by Greg Ballan
"The Archbishop and his council are inside, Mr. Knight."
Erik looked at their escorts. "I gather you're not escorting us in."
The guard shook his head emphatically. "We are forbidden to enter. Only the most holy may enter that room."
Erik tilted his head and shared a puzzled look with Martin. "I assure you, we are far from the 'most holy'. You're certain this is right place?"
"I am certain Mr. Knight." The escort pointed again. "They are waiting, sirs."
"Well, let's not keep our hosts waiting any longer." Erik boldly approached the door, twisted the pearl handle and pushed it open. The detective paused and gasped aloud. He heard his friend's audible shock as well. The entire room was monochromatic white. The walls were solid white and the ceiling matched perfectly. There were no windows, decorations, or any other type of contrasted furnishings to break up the endless ivory sea. Erik needed his enhanced senses to determine where the walls ended and the ceiling began. The illusion created by the color scheme made the large room appear cavernous and without end. The overhead lighting was of the purest ivory and perfectly matched the surrounding walls. Similar lights were carefully placed inside the walls to further confound the senses.
Erik projected a telepathic wave into the room. The feedback instantly registered in his hybrid senses. "The walls are opaque, made of a plastic material. It's the lights behind them that give the illusion. The entire chamber, including the floor, is made up of some clear membrane backlit by several hundred identical light sources blended perfectly into one dizzying mass of light."
"Light effects or magic, this place is incredible," Denton mumbled. "I'm feeling dizzy, Erik, I have no sense of where the floors meet the wall or where the ceiling is … it's almost like being in the dark but it's pure light … I'm literally blinded by the light."
Erik chuckled and placed a guiding hand on his friend's arm. "I think that's the general idea, and that was a bad pun, Counselor."
Martin nodded. "As soon as I said it, I realized. This place is incredible. I get no sense of scale, everything blends together in an endless sea of white. It's almost painful to keep my eyes open."
Erik barely noticed the bishops, he'd been so enamored by the room. They sat at a large table illuminated just as the walls surrounding them were. The flat surface was nearly invisible.
A voice broke their observations. "Come in, gentlemen, and close the door behind you."
Erik turned, closed the door and was stunned to see that it too was backlit. Once closed, the door was swallowed into the endless white morass perfecting the illusion.
Bishop O'Malley sat at a large marble conference table, to the right of a man that Erik judged to be in his late eighties or early nineties. All the men wore matching white tunics that again were perfectly blended with the walls and lighting. The visual effect made their heads appear to be floating in air. The old man's tunic was slightly different than his colleagues as was the large ornamental pin fastened to the ornate embroidery on his heavy robes.
The old man gestured toward two empty seats, barely distinguishable from their surroundings. "Gentlemen, please make yourselves comfortable. We have much to discuss about a great many things."
Erik and Martin walked toward their hosts, their colored clothing a ridiculous contrast to the pale surroundings. The detective seated himself as he continued to study the eerie chamber. His enhanced visual receptors had compensated for the unusual lighting and he was now able to clearly discern the outlines of the table, chairs and even the separate light panels illuminating the room's massive walls. The ceiling overhead was twenty feet high and the far wall was easily fifty feet away. The detective knew he'd taken several steps from the door to get to this large table and judged the room to be at least seventy feet wide. Erik could now detect that the walls were curved and they were inside a massive oval-shaped room similar to the Oval Office in the White House, only dozens of times larger. It was obvious the room had some significance but he had no idea what. He suspected they would learn that truth shortly.
"A most impressive room," the detective commented.
"The lights are of a special frequency and illumination that keep out unwanted ears and eyes, Detective. I'm sure men in your line of work can appreciate the need for precautions and certain rooms that those in the spy trade would call 'secure'. But we're not here to discuss the nature of our conference room. Rather, we must ascertain information and answer questions you may have."
"Starting with what you know about the being that killed my son," Denton boomed, asserting himself. Erik knew the wounded father wanted answers regarding his son's case. Everything else was secondary, including illusions and diplomacy.
"I assure you, Agent Denton and Detective Knight, we will attempt to unravel all of the mysteries you've unearthed. Your angst is understandable given the circumstances, but you must understand our need for secrecy. I've been given permission to enlighten you and forever change your lives."
Erik stood, reached into his pocket and tossed a plastic evidence bag directly toward the old man, then took his seat again. The light illuminated the fragments. "I believe these belong to you."
The old man picked up the bag examining the destroyed electronic eavesdropping devices. He looked over at the brash detective. "Our holy bureaucracy is very nosey and often uses less-than-appropriate means to gather intelligence." The old man placed the bag inside his tunic. "You live up to your reputation, Detective. Your police escorts have provided us several accounts of your unorthodox feats." The old man smiled warmly for a brief moment. "And I'm sure God does appreciate the repairs you made to his special home as does the Holy Father and all of us in this chamber."
