I had only been inside this church one other time. It was when I was town marshal and had to chase down a man who cut up one of the saloon girls. He claimed what he called “sanctuary.” Now I know to respect the church, but from what I recall only the Levites could declare a sanctuary and there ain’t no Levites today unless they’re up in Mormon country. I remember thumping him on the head with the Greener and dragging him out and down the street. If I recall right, he earned twenty-five years in the penitentiary. I didn’t know who the priest was then, but Father Damien had come into the diner a couple of times with Parson Chapman.
Mateo led me to a little alcove just outside the church and another small building which I assumed was where the priest lived. He was gone a couple of minutes when he hollered, “Miles, get in here quick!”
The priest was half leaning on the side of a bed and laying on the floor. There was blood around him and he was unconscious. I looked at Mateo, “Is he alive?”
“Si, but I think in bad shape. You stay here, I’ll go get Doc Jones.”
Nodding to him he rushed out. I wasn’t sure if I should place him on the bed, but he looked so uncomfortable in the position he was in. I didn’t think his neck was broken, and maybe I did wrong but I lifted him up and laid him down on the bed. His eyelids fluttered a few times, and I thought I heard a moan, but he didn’t come to. I stayed with him, uttered a prayer on his behalf. I’ve heard that in an unconscious state a person sometimes can hear you and it sure wouldn’t hurt the good man to know someone was praying for him.
Ten, maybe fifteen minutes later, I heard voices. One couldn’t miss Doc’s grumbling. “Caught him just in time,” uttered Mateo bringing Doc into the little room.
“I was heading out to the Fordhams. Phoebe’s expecting and one of the boys was sent to fetch me, so this better be urgent,” snapped Doc. Then when he saw the condition of Father Damien, he exclaimed, “O my mercy! Get out of the way Miles, so I can look him over!”
I stood away then began to examine the room. It was small, a cot for a bed, a table upon which a couple of books lay along with a candle. There was a trunk against the far wall and by the doorway another stand with a basin and pitcher.
“One of you hand me my bag,” commanded Doc. Mateo reacted first giving the bag to Doc from which he took a pair of scissors. He began to cut the shirt away. After he was barechested Doc started his probing. Then he requested that the basin of water be given to him. Taking a clean cloth from the bag, he began to clean the blood from the man’s face, and the one side of his head. There was also a deep cut on the back of his right hand of the priest in the form of an X.
I moved so I could get a closer look. “That appears to be a cut from a knife,” I muttered to no one in particular.
“Very astute, Miles,” retorted Doc.
I glanced at Mateo. “Ever seen that before?”
He shook his head along with a shrug. “It must mean something, but no, I have never seen it before,” he replied then paused. “I wonder if it was among the marks left on the church. We’ll have to wait to ask the Padre.”
Doc stood up, rubbing his chin. “If you get the chance. I don’t know if he’ll live or not. He’s resting now, but I’m concerned about internal injuries and I don’t like the looks of that head. The skull has been crushed in this one spot. I need to get him down to the office, but I darst not move him.”
“I need to get on out to the Fordhams, but I don’t want to leave him alone in case he regains consciousness. After I return I’ll bring something to bandage him, and look at his head in a better light. That is, if one of you two could find a couple of lamps.”
He started to move on out of the room, then stopped to turn to look at the priest again. “Shame, downright shame.”
“What do you mean, Doc?” I questioned softly.
“A man of peace treated worse than a cur dog.”
Mateo had already left to find someone to sit with the priest until Doc could return. “Can you tell me anything?”
Shaking his head, “Not really, except that he’s in bad shape. If he comes to he might be able to tell you something, but mind you, that’s a big if.”
The last time I had seen this man, he had just performed a wedding and had a large smile on his face. He was laughing along with Rev. Chapman, and now, now…I would find the man or men who did this…