Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery

He's in here, but we can't find him.

Officer, what's the situation?

Is everyone out of the building?

Move out on the double.

Move! Move it! Let's go, let's go!

Roger that.

(officers conversing indistinctly)

Show me the problem.

This way.

I want you to take a look at this, okay?

Now, he's threatening to burn the place down, okay?

Now, here it comes.

This is what he keeps repeating.

What the hell is that? A maniac.

Now, he's in this building,

and he's gonna try and burn it down.

- Who is Andy Moore? - How the hell do I know?

The maniac, maybe.

Look, try and find him, will you?

Lieutenant, I think I got him.

I'm talking to you from City Hall,

where a young man, Andy Moore,

demanding the identity of his actual parents

has been arrested for disrupting the Hall of Records.

Moore, the brilliant young creative director of Titan Toys,

just this year became

one of the richest young executives in America.

"None of it is worth it," Moore was quoted as saying,

"if I don't know who I am."

He isn't getting anywhere.

That's good.

Are you sure?

Father Dowling, your parish account is overdrawn.

Well, according to my records, though,

we should be just fine.

Here, see for yourself.

Father, you haven't filled in all the stubs.

Hmm?

Oh, you know, you're right.

That certainly would account for the missing money, wouldn't it?

When you write a check, Father, you have to fill in the stub.

Oh, that's good advice.

Oh, uh, about these overdrafts?

You think you could cover them for me?

Temporarily, of course.

Father, an habitually overdrawn account

is a very serious problem.

Uh, would you excuse me for just a minute, please?

Uh, pardon me.

Yes, Father?

I, uh, think there's a man on line

who intends to rob the bank.

What?! Who?

Fourth one in line.

I noticed him when he came in.

And he didn't fill out that withdrawal slip.

Well, some people, Father,

like for the teller to fill it out for them.

I'll keep an eye on him, Father.

Thanks just the same.

Look.

See, he's keeping his hand in his pocket,

and he's got something very heavy in there.

Could be anything.

There, you see?

He keeps patting it back in place.

I really think you should try and stop him.

Hold it! Hold it right there!

Very nicely done.

Now, about those checks I've written...

How did you know?

He looked like anyone.

Oh, well, you know, detective stories are my passion,

and I suppose that's why I have

this odd way of looking at things.

But about those checks...

Father Dowling, don't give it a second thought.

The bank will be happy to honor the checks,

and you'll make it up as soon as you can.

Oh, that's very nice of you.

Thank you so much.

Good day.

As soon as we get enough people together,

we're gonna organize that bus tour, Mr. Farnsworth.

All right?

So you take care of yourself, now.

Be careful.

How'd it go at the bank?

We're overdrawn.

How did it go at the soccer game?

We're overmatched.

You know, if we don't get a decent goalie by next week,

we might as well cancel the game.

You what Father Farino, over at St. John's, does?

What?

His goalie's a ringer.

Now, we don't know that.

We do know that.

He's an upperclassman from public school.

Steve, we can't cheat, no matter who else does.

The important thing is how you play the game.

Well, that's fine, as long as we win.

Sister Stephanie, I do not hold lunch.

Oh, yes, Marie, I-I'm sorry.

It just took longer at the bank than I anticipated.

Father Hunnaker was always on time for everything.

You could set your watch by him.

Well, I'm off.

Oh, you may find something in the icebox.

Beam her up, Lord.

Charity, Steve.

If Marie prefers my predecessor, that's her right.

Father Hunnaker died 15 years ago.

Well, some people take longer to adjust than others.

Lord knows, she may be right.

You can hardly set your calendar by me.

Knights of Columbus dinner tonight, don't forget.

Oh, really? Tonight, is it?

Yep.

And it's a fund-raiser, Frank.

You got to get in there and make them give you money.

I hate raising money, and I do it so badly.

Well, you just gotta do it.

I mean, the Bishop's not gonna give us any more.

And what are we supposed to cut, soccer?

Senior citizen outings?

Yeah, I know, I know.

I'll do it.

- It's just that... - (phone ringing)

St. Michael's Rectory.

Yeah, he is.

Hold on.

It's the cops.

The police.

The cops.

Father Dowling here.

Yes.

Andy Moore, yes I know who he is.

Wants to talk to me?

He what?!

Oh, good Lord.

I'll be right there.

Steve, you have to drive me.

What's up?

Wait up!

What's going on?

Young fellow named Andy Moore.

He came to see me last year.

So, what about him?

He's out on a ledge.

He's threatening to kill himself.

Well, in that case, we better get there fast.

Steve!

We're almost there, Frank.

Frank?

We're here, Frank.

An unqualified miracle.

On my list of things to do,

I must put "learn to drive" at the top.

I'm Father Dowling.

Over here, Father.

Could everyone move back, please?

He's very nervous.

So am I.

- (siren wailing) - Oh... dear.

Father Dowling.

You wanted to talk to me, Andy?

I mean, most people just call me on the phone

or drop by the rectory.

My real parents are out there somewhere, Father.

Let them come forward, or they lose a son.

Oh, now, Andy, you don't mean that.

Now, come on inside. I'm freezing.

- I'm not going back in there. - Andy, no!

- (onlookers screaming) - Good heavens, don't do that!

I'm all right.

Don't worry about me.

I'll go when I'm ready.

You're not supposed to go until God's ready.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I don't mean to lecture you,

- it's just that... - Father!

I've never done this, and I'm not used to this.

Well, just relax.

Now... now, take it easy.

Take a deep breath.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

What about you?

Me?

Who am I? I'm not Andy Moore.

I don't know who I am.

Your adoptive parents loved you, Andy.

But they're dead. I want my real parents.

If I don't get them, I don't care about myself.

That's the truth, Father. If you knew anything, you'd...

Oh, no, no, look, look,

I-I-I promise you that we'll get the word out

to everybody that was on the parish roles 22 years ago.

And I'll work with you until we find your parents.