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Chapter 97
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Just for two weeks Chapter 98
The turboprop was just passing over the twinkling lights when Myositis hung up on Romano for the second time. He reached for the sick-call bag again and felt too drained even to be sick. Hoping everything would just be over.Romano's newest update seemed unfathomable, and yet almost nothing tonight made sense anymore. Everything had spiraled wildly out of control. On shaky legs, Myositis walked to the cockpit. "I need to change my destination."The pilot glanced over his shoulder and laughed. "You must be joking, right?""No. I have to go to London immediately.""Father, this is a charter flight, not a taxi.""I will pay you handsomely, of course. How much? It is only one hour farther north and requires almost no change of direction, so-""It is not a question of money, there are other issues.""Ten thousand euros. Right now."The pilot turned, his eyes wide with shock. "How much? What kind of priest carries that kind of cash?"Myositis walked back to his black briefcase, opened it, a
Just for two weeks Chapter 99
McEwan felt a wild excitement as she cradled the cryptex and began dialing in the letters. Jimmy and Rodriguez seemed to have stopped breathing as they looked on."Carefully," Rodriguez urged. "Ever so carefully."McEwan aligned the final dial. "Okay," she whispered, glancing up at the others. "I'm going to pull it apart.""Remember the vinegar," Jimmy whispered with fearful exhilaration. "Be mindful."McEwan said that if this cryptex were like those she had opened, all she would need to do is grip the cylinder at both ends, just beyond the dials, and pull, applying slowly, steady pressure in opposite directions. If the dials were properly aligned with the password, the one of the ends would slide off, much like a lens cap, and she could reach inside and remove the rolled document, which would be wrapped around the vial of vinegar. However, if the password they had entered were incorrect. McEwan's outward force on the ends would be transferred to a hinged lever inside, which would shi
Just for two weeks Chapter 100
The Gizmogo is on final approach.John Spitz - Executive service officer at the airport - paced the control tower, craning nervously at the rain-drenched runway. He never appreciated being woken up early in the morning, but it was particularly distasteful that he had been called in to oversee the arrest of one of his most lucrative clients. Sir Albert Rodriguez paid them not only for a private hangar but a "per landing fee" for his frequent arrival and departures. Usually the airfield had advance warning of his schedule and was able to follow a strict protocol for his arrival. Rodriguez liked things just so. The custom-built Jaguar stretched limousine that he kept in his hand was to be fully gassed and polished. A customs official was to be waiting for the plane at the hangar to expedite the mandatory documentation and luggage check. Occasionally, customs accepted large tips from Rodriguez in exchange for turning a blind eye to the transport of harmless organics - mostly luxury foods
Just for two weeks Chapter 101
Sterling street? Jimmy asked, eyeing Rodriguez in the back of the limousine. So far, Rodriguez was being playfully cagey about where he thought they would find this tomb which, according to the poem, would provide a password to opening the smaller cryptex. Rodriguez grinned and turned to McEwan. "Miss McEwan, give the Harvard boy one more shot at the verse, will you?" McEwan searched in her pocket and pulled out the cryptex, which was wrapped in the parchment. Everyone had decided to leave the rosewood box and the larger cryptex behind in the plane's strongbox, carrying with them only what was needed, the far more portable and discreet cryptex. McEwan unwrapped the parchment and handed the sheet to Jimmy.Although Jimmy had read the poem several times onboard the jet, he had been unable to extract any specific location. Now, as he read the words again, he proceeded them slowly and carefully, hoping the rhythms would reveal a clearer meaning now that he was on the ground. Despit
Just for two weeks Chapter 102
In an alley very close to the Solemn church, Scott Beardsley pulled the Jaguar stretched limousine to a stop behind a row of industrial waste bins. Killing the engine, he checked the area. Deserted. He got out of the car, walked toward the rear, and climbed back into the limo's main cabin where the monk was. Sensing Beardsley's presence, the monk in the back emerged from a spiritual-like trance, his eyes looking more curious than fearful. All evening Beardsley had been impressed with this trussed man's ability to stay calm. After some initial struggles in the Porsche, the monk seemed to have accepted his plight and handed over his fate to a higher power. Loosening his bow tie, Beardsley unbuttoned his high, starched, wing-tipped collar and felt as if he could breathe for the first time in decades. He went to the limousine's wet bar, where he poured himself vodka. He drank it in a single swallow and followed it with a second glass. Searching the bar, Beardsley found a standard s
Just for two weeks Chapter 103
Each of the carved knights with the church lay on his back with his head resting on a rectangular stone pillow. McEwan felt a chill. The poem's reference to an "orb" conjured images of the night in her grandfather's basement. Forcing the image from her mind, she advanced with Jimmy and Rodriguez toward the first group of knights. Despite Rodriguez's insistence that their investigation should be conducted cautiously, McEwan felt eager and pushed ahead of them, making a cursory Walk-through of the five knights on the left. Examining these first tombs, McEwan noted the similarities and differences between them. Every knight was on his back, but three of the knights had their legs extended straight out while two had their legs crossed. The strangeness seemed to have no importance to the missing orb. Examining their clothing, she noted that the two knights wore tunics over their armor, while the other three wore ankle-length robes. Again, utterly helpful. McEwan turned her attention to th
