Eyes of the Innocent

by Christopher Wright

  Chapter 11

  "What's happening?" Matt asked. "Why are we driving away so soon?"

  Zoé put her head into her hands and sighed deeply. "The Archbishop is taking us to his church, where you will be able to rest."

  They drove up Central Park West, with the Park in view all the way. Suddenly Zak made a left turn. "Ah, and here it is," Valdieri said.

  Matt looked out of the window of the limo. There was no church in sight. Just a dark brown building that looked like an old warehouse. Then he noticed a small cross above the red painted door. Well, this place was certainly a comedown from the Vatican.

  Valdieri helped Zoé get Matt out of the car, with Zoé looking anxiously around. Urquet stayed in the car, speaking on his phone.

  Valdieri turned to Vicky the jogger. "Slip inside and tell the others to stay put. I don't want everyone rushing to see what's happened."

  "Hold on a moment, Vicky" Matt said. Now that he had got his thoughts properly together, he wondered why a jogger would have been behind that large rock. There was no path there. "What were you doing there when you've found me?"

  Vicky smiled. "I think it was God who found you."

  Matt shook his head, and it still hurt. He'd not considered Vicky to be involved in the mugging, but now she was sounding a little crazy. "God?"

  Vicky continued to smile. "I go jogging in central Park most days. I have a small backpack with my Bible in it. I sit on the rock, read the Bible and pray. It's how I start the day, with a quiet time alone with God."

  Matt believed her. It was too crazy a story for anyone to make up. "Thanks, Vicky, I'm glad."

  As soon as she had disappeared, Valdieri went ahead through the red door and led them to a room with three brown leather sofas that Matt thought were called couches over here, with bright red and white cushions. Matt noticed the bowl of flowers on the central table. The place looked homely and welcoming. Clearly a woman had decorated and furnished this room. This deduction cheered him up. At least his brain was functioning okay.

  Valdieri told them to sit down, and said quietly, "I want to give you all the help I can. Apart from Mr. Urquet, no one from outside the church fellowship need know you're here for now, although the fellowship will of course have to be told soon. We all need to pray together."

  Matt frowned. "All? Pray?"

  "This building has a church, with meeting rooms and my office and this reception room below. On the upper floors there's accommodation for myself, for church workers and people who need shelter. You're welcome to join us here." He smiled. "And you can rest easy, Matt. Prayer isn't compulsory. We call this the Symbol of Hope Church, because there's hope for everyone here who's looking for God. Probably not an original name, but we aim to have a great ministry in the area."

  The reassurance that prayer was optional came as a considerable relief. Then something occurred to him. "Will they mind the baby crying?"

  Zoé stamped her foot. "We do not have a baby! Your memory, I think, it has not returned."

  Matt shook his head. "You're right, Zoé. For a moment I was thinking we're still in the hotel and I haven't been out in the Park yet."

  Zoé broke down in tears. "Why would anyone want to steal Jack? If they saw us on the television, they must know we have no money. And they know Jack needs the treatment most urgent. Why would anyone want a baby like that? It does not make the sense, unless they know someone who can remove his eye, no questions to be asked. I just hope his eyes were not harmed by all the bright lights at JFK yesterday."

  Matt did his best to console Zoé, while Valdieri ran his hands through his non-existent silver hair. Clearly some habits died hard. "What about the bright lights? Tell me exactly what the problem is with your baby. Why did you bring him to New York?"

  While Matt explained about the heterochromia and the retinoblastoma, Valdieri said. "Is that a common problem with ... what is it ... heterochromia? I've only seen it once before. There was a senator on the news recently. Senator Harding. His baby had different color eyes."

  "They put a senator on television because his baby has different color eyes?" Zoé asked in surprise. She thought for a moment, then, "The baby had retinoblastoma?"

  "No, no, he was fine. The baby got into all the media, and most reports were critical of the Senator's actions. What you said about the lights reminded me of it. Commentators said he put the baby's eyesight at risk with all the TV lights and flashes."

  "Why on earth would the man want to show his baby's eyes on television," Matt asked. "We tried to hide Jack's away."

  Valdieri shook his head. "Senator Cyrus B. Harding has been trying to push something controversial through the Senate, and he wanted to get public sympathy and support by showing off his new baby. The 'aaah' factor. Believe me, I'm convinced you're both innocent. So although I no longer have any real influence, I'll make it clear to the police that I'll be responsible for you while you're staying with me."

  The door to the room opened and Simon Urquet came in.

  Valdieri went to greet him. "I trust you're the bearer of good news, Simon."

  Urquet shook his head. "I've been on the phone to the Assistant Chief. I've tried my hardest to convince him that the baby was snatched by person or persons unknown, not by Mr. and Mrs. Rider. I regret to say I was left with the distinct feeling I was wasting my breath." He turned to Matt. "I have to warn you of the seriousness of your situation. I've given a pledge that you won't leave New York, and will remain in contact with me or Stephen Valdieri at all times."

  "That's going to be difficult," Matt said. "The police took our phones. They want to check our calls on them. There's only one, and that's from the clinic last night to tell us they'd finished examining Jack. I can see it from their point of view, but I hope it doesn't mean they're not looking properly for Jack."

  Simon Urquet frowned. "The situation with the hostages in Wall Street is diverting much of their attention, but I believe they're giving this as high a priority as circumstances permit. For now."

  "I can help you with temporary phones," Valdieri said, looking a bit sheepish. "I have several unregistered pay-as-you-go cell phones in my office."

  Simon Urquet looked shocked, or maybe he just pretended to be. Not that it mattered. After all, Urquet was supposed to be on their side.

  Valdieri laughed. "Not for any illegal purposes, but sometimes when we're helping people we need to do it with complete confidence."

  "Sounds like a good idea," Simon Urquet said, smiling now. "Listen carefully. Zak will be picking us up from here just before two. I've arranged the interview at the precinct for two-thirty. And you'd both better be ready." He gave a brief smile. "We have to play this one absolutely straight. It's no good refusing to answer their questions. You're innocent, and I'll be there to make sure they don't try to catch you out and get you confused."

  Simon Urquet added that he was staying with them until Zak came, assuring them that his legal services were available for as long as they were in New York. Again, he reminded them that they were not to leave the city without letting him or Stephen Valdieri know first.

  Valdieri explained that the small team of workers, of which he was only a part, would like to meet them later. If that was all right.

  "I know you'll find everyone friendly and helpful, and they'll definitely respect the need for confidentiality. Now, these are the cell phones. I'm putting them on charge. They've not been used for several weeks. Mr. Urquet, we all need to exchange phone numbers so that we can contact each other when the need arises. I also have pledged myself to be responsible for Matt and Zoé and not let them leave the city. "

  Urquet nodded. "It's good of you to take them in like this, Archbishop."

  Valdieri smiled. "Not Archbishop any longer. My parents christened me Stephen, but to everyone here, staff and church members, including all of you, I'm Steve."

  "Wow, if you're sure." Matt felt amazed by this man's humility.

  Steve Valdieri clapped his hands. "Mr. Urquet...
"

  "Call me Simon."

  "Simon, you need to tell the police that while Matt and Zoé are staying here, they are not to pass on this address to the media. If that happens, Matt and Zoé will have to leave. If my congregation sees reporters gathering outside, I can assure you that we would have a very empty church for our daily evening times of worship and praise."

  Matt realized that Valdieri must have caught his look of horror, for he added, "Relax, Matt. Like prayer, worship here is entirely voluntary."