Remembrance (The Mediator #7)(40)
“Do you remember where the riding accident occurred?” I asked. “Was it on Sacred Trinity grounds?”
“I honestly can’t recall,” Father Dominic said. “I suppose it would make sense that it was Sacred Trinity. They have facilities there for students to stable their own horses.”
“They should have facilities there for their students to stable their own space shuttles with what they charge for tuition.”
Sacred Trinity was one of the many private schools in the Carmel area with which the Mission Academy was in competition. But with Trinity’s chic location on Pebble Beach’s exclusive 17-Mile Drive, their Olympic-sized pool, tennis courts, lacrosse and soccer fields, and, of course, horse stables and riding trails, the Mission Academy was barely in the same league. All we had to offer these days as far as extracurriculars was basketball, Mathletics, and the spring musical. It wasn’t any wonder Sister Ernestine didn’t want to piss off Lance Arthur Walters. The daughters of royalty and celebrities attended Sacred Trinity.
The granddaughters of Andy Ackerman, the host of At Home with Andy, attended Mission Academy.
“But Sacred Trinity is located within the community of Pebble Beach, and the resort there has an equestrian center, too,” Father Dominic said, loyally coming to the defense of a fellow Catholic school. “The accident could easily have happened along one of its riding trails, not Trinity’s. Horseback riding is such a popular sport these days, especially among the wealthy, everyone seems to be doing it, even though it can be so very dangerous. And I don’t believe there are any equestrian safety helmet laws in California.”
I eyed him with affectionate skepticism. “Oh, okay, Father D. I’m sure that’s the reason Lucia’s been sticking around so long, trying to protect Becca, because she’s upset about California’s equestrian safety helmet laws.”
“There’s no need for more sarcasm, Susannah. Sacred Trinity is one of the premier girls’ schools in the country. And Pebble Beach is a five-star resort. Surely what happened to the poor girl could only have been a tragic accident, not . . . whatever you’re thinking.”
“You know one of the things I love most about you, Father D, is that you always see the best in people.” Smiling, I patted him on the shoulder. “Even in premier girls’ schools and five-star resorts.”
“And one of the things that troubles me most about you, Susannah, is that you’re always prepared to see the worst in everyone. Didn’t you work at the Pebble Beach Resort one summer when you were in high school?”
“I did,” I said. “That’s how I know they aren’t perfect.”
“False modesty is not a very attractive quality, Susannah.”
“Fine. Yes, they hired me to work as a babysitter at the resort.”
Father Dominic brightened. “Oh, yes, of course. That’s how you met Paul Slater’s little brother. How is Jack? What’s he up to these days?”
I smile with a nonchalance I was far from feeling at the mention of Paul’s name. “Jack? Last time I heard from him, he seemed to be fine. Much happier now that he’s not living with his parents.”
“And does he—well, communicate very often with the deceased?”
“I don’t think so. In fact, I think he still tries to avoid it whenever possible. He’s gotten into writing—screenplays, I think.”
“Oh, that’s a shame,” Father Dominic said.
“A shame? Why?”
“Well, he had such promise as a mediator. But perhaps he was a bit too sensitive for the work. He might be better suited to the arts. Not like his brother . . . how is Paul? The two of you had your differences, but got to be on rather good terms again, toward graduation, as I recall. Have you heard from him at all lately?”
Now, of course, was the perfect opportunity to tell Father Dominic the truth about why I’d called him last night. That my interest in the Curse of the Dead wasn’t merely intellectual, but had to do with Paul Slater, who was basically trying to blackmail me into sleeping with him.
“I don’t know,” I said flatly. “I haven’t heard from Paul in years.”
“Really? I’m surprised. He always seemed so fond of you. I realize those feelings weren’t returned, but—”
“No offense, Father, but let’s stick to the subject at hand, okay? What are we going to do about Kelly Walters’s stepdaughter?”
Father Dominic blinked. “Of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to seem intrusive—”
“No worries. We just need to decide how we’re going to handle this. I know Jesse probably told you over the phone that he wants to exorcise the kid—”
“He did, but it’s only because he’s so upset about what happened to you. Obviously it’s out of the question. She’s a young soul in torment.”
“Who’s been tormenting another young soul for what appears to be years, and who also tried to drown me last night. As much as I enjoy sleeping in my fiancé’s bed, I’d rather not be doing it with Gina.”
“No,” Father Dominic said drily. “Nor can I imagine sleeping with you is a particularly enjoyable experience for Gina.”
“Wow, thanks. You know, this is all your fault. If it weren’t for the debt he feels toward you and my family and the stupid church,” I pointed out, “Jesse and I would be the ones sharing that bed, like a normal twenty-first-century couple. Any chance you could casually let him know that our souls are not actually going to be sent to eternal damnation if we make love before we’re married, Father D?”