Just for two weeks Chapter 104
Beardsley was stunned. "And you know the tombs' whereabouts?""Of course. Later, I will tell you. For the moment, you must act quickly. If others figure out the true location of the tomb and leave the church before you take the cryptex, we could lose everything."Beardsley didn't give a damn about the cryptex and its contents, except the Teacher refused to pay him until it was found. Beardsley every time thought of the money he would soon have. He had pictured the beach town he saw on TV. Where he planned to live out his days basking in the sun and letting others serve him for a change.Now, however, in the church, in which Jimmy threatened to break the Archstone, Beardsley's future was at risk. Unable to bear the thought of coming this close only to lose everything, he made the decision to take bold action. The gun in his hand was a concealable small- caliber, but it would be seriously deadly at close range.Stepping from the shadows, Beardsley marched into the circular chamber and a
Just for two weeks Chapter 105
In Château Sunnyvale's fireplace in the drawing room Suslowicz paced as he read the faxes from Interpol. Not at all what he expected.Fombellida Alexandra, according to official records, was a model citizen. No police record - not even a parking ticket. Educated, he had a degree in international finance. Interpol said Alexandra's name appeared in the newspaper from time to time, but always in a positive light. Apparently the man had helped design the security parameters that kept the bank a leader in ultramodern world of electronic security. Alexandra's credit card records showed a penchant for art books, expensive wine, and classical CD's-which he apparently enjoyed on an exceptionally high-end stereo system he had bought several years ago.Suslowicz sighed.The only red flag tonight from Interpol had been a set of fingerprints that apparently belonged to Rodriguez's manservant. The chief examiner was reading the report in a comfortable chair across the room.Suslowicz looked over. "
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Just for two weeks Chapter 116
Jason was receiving an award for his book that he'd published and Jimmy was in the city, so he did the best thing he could before running off to Florence. It has been a long time since he'd been around but the event that had unfolded recently had taught him to spend more time with family. Encaenia took place in the Sheldonian - a long and rambling ceremony conducted in Latin for six distinguished persons though, in Lola's mind, this was a celebration mainly for Jason. At last, he was receiving the recognition he deserved. After the ceremony, she stood and watched him with pride as he mingled with guests. She had met Jason briefly before the ceremony and they had hugged, but hardly spoken; too many people and not enough time. She thought at first that it was perhaps the way it should be, with no time for sentimentalism, but no, she decided that it was not the way it should be. They needed more time. "Do you know all these people?" Malik whispered."No." Lola shook her head, even tho
Just for two weeks Chapter 115
Night had fallen over Shekina. Jimmy stood alone on the porch of the fieldstone house enjoying the sounds of laughter and reunion drifting through the screened door behind him. The mug of coffee in his hand had granted him hazy reprieve from his mounting exhaustion, and yet he sensed the reprieve would be fleeting. The fatigue in his body went to the core. "You slipped out quietly," a voice behind said.He turned. McEwan's grandmother emerged, her silver hair shimmering in the night. Jimmy gave a tired smile. "I thought I'd give your family some time together." Through the window, he could see McEwan talking with her brother. Sophie's grandmother came beside him. "Mr. Jim, when I first heard of Esquibel's murder, I was terrified for McEwan's sake. Seeing her standing in my doorway tonight was the greatest relief of my life. I cannot thank you enough."Jimmy had no idea how to respond. Although he had offered to give McEwan and her grandmother time to talk in private, she had asked
Just for two weeks Chapter 114
"Davis?" McEwan was standing outside the car, looking back at him. "Are you coming?" She was holding the rosewood box, which captain Romano had returned to them. Inside, both cryptex had been reassembled and nested as they had been found. The verse was locked safely at its core - minus the shattered vessel of vinegar.Making their way up the long gravel path, Jimmy and McEwan passed the famous west Wall of the chapel. Casual visitors assumed this oddly protruding wall was a section of the chapel that had not been finished. The truth, Jimmy recalled, was far more intriguing. Shekina chapel's entrance was more modest than Jimmy expected. The small wooden door had two iron hinges. The chapel would be closing soon, and as Jimmy pulled open the door, a warm puff of air escaped, as if the ancient edifice were having a weary sigh at the end of a long day. Entering with McEwan, Jimmy felt his eyes reaching across the famous sanctuary and taking it all in. Although he had read accounts of She
Just for two weeks Chapter 113
