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Chapter Five

-October 18th, 2006-
891 Riverside Drive


A message arrived at the mansion with the same boy that delivered the message regarding Constance. His nose was no longer running and there was definitely less of the starved look to his face. The weather was pleasant outside and there were no unsightly stains on his worn but clean clothing.

Proctor showed him into the parlor same as before, but this time Aloysius was inside.

His face smoothly without expression, Aloysius stood with his fingers tented in from of him. The pale blue of his eyes shone with light from the chandelier in a way only cats eyes should, although there was no menace in his demeanor. Everything on the surface was ever as calm and cultivated as Italian marble, a statue in living color.

“Welcome back Donovan, I’m very glad to find you in a better state of being. Has the same nurse given you this errand? Or did it come by other means?”

“I haven’t seen the Nurse since last time. They say she disappeared. But this morning the pastor got this package and it had my name on it. I opened it and this came out.” Donovan offered up a slim package with two sealed letters. “This was addressed to me.” Taking out an open letter, he set everything on to the side table.

“Thank you Donovan. You’ve been a great help to me.” Aloysius looked down at the items, furrowing his brow slightly.

“I’m just doing the honorable thing. That’s all.”

Aloysius nodded his head without speaking. A second later Proctor strolled through the doors. Donovan looked at Aloysius somewhat confused but followed Proctor out the door, leaving Aloysius in private to discover the contents his delivery.

The expensive envelops differed in both size and color. The narrow package was wrapped in an old fashion way with black brocade. One of the two envelops had Aloysius name on it, the other one was stamped with a large embossed ‘C’ in silver. Aloysius slid the pen-knife out of his suite jacket and opened the letter addressed to him. Diogenes' spidery handwriting filled the soft cream linen paper.


Ave, frater,

How have you been sleeping these past few days? Have you held the last of our line in your arms yet? Did it feel good to have your eternal child back?

I know you’ve been searching for me with much zeal; no doubt to thank me for taking such good care of Constance. I showed her the world, everything she read in the books, in real life she saw. I made her smile with excitement almost everyday. But there is no need to thank me at all, we are of course family.

Franklin Alister Fausto Pendergast

You were quite hopeful in choosing the names you did, were you not? Each one practically dripping with good intentions, I hope you succeed. Did Constance’s private thoughts help you? Did you enjoy them? How much did you read? What do you think you know? I do hope you still retain the decency of not reading the little note I sent to her with this letter. Even if you lost faith in me long ago, I still have faith in you.

I wonder if you held the same kind of hope for the other ladies. Did you hope for another glimpse of Viola in all her glory smiling at you? Honestly brother, I did you a favor. You will no doubt thank me one day. She was unworthy of you, so common, that she should have been a society puppet.

She wasn’t worthy of the Pendergast line. Viola Masklene needed to be subdued. Unfortunately the fire in her spirit kindled a flame her body could not survive. Do you dream of her? Does the scene of her burning in agony sear your mind? Do you still miss her?

Ah... brother it is always nice to ask yourself things you normally don’t. Let me leave you here with the questions, and my present. Give Constance my letter.


Diogenes


Aloysius put the letter down, neatly folding it back into the envelope. He felt cold but the rage inside burned white hot. The high cheek bones flushed with blood tinting it to the palest pink.

Carefully Aloysius peeled back the brocade cover the slim object. It was a carved sandalwood box lacquered to perfection on the outside. Inside a row of black shinning orbs rested in shredded dry vegetation. The scent of the sandalwood mixed with the distinct aroma of bubblegum invaded his nostrils.



-October18th, 2006-
Book Collectors Domain
Australia


Wren licked his lips as he read through the mail, coming upon another package for restoration request.

E. Armstrong
West Friar Ave.
Hampstead, London
UK

This was not a previously arranged order. Inside, was a letter requesting full translation and restoration of an 1885 French Notebook on botany. A rough leather bond notebook with some water damaged pages, the contents were dated and illustrated carefully.

Wren slipped into his headgear and flipped on the magnifying light. The vegetation in the notebook was meticulously rendered. Before long he was completely absorbed in the work. A tickling sensation announced to him three hours later that he was receiving a phone call. Pressing a button on his chest, Wren spoke into the microphone inside his collar.

“Greetings.”

“Wren, I’ve got some news for you.” Aloysius’ voice permeated through the tiny ear piece.

“I’m listening, Pendergast.”

“Constance is back and she is alive.”

“I’m... honestly glad to hear that she hasn’t fallen pray to Diogenes.” Wren looked up from his work into the darkness of the room, pausing in his work.

“That is a not exactly accurate assertion. Constance has just given birth to a son she conceived willing with my brother.”

“ Ah...” Somehow the light from the Magnifying light was suddenly blinding.

“I need you to inform me of anything that comes across anything that might be out of the ordinary.”

“You’re the first to know, Pendergast. Always the first to know.” Wren related the new book in his possession. Silence fell over the line yet they were still connected.

“Thank you.” Aloysius clicked off the phone, almost drowning in the ominous feeling washing over him again.



-October 18th, 2006-
Office of Dr. Nora Kelley
Museum of Natural History
New York City


The roasted chicken sandwich sat on her desk, growing stale. Nora lazily sipped her ginger ale with her head in her hands. Her stomach felt like it was trying to turn itself inside out. She had spent the entire morning over looking the restoration of the old fossil hall paintings. Menzies was out of town again and she was stuck by herself going up against narrow minded seniors.

She missed Margo, at least then she had someone to talk to about it all. Bill’s last book on the Diamond heist made the best seller list and stayed there for almost an entire year. She was happy for him but the sudden advancement has gotten in the way of their time together. Today he was doing some high society brunch on a yacht coursing the city harbor.

