Dans le Murs (Part 14)

The evening passed off peacefully, the only interesting aspect was that my accession was to be kept a closely guarded secret until the formal promulgation. After a restful, and asexual, night sleep I awoke and prepared to make the arrangements to return to Delhi. After a light breakfast I was about to put in an appearance at the studio when Melanthe announced that ‘If it pleased me, Brother Oscar would like an audience’. It pleased me and he was shown in looking quite perky. I assumed he had news, hopefully good.
He bowed but I waved off the formalities and told him to sit and report.

“There is such a passage my lord,” he began, “that appears to be blocked by a collapse of sand. But there is a small side passage, almost invisible so we missed it first time round, which routes around the roof fall. It opens to an abandoned and long forgotten tunnel linked to the old mine workings. There is a concealed button that must summon the Opus agent when Catherine needed them. We didn’t use it because I should imagine there is a code and the wrong sequence would warn them off. We have placed a microphone near the door and a 24-hour watch is being kept at our side of the fall. I am hoping that the agent will get anxious that Catherine has not made contact and go to check the signal is working. We have also placed a capsule of Xytron-K gas in a crevice under the stairs. Our people can release this under remote control. A few molecules of that will stop an elephant so the Opus agent will be dropped for at least six hours. The guys from Council are pretty frightening even by TP standards. Gives us time to go overland as well as through the passage and ‘intercept’ them.” He said the last with some venom.

“They are here?” I asked. “Oh, and cut the ‘my lord’ crap!”
“Here and operational.” he nodded. “They did all the donkey work and it was their idea about the gas. Pretty scary bunch they are too. I’m glad they are on our side. They are also surveying the mill and its environs as well as ‘looking up’ – their words – this van der Pol family.”
“So now we wait?” I asked.
“So now we wait.” he confirmed.
“Thank you Oscar.” I congratulated him warmly, “I will stay until the activity finishes; I think that is the least I must do. Please keep me informed of any developments.” We stood up. “How is Novice Catherine?”

He looked away, a little discomfited. “I believe she is critically ill.” he said sombrely, “I apologise my lord, she did not deserve what I did.”
I shook my head. “No apologies are necessary or even sought.” my voice was commanding, “You did what was required and right for the situation. The woman understood what we wanted of her but she refused; something had to be done and it was. I can tell you, in confidence of course, that Council is fully supportive of your action so do not concern your conscience any longer.”
“I thank you for that but my sympathies still extend to her.” he acknowledged.
“Of course.” I agreed, “It is never noble to have to injure another human especially one so tender as Catherine but sometimes moral sacrifices are necessary for the greater good. Be well Oscar.”
He left a little happier I think. Melanthe and I set about making arrangements for me to return. I made certain that I was travelling anything but Gulf Air this time; in fact we got a very good deal with Emirates. I reserved an open ticket, hoping to travel within days rather than weeks. I missed Nahdya but did not know how long I could resist the delightful temptations of Melanthe or Anne-Marie. Once I was satisfied that all was in hand I returned through the tunnels to the orphanage, aware that there may well be another spy there. On making the studio I brought myself up to date with filming and the vagaries of the players. Surprisingly, they had been pretty good on the whole with only minimum tantrums and few fallings out. Once Therese and I were on the same wavelength I took Simone to a small room for a personal chat. I managed to collect two Cokes on the way before hugging and sitting down in two rather moth-eaten chairs.

“Okay young lady.” I began, “You have guessed at my intentions towards Nahdya, now I want to know all about this boy you have met. How do you feel about him? How is he treating you? Remember, I am still your guardian.”
She giggled and shuffled her legs more comfortable.
“His name is Henk and he is seventeen.” she started, “He lives in a small village about five miles away. He speaks super English but he is very shy. His father is a councillor or something in the village but Henk wants to be an architect.”
“How in heavens name did you meet him?” I asked.
“Oh, Henk and his father visit here from time to time.” she said brightly, “I think he is on the board of governors or whatever they have. Anyway, he brought Henk one day and introduced me as a visitor from England. We just, sort of, got on. He is really nice and kind and doesn’t try anything on with me. I have to lead him on – honest. He is really anxious when we get intimate; I think his father is a bit of a prude.” I began to hear a tiny warning bell tinkling in my head.
“Henk.” I said nonchalantly, “Is that a local name? It doesn’t sound French.”
She shook her head. “No, I think he said it was Flemish.” she replied, “He speaks Flemish as well as French and English.”
“So how do you feel about him?” I asked.
“He’s super.” she came back quickly. “I mean his dad is a bit odd but Henk is fun. We have been dancing a few times and he has taken me on the lake in an old boat. He likes to walk and watch birds.

