Fat Tuesday(47)

"In fact, you might enjoy seeing the facility for yourself."

The suggestion rendered Father Gregory mute. He gaped at Father Kevin with dumbstruck disbelief. Mrs. Duvall, on the other hand, was delighted at the prospect."Would that be possible?"

"No."

"Of course."

Gregory and Burke answered at the same time, but Burke's reply overrode Gregory's. Sheepishly, he said, "Naturally, whatever Father Kevin wishes. I merely thought we would wait to have a formal open house once the facility is completed. You know, invite all its supporters at once," he added lamely.

- "I'm sure Mrs. Duvall would prefer a private tour," Burke said, looking deeply into her eyes.

"I don't expect preferential treatment," she said, 'but I would very much like to see the work in progress. Maybe I could help out."

"Your contribution is help enough, I assure you," Father Gregory said, sounding a bit desperate.

"But a favorable report from me might urge my husband to contribute even more."

Burke smiled."All the more reason for you to make a personal visit.

Call whenever you'd like to go. We'll make ourselves available to fit your schedule."

" Make ourselves available'? Fit your schedule'? Jesus, we're gonna die."

"Will you stop that caterwauling? You're giving me a headache."

"What have you got me into, Basile? I don't like this. I agreed to do you a favor, and I came through, didn't I? Not once, but twice. But this is it. Finis. Applause, applause. Curtain down. Lights out and everybody goes home. No encore. I've performed my last scene with you. You keep changing the dialogue. And where did you go when you left the room?"

'"To pee."

"Oh sure, you did. I think you went snooping, is what I think."

"That's one of your main problems, Gregory. You think too much.

You'd do better to simply go with the flow."

"If I go with the flow, I'm liable to wind up floating facedown in the Mighty Mississip'. My life is hardly studded with accomplishments, but I'm not ready to die. Consider me out. As of now."

The argument continued all the way to Gregory's townhouse. Burke leaned across the other man and opened the passenger door."Go in, put your feet up, have a glass or two of wine, and calm down. I'll be in touch."

"I'm out. O-u-t."

"They don't serve Pinot Noir with dinner in prison, Gregory."

"You can't keep threatening me with jail. You've got nothing on me."

"Maybe not today. But give it a week or two. I'll stay on you like a duck on a June bug. Sooner or later, you'll act on those impulses that, by your own admission, you can't control."

'"My shrink and I are making progress."

"No, he's making money off what he knows is a hopeless case.

You're a psycho sugar tit and he's latched on."

Gregory slumped in his seat."You're a bastard, Basile."

"We've established that."

"You're stronger willed than I am. I can't win with you. Everybody picks on me." Burke reached across the car, grabbed Gregory by the hair, and turned his head toward him."Listen to me, you sniveling, spoiled, little shit.

Believe it or not, this might be the best thing that ever happened to you in your whole miserable life. For once, somebody is making you do something you don't want to do. I'm giving you an opportunity to prove that you're better than everybody believes. I'm giving you a chance to be a man."

Gregory swallowed emotionally."I honestly don't think I can be, Basile. I'd like to be, but as you said, I'm hopeless. I wouldn't count on me if I were you."

"Well," Burke grumbled, releasing his hair, "unfortunately you're all I've got."

Gregory set one foot on the pavement but made no other move to get out.

After a time, he said, "This isn't a police operation, is it?"

"No." Burke looked directly at him."No, it's not. It's a personal vendetta. It has to do with my friend who got killed last year."

"I figured it was something like that. Thanks for finally being honest with me."

"You're welcome."

Averting his head, Burke gazed through the cloudy windshield of his car. He had to think about it for only a few seconds before saying, "Forget it, Gregory. I shouldn't have dragged you into this. I lied to you and manipulated you every step of the way, and as you said yourself, that's unfair.

"I'm about to do something that's crazy and dangerous. You were right about that, too. In the process, you'd probably panic and screw up and end up dead. I don't need another death on my conscience. I needed your help on the clerical stuff, but I think I can wing it from here Thanks for your help."

Then, as an afterthought, he added, "I hate to see you screwing up your life, Gregory. If you don't get smart and clean up your act, you'll eventually get busted and sent away for a long time. One of these days your daddy won't be able to buy you out of a serious charge that disgusts not only the general populace but the prison population as well. In there, they'd make your life hell, and might even kill you.