She entered the chamber.
The majesty of the restored panels immediately caught her eye. The colors so vibrant, so alive, as if just painted a few days ago. Her prioress waited, admiring the altarpiece. About half a dozen other people were inside too. An attendant stood off to the side and kept watch. Photography was strictly forbidden, and security cameras watched everything. The older woman greeted her with a smile. They both wore the green smocks and veil of Saint-Luke.
揂re you truly okay??the prioress asked.
She nodded. 揑 took a kick to the chest. But I抣l survive.?
揑 was so concerned when I received the call, for your safety. I抦 relieved to know that you were not harmed.?
Kelsey carried the laptop, which she抎 been instructed to bring. 揥e were able to retrieve this, though. Thankfully, my images survived.?
The others drifted out, the attendant following, and they were left before the altarpiece alone. Eleven panels stood open under the indirect light. The space for the twelfth marked by a placard that read 揃eing restored will return soon?in several different languages. But it wouldn抰 return.
Not ever.
揔elsey,?the prioress said, 揑 came here today first and foremost to make sure you were safe. I am grateful to God that is the case.?
She appreciated the concern, which seemed genuine.
揧ou are a lovely woman and a most talented restorer. Our convent is honored to have you.?
揥hy do I hear a but in there??She could see that the older woman was conflicted. 揥hat is it??
揃efore I came to the Congregation of Saint-Luke, I served for many years with the Maidens of Saint-Michael.?
She connected the dots. 揟hey have a convent here, in Ghent.?
The prioress nodded. 揟hey do. It抯 a retirement home. The motherhouse is in southern France. I served there for nearly ten years. I then moved to our order, a promotion of sorts, for my many years of loyal service.?
The chapel remained empty and they stood off to one side of the display. It was hard for her eyes not to focus on the magnificent painting, her mind drifting back to the conversation earlier with Nick. What she抎 told him was true. Works of art like this were not produced solely for beauty. They were more like ancient billboards, serving God and church, educating and edifying. Designed to strengthen Christian ideals through majestic images, and to send subtle messages, the fabulous aesthetics more a means than an end.
What was this painting trying to say?
She desperately wanted to know.
Her prioress?concern for her safety seemed more a lead-in for what she really wanted. Nick had told her to be patient and not press. Let it unfold at her pace. Her relationship with this woman up to now had been minimal and businesslike. Most sisters rarely spoke of their past or their families. Those thoughts were kept private. Some had a need to open up to anyone about anything, but most spoke little of their life before the convent. So the prioress?admission about her own past was surprising.
揥hy are you telling me this??she asked.
揑 want you to understand what I am about to ask of you.?
She braced herself.
揑 require you to give me your computer and all of the images you have regarding the twelfth panel. Are they there, on the machine??
She nodded.
揘o copies??
揘one.?
揑 understand that you participated last night in a police search of the maiden抯 house here in Ghent.?
揌ow would you know that??
揧ou did not inform me that such occurred.?
Not an answer. 揙ne of those sisters, or a woman whom they offered sanctuary to, stole this computer. Another set fire to the Just Judges. We had every right to investigate.?
揟here is never a good reason to violate the sanctity of a convent. Not ever. The Maidens of Saint-Michael deserve their privacy. Never would they harbor criminals.?
She was not comforted by the observation. 揙ne of those women is dead.?
揑 know. I am asking, as your prioress, for you to walk away from this matter and return to the convent.?
揑 can抰 do that.?
Another knot of people drifted into the chapel and began admiring the altarpiece. The prioress motioned and they exited back into the church and found a quiet corner in the expansive nave.
揟hen I抦 ordering you to do as I stated,?the prioress said. 揑 was hoping it would not come to that, but you leave me no choice.?
When she took her final vows, she pledged to obey her lawful superiors according to the rules of the sisters of Saint-Luke. Though there were elements of a democracy within a convent, it was, by and large, a totalitarian state with one person in absolute charge. That oath meant something to her. But she wondered how much it meant to the prioress.
With no choice, she handed over the computer.