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church with only a few remaining to pray silently.
     
    Father George strode over to address Adams. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this evening’s visit?”
     
    “I wanted to have a quick word with you.” Adams turned, clasped his hands behind his back. “Walk with me.”
     
    When they reached the back of the church, Father Adams pushed open the door of Father George’s office. Moments later they were alone.
     
    “Quite the sermon this evening,” Adams said.
     
    “I was pleased with the turnout,” George replied. “My sermon on sin has always been my favorite. Now, Father Adams, what can I help you with?”
     
    Adams stood by the door as George walked around and took a seat behind his desk.
     
    “As you’re probably aware,” Adams started, “five of our fellow clergymen have been sent home to God recently.”
     
    Father George nodded, a grim expression on his face.
     
    “What you might not know is that these men were brought here by the Vatican.”
     
    “Brought here?” Father George asked, eyebrows raised.
     
    “Shuffled here from other churches in other cities.”
     
    “That happens all the time.”
     
    “Like in your case, all five were moved here to avoid prosecution or detection.”
     
    Father George’s expression darkened.
     
    “As you have probably read in the papers, the United Nations slammed the Vatican last February for looking the other way regarding sexual abuse of children by priests. They demanded the Vatican turn over offenders to face justice. The church official’s imposed code of silence, along with moving abusers from church to church, has not been entirely successful.” Father Adams remained by the door, his hands comfortably clasped in front of him. “Many bishops involved in these affairs have resigned after abuse scandals in their dioceses, but evidently it appears someone out there doesn’t think that’s enough.”
     
    “How does this affect me?” Father George asked.
     
    Whether George had reoffended here in L.A. or not, Father Adams wasn’t sure. But he had the dossier on Father George and he knew what the man had been accused of several times before he was transferred to L.A.
     
    “Based on your alleged history in Pennsylvania, and what has happened to those five priests recently, I felt it wise to caution you.”
     
    “Are you cautioning others?” Father George asked.
     
    It was easy to see this conversation had made Father George uncomfortable. It probably wasn’t something the man wanted to discuss since his past had been buried.
     
    “Look, Father George, I like the work you do here. It’s been a year since you arrived, and the people have responded well to you. I just thought you should know.”
     
    “Know what?” Father George leaned forward and placed his elbows on the desktop.
     
    “The police are hunting what looks like a serial killer. One that only targets Catholic priests. Each and every one of these priests had a questionable past concerning the Church.”
     
    “Are you saying my past is questionable?”
     
    Father Adams wasn’t used to being challenged, nor was he accustomed to the aggression he felt coming from Father George. He held his composure, waited a few breaths, then said, “Father George, when you came to me, you were close to being excommunicated. The accusations—”
     
    Father George held up his hand. “That’s exactly what they were—accusations. Nothing but faithless lies. A test of my faith. The church saw it my way and transferred me. Father Adams, just because my file has accusations in it, they cannot be verified as they are unproved allegations.” He smiled the same wide, calming smile he offered his congregation. “You of all people must know that.”
     
    “I am simply here in an advisory capacity today. After last night’s murder, I felt it necessary to warn the members of our Church who have experienced difficulty in the past.” He turned and opened the door. “Please wait for me