By the fourth week since the priest’s disappearance, Isabel’s unease deepened as the police swarmed the church, questioning the nuns and those close to him.

Now, it was Adriana’s turn to face the scrutiny, and Isabel held her breath, recalling their earlier conversation.

“We need a story,” Isabel had insisted.

Adriana looked pale and exhausted. “What do I tell the cops?”

“Tell them you helped me put the youngsters to bed, then assisted with the manure disposal before freshening up in my bathroom and heading to bed,” Isabel suggested, trying to sound confident.

Given Adriana's illness, her questioning would likely be brief, but Isabel wanted her prepared for anything.

“Fine,”...