PART TWO – THE HOUSE OF THOTH

Chapter 10 – Key Stone Chronicles

The devil takes a hand in what is done in haste. ~Turkish Proverb

December 31, 2005, Sisters of Providence Convent, Hyde Park, New York

“Oh thank heaven Father Bernard, you have finally returned. We have a situation.”

“Reverend Mother, you must calm yourself. Whatever it is I am sure we shall handle it.”

“You don’t understand Father, the gems,” the Reverend Mother whispered. “We must remove the gems from the Convent immediately.” Her eyes frantically searched the inner sanctuary thankful to God the Father, not a soul was in sight. The slightly plump nun dressed in her usual black attire. The once ash colored hair which flowed down the narrow of her back, had long since grayed, and now she wore it tucked discretely inside her religious habit.

“Reverend Mother, I assure you that the stones are very safe, unless of course you know something I do not?” Father Bernard questioned.

“I’ve received word from the elders that another attempt was made on the girl’s life. The elders requested that we move the gems before they are discovered. The elders fear whoever was responsible for her attack may come here to retrieve them.” The old woman worriedly replied as she quickly gave the sign of the cross.

“I am well aware of the attack on her life. And I can assure you that she is indeed in good hands. She will be protected now.”

“That is a relief. Where is she?”

“She is with Lord Bartholomew.”

The Reverend Mother smiled.

“Did the elders say how exactly the gems were traced to the convent?” Father Bernard inquired.

“No. They merely indicated that a threat was made against the convent.”

“Interesting. The elders never contacted me.”

“Perhaps it was because they only recently learned of this threat.”

“Perhaps.” The priest replied his voice puzzled.

“Father, we must protect the convent and move the gems elsewhere and quickly, before it is too late.”

“Reverend Mother, I no longer know the gems whereabouts.” He continued as perspiration began to erupt along the line of his gray brow.

“What do you mean you no longer know their whereabouts? How can you assure their safe keeping if you do not know their whereabouts?”

“Reverend Mother, Sister Teresa hid them for me. No one knows the whereabouts except for her. They are safe, I assure you.”

“Father, the elder’s indicated that the gems no longer are safe in our possession. We have the other sister’s safety to consider and the children. We need to move away from this sanctuary. I can’t even begin to think of what could happen if those murderers are led here!”

“Reverend Mother, you needn’t concern yourself. It will do you no service to worry. Sister Teresa has no idea of the contents of the boxes she hid for me. The gems are safe.” He said as he looked upon the sister. Her blue eyes which once had sparkled so, had grown tired, the half moons underneath sagged further each day of her life.

“We all have carried this burden clutched within our souls for entirely too long, too many secrets.” She whispered under her breath. “Very well, I will trust in God to see us through any perils, should it come to that.”

“As well you should. I will be back shortly. I have some errands in town.”

As Father Bernard turned to leave the chapel, Reverend Mother Mary Margaret hurried from the inner sanctuary past the confessionals toward her office located down the short hallway of the main chapel. Nodding as she rushed past a group of four sisters similarly dressed as she.

The Sister’s office was simple yet tidy mostly bare ivory colored walls, a golden cross hanging near her desk, a portrait of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary hanging over her small wooden desk. Two large wooden bookshelves containing hymnals and textbooks filled the entire side wall next to the window with ivory colored horizontal blinds.

The Reverend Mother sat at her desk and inhaled deeply. Her heart was frail and beat quickly as she considered the danger approached. She pulled a key out from under her dress and unlocked the small drawer on the right side of her desk. She removed a small silver flask unscrewed the lid and took a long swig of the crimson fluid, her russet colored eyes transformed to a vibrant orange then to their original russet, as they quickly searched the room. She took another sip then re-screwed the cap replaced the flask to its hidden location, and locked the drawer.

She reached for the phone and dialed. After several minutes, her caller answered.

“I’m afraid we have a slight problem. He will not relinquish knowledge of the gems. What shall I do?”

“Are you most convinced that is the only way? By the grace of God I am not certain I can. There must be another way.” Blessed Mary, Mother of God please help.

“I too always knew this day would come, however it has arrived too soon for my fondness, I’m afraid. May God be with you.” She said as she replaced the receiver on the base of the phone. “May God be with us all.” She gave the sign of the cross and bowed her head in prayer and then pushed her finger on the talk button and dialed #124, the sound of the bizz, bizz, bizz, rang loudly in her ear. Then finally a voice answered.

“Yes?”

“Please come to my office immediately we have a situation.”

“Of course, Reverend Mother, I will be right there.”