The Omega Factor(103)

“I see my reputation has preceded me.”

A couple of the maidens led Dwight over to one of the tables and sat him down. Sister Ellen kept the weapon pointed and ready.

“Who is he?” Kelsey asked.

“A Dominican named Robert Dwight,” he told her.

“What in the world, Nick? What’s going on here?”

He didn’t have time to explain. “I’m going after Fuentes.”

“Me too,” Kelsey said.

“No, you’re not,” he said. “And please don’t argue with me on this.”

He caught the concern in her eyes, there clear as day despite the years of hurt and confusion between them. She did not want him to face things alone.

“He’s right,” the abbess said. “Sister Kelsey, you will stay here with me. We need to talk.”

Kelsey did not seem to agree.

“Are you going to disobey me too?” the older woman asked.

Kelsey hesitated, then shook her head, capitulating to the command.

The abbess faced him. “Eighteen maidens left with Sister Claire, along with Fuentes and Rice. The cardinal and the friar are armed.”

“Keep Dwight here, under control,” he said.

The abbess nodded.

“You can’t go out there unarmed,” Kelsey said.

“I’ve been in tighter spots than this with no gun. I can handle myself.”

“I understand your revulsion,” Kelsey said. She knew all about Charlie Minter and Marvin Royster. “But don’t be foolish.”

“I got this.” He winked, trying to put her at ease. “Besides, you need that weapon to keep Dwight from doing anything stupid. You stay here, with the abbess.”

He turned to leave.

Kelsey grabbed his arm. “Be careful. Okay?”

He nodded.

Sister Isabel led him through the building to the main doors, which she opened. No one was in sight across the rocky, rolling grounds that spread out beneath the tall trees.

“Where are they?” he asked.

She pointed off ahead. “About three hundred yards that way. To the rock church.”

He waited for more, but nothing else was forthcoming.

Okay. He stepped out into the afternoon.

The doors closed behind him.





Fuentes entered the rock chapel, tucked away in the fold of the ancient mountain. Sunlight poured inside the towering rocky cleft, the limestone roof, walls, and floor all belonging to nature. Worn pine pews lined up in several rows, all facing three stone steps that led up to a raised platform, two more steps after that up to a marble altar. The whole place reminded him of the grotto at Lourdes. He felt that if he stopped and listened closely he might hear the beating of the mountain’s heart.

“Centuries ago, people whispered that a secret portal to a feared other world was here,” Sister Claire said. “Supposedly, a man who ventured through it in 1597 reappeared three days later insane and on death’s door. His female companion was never seen again.”

“I’m aware of this church’s colorful history,” Fuentes said. “But legends simply make a place like this more mystical, attracting people.”

“Which it does. Mass is said here twice every month for the local population.”

The maidens who’d accompanied them stood behind Sister Claire. He made a quick count. Eighteen. Of the twenty-five total still alive. That was a serious division. Hell, this order might self-destruct all on its own without any effort from him.

“Perhaps legends are not as fantastical, though, as they might seem,” Claire said.

He was intrigued. “By all means, show me.”





Kelsey sat at one of the oak tables, alone with the abbess. Most of the other maidens, including Sister Isabel, had headed off into the building. Two had stayed to keep watch over the friar, one of whom, Sister Ellen, was still holding the gun.

“Are you concerned about what’s happening?” she asked the abbess. “I’ve never witnessed such a revolt before.”

“I’m deeply concerned. The remaining maidens have gone to deal with it.”

As had Nick. So she wanted to know, “Why did you bring me here?”

“Mr. Lee seems important to you.”

Her question had been ignored. She’d been impertinent enough to superiors of late, so she decided to let it pass. “We almost married. I ended it, then joined the convent.”

“A not-so-unusual story. I’ve heard it many times. You still care for him?”

“I still love him. And I always will. But I made my life choice, and I don’t regret it.”

Though she’d only met the abbess a few minutes ago, she felt a connection. This woman, with a tinge of an Italian accent to her English, oozed confidence and experience. Both of which seemed needed at the moment.

“This is a special place,” the abbess said. “For nearly two thousand years we’ve had the honor of guarding the Chapel of the Maiden.”

“What is it?”

“Your prioress did not tell you?”

She shook her head.

“It is the tomb of the Virgin Mary.”

“That’s not possible. She’s in heaven.”

“No. She’s here and has been here for nearly two thousand years.”