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«Do you know any priests that might be willing to hear a very long confession?»
«I might, though I don't know if they're allowed to give you absolution, since technically in the eyes of the Church you're already dead. You have ties to a lot of the religious community, Malcolm; surely one of the other leaders would be willing.»
«I do not want to ask them, Anita. I do not want them to know my sins. I would rather…«He hesitated, then spoke, but I was pretty sure it wasn't the sentence he started to use. «Quietly, I would rather it be done quietly.»
«Why the sudden need for confession and absolution?»
«I am still a believer, Ms. Blake; being a vampire has not changed that. I wish to die absolved of my sins.»
«Why are you expecting to die?»
«Tell Jean-Claude what I have told you about the stranger or strangers in my church. Tell him about my desire for a priest to hear my confession. He will understand.»
«Malcolm…»
He kept walking, but stopped with his hand on the door. «I take back what I said, Ms. Blake, I am not sorry I came. I am only sorry I did not come days ago.» With that he walked out and closed the door softly behind him.
I sat down at my desk and called Jean-Claude. I had no idea what was going on, but something was up, something big. Something bad.