Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

consequences!" he said angrily through clenched teeth.She looked up at him, his eyes now aflame with contempt. She made no attemptto engage him."Haven't you anything to say?" he growled."There's nothing to say.""There's plenty to say!""I know how you feel about him, Father, but—""How could you know how I feel about anyone," he interrupted her again,"especially him?""I'm sorry. I misspoke.""You're responsible for a great deal more than a poor choice of words," heaccused. "I've never met such an uncaring soul in all my years. You've done nothing butridicule him since you've been here, and now we're supposed to accept your remorse asgenuine and not self-serving? Are we really supposed to sense grief after what you didthe other evening? Tell me, how are you planning to use this latest incident against him?"The old priest's words pierced her through the heart. No anger welled up insideher, only shame. She stood before him spirit-less, and made no effort to defend herself.Andrew beheld her, an implacable expression on his wizened face."I know you must have suffered in some way to become so spiteful," hecontinued, "but you aren't the only person who has experienced great hurt. You have noidea, not that you would actually care, what this man has endured in his short life. Yetthrough it all, he's clung to his faith, consciously refusing the path you've trodden foryears. God forgive me for saying it, but it seems far more just for you to be suffering thanhim.""I'd like to see him now," she said quietly, and turned to-ward the door."I'm not through," Father Benedict warned, grabbing her arm tightly. She stopped,refusing to look him in the eye."Listen very closely to me, Dr. Kelley, because what I have to say won't berepeated. Do I have your undivided attention?" he asked, yanking her in his direction. Shefixed her gaze on him and shook her arm free of his grasp."Good," he said contemptibly. "If I so much as hear a single unkind word directedat him from your mouth, I swear by my calling I'll make you pay for it dearly. You maytake me lightly, young lady, but you do so at your own peril," he threatened, drawingcloser to her. "There is much more to me than meets the eye. You would do well toremember that.""I will," she said edgily, taken back by his demeanor."Don't be so surprised, Doctor," he said, noting her startled gaze. "It isn't that Ienjoy wasting my time on revenge; I'm simply devoted to his welfare. I suspect you'llnever comprehend how important he is to the future. Brian Scott is worth a little extratime in purgatory. You, on the other hand, are not."Father Benedict abruptly turned and walked away, leaving Melissa alone outsideBrian's door. She sighed, a feeling of disgrace filling her as she watched the priestdisappear around a corner. Her shame was momentarily pushed aside by the realizationthat Andrew had left the area unescorted. She looked at the MP, whose gaze was rivetedon her, and shrugged it off. There was no question who was under more suspicion of late.226