Chapter 25: Horse Hooves and Hushed Whispers, Part 2

Very interesting conversation-I look forward to the next installment.

“Military vehicles mostly. Ships, planes, that sort of thing.” He began to feel uneasy.

Sensing the Colonel’s uneasiness, Sister Helena asked, “Do I need to change the subject, sir,” she asked.

“General Carter often talks about a Tam Cresswell in her speeches, especially to new mentors. It's possible her Tam and your Tam are the same person.”

“We'll have to ask General Carter when we get an opportunity,” said Sister Helena.

“Indeed!” said Colonel Larkin.

“May I ask you a question, sir?”

“Sure,” replied Colonel Larkin.

“What kind of jazz do you like to listen to?” The Carmelite asked.

“Oh, lots, the Colonel replied. “‘Afro Blue’ by John Coltrane is one of my favorites along with ‘Lullaby of Birdland’ by Chris Cortez, and ‘I Like Jersey Best’ by John Pizzarelli. I would say that John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and John Pizzarelli are my favorite artists.”

“I see,” said Sister Helena.

“After a hard day at work, I like to relax with a little jazz music, a glass of whiskey and some wood carving.”

“You do?” said Sister Helena. “What do you like to carve?”

“Not really, sir. We have a set regimen that, in my opinion is not too dissimilar from military life. We have a set schedule that we follow each day. Instead of bugles we have bells and clappers,” replied Sister Helena.

“I see,” said Colonel Larkin.

“My guide in the monastery was also in the Air Force herself. She served in Desert Storm.” “She must have had a lot of daring missions that she shared with you.”

“Indeed, she did,” Sister Helena replied. “She often talked about training a young and brilliant astrophysicist but never knew what became of her after the war.”

“What was your mentor's name?” Colonel Larkin asked.

“Sister Marie Evangeline of the Eucharist,” Sister Helena replied. But she quickly realized that that name would mean nothing to him. “Tamara Cresswell—she went by Tam.”

“Agreed,” said the Carmelite. The two set out on their mission. They started making their way through the village. They glanced through the village shops and took a quick peek inside the village tavern, The Black Labrador, before making a survey of the monastery and the church. With not much of the village left to see, Colonel Larkin and Sister Helena went up to the ramparts to have a look around. After making their observations, they decended and went outside the village.

Colonel Larkin measured off one kilometer with a range finder and pointed to where they needed to go. Sister Helena nodded, and they set out. They remained silent until they started their encircling of Eversham.

“So, Sister, I bet the transition from being in the military to being a nun must have been difficult for you.”