The Omega Factor(79)
Dominicans. In Toulouse. Ironic, since this was where the order began. Its founder, Félix de Guzmán, had dedicated himself, and his followers, to the reconversion of the Cathars. The friars played an integral role in the Albigensian Crusade, effectively leading the attack. In 1206, Dominic founded a convent near Toulouse. Then, eight years later, he added another order for men. Vilamur had studied that time period. A lot of irony existed then. Some historians had even postulated that the Dominicans were a blatant attempt by the church to copy Catharism. Friars traveled around the Languedoc in pairs, like Perfecti, dressing simply in sandals and plain habits, avoiding the ostentation of other churchmen and preaching poverty. They spoke in the local language in order to be understood, a practice the Cathars began. Even now, Dominicans still wore black robes, almost identical to the habit of the Perfecti. Celibacy itself might have been hurried into dogma in the twelfth century as a reaction to the Cathars’ aversion to sex.
Like with here, far too many things to be coincidental.
“Within the Dominicans,” Fuentes said, “there are specialized cells, friars who are trained and devoted to a particular expertise. These two are part of the Ad Designandum Hastam. The Point of the Spear. For centuries that cell has been called upon to deal with problems in ways that may seem…unconventional for the church. But the desired results cannot always be accomplished solely by talk or prayer. There are times when more definitive measures must be taken.”
Good to know. And also disconcerting.
“Please, wait outside,” Fuentes said, and the two friars left the study. The cardinal faced him. “Archbishop, our pope is dying.”
Had he heard right? That couldn’t be. “He was only elected a short while ago.”
“He has a tumor in his brain that will kill him within the coming months. Only a handful of people know this. Now you are one of them.”
He was shocked. “Why me?”
“Because I intend to be the next pope.”
Now he understood. “And you have the advantage of being able to get ready for the next conclave.”
“Exactly. I have many friends, but I will need more within the College of Cardinals in order to be elected. Friends of unquestioned loyalty.”
“And ones upon whom you know a great secret.”
“Precisely. Trust can be so fleeting. But, as you said, this is our problem. And I intend to solve it. I also have to know that whoever I choose to bring within my confidence will participate in the conclave with great zeal.”
He knew the right answer. “That would be me.”
Fuentes smiled. “I thought as much. Which explains why we are here, in the middle of the night, speaking to each other. I will deal with Bernat de Foix. Together we will deal with les Vautours. And, after that, you shall become a cardinal.”
“And perhaps also garner a worthy appointment to the Curia, once you are pope?”
Fuentes never flinched at his greed. “I would expect no less for you.”
Message sent. And received. The extortion ran both ways.
“I did not ask before,” Fuentes said, “but I will now. Do you still have Father Tallard’s video that was sent to you?”
He shook his head. “Deleted.”
“All right. We will need to also retrieve it from de Foix. Friar Rice is an expert with computers. Get dressed, Archbishop. We are going to face your demon. Then we will face mine.”
Chapter 51
Claire kept driving, like a robot, her mind numb, her body reacting automatically to the road and traffic. She was well out of Belgium, now into northeastern France, headed south at a good pace. Hopefully, there’d be no more police. It was important that she return to the motherhouse with Sister Rachel’s body. She’d stopped a few hours back for gas and a bathroom, shielding the body bag with a lot of the clothes and other stuff that littered the back seat. She’d have to stop again along the way, but thankfully the black body bag was fairly innocuous among the litter. Still, she’d have to be careful. Ellen had called and confirmed that Sister Deal was in their custody and had agreed to cooperate. So she’d given the okay to provide her a laptop so the images could be compared.
They needed that expertise.
To be sure. To know if the old stories were indeed true.
If and when they dealt with the current threat, depending on the outcome, those images could present a more lasting problem. But first things first. She checked her watch: 2:25 a.m. She reached for her cell phone and tapped the screen at the top of her favorites. The call connected and the abbess answered almost immediately.
“I should be there a little past noontime,” she reported. “It was not exactly what I envisioned, but Lee got the job done. Hopefully, he’ll give up and move on.”
The plan all along had been to use Lee to the point where he was no longer needed. Then ditch him. Which she’d done.
“What does not exactly what I envisioned mean?”
“The police were involved, but we eluded them.”
“Are you sure? Were you identified?”
“I don’t know.”
Silence filled the phone.
“It’s so easy for you,” she said. “There. Safe in the abbey. Judging. It’s really different out here.”
“I worked the field for many years, without any problems.”