Erik nodded, there was something about this old man—something special, that he couldn't put his finger on. The man didn't talk as much as he whispered. His words, however, blared like trumpets. The room they were in and the old man's demeanor were unsettling.
"Martin Denton, I am so sorry for the loss of your son. William was a fine young man and was on the road to becoming an impressive biblical scholar. We didn't realize he'd found the Chapel of Eternity. We knew he was reading several of the old tomes, but we believed all references to the chapel were removed from record."
Martin nodded slightly. "He was a smart young man. Sometimes too smart for his own good." Denton's eyes locked on to the older man. "What was kept down there? Who would resort to grotesque mass murder in order to obtain it?"
"If I may Archbishop," Bishop O'Malley interjected.
The old man nodded in agreement and leaned back in his chair. O'Malley bowed his head briefly in a gesture of reverence before turning toward Erik and Martin. "What was taken was the greatest holy relic on this planet. An instrument that was to be used to end the plague of evil unleashed during the final days of Man." O'Malley looked directly at Erik, "Have you read the Bible, Detective Knight, specifically the Revelation to St. John?"
Erik shook his head. "I'm familiar with that part of the Bible, though I'm far from scholarly." He looked around uncomfortably considering the company. "I know it pertains to the end of mankind, the second coming of the Son of God to Earth and the final expulsion of evil from this world. If I'm not mistaken, it refers to the cleansing and ultimate accounting of all souls. Those left alive after…" He searched his memory recalling the decades old lessons from his stepfather, "the Rapture, I believe is the correct term. Those souls not taken to Heaven during the Rapture will endure several torments, a literal Hell on Earth. After that torment the second coming of Christ will serve to drive away the evil, the Virgin Mary will slay the dragon and a new age will begin." The detective closed his eyes summoning his enhanced powers of memory, picturing the specific passages he'd seen in his youth.
"As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?' And Jesus answered them, 'See that no one leads you astray. For m
any will come in my name, saying, "I am the Christ," and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.' Matthew 24:3:13." Erik wasn't sure if he'd cited the proper passage.
The Archbishop nodded. "'At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
"'Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?" And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?" He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days."'
"'Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."'" The old man smirked and nodded slightly.
Erik nodded his head. "Daniel 12:1-13 and Revelation 22:12-13, give or take, I apologize it's been several years since I've studied biblical verse."
The bishops stared at the detective dumbfounded and O'Malley tilted his head. "You are modest, Detective. You're more scholarly than you let on. You clearly know the Bible passages and there are many scholars who share your understanding of St. John's prophesy. Now that we have an accounting of the subject matter we can begin our discussions. What you don't know, Mr. Knight, is that the Holy Scriptures omit reference to the instrument of ushering in the new age after the plagues and false prophets befall mankind. That instrument is the Ruby Crucifix of Christ, a cross forged from the very wood of the large cross the Romans used to crucify Jesus. The wood forged into that holy relic was saturated with the blood and tissue of the Son of God. This object is endowed with incredible power from the Lords of Light."
"And that's what was locked inside that safe." Denton shifted in his chair. "And why my son and his companions were slaughtered."
O'Malley nodded. "Sadly, yes. Only a select few know the secret location. Your son and his accomplices were trespassing on sacred ground. Sadly, they paid the ultimate price."
The detective frowned contemplating O'Malley's remark. "If I interpret the meaning behind what you've just said, Bishop, you're blaming William Denton and his friends for their murders by claiming they should not have been where they weren't supposed to be. With all due respect, your logic is flawed. If they never were supposed to know this place existed and you posted no sentries or warnings of any kind outside the chamber doors to discourage potential trespassers, you share a measure of responsibility as well. The 'Curiosity killed the cat' mentality doesn't apply in this case. I would also add that your efforts to expunge all references to the subterranean chapel were less than diligent if a young cleric was able to find the location with some rudimentary reading and research. Frankly, considering the light show you have here and the level of sophistication you demonstrated in bugging hotel rooms, you seem well equipped to keep out eavesdroppers. I'm appalled at the lack of security at the basement chapel. If this object is as priceless as you claim, and I have no reason to doubt your word, why not have a more elaborate system of protection?"
The old man gestured around the room. "The security in this chamber is not to thwart human eyes and ears, Detective. As for the holy chambers below St, Martha's, we feared that palace guards and proactive security precautions would only draw attention and announce that we were protecting something of intrinsic value. We felt by hiding the relic where we did and removing all references to it would increase rather than decrease security," countered the Archbishop. Erik felt the weight of the man's words despite his hushed tone.
