So her duty was clear.
揑 will bring her home,?Claire said.
揂nd what of the electronic images??came a question.
揑 have dealt with those,?the abbess said. 揟hey are, right now, being obtained.?
揟hen what??
揥e shall destroy them,?the abbess said, 揵ury our sister, and, hopefully, this matter will be at an end.?
Chapter 30
Nick entered the Novotel Gent Centrum. Nothing shy about its d閏or, a bold modern splash of color atop white marble. Beyond a set of tall windows and glass doors at the far end he spotted an inner courtyard that accommodated a pool. He was taking a chance coming inside, but Kelsey had confirmed that the laptop was at this location and there was no way to electronically narrow that down any further. She抎 checked on the internet and learned there were 117 rooms. But it wasn抰 necessary to find the computer. The plan had been to learn where it was headed.
He studied the spacious interior and decided on a location inside a lobby bar where he could watch the exits and elevators without being readily seen. He sat at a small table against the wall and kept his eyes focused. He was surprised by Kelsey抯 admissions, especially that she still loved him. Of course, it wasn抰 the love of a man and woman, husband and wife. But a connection still existed, one that she抎 obviously wanted to rekindle.
And he was glad.
If friendship was all she could offer, then he抎 take what he could get.
Two nuns entered the lobby through the front doors. Older women. Dressed in the same gray dresses and veils as the other two with the laptop. More Maidens of Saint-Michael, the retired version. They calmly walked to the elevators and disappeared inside. He hustled over and watched the floor indicator stop at 3, then begin a descent.
Okay. He抎 narrowed things down.
He was about to head up to the third floor when, across the busy lobby, Inspector Zeekers entered through the main doors accompanied by four uniformed officers.
He darted left and found the stairwell.
Zeekers and the other officers never saw him. They headed straight for the main desk, flashing badges and talking with the people behind the counter. He watched through a small glass window in the door. What was he doing here? It would not be long before Zeekers headed to the third floor. Kelsey had wanted to know why her prioress had betrayed her. Why the twelfth panel had been destroyed. And what was so important about the images she抎 recorded. All excellent questions. Which Inspector Zeekers might or might not care to answer. But those nuns? They had answers.
He found his phone and reconnected with Kelsey. He抎 ended their continuous call when he抎 first entered the hotel.
揟he police are here,?he told her.
揑 know. I called them.?
He was shocked. 揥hy??
揟his is a matter for them.?
He told himself to stay cool and not show irritation. She didn抰 know better. 揑 wish you抎 run that by me first.?
揥hat else would we do? They have my laptop. You have them. Let the police take over.?
揔elsey, I don抰 try to tell you about God. How about you let me handle the investigatory stuff??
揑 was only棓
No time to explain. 揑 have to go.?
He ended the call and rushed up the metal risers two at a time. Before he reached the door for the third floor it opened and four nuns hastily entered the stairwell. The two from the market along with the two older women who抎 just arrived. One held the laptop. Another carried two small knapsacks.
They froze and stared at him.
揘ow, this is awkward,?he said. Then he raised his hands in mock surrender. 揑抦 not your enemy. Okay??
None of them said a word.
揟he prioress told you the password, so you抳e surely discovered there are no images on that machine. I removed them.?
He could see that admission drew their interest.
揑 have them safely tucked away. So that cow is gone from the barn, if you get my drift.?
He could see they did.
揥e need to leave,?one of the younger nuns said. 揟he police are here.?
揑 know. But that wasn抰 my doing. I抦 here to help with that.?
揥e should trust him,?one of the older women said. 揥e really have little choice.?
The younger nun, the one with the bruise, nodded.
He pointed. 揝orry about that smack to the face.?
揑抦 not sorry for the kick to your gut.?
He smiled. 揘o, I imagine you抮e not. Let me deal with the police. I抣l buy you time to get out.?
They still did not move.
揙r you can stay and take your chances with them,?he added.
揂ll right,?the one with the bruised face said.
揌ead down to the underground parking garage,?he said. 揑 saw a sign on the ground floor that pointed an arrow downward. I抣l deal with Inspector Zeekers. He抯 with the General Directorate of Judicial Police. You people have attracted the big boys.?