeral would not suit that purpose.

  Rafferty and Geri approached quietly from behind her. They stood next to her and gazed out over the sea of graves.

  “Thank you both for coming,” Alice said. “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it.”

  Rafferty was in his very best suit while Geri wore her full-dress uniform, right down to the spit-and-polished shoes. She looked very different from what Alice was used to. They were both very solemn.

  “This place always reminds me of luck,” Geri said.

  “Why luck, Geraldine?”

  “I always think about how lucky I was during the Gulf War and how unlucky so many others were.”

  “Indeed.” Alice nodded. “I was hoping to find the graves of the other three and pay my respects while I was here, but there are so many.”

  Rafferty checked his watch. “We’d better get down there. They’ll be starting pretty soon.”

  They traipsed down the path toward the gathering crowd. The cameras were at least set up a respectful distance away. The less intrusive, the better. As they closed on the crowd, Alice could see Lord High Constable Talbot standing at the front of the procession. Talbot scanned the crowd, looking for someone.

  Alice looked to her left. The horse-drawn funeral coach sat at the curb of the roadway running through the cemetery. Six men in disparate dress uniforms waited beside it. At least they’d found appropriate pallbearers.

  “Oh, I’m so glad I found you,” a woman said beside Alice as a hand fell on her upper arm.

  Alice was surprised to see the nurse’s aide from Caremore House standing beside her. “You came all this way for George’s funeral?”

  The nurse’s aide pursed her lips and shrugged. “Figured it was the least I could do. He and I talked quite a lot in his final two months. He led an amazing life. I couldn’t not come down to honor him.”

  Talbot approached from the front of the gathering and took in Geri’s dress uniform. “Mrs.—I mean Lieutenant Rafferty, Detective Rafferty, thank you for coming. George would be honored,” He shook each of their hands in turn. His smile looked strained and relieved at the same time.

  “We’re honored to be here,” Geri said.

  Talbot focused on Alice and nodded. “Sister Jacobine.”

  “Lord High Constable.” She held out her hand.

  Talbot took it in his. “Would you come with me, please?”

  Alice glanced at Rafferty and Geri, then at the nurse’s aide. “Certainly, Lord High Constable. We had best make haste. The procession will begin soon and, if I am not mistaken, the family leads the way.”

  Talbot held out his elbow and Alice settled her hand in the crook of it. He led her through the crowd and to just behind the funeral coach. Alice could hear the mob of photographers taking pictures as the two of them approached, but she kept her gaze on the flag-draped casket.

  At some unspoken command, the coach started ahead. The solemn crowd and the reporters and photographers followed, a slow walk to the gravesite. Alice’s gaze never left George’s casket. Her grip on Talbot’s arm got tighter and tighter the closer they got to their destination.

  The coach stopped at the curb closest to George’s grave and with all the pomp and circumstance a full-honors military funeral entailed, the flag-draped casket was lifted from the back of the coach and the chaplain performing the service led the way across the grass to where the freshly-dug grave waited.

  As they approached, the reporters and photographers hurried quietly ahead so they could set up in time to capture George’s funeral in all its glory.

  As the casket neared the grave, Alice spied the two chairs at the graveside where George’s family would sit. The procession all stood back as the pallbearers moved ahead, set the casket in place over the grave and stepped back.

  Two of the men in dress uniforms who had accompanied the casket ran their hands over the flag. Then one of them marched over to where Talbot and Alice stood at the front of the procession. “If you’ll follow me, please.”

  Talbot placed his other hand over Alice’s hand in the crook of his elbow, and the two of them followed the officer to the gravesite. When they stopped, Alice looked up at Talbot and the officer motioned for them to sit in the family chairs. Her jaw went slack and she was about to protest when he said, “He was so thrilled to be able to spend time with you these past two months. He’d never forgive me if you weren’t seated here. To him, you were as much family as I was.”

  Alice could feel her tears building along with the lump in her throat as she nodded and stepped in front of one of the chairs. Talbot held her hand as she lowered herself into the chair, while more cameras and flashes went off.

  She rested her hands in her lap as Talbot eased himself into the chair next to her. After a moment, Alice felt his hand lay gently on top of hers. She looked up to see his strained smile. “At least here, Grampa George will be amongst friends,” he said quietly and nodded ahead of them.

  As the procession of mourners gathered behind them, Alice followed his gaze to the far side of the grave and the headstones next to it. Randy Silverthorne, Kelly Boreen, Eddie Marsh. Alice tried to blink back the tears but, as she read each name, that became harder and harder. Her four boys were together again, at last.

  A hand fell on Alice’s shoulder and she looked behind her. Geri smiled down at her. Rafferty stood beside Geri. The nurse’s aide was there, too.

  The ceremony began and Alice faced front again. Talbot still rested his hand on hers and she squeezed his fingers. As the chaplain began the ceremony, Alice drifted back to a burned-out Italian hospital from a day in 1918, the four of them in their beds. The German soldiers had burst into the room with guns ready. She had known they were coming and made short work of them. But still, it had bonded the five of them together forever.

