Crime & Punishment Pt. 04

Saul left the Church last passing under Tiffany's vision of the kingdom of heaven in stained glass at the back of the Church. Laura had not been present, having been sent to San Francisco on important firm business thus avoiding the awkward possibility of her husband being at the service. However, as Saul passed through the Church vestibule or narthex shaking the Priests hand and thanking him, he caught sight of Steven Fitzgerald standing on the Church steps.

"Good afternoon Mr. Fitzgerald how good of you to come, but I'm somewhat surprised considering," Saul said.

"The man was a client, if only briefly, Mr. Solomon—and please Foxy will do," Steven replied breaking into a small smile as if laughing at himself.

"Well then you must call me Sal," Solomon replied.

"Sal it is then. I'm just waiting for my wife she's picking me up," Fitzgerald said.

"Yes my wife Martha's gone to get our Lincoln," Saul said.

"Ah much more practical than a Mercedes sport's car, but you know my wife Susan I believe?" Steve replied.

"Yes, a most beautiful woman. You are very fortunate," Saul said.

"Yes, on these occasions one must appreciate one's blessings."

Saul though a moment then decided he had to ask, even though he was sure he would receive no answer. "Some still believe that Frank met with foul play—what's your opinion?" he asked.

Steven reflected a moment then spoke very seriously. "Well I see Frank's actions as a series of unfortunate miscalculations that led to a tragic result. Every action has a consequence. It's troubling how these consequences are not always foreseeable," Steven said.

"But surely when you take on much stronger opponents losing must be predictable."

"Spoken as a man of perception who has had to navigate the rocky shoals of life. A good Jewish boy from Brooklyn who has used his brains to rise in the world and obtain the good life with his Goya wife," Steven was virtually smirking as he said this.

"So he underestimated you Foxy. For it was the act of a fox not a wolf," Saul replied letting what he suspected out.

Steven smiled, "A guess without evidence."

"Tell me did the wolf arrive before or after that priest raped you?" Saul said, some of the rage he felt overtaking him. If Steven Fitzgerald was upset he did not show it.

"Sort of in between," he replied then continued, "You should have seen his face. He'd picked a location where no one could hear my screams, but Pat is the protective sort. Of course once that temper of his is truly lost he goes from merely dangerous to deadly. Lucky someone heard the priest's cries," Steven said without emotion.

"I would say Foxy you're just as deadly when you want to be," Saul said.

"A fox must live by his wits not his passions. Only what is necessary. As I said actions have consequences—but my ride has arrived," he said taking his leave.

Saul watched the late model Mercedes sport coupe pull away from the curb to be replaced by his wife's Lincoln Towncar. He walked wearily to the passenger door. As he seated himself in the car Martha turned to him.

"Something wrong Sal, you don't look well?" she said.

"I'm fine, just been trying to purge my sins," he said still feeling guilty about what had happened to the foolish Frank Patterson. You should be very careful before you touch a man like Sullivan's wife. If you get away in one piece you should count yourself lucky. To strike back was suicidal. If it hadn't been Fitzgerald it would have been someone else. Still Saul felt that guilt.

Martha looked over at her husband: "Well it was a very fine service you should be proud. Too bad Laura and that nice husband of hers were not here," she said and Saul smiled at his wife.