He nodded considering the elder cleric's rationale. "I understand your reasoning but I don't agree with it." The detective stopped himself. Now wasn't the time to question their security protocol or their apparent lack of protection for such an important and powerful object. Erik wasn't totally prepared to accept everything that was said at face value but he'd withhold his conclusion until after their meeting. "Forgive my blunt reply, Archbishop. Now isn't the time to argue over security tactics. We need to find out who stole the relic and who killed Brother Denton and his friends." Erik considered the Archbishop's words: Not meant to thwart human eyes and ears. The theory he'd presented Martin seemed more credible.
The Archbishop nodded. "Our most Holy Father Church is very secretive, Detective Knight, and I have no doubt your efforts on our behalf were somewhat hampered by the Church's desire for secrecy. The Church, like any other government, has its state secrets. I trust you understand and respect that."
"I do." Erik nodded.
"Please, tell us what you've uncovered." The Archbishop assumed control. "Also, before we begin, I am aware of your ability to probe the thoughts of men. I trust that you will respect the bounds of decency and not probe the minds of anyone here during these deliberations. I have no intentions of lying to you, Detective, but the idea of someone plundering my thoughts uninvited is most disturbing. All men have secrets, even men such as us. I imagine you would not appreciate someone probing your thoughts and pray that you will accord us the same courtesy."
Erik tilted his head slightly but did little else to reveal his shock. The Vatican had done their homework regarding him. "I don't go where I'm not invited, sir."
The Archbishop nodded and smiled. "Splendid, let's begin." The old man gestured toward Erik and shot him a disarming smile.
"As you already know, you were robbed. The murders seemed to be an afterthought. What disturbs me most was the severity of the killings. This wasn't simple murder to cover a crime. This was more in the line of vengeance killing, or even a perverse desire to maim and torture. The victims were slaughtered." Erik paused allowing the bishops a few moments to digest what he'd said. "Then we have the wanton destruction and vandalism caused by the perpetrator. The destruction appeared motivated by anger, like a finishing touch to some sort of revenge vendetta, a way to rub salt in an open wound." Now he was going to challenge their beliefs by describing what he'd seen and the means he went about seeing it. Erik hoped the Archbishop's earlier words were an indication they wouldn't be laughed out of Vatican City.
"As you're all aware I possess some rather unique talents. One of those talents is the ability to see images embedded in physical objects, a kind of psychic echo detection. I witnessed some of the events that occurred in the Chapel of Eternity by examining a large cross that had been handled by Brother Denton."
The Archbishop nodded. "Yes, we received some colorful rantings from Michael and Neko regarding your particular exploits."
Erik laughed. "I'm sure." The detective continued wondering how best to broach the unusual conclusion he'd arrived at with Martin and his plan to unearth the identity of William's killer. "I saw men literally ripped apart by a single man shrouded in black. I felt the abject fear and terror from each man as they perished and the heroism of Martin's son as he gave his life to save his friend, Brother Peter. I assume you already have reports on the condition of the bodies when they were discovered."
The Archbishop and Bishop O'Malley nodded slightly confirming the detective's findings.
"Then we have the unusual darkened blood on the cross Brother Peter used as a weapon. The blood is markedly different from any other blood smears and stains that I've encountered, excluding some extraterrestrial blood. The blood samples we provided you and the ones Special Agent Denton had sent to our satellite offices should unearth some of the mystery surrounding our lone killer, and that leads to the next mystery." Erik looked directly at the Archbishop. "One killer, one being, was able to topple those huge statues, overturn a six thousand pound stone slab and rip open a heavy duty corrugated steel safe and not only enter the chamber unseen but leave unseen as well." Erik glanced over at Martin. "As my colleague addressed during our investigation, only one person he knows of is capable of performing such feats, and I have a solid alibi for my whereabouts."
The bishops appeared uncomfortable, each man looking around nervously, glancing at O'Malley and then the Archbishop.
"Are you implying our perpetrator is an alien hybrid like yourself?" O'Malley finally spoke.
Erik shook his head. "No. If this was an Esper or Seelak I'd feel the alien presence. What I felt was evil, gentlemen, an unmitigated evil and more importantly our deceased and Brother Peter share the same opinion." Erik took a deep breath before continuing. "I saw the conflict through William Denton's eyes. I felt the fear and dread he had. It was so strong that the emotions embedded themselves on the large pole cross he used as a makeshift bludgeon. The feelings of dread and terror nearly consumed me. I saw that hooded specter feed on one of the brothers before ripping him apart." Erik looked at the Archbishop. "I saw what it did to Brother Denton after he attacked it. What is the Vatican's position on vampires? Because as far as I can tell, based on the evidence at hand, some being with vampiric powers and tendencies is responsible for what occurred under St. Martha's Chapel." Erik gestured around the mysterious white room. "I assume this room was built to keep out the darkness or evil if I may be so blunt."