What happened?""I made some calls, as I promised. It seems you're poison with the Jesuits right now, my friend.""You mean, because of what happened to you?""Yeah, afraid so. You know that I don't hold you responsible for what happened. We've already had that conversation.""Yes, and thank you.""But apparently Strubeck does blame you. Before he went into the hospice, he apparently told anybody who'd listen that you'd conned me into performing an exorcism, then failed to exercise prudence during the ritual.""In other words, I got you into it, then I let go of the girl's arm because I had to scratch my ass, and you lost your sight as a result.""Yeah, something like that. You know that's total bullshit, and I know it's total bullshit. But Strubeck's not taking any calls. Apparently the cancer was further advanced than first thought, and he's in kind of bad shape right now.""Sorry to hear that, even under the circumstances.""I also wonder how much of this stems from Strubeck's desire, unconscious or not, to free himself from whatever responsibility he may bear in this mess.""Think that's possible?""I do.