The telephone rings breaking her already aching head. With a grunt, she lifts her head up and reached for the phone.

“Hello?”

“Nora, baby, you sound awful. What is wrong? Are they working you too hard again?” Bill’s excited voice spoke with rapid succession

“No, they're not doing anything I can’t handle. Just a little under weather. I might be getting some sort of cold. It’s alright. How is your thing on the yacht?”

“Great, they had my book on display by the champagne and the food was amazing. They had these stuffed quail eggs with beluga caviar... and they had the best cream cheese and prong finger sandwiches... and oh...”

“Bill... Bill, sweetheart it’s not a good time to talk about food...” Nora closed her eyes and leaned back into her chair, praying she would not actually puke.

“Sorry, dear. But I was going to tell you I found something interesting on the way back from the harbor. If I am right in my hunch, and I always am, this might just be the big break Pendergast have been searching for.”

“Oh Bill, baby, please don’t do anything that might land you in Diogenes' line of fire. I can’t lose you.”

“Nora, I’m just information gathering from a distance, not going to go jet around to where the bastard might be hiding. Trust me okay.”

“I trust you Bill, but I know your hunches too. Just be careful, okay?”

“I’ll be careful. You just need to relax and maybe try to come home early. I could cook maybe and draw you a bath.”

That suggestion warmed Nora and all she wanted to do was fall into his arms and go to sleep. “I’ll try. I promise.”

“Hope to see you soon then.”

“Same here, bye Bill.”

Nora hung up the phone and looking up, to her surprise Dr. Menzies was smiling at her from the door way. His mild manner of dress contrasted with the intense intellectual fire that burned from behind his eyes. Nora smiled at her mentor, pushing the hair back from her face.

“Dr. Menzies, How long have you been standing there?”

“Not long at all. But you know leaving your door open like that is not always advisable.”

“I don’t normally do that just a little out of sorts today. How long are you back for? I could really use your insight on some of the items they found sealed in an old vault.”

“I can only stay a few days but I’ll be back before long. My mother, you know is not well and I can not leave her side extendedly.” Menzies eased himself into the love seat just to the side of the Nora’s bookshelves.

“That is a shame. You should see the vault. It’s full of artifacts from when the museum first opened. Most of it had handwritten tags but not much of them are still legible. And...” Nora paused, unable to get the words out of her mouth as the wave of nausea twisted her vision into a blur.

“Are you alright? Nora, I notice you look pale. Is anything the matter?”

Nora put her hands around the side of the face, steadying herself. The regency patterned green carpet swam into clarity and she noticed Dr. Menzies’ was no longer sitting in the love seat. He stood only a few feet away, looking upon with concern.

“I’ll be fine, but I really think I might have some odd form of a stomach virus.”

“I’m sure you will be just fine if you rested. Why not just go home for the afternoon and we will continue the fascinating discussion of the new vault tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I think I might. Bill just called, wanting to come home early too.”

“He’s good to suggest it. Because, Nora, if you don’t have your health, then you really do not have anything else.”

“Thanks.”

Somehow Nora noticed she was now on her feet with Dr. Menzies supporting her around the shoulders gently. It was a surprise to her how strong and firm his grip was. Nora felt like herself wanting to melt onto the floor again as another wave of sickness attacked her.

“Alright, Nora, I’m going to put you in a cab and send you home.” Menzies set her in her chair and reached for the phone to call for a cab.

Nora tried to gather herself while Menzies spoke to the taxi dispatch company. She couldn’t believe how awful she was feeling. Never had her body let her down so much and it didn’t seem to matter how much rest she’s gotten lately.

“It’s all set.”

“Thank you.”

“Nothing to it. They’ll be waiting for you as soon as you get your things ready. But in the meantime I will leave you with the present I brought.” Menzies reached into his bag and withdrew a colorful box. “These are caramelized ginger slices dipped in bittersweet chocolate. I saw them at the airport and thought you might like it.”

Nora managed a smile and accepted the gift.



-October 18th, 2006-
891 Riverside Drive
11:35 pm

The secret room behind the converted Dojo in the semi basement section of the house was not furnished with luxury, but it was still better the bedroom Corrie had as a child.

Her computer beeped indicating a new return message. Corrie looked at the screen, reading the text absentmindedly, smearing the lotion into her skin.


Cordelia,

I’m glad you’ve been put into action so early, but must also admit some slight jealousy. Do not misunderstand that I am envious of your progress but it is our time together that makes me feel this way. You no doubt know how I feel by now, and I don’t pretend to hide it. I wish you all the luck on the assignment. Special Agent Pendergast is a great mentor and I’m glad to be working with him. When should we meet in person? Please send time when you are able.

Jeffrey.


Corrie smiled crookedly to herself. Jeffrey was definitely not Casanova but he had a directness that somehow charmed her much more then flattery. He wasn’t hard on the eyes either, but it was his armor like polite manner that was so much fun to break.

The sound of running water echoed through the pipes. Corrie typed in her answer to Jeffrey and paused to listen. She felt herself surprised again at how acute her hearing has gotten since starting training. Loud music was now almost unbearable to her. Closing her eyes, she thought of Jeffrey but the image of Pendergast took root instead. She squeezed her eyes, concentrating harder, only to have her curiosity betray her.

Inside her mind Corrie imagined the lean form of Pendergast, bathing in the trickle falling from his shower. She could see the trails of water running across the smooth plans of his face, catching on the creases of his lips. The expensive recess lighting above haloed his pale form in gold.

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