  In the back of her mind, Alice was aware that not only the chaplain spoke, but several dignitaries gave speeches as well. She could not have told anyone what any of those men had said. She was over a hundred years away, in moments she hadn’t relived in quite some time. It was a grand way to celebrate George’s life, though it only fed her emotional state and added to the tears tickling down her cheeks.

  The single cannon shot yanked her out of her reverie and she jumped at the boom just like the rest of the crowd. The chaplain made his closing remarks and Alice’s gaze stayed firmly on George’s casket.

  When the chaplain stepped back, Alice felt a tug on her elbow as, beside her, Talbot stood. She followed suit. The rifle volley followed. Seven simultaneous shots. Three times. Each time, Alice jumped.

  When the bugler stepped forward and began to play Taps, all Alice could think of was George holding a little sliver of cookie, eyes wide, staring down into his teacup. She tried to stifle the sudden urge to giggle. She clenched her stomach. Pressed her lips together
so hard they hurt. She couldn’t stem it. Her gaze locked on George’s casket, she covered her mouth with her free hand and shook with silent laughter beside Talbot until the last note drifted away on the breeze.

  As she and Talbot sat back down, his arm settled itself around her shoulders and he leaned close. “You okay?”

  Alice nodded, wiped the tears from her eyes and clasped her hands together in her lap. She watched as the six pallbearers stepped up to George’s casket and lifted the flag off the top of it. They popped it straight and flat and began the elaborate folding of the flag with all of its snaps and pops and crisp, regimented steps.

  When the flag was folded into a triangle, no red showed anywhere. It was passed down the line of pallbearers and presented to the officer at the head of the grave. A salute and then the six pallbearers marched away from the gravesite. Alice wondered briefly about their disparate uniforms. They looked out of place amidst all of the prescribed appearance of a military funeral.

  The officer at the head of the grave turned and marched over to stand in front of Talbot. Talbot looked up at the officer and nudged his head toward Alice. The officer stepped over to stand in front of Alice. He dropped to one knee and eased the flag forward into Alice’s hands. She took it reverently, eyes wide and full of tears.

  “On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army, and a grateful Nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”

  *

  Alice was a mess on the way back to Rafferty’s car. Just when she thought she had herself under control, she’d look down at the folded flag clenched in her hands and she’d be off again.

  “Oh, George,” she muttered.

  Geri had her arm tight around Alice’s shoulders and she squeezed. “I know, Alice. I know.”

  Rafferty and Geri poured Alice into the back seat. “Are you sure you want to go to the wake? We could just head back now,” Rafferty offered.

  Alice speared him with her gaze. “Not on your life, Constable. What sort of friend would I be if I didn’t go and lift a glass to George’s memory? We’re going. If you’d prefer, you may just drop me off.”

  Rafferty held up his hands. “No, no. I’m good. I’m sure we could all use a drink right about now.”

  “Quite so,” Alice said. “Let us proceed.”

  Alice managed to settle herself on the drive to the wake. Talbot had booked the banquet room at the Crystal Gateway Marriott and by the time they pulled in under the portico, Alice was calm and contained.

  Alice and Geri got out of the car and headed inside while Rafferty parked the car. Inside, some of the reporters and cameramen were already set up. Alice and Geri skirted past them and into the restricted-access banquet room. They gave their names at the door and were given lanyards with generic badges which allowed them access to the affair.

  With the size of the crowd already gathered inside, the two of them decided to wait near the door so Rafferty would have an easy time finding them. Talbot appeared beside them after a few moments, four glasses clasped in his hands.

  “Where’s your husband?” he asked Geri.

  “Just parking the car.”

  “Gotcha. Okay, Irish whiskeys all around.” He handed Geri and Alice each a glass. After a moments silence, he said, “That went pretty well, don’t you think?”

  “George would have been proud, I’m sure,” Geri said.

  Talbot seemed to like that sentiment. His chest puffed out. “I think so, too.”

  A few moments later, Rafferty came in clutching his phone. His expression was serious. He speared Alice with his gaze. “We have a problem.”

  All three of them stiffened.

  “What is wrong?” Alice asked.

  Rafferty stepped forward so he was close to all of them. He spoke quietly. “I just got a text. We got a hit on those fingerprints.”

  Alice looked aghast. “And you want to talk about it now? Here?”

  Geri frowned. “Marty, are you sure this is the time?”

  “Yeah, Detective,” Talbot chimed in, “relax and enjoy the party.”

  Rafferty ignored them both and focused on Alice. “Mickey sent me the results along with a photo of our suspect.” He thumbed the screen of his phone and turned it to show her.

  Her jaw dropped and she felt the gooseflesh crawl over her entire body. “Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” she said. “Carmen Fitzgerald,” she read the name on the bottom of the photo on Rafferty’s screen. She had bleach-blond hair in the picture but otherwise, it was her.

  The nurse’s aide.

