In the summer of 1944, Leslie Atwater -- feeling abandoned by his lover Edward -- rushes to London to enlist in the armed services. After failing the physical, he retreats to the sanctuary of St. Michael’s rectory and to the love and support of his brother Robert.<br><br>When a bomb explodes near St. Andrew’s Home for Boys, it unearths a skeleton of an adolescent. As Leslie, Edward, and Robert set about identifying the remains, the shocking discovery stirs up an old antagonism between the two brothers and brings to light a string of repressed memories for Leslie.<br><br>With the truth obscured by the passage of years, can Leslie and Edward sift through the lies and subterfuge to track down the coldhearted killer of a kindred spirit?

Kindred Spirit

“Maybe. But what if Bertie did have a slight problem, a limp, maybe even used a cane from time to time?”


“Okay, but we should at least verify this from the aunt, find out if Bertie’s off living the good life, married, with children, or even…has a partner like you have.


“He certainly acted like one of us.”


“Could be, but a lot of children experiment sexually. It’s—”


“Part of growing up. Yes, I knew you’d say that.” Leslie rubbed the stubble on his chin and realized he’d forgotten to shave. “By the way, did you experimentin those dark little seminary cells?”


Leslie smirked. “You seem to have your finger on the pulse of everything.”


“I’m definitely not a know-it-all. I listen to people. Try to be open-minded. Do the best I can with what I have.” Robert tapped the side of his head with a finger, then took a large swallow and finished his lager. “Time to head home.”


Chapter 24