It was unusual for Monsignor Palmer, the Prior of St. James Parish to ask Reverend Father Dexter for a meeting at this time of the night. And in an abandoned Park no less. They have never been close. The few times Fr. Dexter had encountered his senior colleague were in official settings such as the yearly Chrism Masses at the Cathedral, Archdiocesan Priestly meetings, Ordination Ceremonies, and so forth. Thus, getting a call from him at about 11:23 pm for a meeting in this part of town was all shades of suspicious. He entered through a small gate, hidden by overgrown shrubs as instructed over the phone, and turned on his torchlight. It fell on the Monsignor dressed in black from head to toe with black gloves.

"Welcome Padre" Monsignor Palmer said in a low-pitched voice.

"Hmm... Padre?" Fr. Dexter thought: I can't remember hearing any priest of this Archdiocese use Padre. "Good evening Monsignor" Dexter replied.

"Thank you for honoring my request to meet on such short notice and in so odd a place" the Monsignor continued, "it was necessary for your safety."

"My safety?" asked Dexter.

"Oh yes, for your .... safety, Interfector!" immediately Monsignor Palmer said this, he moved towards Dexter with the swiftness of a Cheetah and landed a left hook on his right rib cage.

"You always let your guard down Interfector?" teased Monsignor Palmer as he followed his first action with a right front kick.

"Your blood is tainted, Malefactor; I could sense it from a mile away. I was hoping it was something lurking in the shadows; not you. But then again, you are right! My senses must have been dulled from a lack of hunting your monstrous clan." As Dexter said this he plucked a Shuriken from out of thin air and hurled it at the Monsignor, who dodged and hurled an Onzil towards him. It hit Dexter in the neck throwing him to the ground. He tried to get back up but fell back to the ground. He felt his wound and smelt the blood on his hand. He had been poisoned!! Monsignor Palmer walked towards him to deliver the death blow.

"Who sent you? asked Dexter. "Do me the honor before sending me to my ancestors."

Monsignor Palmer gave a wry smile and answered: "Donohue! But I believe you call him Archbishop William!"

Shock spread over Dexter's face. Surely his superior cannot be a Malefactor; impossible! "Why?" he demanded.

"I believe you can ask him yourself," Monsignor said as he bowed slightly towards the shadow that emerged from the dark.

"You have done well Malefactor. For a while, I had my doubts that you would be able to take him down. Well done!" It was the voice of the Archbishop, who Dexter sensed when he entered the Park.

"Goodbye Interfector", the Archbishop intoned. "I will enjoy presiding over your requiem very much". With these words, Monsignor Palmer sunk an invisible Wakizashi into Dexter.

"Pater in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum" Dexter said before closing his eyes.

----------------------------------------END OF SCENE---------------------------------