CHAPTER XV
Acheiropoieta
The Bayporters were still quite confused over the machinations of the Hades chute system. Mr. Hardy explained how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers developed a whirlpool that funneled to a long vat acting as a vacuum leading directly to a landing pad and adjacent control room. He first saw the operation as a corporal on the African front during the war. Most recently, it came to his attention during his work in the Bahamas.
"We couldn't believe we saw Dad when we landed!" Joe exclaimed as the group continued to bombard the Hades survivors with questions.
"We really thought we were done for," Frank admitted.
"The Army sure must have had an egghead to design such a contraption!" Biff cracked.
"Indeed," Mr. Hardy replied. "It was engineered by a brilliant scientist who I believe is one of the leading new technologists in Silicon Valley. Also a generous philanthropist and art collector. Name of Alduous Huxley Drollinger."
Frank, Joe, Tony and Phil Cohen exchanged glances. They quickly brought Mr. Hardy up to speed on the number of recurrences the name Drollinger has appeared in the case.
"Let's add him to the debriefing," Mr. Hardy promised.
"The Shroud might be safe," Joe suggested, "but only for now. We can't stop until SPECTRE is dissolved." The others quickly agreed.
They now walked a short distance towards a camouflaged base dubbed the Brickyard. Mr. Hardy promised to update the gang on the status of what he'd uncovered since the group embarked on their voyage. Everywhere they went among the classified personnel at the base they were greeted with congratulations for safe transport of the Shroud.
Mr. Hardy and Felix Leiter led the Bayporters to a mess hall for a much anticipated hot meal. "Hey, so this is where Chet is!" Phil called out as he noticed the lad playing cards with a group of gentlemen.
Felix Leiter stated, "Chet sure knows his card games."
"Make sure he's playing by the rules, Mr. Leiter," Frank quipped. "He's been known to try to pull fast ones. Especially during his magician phase."
The others laughed as some scattered to the buffet line. "I heard that," Chet said without looking up from his hand. The man across from him, in a short-sleeved brown polo, hair slick and parted to one side, kept his own eyes down on his cards, poker-faced.
"Say, Dad," Joe said in a low voice as he eyed the mysterious man across from Chet. "What of Dr. Jones? Is he all right?"
Mr. Hardy's face clouded. "That's why we need your help," he replied.
The group convened in a meeting room. Frank and Joe and friends learned from the presenter, Felix Leiter, that the investigation into the whereabouts of Ernst Blofeld's stronghold determined that it was likely located in three areas.
Mr. Hardy unfurled a map. "The geographic locations of Cape Verde, off the west African coast," explained, pointing to one circle, "is an option. Another is here." Mr. Hardy traced a circle around southern Greece. "The island of Cyprus. And third, the far end of the world." He pointed all the way down by Argentina. "The Falkland Islands. All three contain structures impervious to satellite imagery."
"When did you last have movement on SPECTRE?" Frank inquired.
"Was it Armenia?" Joe added.
Leiter nodded. "Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel reference to Edessa duped SPECTRE into thinking the Shroud was hidden in the ancient city wall. They had Jones with them. When they found out Edessa was not it, they've vanished."
"What makes you think the Falkland Islands?" Callie asked.
"We know Blofeld hid in Brazil for many years after the war while conceiving SPECTRE," Leiter answered. "Operatives have also been to and fro from South America in the last several years."
"I don't see that fitting in to Blofeld's plan for the Shroud," Frank said. "What of Cape Verde?"
"That's my theory," Tahir offered, joining the group. "It's within the realm of Europe but not of it. Perfect for a stronghold."
"Dr. Jones uncovered a Carthaginian settlement there several decades ago," Mr. Hardy explained. "They left behind a fortress to prevent the Romans from sailing into the Atlantic. Blofeld may have 'inherited' it."
Each of the Bayporters weighed the possibility of that location in their own minds. Finally, Biff nodded to Cyprus. "And Cyprus?"
A voice boomed in response from behind the group. "An abandoned monastery."
Heads turned. Chet and his crony from the card game stood at the doorway. The man folded his arms. Chet did the same. The others waited expectantly for the man to continue. He did not offer anything else. In the corner, Felix Leiter smiled.
"So," Frank reasoned, turning back, "An abandoned monastery sounds promising. But so does the Cape Verde stronghold."
"How did it become abandoned?" Iola asked.
"A few years ago monks living at the monastery contracted some kind of collective illness. Highly contagious. All of the occupants of the monastery perished," Leiter answered.
"Abandoned ever since," an additional CIA agent, Kaspar, added.
"Now that's suspicious," Joe volunteered.
"Agreed," Frank answered, deep in thought.
"Maybe it's connected to my great-uncle's order," Tony offered. "Do we know the name of it?"
"It's an Eastern Orthodox monastery," Mr. Hardy explained, firing up an overhead projector. He placed a transparency sheet on the glass. "This is what it looks like." The group gazed at a photograph, likely from the 1930s, of a funeral service on the monastic grounds.
"Built in the 10th century," Kaspar elucidated, "the monastery is situated on the northern coast." Even though a black-and-white photograph, one could see the shimmering, enchanting waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
"That's a long explanation to your question, Tony," Leiter said. "To let you know it's a Greek name, rather unfamiliar to our ears. It's called Acheiropoieta Monastery."
A collective gasp rose from the Bayporters. For the first time, the man in the back expressed some emotion as he saw the reaction to the name. He unfolded his arms. Chet did the same.
"Do you know this?" Mr. Hardy asked excitedly.
Tahir stood up, as did Frank and Joe and the others. "That's it! That's where Blofeld's stronghold is!" Joe exclaimed.
"Not made by human hands," Biff said slowly. "There's something in that monastery connected with the Shroud."
Leiter and Mr. Hardy exchanged surprised glances. "How did we miss that?" Leiter asked.
"Let's get going," the man in the back said.
"Excuse me, sir," an irritated Frank retorted, facing him. "May I ask who you are?"
"Oh, this is my friend," Chet replied with a friendly grin. Then he frowned. "Rats, I've forgotten. What is it again, Jim something?" he asked.
The man rolled his eyes. "Bond," he blandly answered. "James Bond."