Mortuus Virgo

by Kevin Ashman

  ‘In this weather? We wouldn’t get halfway.’

  ‘I know, that’s why we are taking that.’ He indicated the snow covered car alongside the gate on the other side of a small cemetery.

  ‘We don’t have any keys.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that,’ said Murray, ‘I’ve hot wired enough cars in my time to start that little beauty.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Oh yes,’ said Murray,’ I’m sure, after all, it is my taxi!’

  They checked the area was clear before running across the graves. The flakes were falling thick and fast now and everything had a covering of snow.

  ‘Out of the way,’ said Murray when they reached the car. ‘Sorry babe,’ he muttered and smashed the side window with the table leg he was still carrying.

  ‘Oh my God,’ said India suddenly.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ asked Murray

  ‘Look over there.’

  Lying in the snow was the shape of a body, being rapidly covered by the falling snow. The dark patch by the head indicated a massive pool of blood, the cause of the man’s demise.

  ‘Who is it?’ asked India

  ‘How the fuck do I know?’ asked Murray incredulously, ‘Come on, we have to go.’

  ‘Wait, he may still be alive, we can’t just leave him.’

  ‘India, come on, there’s no time.’

  ‘I am not leaving without checking,’ she said, ‘A minute is all I need.’

  She ran over and lifted the man’s head gently, her hand sinking into a soft mush behind his skull. He had been shot in the head and was obviously dead. Murray ran over and joined her.

  ‘Satisfied now?’ he asked.

  ‘Who do you think it is?’ she asked.

  ‘Looks like one of them goons, to me,’ said Murray. He looked around the area, checking for guards. ‘Shit,’ he said, ‘There’s another one.’ Sure enough, another body lay a few yards further along. ‘No wonder there’s no guards,’ said Murray, ‘Someone’s killing them all.’

  ‘Who, Brandon?’

  ‘Must be,’ said Murray, ‘Unless there’s a third party involved here.’

  Suddenly, India jumped as she heard a loud thud and Murray staggered backwards. He looked down at his chest in confusion as blood started to ooze from a bullet hole. He looked up at India, with shock in his eyes.

  ‘Shit!’ he said and keeled over backwards into the snow. India span around in terror, only to come face to face with the barrel of a silenced pistol aiming directly at her forehead.

  ‘Hello, Miss Sommers,’ said the distinctive voice, ‘We meet again.’

  ‘Gatilusi,’ gasped India, in shock.

  ‘The very same.’

  India stared at the gun, holding her breath as she waited for the flash that would end her life.

  ‘Are you going to kill me?’ she asked.

  ‘I don’t know,’ he said, and stepped forward, placing the cold barrel against the skin on her forehead.

  India closed her eyes and waited to die.

  ‘No,’ he said eventually, ‘I may have need of you.’

  She exhaled slowly and opened her eyes.

  ‘Don’t try anything stupid, Miss Sommers, I do not want to hurt you, but if you cause me any problems, I will shoot. Do you understand?’

  India nodded silently.

  Gatilusi lowered the gun and stared at her.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, nervously.

  ‘Looking to return something to it’s rightful home.’

  ‘The Palladium?’

  ‘It belongs in my country, Miss Sommers and I will stop at nothing to retrieve it.’

  ‘All these dead people …’.started India

  ‘Will not be missed,’ interrupted Gatilusi, ‘They are agents employed by the order and officially are not in the country. My people will ensure their bodies are not found.’

  ‘But what about him?’ asked India, looking at the body of the taxi driver, ‘He wasn’t part of this mess.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ asked Gatilusi, ‘He was coming at you with an iron bar.’

  ‘He helped me escape,’ said India.

  Gatilusi looked down at the body of the taxi driver.

  ‘He wasn’t one of them?’

  ‘No, he was as much a Victim as me.’

  ‘Then I am truly sorry,’ said ‘Gatilusi, but I suspect the order had arranged his disappearance anyway. One more missing person won’t unduly worry the police.’

  ‘We have to help him,’ said India.’

  ‘Too late,’ said Gatilusi, ‘He’s already dead.’

