The Book of Q

“I’m surprised they didn’t kill you.”

Another smile. “The Father took care of that. You became far more interesting to the cardinal rather quickly. Blaney saw to that, as well.”

“He told me he was trying to protect me.”

“Oh, he was. But he also knew a little fire under your feet would get you to the ‘Hodoporia’ all the faster. As long as von Neurath’s men were always a few steps behind, no need to worry.”

Pearse waited. “If Blaney knew how to find the ‘Perfect Light’ scroll, why use me at all? Why not send you?”

“Knowing how to find it was far different from actually finding it.”

Pearse needed a moment. “Ruini.”

“Funny little man.” Cesare’s gaze dipped for just a moment. “Boniface had him off looking for something entirely different, and he stumbles across the ‘Perfect Light.’” Again, he laughed to himself. “Talk about bad luck. For everyone.” He waited. “Once Ruini had the scroll, we knew von Neurath would do whatever was necessary to get it from him. And we knew the cardinal was going to be the next Pope.” Cesare finally looked at Pearse, eyes devoid of all emotion. “Now do you understand?” When Pearse didn’t answer, Cesare turned back to the window. He let out a long breath. “Allowing von Neurath to get his hands on the ‘Hodoporia’ would have made him uncontrollable. Who knows what he would have done with it? He’s never trusted the Word. He doesn’t understand its power. So Blaney needed someone who wasn’t part of this, someone von Neurath wouldn’t know, someone to find it for him first. Keep the balance. It’s what Mani had prepared you for.” Again he turned. “Any clearer?”

“So Ruini found the scroll, and you killed him.”

“Von Neurath’s people did that. We knew they would. It’s why I was sent. To bring you in.” Another long breath. “I suppose, for a time, he thought I might be able to handle it on my own. But then I didn’t have the training for the scrolls that you did. Plus, there was always the outside chance von Neurath might be able to link me with Blaney. Your connection was far more remote. We knew it would take them at least a week to discover it. By then, you’d be back. Or dead.” He turned back to the window. “At least now I never have to hear about baseball again.”

“The sacrifices we make,” said Pearse.

“Yes.”

Unable to look at the smirk any longer, he stood. “So Blaney went through all of this just to keep von Neurath in line?”

“He did it to make sure that the power of Mani’s Word would remain pure.”

“Purity at its finest.”

Cesare waited. “I’m surprised. I’d have thought after reading the ‘Hodoporia,’ you’d be less hostile. You really think we’re some group of fanatics, don’t you? I find that very … odd.”

“Why should I think that?” he said, turning to Cesare, his tone now matching the monk’s apparent indifference. “The church bombings, the Vatican, the bank, the hysteria over Islamic fundamentalism. Am I missing anything? Oh, and of course the one true and holy church for the initiated. Do we all get to be Manichaeans now, guided by those of you with the gnosis? No, that doesn’t sound like fanaticism at all, does it, Dante?”

“Ten million Manichaeans is more than enough.”

“Impressive.”

“We’ve no interest in converting the masses.”

“Just leading them around by their noses.”

Something seemed to change in Cesare. He turned to Pearse, a decided contempt in his eyes. “Unlike the Catholic church, Father?” He didn’t wait for a response. “What if I told you we’ve got child-welfare initiatives, drug- abuse programs, planned-parenting centers, all set up by the hundreds, both here in Europe and in the States? Would you think differently? We’re simply removing the darkness to free the light. In the abstract, I suppose it does sound like fanaticism. But not when it has a practical face to it. We’ve pumped millions of dollars into those areas and others so as to establish the base we need to put our cells to proper use. The Catholic church isn’t capable of making that kind of difference now. You’re an outdated and impotent monolith. You won’t even go near half those areas because of ancient doctrine. Well, we’re going into them and doing something about it. Fifteen hundred years ago, we wanted to destroy you because of the corruption of certain theological truths. Now, we simply want to put you out of your misery, turn the church into something that has real power, and that can make the world whole again.”

“Those are two very different objectives.”

“Not if you understand what we’re trying to do.”

“You mean like creating raw panic? I guess there’s nothing more practical than that. I’m not sure that’s what the ‘Hodoporia’ has in mind.”

“I agree. And it’s not what we have in mind, either.”

“Not from what I’ve seen.”

Cesare seemed ready to press on. Instead, he stopped. The lazy smile reappeared. His gaze drifted out the window. “That will all be corrected.”

“Oh.” Pearse nodded. “I get it. Blaney’s the good Manichaean with all the programs. It’s von Neurath who’s been the rogue all along.” When Cesare didn’t answer, Pearse continued. “You really expect me to believe that Blaney had no idea what von Neurath was doing? Do you actually believe that? Unless I’ve missed something, you need to eliminate every other church out there before your true and holy one can make its appearance. Which means von Neurath is every bit the committed Manichaean Blaney is, and every bit as crucial. Maybe more so. Blaney needs this violence and hysteria just as much as von Neurath does.”

Cesare looked again at Pearse. “He needs the ‘Hodoporia’ for the reason you’ve just pointed out. Are you that dense that you think there haven’t been Manichaean Popes before now? Benedict the Ninth, Celestine the Fifth-but they were as devoted to the ‘Hodoporia’ as we are. And not just to its destructive force as von Neurath is. They refused to do anything-in fact, they knew they couldn’t do anything-because the promise of the ‘Hodoporia’ isn’t just about destruction. It’s about rebirth. You more than anyone know that it explains what the unity is meant to look like beyond the corrupted church. Without the ‘Hodoporia’ and its full promise, those Popes had no choice but to keep their power in check while they served a corrupted church. A man like von Neurath doesn’t understand that.”

“Really? Or maybe those Popes realized the greater paradox. That in order to achieve the triumph here on earth-your one pure church-they had to unleash a darkness that would have tainted any consequent light, no matter how pure. Blaney’s just convinced himself that the ‘Hodoporia’ can rise above that. How convenient.”

Cesare had lost the smile. “You really didn’t understand it at all, did you?”

“I guess not.”

Silence. Cesare again turned to the window. “Well, then, you’ve missed your opportunity now that Blaney has it.”

“Oh, he doesn’t have it.”

Pearse thought he saw the slightest crack in Cesare’s expression. Just as quickly, the monk regained his composure.

“Then he will soon enough.” He slowly turned to Pearse. “How’s the boy? I meant to ask. He has such a good mind for the prayers.”

The two men stared at each other. Cesare then returned his gaze to the window. “Such a lovely little soprano.”

Pearse stood there, his eyes fixed on Cesare. Once again, he felt a rush of violence. With every ounce of restraint he had, he slowly turned and headed for the door.

“Good-bye, Ian.”

Half a minute later, Pearse watched Angeli rise from her chair as he walked back into the library. “Well?” she said.

Pearse said nothing as he moved toward them.

Angeli sensed something. “What is it, Ian?”

“Did he tell you anything?” asked Peretti, once again seated behind the desk.

Pearse drew up to them. He continued to hold Peretti’s gaze. Finally, he spoke. “I can’t give you the