Prey for a Miracle Read Free Page B

would have given anything to go with you on the search instead of manning the phones.”
    “You’re making yourself useful in a different way. That’s all that matters in a crisis.”
    Less than five minutes later, wearing an old raincoat, Sister Bernarda managed to get herself into the sidecar. Pax, sensing her injury, had hopped in, but stayed well away from her foot.
    “Ready?” Sister Agatha asked, handing her the spare helmet, then zipping up her own waterproof jacket.
    “Of course,” Sister Bernarda replied through clenched teeth.
    “Are you sure you don’t want to change your mind about coming? Reverend Mother would understand—”
    “Drive,” Sister Bernarda said, her voice a taut command.
    The storm had littered the road with branches, and Sister Agatha had to run a tight slalom course with the Harley to avoid the obstacles on the road. The cold air that blasted against them was the worst. Though the helmet and raincoat helped somewhat, she could see Sister Bernarda pulling the dog closer to her for warmth.
    “You know Natalie, don’t you?” Sister Bernarda asked, having to raise her voice to be heard above the noise.
    “Sure. She’s come to Mass here several times and I’ve visited with her in the rectory,” Sister Agatha replied, keeping her eyes on the road.
    “I’ve been wanting to talk to her, too, but I’ve never had a chance to do more than say hello. I’ve heard the rumors in town that she sees, or claims to see, an angel. There’s also something about a so-called miracle at the school that involved Natalie,” Sister Bernarda said.
    “Students at St. Charles are still talking about that,” Sister Agatha answered. “The story I heard is that a car in the school parking lot was rolling toward a man in a wheelchair. Natalie saw it and yelled ‘stop’—and the car suddenly came to a complete standstill. There was no one at all in the car, and though there were several witnesses, nobody could explain why the car stopped. One of the TV shows picked up the story after that and ran a sensationalist feature claiming Natalie’s angel had saved the day.”
    “That would have made a good story, all right.”
    “Of course the church hasn’t made an official statement and probably won’t in a case like this. But this whole thing has sure put Father Mahoney in a difficult position.”
    Less than fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the rectory behind the town’s adobe and brick Catholic church near the center of old Bernalillo. The rectory was a small building with desert landscaping all around it.
    Sister Agatha helped Sister Bernarda out of the sidecar, then walked with her to the front door. “I’ll make sure Sister de Lourdes picks you up in the Antichrysler after we’re done here,” Sister Agatha said, using the nickname they’d given the monastery’s ancient car.
    Mrs. Frances Williams, the rectory’s housekeeper, answered the door. “I’ve been expecting you two. Reverend Mother called a little while ago.”
    Sister Bernarda explained their plan, then added, “I’ll free you up here and that way you can join the search.”
    “That would be great. I’ll need you to call the names on the list that Father Mahoney gave me. They’re mostly friends of Natalie, teachers, and parishioners who live in the general vicinity of the accident site. Ask if they’ve seen her, and relay any messages that come in.”
    “No problem,” Sister Bernarda said briskly. “Now you two need to go help find Natalie.” Sister Bernarda took the list that Frances handed her. “I’ll do what has to be done here.”
    “I really appreciate this, Sister. A girl that age alone…” Frances’s voice trailed off and she wiped an errant tear away with a shaky hand. “Just follow me on the motorcycle, Sister Agatha, and I’ll show you where the sheriff has set up his command center.”
    Sister Agatha followed Frances out of town, driving south. It felt colder now than when she’d started out.