  ‘.I don’t understand,’ said India, ‘Why are you killing people, and how come you’re over here?’

  ‘My people followed you and your friend from Samothrace,’ he said. ‘It wasn’t difficult. All we had to do was be patient and you led us straight here.’

  ‘But I was kidnapped.’

  ‘Yes, we lost you for a while, but luckily your friend is very diligent and he led us here.’

  ‘Brandon is definitely here?’

  ‘He is, and that’s why I need you. You are my insurance policy. Now, turn around and make your way into the convent, and no funny stuff.’

  A terrified India led the way towards the building closely followed by the Greek policeman holding his gun against her back. She stopped at the door and glanced back over her shoulder.

  ‘You won’t get away with this,’ she said nervously, ‘We know all about you and your secret society.

  ‘Do you really, and what exactly is it that you think you know?’

  ‘We know you are into kidnapping, murder and theft,’ said India, ‘Isn’t that enough to start with?’

  ‘Speculation,’ he said, ‘The authorities have nothing.’

  ‘Okay,’ she said, grasping at straws, ‘We know your organisation is called Mortuus Virgo.’

  A smile played around his mouth.

  ‘Oh, this is good,’ he laughed, ‘You think I represent Mortuus Virgo?’

  ‘Don’t you?’

  ‘Oh no, Miss Sommers, I don’t, and that simple statement reveals how little you really do know. You think I am a dangerous man, and in a way, I suppose I am, but I am not on the same scale as Mortuus Virgo.’

  ‘Why, who are they?’

  ‘I think you are about to find out, Miss Sommers,’ he said, ‘Now move. He nudged her in the back with his gun and she stepped into the silent entrance hall of the convent.

  Chapter 33

  England 2010

  ‘Please, don’t be frightened,’ hissed Brandon, ‘I mean you no harm.’

  Sister Bernice froze, her eyes bulging in fear as the hand clamped tightly around her mouth.

  ‘Okay,’ said Brandon, ‘I’m going to take my hand away. If you promise not to scream, I will explain everything, but if you call out I will have to tie you up and gag you. Like I said, I mean you no harm. Do you understand?’

  Bernice nodded and Brandon slowly removed his hand from her mouth. She turned around slowly and gasped when she looked into his blackened face.

  ‘Don’t be frightened,’ said Brandon again, ‘Please sit down and I will try to explain.’

  Bernice walked sideways and sat on the bed, never taking her eyes from Brandon.

  ‘Good,’ he said and pulled up the single stool and placed it before her.

  ‘Okay,’ he said again, sitting in front of her, ‘My name is Brandon and I work for the government. I am seeking a missing woman and I have reason to believe she is somewhere in this building.’

  ‘How did you get in here?’ whispered Bernice, ‘The door was locked.’

  ‘Don’t I know it,’ said Brandon, ‘I came in through there. He indicated the arched window high on the wall. Sorry, I had to break a small pane of glass but I will get it replaced, I promise. I couldn’t use the normal ways in, far too many security guards.’

  ‘How long have you been here?’

  ‘Not long, I was trying to pick the
lock when you returned.’

  ‘You said you are seeking a missing woman, what makes you think she is here?’

  ‘The van she was abducted in came here yesterday morning. At least, I think she was in the van.’

  ‘You’re not sure?’

  ‘Look, it’s a bit complicated,’ he said, ‘And I’d love to explain, but I think her life may be in danger.’

  ‘What do you intend to do?’

  ‘To be honest, I’m not sure yet,’ he said, ‘I would like to have a look around and try to find her if I can. But that depends on you.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I know it is asking a lot but as you’re here, perhaps you can make this a bit easier. If you could just make some suggestions as the best place to look I can get out of here even quicker and leave you to your business.

  ‘Just wait a minute,’ said Bernice, ‘You break in here, into a holy house with some extraordinary story about abduction and expect me to help you. Who do you think you are?’