He took me to see a film in French and he explained it to me.”
“His dad is a bit odd?” I enquired, “How do you mean ‘odd’?”
“Oh, you know, he is a bit religious.” she giggled, “And I’m not as you know. He seems to see God in lots of things and sometimes talks about the Devil but he’s okay really. I mean, he doesn’t try to force religion onto me – well, not much anyway. You know, grace at meals and Mass on Sundays but otherwise he is more interested in the school.”
I had this uncomfortable tingle that I sensed when something wasn’t quite right. I hoped that there was no connexion with Oscar’s search but two Flemish speaking families so close? For Simone’s sake I fervently wanted to be wrong.
“And what about sex?” I asked her, trying to change the subject.
She blushed deeply. “Fancy, a 18 year old virgin.” she dipped her head. “He was so innocent; I had to teach him almost everything. He was terrified of touching me at first and he wouldn’t let me touch him let alone see him. I almost had to force him to kiss me but I knew I was winning ‘cos I could feel him getting hard in his pants. He didn’t want me to but I felt him through them and he came. He was so ashamed that he cried. He didn’t know what to do; he said he felt dirty because he couldn’t control his emotions. I told him it was quite natural and I was teasing him so it was my fault. Anyway I made him take his pants off because they were wet so I eventually saw him. He was not too big but he had certainly shot enough. Anyway I encouraged him and finally we got together; you know I can be persuasive. He would not use a condom – sorry – but he said they were against the teaching of Rome. He pulled out and made me very wet. He still has a big hang up over sex but I’m winning.” She looked very impish.

“Have you been to his house?”
She nodded. “Mmmm, it’s a bit plain and compact.” she said, “I have been for dinner twice. He lives there with his father and older sister Gerrit – she’s a weirdo.”
”Weirdo?” I asked.
“Yeah, and how.” Simone wrinkled her nose. “She dresses like a nun, always carries a bible and tries to make sure everything is done according to a strict code. Her father sort of encourages her but as her mother is dead I don’t know whether she also was involved. I think she is a bit scared of him although I haven’t seen anything to support that. Oh yes, and Gerrit sometimes straps her leg with a sort of sharp belt. As I said, weirdo!”

The alarm bells were sounding louder now and I became depressed. Too many circumstantial pieces were slotting together; Simone was going to get hurt.
“Simone darling.” I wasn’t sure how to proceed. “Is Henk’s surname van der Pol by any chance?”
“Hey that’s not fair.” she pouted, “You have been checking up on me.”
“Bugger! Bugger! BUGGER!” I almost wept. “I have to go Simone. Please do something for me. Do not leave the school until I return. I don’t ask much of you but please do this for me. I will explain when I get back. If Henk or his father come visiting you are not to go with them, do you understand? Stay with Therese or Madeleine or anyone but please stay in the school.”
She paled. You are frightening me.” her voice shook. “Are you saying Henk will hurt me? He would never do anything like that.”
“No, I don’t think he would Simone.” I said sternly, “It is very complicated and may all be a load of bollocks but you may be in some danger via your friendship with Henk. Look, you know how much I love you and, I promise you, I swear to you, I would not ask this of you unless I was afraid for you. Please promise me you will do this one thing.”
“This has something to do with the temple and your trip to Thailand hasn’t it?” she sobbed.
“Not directly.” I replied, “But your links to me could put you at risk.”
“You won’t hurt Henk will you?” she said.
How could I answer that; if he were implicated he would most definitely be hurt.
“We won’t hurt anybody who is not involved.” I wriggled around the truth.
“And if he is involved?” she retorted.
“It is out of my hands Simone.” I said, my eyes filling with tears for her. “Believe me, I do not wish to harm anyone but someone is trying to do us great hurt, we must protect ourselves.”
“I’ve got to help him.” she got up but I pressed her back into the seat.
“Oh Simone. Simone.” I shouted. “You know I can’t let you do that. Please be reasonable.”
“Reasonable? Reasonable?” her voice shrilled. “Is it reasonable to sit here while you lot hunt my boyfriend? You must be fucking stupid if you think I will. If he is hurt I will kill you and all your fucking temple so let me go – NOW!”