Chapter Thirteen: Listen and Relax
"Truly astonishing," Lady Anne Cleveland proclaimed, putting a note of reverence and awe into her voice. "Our tour of the cathedral was truly a spiritual experience. Don't you agree, Catherine?"
"Truly astonishing," Catherine echoed, trying to sound spiritual and reverent but giving away her true feelings with a big, healthy yawn. The tour of the ancient cathedral had involved a lot of walking, and a lot of kneeling, and a lot of standing up and walking some more. There had been lots of whispering and praying. Now Catherine wanted to sit down someplace, and drop the meek mask of a holy and spiritual maiden. She also wanted something to eat and drink.
"Perhaps it is time for some earthly refreshment," said the tall and strikingly handsome silver-haired priest. He'd been putting his fancy vocabulary to use all afternoon, exchanging learned remarks with Lady Anne about the paintings and statues inside the ancient French cathedral. Now he gave Catherine a charming smile that was almost like a sly wink. "Something to eat and drink."
"Father Gerard, you're the leading religious art expert in France. I'm sure you've heard about the priceless artefacts that were stolen from St. Paul's church in England." Lady Anne put down her china teacup and regarded the worldly, sophisticated priest with a gaze of searching intensity. "Can you help us?"
"Certainly I can help, if le Bon Dieu so wills it. The priceless jewels you speak of were stolen from a holy place and we must find them. But first we must ask ourselves, why were the jewels stolen?"
"Why, for money of course!" Catherine had been right in the middle of devouring one of her favorite cream-filled pastries when the older man's deep voice brought her head up sharply. A little of the luscious whipped cream was still stuck to the tip of her chin.
"Some thieves are hungry for money," the French priest acknowledged. He sounded very thoughtful and serious. But his eyes were twinkling as he wiped a dab of cream from Catherine's chin. "Just as young Mademoiselle craves sweets, they crave the excitement and pleasure that money can buy. But some thieves are not hungry for money or sweets. They are hungry for power."
"What sort of power?" Catherine felt as though the attractive French priest was toying with her, and she didn't like it. He always seemed to know exactly what she was thinking! She watched as Father Gerard licked his finger, tasting the cream he'd wiped from her chin. She found him a little intimidating, yet strangely fascinating.
"Some seek wealth, and some seek powers to unlock the mind. Lady Anne, give me that golden locket around your neck." Father Gerard spoke to the sophisticated older woman in a friendly manner, but his casual command was clearly meant to be obeyed.
"What do you want with her locket?" Catherine didn't like the priest bringing Lady Anne into the conversation. She wanted the great Father Gerard to ask her questions, and get her opinions about the missing jewels. Let him act all wise and mysterious and superior. She'd soon show him she wasn't a child!
"Mademoiselle, you are the key here. The young man who stole the jewels, I think perhaps he was a little in love with you. Were you close to him? Did you know his thoughts, his feelings?"
"Paul Atherton wasn't in love with me!" Catherine tried to laugh, but her cheeks were flushed. Did the priest think she was a little fool who fell in love with every boy she talked to? "We spoke once or twice, and he talked a lot about the boys at school not liking him. But I don't remember anything about wanting power or revenge."
"Perhaps we can discover more by unlocking your mind." The priest gave Catherine a steady look, as though to calm her and relax her. "If you please, mademoiselle, can you sit back and relax? And keep your lovely blue eyes fixed upon this golden locket."
"Well, if that's all you want." Catherine shrugged. Perhaps the nice old priest wasn't so clever after all. "It all seems a bit silly to me!"
"Father Gerard is very wise," Lady Anne put in, in her quiet voice. "Please do what he asks, Catherine dear. Listen and relax."
"Mademoiselle has listened long enough," the priest said, with a chuckle. "Now she simply wants to watch, n'est ce-pas?"
"Watch what?" Catherine felt a bit foolish, because of course there was only one thing to watch. The golden locket was swinging back and forth, and before long she was totally unaware of anything else.