  ‘I know it looks strange,’ said Brandon, ‘But you have to admit, there are things going on around here that are hard to understand.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Well, for a start, the whole building is guarded by a dozen men with guns. That and the fact that the last place anyone saw my friend alive was in a house in London, and a van matching the description of the one outside was seen leaving that address less than an hour after she went in.’

  ‘What address?’ asked Bernice.

  ‘What?’

  ‘The address of the house in London, what is it?’

  ‘Don’t know the details but it is just off Victoria Station.’

  ‘Isis house, ‘said Bernice quietly, ‘The property belongs to the order and we use it when carrying out charity work in London.’

  Brandon fell quiet and stared at the Nun in silence as she obviously digested all the information. Finally she looked up at him again.

  ‘Okay,’ she said, ‘What do you want me to do?’

  ‘Nothing much,’ he said, ‘Just describe the inside of the convent to me. Think of anywhere they may keep someone locked up. An attic, an office, even a cellar. Somewhere like this must be riddled with old rooms.’

  ‘Look, Mr ….?’

  ‘Walker,’ he said ‘Brandon Walker’

  ‘Look, Mr Walker, I don’t know if what your telling me is true or not, but I agree there may be something strange going on.’

  ‘Like what, exactly?’

  ‘Like the murder of the Mother Superior,’ she said dramatically.

  ‘What?’

  Bernice spent the next few minutes explaining the details of what had happened.

  ‘Did anyone call the police?’ he asked.

  ‘No, they said there was no need. They said that everything would be taken care of. ‘

  ‘Who did?’

  ‘Sister Agnes.’

  ‘And who is she?’

  ‘The Senior Sister, it is rumoured that she will replace the Mother Superior when all this is over.’

  ‘Do you think she had anything to do with her predecessor’s death?’

  ‘No!’ snapped Bernice, ‘Absolutely not. She was as grief stricken as all of us.’

  ‘Acting perhaps?’

  ‘Why would she? The Mother Superior was very ill and it was only a matter of time before Sister Agnes took her place. Besides, Sister Agnes is a holy person who has devoted her life to service of the Holy Mother. She could no more take a life than I could.’

  ‘Okay,’ said Brandon, ‘I will take your word for it. Thank you for your candour. Now, could you tell me where is the best place I could start my search.’

  ‘I can do better than that,’ said Sister Bernice, ‘I will take you myself.’

  ‘You know where she is?’

  ‘No, but there is a place where I have never been. It is kept locked and the Senior Sisters go to great lengths to keep it secret.’

  ‘Okay, but there’s one more thing before we go.’ He retrieved his phone from his pocket.

  ‘Who are you calling?’ she asked.

  ‘The police,’ he said, ‘I think the time has come to involve the authorities.’

  ‘I think you will find there is no signal here,’ said Bernice, ‘Nor anywhere else in this valley, for that matter.’

  Brandon checked the phone, confirming what she said was true.

  ‘Is there a landline?’ he asked.

  ‘We are an order of prayer and dedication,’ said Bernice, ‘We have no need of such things here.’

  ‘But what if there is an emergency or you need medical help?’ he asked.

  ‘Maximillian, the caretaker, drives to the top of the hill at the end of the valley,’ she said. ‘It is the only place you can get a signal.’

  Brandon took off his waterproof jacket and placed it on the back of the chair. He removed his gun and placed it on the table, along with an item similar to a mobile phone but with a thick antenna like a walkie talkie.

  ‘What’s that?’ asked Bernice.

  ‘Emergency beacon,’ said Brandon. ‘If I switch it on, it sends a request for help and brings support.’

  ‘Can I see?’

  Brandon nodded and Bernice picked the beacon up to examine it. She could see three LED lights on top, all flashing red.

  ‘Why don’t you use this, then?’ she asked.

  ‘Pointless,’ said Brandon, ‘It works on a similar system, but sweeps all the phone networks for an available signal. Those red lights mean there is no signal whatsoever. Besides, It’s not really warranted at the moment, it’s not as if I am in any danger yet, and when that thing goes off, all sorts of shit kicks into action.’

  ‘So you are on your own.’

  ‘For the moment, but I have made alternative arrangements. If I don’t report in within the next few hours, Murray will make a call and this place will be swarming with good guys within the hour.’

