Peter Haase

The Bells of St. Luke Peter Haase

The Bells of St. Luke - The Riverpoint crimes. Is Vince Ruperti a murderer? He doesn't believe so, but he is a deeply disturbed individual with a severe personality disorder. He hates Father Dominic, who molested him at an early age, and he wishes him dead. But is he capable of murder? The priest dies in a fall from a ladder while winding the ancient clock in the bell tower of St. Luke, and the investigation reveals that it was no accident. Vince is put on trial and found not guilty by reason of diminished mental capacity. After a short term in a mental institution, psychiatric evaluation deems him rehabilitated and he returns to his job as associate professor at the State College. When he discovers that Christine, his only friend since kindergarten, is involved in a sexual relationship with Sebastian, the new young priest, Vince is determined to put a stop to it. Father Sebastian is found bludgeoned to death and again Vince Ruperti is implicated. Although he never admits, even to himself, that he committed a crime, neither the psychologist nor his lawyer can save him from imprisonment in a penitentiary for the criminally insane. Behind bars, wracked by recurring phases of delusion alternating with sanity, confusion and paranoia, he determines to end it all. Will he find a way, in an institution where no sharp objects or blunt instruments, not even a belt or shoe laces are to be found?