Legion

Kinderman entered the cell and pulled the door shut softly behind him. A naked light bulb hung from a wire in the center of the ceiling. Its filaments were weak and it cast a saffron glow on the room. Kinderman glanced at the white washbasin. A faucet was dripping, one slow drop at a time. In the silence their sound was heavy and distinct. Kinderman walked toward the cot and then stopped.

"It's taken you a long time to get here," said a voice. It was low and had whispers at its edge. It was sardonic.

Kinderman looked puzzled. The voice seemed familiar. Where had he heard it before? he wondered. "Mister Sunlight?" he said.

The man raised his head and when Kinderman loked at the dark, rugged features he staggered backward a step in shock. "My God!" he gasped. His heart began to race.

The patient's mouth was cracked in a grin. "It's a wonderful life," he leered, "don't you think?"

...Kinderman looked up from the file. "Were you here when this man was brought in?" he asked sharply.

"Yes."

"Search your memory, please. Doctor Temple. What was he wearing?"

"Jesus Christ, that was such a long time ago."

"Can you remember?"

"No."

"Were there signs of any injuries? Bruises? Lacerations?"

"That would be in the file," said Temple.

"It is not in the file! It is not!" The detective slapped the file on the desk with each "not."

"Hey, take it easy."

Kinderman stood up. "Have you or any nurse told the man in Cell Twelve about Father Dyer's murder?"

"I haven't. Why the hell would we tell him that?"

"Ask the nurses," Kinderman told him grimly. "Ask them. I want to know the answer by morning."

Kinderman turned and strode from the room. He walked up to Atkins. "I want you to check with Georgetown University," he said. "There was a priest there, Father Damien Karras. See if they still have his medical records, and also his dental records as well. Also, call Father Riley. I want him to come over here right now."

Atkins stared quizzically into Kinderman's haunted eyes. The detective answered his unspoken question. "Father Karras was a friend of mine," said Kinderman. "Twelve years ago he died. He fell down the Hitchcock Steps to the bottom. I attended his funeral," he said. "I just saw him. He is here in this ward in a straitjacket."

Legion - William Peter Blatty