'Vicar, I have news. A man died in the hospital. At first sight it looked like a natural death, but I'm sure it was euthanasia. Unfortunately the angel of death slipped through my fingers but now I'm on the scent. I may even have a name. I know how they operate ...'
Hearing unusual sounds from behind the grille, Salazar broke off. He noticed that the curtain on the other side was half drawn. He glimpsed something glittering, then heard the click of a gun being loaded. He threw himself out of the confessional just as three bullets fired from a pistol with a silencer hissed through the brass grating and sank into the marquetry, splintering carved putti and garlands as they did so.