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.
