Note: Glad everyone enjoyed the last chapter... now it's time to move the pieces into position for the next gambit.

Unexpected Results, Part XXXV

Leon: "It's been an hour, and Hugue's still not back yet."

Johanna: "You think he went back to that hostel we're staying at?"

Abel: "It's possible... but knowing Hugue, he could be anywhere right now. It's best we just stay put for now."

Johanna: "Of course, that's assuming he's all right."

Leon: "Like I said before, this is Hugue we're talking about."

Johanna: "Oh, this is ridiculous. It's time we stop reacting, and start acting."

Leon: "Great idea. How do you plan to do that?"

Johanna: "Go talk to Memling."

Abel: "Are you crazy?"

Johanna: "Damn it, I want answers, and I'm sick of being patient. I'm also tired, cold, scared, and seriously pissed off at having some vampire try and barbecue me with a flamethrower. I vote we go to talk to the Count, get a few answers, and then get some well-deserved sleep."

Abel: "Johanna, you can't just go barging into a Methusaleh's home at one o' clock in the morning, especially if he's the Count that oversees the city!"

Johanna: "Really? Watch me."

Memling: "Tobias, I thought I'd given specific instructions that I was not to be disturbed."

Tobias: "Yes, your Excellency. However, I was convinced that this was a matter of grave importance and that it should be brought to your attention as quickly as possible."

Memling: "And how were you convinced that this was the case?"

Tobias: "By the fact that the woman standing behind me has a gun loaded with silver ammunition pointed directly at my heart."

Memling: "I see... yes, that would be considered most persuasive."

Johanna: "I beg your pardon for intruding using such rude means, your Excellency, but I wanted to make certain that we got your attention."

Memling: "You have it. You may go, Tobias."

Tobias: "Thank you, your Excellency."

Memling: "And you are...?"

Johanna: "Sister Johanna Sinclair, on special assignment from the Vatican."

Memling: "For a nun, you seem remarkably unafraid to confront a Methusaleh alone in his home."

Johanna: "To be honest, it's the adrenaline from being shot at earlier. Right now, I'm just here to do a job and leave. That's it."

Memling: "And what makes you think that you're going to just walk out of here, if your intent is hostile?"

Johanna: "Because my intent isn't hostile. As a matter of fact, I'm here to save your life."

Memling: "I'm surprised they sent you here alone. The other two Vatican operatives here with you, I mean. Yes, I do keep tabs on what happens in my city."

Johanna: "Actually..."

Leon: "She's not alone."

Abel: "She just believes in a more unorthodox approach, and an unsanctioned one, at that."

Leon: "You're just irritated that it worked as well as it did."

Johanna: "My colleagues, your Excellency. Father Abel Nightroad, and Father Leon Garcia de Asturias."

Memling: "Good evening, gentlemen. So, Sister... what is so important that you would threaten one of my staff, rather than pursuing the more acceptable diplomatic channels?"

Johanna: "Because right now, the only people I trust here in Antwerp are standing on either side of me. And the fewer channels we have to go through, the happier we're going to be. So, with all due respect, your Excellency, Fathers... I recommend skipping all the politically correct verbal fencing."

Memling: "A most refreshing change. Do sit down."

Abel: "Thank you. I apologize in advance if this sounds melodramatic. Our intel indicates that someone is planning to assassinate you, your Excellency. We are here on behalf of the Vatican to assure you that we are investigating the matter, to prevent any open confrontation between the Counts of the Four-City Alliance and the Church."

Memling: "And what makes you think that someone would want to kill me?"

Leon: "Well, that depends on whether the two surviving Counts intend to take you out before you take them out, the way you did Karel Vandenburg. And before you start lying about it, don't bother."

Memling: "I see."

Johanna: "However, there is another faction at work here that would be more than pleased to watch the Four-City Alliance self-destruct. We don't want that, any more than you do, I should imagine."

Memling: "Then how do you account for the fact that a Vatican operative has already assassinated no less than twenty-six people in my city?"

Abel: "The eight murders that took place the other night were not the work of the Vatican."

Memling: "But you don't deny that the eighteen murders that took place a week or so ago were the result of your operative."

Abel: "That we're still investigating."

Memling: "Until someone so coincidentally destroyed your cathedral."

Johanna: "And if it was you, then I hope you've made your peace with God, because I will introduce you to Him personally."

Abel: "Johanna..."

Memling: "No matter what you might believe, Sister, I was not involved in the destruction of Our Lady's Cathedral, nor did I sanction it in any way. I have no desire to have the Vatican swarming all over my city."

Leon: "Is that why you sent someone to Steen Castle earlier this evening to try and kill us?"

Memling: "What are you talking about?"

Johanna: "A Methusaleh tried to kill us earlier when we met with... a fellow operative during the process of our investigations into the murders."

Memling: "I had nothing to do with it."

Abel: "Strangely enough, I believe you. As far as the assassination attempt, your Excellency, we've received word it is planned for two nights from now."

Memling: "I see... and the other Counts?"

Leon: "We've not yet been able to discover if their lives are at stake as well, although it's a pretty safe bet that if someone's gunning for one of you, the others are next in line."

Memling: "And you have proof of all of this?"

Abel: "Yes."

Memling: "This lends itself to an interesting option..."

Leon: "And that is?"

Memling: "In two nights, there will be a fete here at my estate. The assassin, if your claims are true, will most likely strike then. If you really are here to prevent an open conflict between the Four-City Alliance and the Vatican, perhaps I should request that you three attend as well, to provide additional... security."

Johanna: "Oh, good, I LOVE parties..."

To be continued...