  Talbot leaned in for a look. His eyebrows shot up. “And she’s a suspect in what?”

  “The murder of two priests back in Philadelphia,” Talbot glanced quickly around the room. “She on the guest list?”

  Talbot shook his head. “Didn’t know she was coming for the funeral.”

  “And she cannot get in without her name on that list?” Alice asked.

  “Not with all the dignitaries that are here. Homeland gets pretty paranoid about that.”

  Alice held Rafferty’s gaze with her own. “You must arrest her, Constable.”

  Rafferty pursed his lips. “Can’t. I don’t have jurisdiction in Arlington. Only in Philadelphia.”

  “Bollocks to your jurisdiction!” Alice spat.

  “If we don’t do this right, she’ll end up walking.”

  “What about you, Lord High Constable? Do you have jurisdiction?”

  Talbot looked to Rafferty. “Both murders were committed in Philadelphia?”

  Rafferty nodded.

  Talbot shook his head. “It’s not a federal crime. I might have someone here who does have jurisdiction, though.”

  “Then let’s go talk to him,” Rafferty urged.

  Talbot scanned the crowd and then motioned to Rafferty. “Come with me.”

  Alice and Geri watched the two of them thread their way through the crowd. Alice threaded a hand through Geri’s elbow and said, “Come, Geraldine. Let us mingle.” She led them farther into the room.

  They hadn’t gone more than two steps before Geri stiffened beside her and let out a barely audible, “Oh, my God!” then snapped to attention.

  An older man, wearing a black dress uniform with so many ribbons and medals over the left breast that Alice wondered how he could walk straight, strode up to them, smiling and holding out his hand to Alice. “Sister, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  Alice took his hand and smiled. “George was a wonderful man. Thank you, General.”

  The man looked surprised. “It’s Admiral, actually. Admiral Gordon Samuels.” He glanced quickly at Geri. “Stand easy, Lieutenant.”

  Geri shifted her stance, standing with her legs apart, hands behind her back.

  “Admiral, may I present Lieutenant Geraldine Rafferty.”

  The Admiral shook Geri’s hand. “Lieutenant, good to meet you.”

  “It’s an honor, Mr. Chairman,” Geri said.

  He held Geri’s gaze with his own. “Gulf War?”

  “Yes, sir,” Geri nodded.

  “We sure gave ‘em hell over there, didn’t we?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You ladies enjoy yourselves.” He smiled at the two of them and headed off.

  At that moment, Rafferty and Talbot joined them. Both men looked serious.

  “Was that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs?” Rafferty asked.

  Geri beamed. “It certainly was.”

  “Leave you three alone for a couple minutes and you’re mixing and mingling with the elite,” Rafferty teased. “You still gonna talk to us regular folks?”

  Geri linked her arm with his. “Maybe. If you behave yourselves.”

  Alice stepped close to Rafferty and Talbot. “Were you able to sort something out?”

  Rafferty shrugged. “Without an arrest warrant, there’s not much the local police can do and we can’t give them any kind of credible threat to her bein
g here. For all we know, she is genuinely here to pay respect to George.”

  Alice scoffed.

  “They’ll let hotel security know about her and have them keep an eye out. Other than that, not much we can do. If she shows up, we can have her detained while I get an arrest warrant issued. If not, we can pick her up in Philly.”

  Talbot focused on Rafferty. “Detective, it looks to me like you need another drink and...” he downed the rest of his, “...so do I. Ladies, how about you?”

  “Yes, I believe another drink would not go astray,” Alice said as she looked at her nearly empty glass. Geri agreed.

  “Be right back,” Talbot said. He grabbed Rafferty by the upper arm and led him toward the bar.

  Alice watched the two of them weave their way through the crowd and get in line for the bar. She glanced at Geri who was letting her gaze wander over the rest of the roomful of people.

  Alice laid a hand on Geri’s forearm and Geri turned back to look at her. “You know,” Alice said, “with all of the maudlin emotions that functions such as this tend to bring out in everyone, it occurs to me that I have never properly thanked you and...Martin for your hospitality.”

  Geri furrowed her brow. “Our hospitality? Alice, you saved Chrissy’s life. You saved Marty’s life. You saved my life. Being hospitable is the least we can do.”

  Alice frowned and gazed across the room at the picture of George on the table by the front door. “As friends or loved ones die, it seems a piece of one’s heart is left behind with each of them. As one gets...older and starts to wonder about one’s place in the world, it is difficult to not reach a somewhat cynical conclusion.”

  “What conclusion is that?” Geri asked.

  “So much of one’s life is defined by the company one keeps. In my case, that company has changed so many times, I start to wonder whether the risk is worth the reward. I start to wonder how much of my heart I have left.”

  Geri was drawing a breath to respond and then shifted her gaze over Alice’s shoulder. Alice turned to see Talbot and Rafferty approaching, their hands full of glasses.

  After the drinks were handed over to Alice and Geri, Talbot said, “Everybody good to go?”