Night of Light

Suddenly John Carmody stopped before the cardinal. He frowned and said, “You really think I’m the only one qualified for this mission?”

“Best qualified,” Faskins said. He straightened a little and placed his hands on the arms of the chair as if to shove himself upward and out on the strike.

“I’ve told you once why this is so urgent. Once should be enough; you’re an intelligent man. You’re also dedicated to the Church. Otherwise, you would not have been considered for the episcopal seat.”

The reproach, although unvoiced, was detected and briefly considered by the priest. Carmody knew that his decision to marry again, almost immediately after the Church had relaxed its discipline of celibacy, had disappointed the cardinal. Faskins had worked hard to make sure that Carmody would become the bishop of the diocese of the colonial planet of Wildenwooly. He had fought a political battle with those who believed that Carmody was too unorthodox in his methods of carrying out Christian policies. None questioned the orthodoxy of his belief; it was the offhand, or freehand, way he acted that was in doubt. Was it suitable that such an “eccentric”—one of the kinder words used—should wear the mitre of a bishop?

Then, when Carmody had seemed to be in, he had married and thus removed himself from consideration. And the accusations of his enemies seemed to be vindicated. But the cardinal had never directly reproached Carmody.

Now, John Carmody wondered if the cardinal was not using this “betrayal” as a lever? Or did he himself just feel so guilty about it that he was projecting?

Faskins glanced at the pale yellow letters flashing on the screen at the end of the great room. “You have two hours to get ready,” he said. “You’ll have to start now if you’re going to get to the port on time.”

He became silent, his gaze remaining on the clock.

Carmody laughed softly and said, “What can I do? I’m not being ordered, just told I must volunteer. Very well. I’ll do it. You knew I would. And I’ll get started packing. But I have to tell A

Faskins shifted uneasily. “The life of a priest isn’t always an easy one. She knew that.”

“I know she knows it!” Carmody said fiercely. “She told me what you said to her after I asked for permission to marry. You painted a black picture indeed!”

“I’m sorry, John,” Faskins replied with a slight smile. “Reality is sometimes not golden.”

“Yes. And you’re noted for your reticence—‘Few Phrases’ Faskins, they call you— but you talked up a tornado with her.”

“Again I’m sorry.”

“Forget it,” Carmody said. “It’s done. I’m not the least bit sorry about A

He hesitated, then went on, “She’s pregnant, too. That’s another reason why I hate to give her this shock.”

The cardinal said nothing. Carmody muttered. “Excuse me. I’ll only be about ten minutes packing. I’ll phone A

The cardinal, unable to repress his alarm, stood up.

“I don’t think I should be with you, John. You two should be alone for a while, and the only time you’ll have will be on the ride to the port.”

“Nothing doing,” the priest said. “You’ re going to suffer along with me. Anyway, I don’t intend to be alone. A

The cardinal shrugged. Carmody poured another Scotch for him and went to the bedroom. He unfolded a suitcase and threw it on the bed. One small case would be enough for him. A

He continued to pack, not wishing to waste any time and knowing that she would soon respond to his call. But when all his clothes were packed, and he noted that ten minutes had passed, he began to worry. He activated the large phone on the table by the bed and spoke Mrs. Rougon’s code number. She answered at once. On seeing him, her plump face brightened. “Father John! I was just about to call you! I mean, A

“She’s not here.”

“Maybe she took her caller off for some reason and forgot to put it back on. You know how she is, a little absentminded sometimes, especially since she’s been thinking about the baby. Oh, good heavens, Alice is crying! I have to go now! But do call back when you find A

Carmody at once phoned Rheinkord’s Fashion Shop. The clerk told him that Mrs. Carmody had left about fifteen minutes ago.

“Did she by any chance say where she was going?”

“Yes, Father. She did mention she was going to the hospital for a minute. She wanted to give some comfort to Mr. Augusta; she said he hasn’t been doing very well since his accident.”

Carmody sighed relief and said, “Thank you very much.” He called the Way Station of St. Jairus and got immediate attention. The monitor looked a little awed at seeing the founder of the hospital himself.

“Mrs. Carmody left five minutes ago, Father. No, she didn’t say where she was going.”

Carmody called Mrs. Rougonback. “You’ll have to forego your chat, I’m afraid. Tell my wife she’s to call me immediately; it’s very important.”

He disco

There was the possibility that a thief had taken the caller, since men stole even now in a land of plenty, always for a reason sufficient to them.

He returned to his packing. A

The first case filled and shut, he started on the second. The phone rang. He dropped the blouse he was folding. Eagerly, he spoke the activating code and walked up to the screen even though it was not necessary. He liked to be close to anybody he talked to, even if over a phone, and especially he wanted nearness with A

The face of a city policeman appeared. Carmody grunted, and his belly shrank inward as if a knife had struck it.

“Sergeant Lewis, Father,” the policeman said. “I’m sorry... but I have bad news... about your wife.”

Carmody did not reply. He stared at the heavy craggy face of Lewis, noting at the same time, with complete irrelevance, that a bushfly was buzzing about Lewis’ head. He thought, We’ll never get rid of them. All of 22nd-century science is at hand, yet bushflies and other creeping, crawling creatures multiply themselves and divide our attentions, despite all human efforts. “...Her tattoo was blown off, so we can’t officially identify her, even if her face is recognizable, and she’s been identified by some of her friends who were there,” the sergeant was saying. “I’m terribly sorry, but you will have to come down and make it official.”

Carmody said, “What?” and then the policeman’s words sank home. A