The mist had settled low as Amorth limped into a quiet hollow out of sight. Kneeling on the wet grass, he could feel a warm stream of blood flowing from the bullet wound below his ribs. Still, he managed.The fog made it look like heaven here.Raising his bloody hands, he prayed, but most importantly he prayed for his mentor… Myositis… that he would not fade with the sands of time. The fog was swirling around him now, and Amorth felt so light that he was sure the wisps would carry him away. Closing his eyes, he said a final prayer.His pains at last began to fade, and he knew Myositis was right. It was late afternoon when the London sun broke through and the city began to dry. Andrie Romano felt weary as he emerged from the interrogation room and hailed a cab. Sir Albert Rodriguez had noisily proclaimed his innocence, and yet from his loose ranting about the Archstone, secret documents, and mysterious brotherhood, Roman suspected the sly historian was setting the stage for his lawye
Just for two weeks Chapter 112
Myositis's body had endured many kinds of pain, and yet the searing heat of the bullet wound in his chest felt profoundly foreign to him. Deep and grave. Not a wound of the flesh… but closer to the soul. He opened his eyes, trying to see, but the rain on his face buried his vision. He could feel powerful arms holding him, carrying his limp body like a rag doll, his black cassock flapping. Lifting a weary arm, he mopped his eyes and saw the man holding him was Amorth. He was struggling down a sidewalk, shouting for a hospital, his voice a heart-rending wail of agony. His red eyes were focused dead ahead, tears streaming down his face. "My son," Myositis whispered, "you're hurt." Amorth glanced down, his visage contorted in anguish. "I am sorry sorry, Father." He seemed almost too pained to speak. "No," Myositis replied. "It is I who am sorry. This is my fault. I was too eager. Too fearful. You and I were deceived." Myositis was unconscious when the doors of St Luke's hospital hiss
Just for two weeks Chapter 111
Jimmy and McEwan moved slowly down the north aisle, keeping the shadows behind the ample pillars that separated it from the open nave. Despite having traveled more than halfway down the nave, they still had no clear view of the tomb. The sarcophagus was recessed in a niche, obscured from this oblique angle."At least there's nobody over there," McEwan whispered.Jimmy nodded, relieved. The entire section of the nave near Klaus' tomb was deserted. "I'll go over," he whispered. "You should stay hidden just in case someone-"McEwan had already stepped from the shadows and was headed across the open floor."-is watching," Jimmy sighed, hurrying to join her.Crossing the massive nave on a diagonal, Jimmy and McEwan remained silent as the elaborate sepulcher revealed itself in Tantalus increments… a black-marble sarcophagus… a reclining statue of Klaus… two winged boys… a huge pyramid… and… an enormous orb."Did you know about that?" McEwan said, sounding startled.Jimmy shook his head, als
Just for two weeks Chapter 110
Jimmy had not gotten his eyes off the computer screen since the search began. He was starting to get worried.Anita Istredd was in the adjoining room, preparing hot drinks. Jimmy and Sophie had inquired unwisely if there might be some coffee brewing alongside the tea Istredd had offered, and from the sound of the microwave beeps in the next room, Jimmy suspected their request was about to be rewarded with instant Nescafe.Finally, the computer pinged happily."Sounds like you got another," Istredd called from the next room. "What does it say?"Jimmy looked at the screen, disappointed.They sat patiently in front of the screen and waited through two more dubious returns. When the computer pinged again, nothing interesting happened.Istredd peeked back in the doorway, holding a packet of instant coffee. "You don't want the full text," Istredd called. "Click on the hypertext title. The computer will display your keyword hits along with mono prelogs and triple post logs for context."Jim
Just for two weeks Chapter 109
Copus peccate's headquarter in London is a modest brick building. Amorth had never been here, but he felt a rising sense of refuge and asylum as he approached the building on foot. Despite the rain, Beardsley had dropped him off a short distance away in order to keep the limousine off the main Streets. Amorth didn't mind the walk. The rain was cleansing.At Beardsley's suggestion, Amorth had wiped down his gun and dispose of it through the sewer grate. He was glad to get rid of it. He felt lighter. His legs still ache from being bound all the time, but he had endured far greater pain. He wondered, though, about Rodriguez, who Beardsley had left bound in the back of the limousine. The Briton certainly had to be feeling pain by now."What will you do with him?" Amorth had asked Beardsley as they drove over here.Beardsley had shrugged. "That is a decision the Teacher would make." There was an odd finality in his tone.Now, as Amorth approached the building, the rain began to fall harder
Just for two weeks Chapter 108
Jimmy still felt shaken as he and McEwan came from the rain and entered the library. The primary research room was as Rodriguez had described it - a dramatic octagonal chamber dominated by an enormous round table with twelve flat-screen computer workstations. On the far side of the room, a reference librarian was just pouring a pot of tea and settling in for the day of work. "Good morning," she said in a beautiful British accent, leaving the tea and walking over. "May I help you?""Thank you, yes please," Jimmy replied. "My name is-""Jimmy Davis." She gave a pleasant smile. "I know who you are."For instance, he feared Romano had put him on English television as well, but the librarian's smile suggested otherwise. Jimmy had not gotten used to these moments of unexpected celebrity. Then again, if anyone on earth were going to recognize his face, it would be a Librium in a religious studies reference facility."Anita Istredd," the librarian said, offering her hand. She had a friend
