“Her late husband Kade left behind a tangle of corporate debts and bank accounts that our board is still trying to sort out.”

“She asked me to see to her spiritual care while she’s here,” I said.

“You stick to reading scripture and giving communion,” Arthur said, his voice falling into the quiet tone he used when threatening a commercial foreclosure.

“Don’t meddle in her estate or sit in on her family’s legal meetings.”

“She’s an old friend, Arthur,” I said.

“She’s a dying woman with complicated financial liabilities,” he said, getting up and tugging his overcoat straight across his chest.

“If you start poking through her family papers, you’ll put this parish in a very awkward spot with the town bank trustees.”