  Bernice placed the beacon on the bed.

  ‘Who is Murray?’ she asked.

  ‘Long story,’ said Brandon, picking up his gun. ‘Now, show me this locked door you told me about.’

  ‘What do you need that for?’ she asked.

  ‘There are guards everywhere,’ said Brandon, ‘If we are seen, I don’t want them thinking you helped me. At least this way, they will think you have been forced.’

  ‘Okay,’ said Bernice, ‘Let’s get this over with.

  They made their way down through the corridors and towards the hall without meeting anyone. Bernice opened the doors and made her way quickly towards the carving of the Holy Mother. She quickly ran her hands over the carving again, searching for the release switch she knew had to be there.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ asked Brandon.

  ‘I don’t know how it opens,’ she said.

  ‘Are you sure it is a door?’

  ‘Yes, I saw it open earlier on.’

  ‘How did they do it.?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Let me see.’

  Bernice allowed Brandon to replace her and he stood in front of the carving in silence.

  ‘Explain what you saw, exactly,’ he said.

  ‘Sister Agnes stood in front of the Holy Mother in veneration and the door seemed to open by itself.’

  ‘Explain veneration.’

  ‘She held out her arms in the shape of the crucifix.’

  ‘Like this?’ asked Brandon, stretching out his arms.

  ‘Yes,’ answered Bernice.

  Brandon’s arms couldn’t stretch to their full extent as they each met the reveals of the alcove on either side.

  ‘I wonder,’ he said and gave a push with each hand.

  The panel on each side clicked and the carving in front of him slid to one side.

  ‘Bingo,’ he said, staring down the corridor to his front.

  Bernice looked over his shoulder and into the dim corridor. This was no ordinary passage but a tunnel carved out of solid rock, the scar
s of ancient tools still visible on either side where it had been worked to make it wider.

  Come on said Brandon. Let’s take a look. He walked slowly forward, his gun held down at his waist, ready to be pulled into the aim at a second’s notice. As soon as they entered the corridor, the sliding door closed behind them with a click, and they walked forward nervously.

  Ten metres in, they passed a single doorway cut into the right hand corridor wall and though the door had no lock, Brandon could see it could be secured from the outside by a large metal bolt that slid across the door and into the rock reveal. At the far end they could see another door, though this one had a lock.

  ‘Your friend must be in there,’ said Brandon, ‘Where does it lead?’

  ‘I have no idea,’ said Bernice, ‘But I have a bad feeling about this. There should be no secrets within the order.’

  Brandon fingered his trigger nervously and tried the door handle. As expected, it was locked, but after a moment’s pause, Bernice produced her keys and gave them to Brandon. He tried a few before hearing a satisfying click, and, after a brief glance towards Bernice, eased the door slowly away from him.

  Immediately, a breath of warmth hit him and he eased his way sideways through the tiny gap, closely followed by Bernice. They both took one step beyond the doorway before pausing to stare at the scene below them in awe.

  In front of them was a stairway leading down to the floor of a cavern the size of a large church, warmly illuminated by hundreds of candles. At the centre of the cavern, a fire burned brightly in a pit sunk into the rocky floor, helping the candles to send flickering shadows around the cave. Leading away from the doorway, in either direction, a landing followed the walls of the cave, stopping about halfway around, providing a good view of the entire cavern. A one metre dwarf wall edged the landing, providing a natural barrier from the drop to the floor below.

  Brandon and Sister Bernice crouched down behind the perimeter wall and peered into the cavern.

  ‘Is that your colleague?’ whispered Brandon, indicating a lone figure near one of the walls.

  ‘Yes,’ said Bernice. Sister Agnes was replenishing candles in the hundreds of tiny alcoves cut into the walls.

  Brandon looked down into the cavern, taking in all the detail. There were several doors sunk into the rocky walls, each closed tight and secured with a locking bar slid into the frames. At the far end, and half way up the wall, a small wooden balcony extended into the cavern from an arch cut into the rock, and a small wooden stairway descended to the floor.