A Grave Deception

By Don McKeon

A Grave Deception is a fictional spoof involving a kooky Vatican plot to bury a controversial church figure in a small town parish cemetery in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The covert operation takes place under the cover of darkness, and involves the local parish priest and his sidekick, a retired school teacher who specializes in genealogical research.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Don McKeon
• Release date: Sep 7, 2021

Book preview

A Grave Deception

Donald J. McKeon

Contents

Preface

A Grave Deception

References

Preface

A Grave Deception is a fictional, short story spoof

about finding a secret resting place in a graveyard

cemetery for the cremains of a late, true-life

controversial figure whose ancestors are

distantly related to the author.

*For information on how to obtain a paperback copy of this

book, please contact the author, Don McKeon at...

[e-mail]

The story was all over the Sunday papers, but Dorothy Kallighan was much too absorbed in self-pity to pay attention to it. She had been at loose ends lately, ever since the local school board ended her forty-year teaching career through a particular buyout clause in her contract.

The move completely blind-sided her and was nothing more than a sad example of ageism that served no purpose other than to be blatantly discriminatory against older employees. Nevertheless, the fix was in, and Dorothy accepted it...a decision she later regretted.

Later that morning, at Mass, Dorothy sat in a pew in the center of St. John the Evangelist Church and contemplated her future.

For some reason, she had always thought she could adjust quickly to any change in lifestyle. But now, she realized that she could only withstand the loneliness of her personal life by finding refuge in the comfort and familiarity of work.

Dorothy sighed and took in a deep breath to calm herself. It’s in your hands, Lord, she prayed. You take over.

After the final blessing, a small crowd of people gathered inside the church’s rear vestibule, gossiping. It was the one thing Dorothy had no use for, so she waved a quick goodbye and escaped through one of the side doors.

Outside, the sky was clouding over, yet it felt warmer and more humid than ever. For a moment, the stillness seemed as tangible in its oppressiveness as the noonday air, and Dorothy could feel the heaviness as she walked toward her tidy little house a few blocks away.

A fine dew of perspiration stood out on her cheeks and forehead as she strolled up the wooden stairs, strutting confidently onto the porch while pausing briefly to wipe away the sweat and search for her house key.

Once inside, Dorothy laid her purse down on the antique roll-top desk in the living room, turned on the air conditioner, and plopped down in her favorite recliner to cool off.

Ah! Immediately, she pushed back and propped up her feet. The air left her lungs in a relieved sigh as cool healing energy coursed through her entire body.

Then, being very comfortable, Dorothy kicked off her shoes and decided to take a quick nap. However, just as she began to doze, her cell phone’s ringtone went off, playing her favorite tune.

Dorothy lay there, tiredly shaking her head, and moaned. Talking on the phone was the last thing she wanted to do, but she snapped herself awake and answered it anyway.

Hello, Dorothy Kallighan here, she said in a tight voice. Who is this?

Dorothy, it’s Father O’Neill. I hope I’m not disturbing you.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Dorothy apologized for her terse response and mentioned something about robocalls and scam artists.

Father O’Neill laughed and coughed at the same time.

Well, I can promise you I’m not trying to sell you anything, but I do have an ulterior motive for my phone call.

Dorothy climbed out of the recliner and began pacing the room. Like what? she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Father O’Neill was a man of some importance in the community, a hometown boy known for his incisive mind and practicality. But he also had a dark, dry sense of humor with a penchant for making provocative statements.

"I’ll get right to the point. I’m looking