“Isn’t it wonderful when the Lord lays the same thing on two people’s hearts.”
“It is,” Amanda agreed.
“So, you don’t have any idea why the Lord might have sent you? Can I pray for you?”
“I always need prayer,” Amanda said. She seemed to have something on her mind. “A lot has happened since we last spoke… and most of it not good.”
Philippe leaned forward. “Tell me more.”
“I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Take your time. Relax.”
Amanda took another sip of coffee, set the cup down on the desk, and sat back in her chair. “Do you remember Zane?”
“Of course. How could I forget? It’s not every day that someone puts a gun to my head.”
Amanda laughed, but then her expression became serious again. “Well, he was taken hostage.”
“What? How did this happen?”
“It was when we went to the Renaissance offices, the ones you helped us find. I’m sorry I didn’t call you before. It’s just been so crazy.”
“No, don’t apologize.” Philippe sat up in his chair. “I understand. Who took him?”
“Mironov.”
“Alexander Mironov? Your father’s former employer?”
“Yes.”
“And your friend,” Philippe said. He took a moment to think, unsure how to frame his next question. “Is he still alive?”
“As far as we know, yes.”
“Oh, praise God. And do you know where he is?”
The answer to that question wasn't simple. Amanda told a convoluted story about Mironov's boat, a failed attempt to rescue Zane, and an encounter with a robotic woman. “She, the robot, said that Zane had probably been brought to Geneva.”
“So she was cooperating with them?”
“Yes, apparently she’s no friend of Mironov.”
Philippe scratched his chin. “Did she say why they would bring your friend here?”
“She didn't know. Mironov’s partner didn’t like this robotic employee, so she was cut out of the loop.”
“Mironov’s partner?”
“Yes, some Italian man,” said Amanda, biting her lower lip. “An exorcist. I believe his last name starts with the letter M.”
“M, M, M…” Philippe mumbled to himself. He suddenly looked up at her without moving his head. “Maresse?”
“Yes, that’s it!” Amanda shouted, snapping her fingers.
“Of course.” Philippe leaned back in his chair, staring at the flame of one of the votives as if it had given him the answer. “Vincenzio Maresse.”
“You know him?”
“I know who he is and… that’s not good news. I should’ve known he was somehow involved.”
“How could you have known he was involved in this?”
“I will tell you in a few moments. For now, I’d like you to finish your story.”
Amanda told him about the planned Christmas banquet at CERN, with Mironov and Marrese attending. “And there's more. They believe the two men are planning something big, at this banquet or at least in the next few days.”
“Of course,” replied Philippe. For the last few weeks he had come under a great burden when he prayed, particularly when at the cathedral by himself. The Lord had given him insight into many dark things, and had made it clear that he was to keep the information to himself until the appointed time. The pastor realized that the appointed time was now, and he knew that the American girl arriving a couple of days earlier had been no coincidence. Each and every part of her story fit with what he had received in prayer, only there were a few pieces still missing.
“I must tell you something, Amanda. I’m a simple man who has always had a simple faith. For years the Lord has gifted me in the simple but beautiful task of tending to the needs of my flock. It’s something I delight in; my life’s calling, if you will.”
Philippe stopped and picked up one of the votive candles, watching the tiny flame dance around inside the glass. Without moving his eyes from the candle, he continued, “But over the last few months, He’s led me in a different direction, showing me terrible things that are about to take place right here in this city. The visions were so intense that I questioned my sanity at times — that is, until many of those things came to pass.”
Philippe set the votive down and said, “He showed me that someone would come, and fill in many of the details that I hadn’t been given. The Lord showed me that I could trust that person, even partner with them in the battle that is about to take place.” Philippe sat down in his chair once again and looked across the desk. “Which is why I’m sharing this with you, Amanda. You are that person.”
There was a long moment of silence before Amanda finally said, “That’s a little scary. It truly is. But it would certainly explain why I felt led to come out here tonight.”
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Philippe asked. “And your concern is certainly understandable. But just remember, if He calls us to a perform a task, we’ll have everything we need to do it.”
“So, is it safe to assume that Mironov and Marrese are the ones who are involved in the dark things God told you about?”
“Yes, but God has chosen not to reveal to me what exactly they're going to do — maybe because we’d succumb to fear.”
A look of concern crossed over Amanda’s face. “So you have no idea what this might be about? That seems odd. How can we combat something, when we don’t even know what it is?”
“That is the way God often works. But I was shown one thing: whatever they’re involved with relates to ancient times. An ancient evil, if you will.”
Amanda frowned. “Mironov and his men are bringing back something from ancient times? I don’t follow.”
“Again, we will know in the proper time. God sometimes moves like a glacier, but His timing is always perfect.”
“But you’re sure that Mironov and Marrese are involved in the very thing that you were shown in your prayers? Perhaps they’re two different things.”
“I’m sure the two are related. When you told me that the priest was involved then it all began to make sense. Mironov is simply a willing pawn. The Enemy brought him in to provide the muscle and the money. Marrese is the one who has connected with the dark side. This madman has opened a lot of doors, but we must make sure that he never opens the final door.”
“My friends, the ones working for the American government, are pursuing them now. Who knows, perhaps they’ll be able to put all of this to bed.”
“The Lord appears to be using your friends for His purposes. However, you and I also have a role — perhaps an even more important one.” Philippe stood up. “The first thing we are going to do is to go back out into the cathedral and pray. And then we will go back to my apartment to prepare for a short trip.”
“Where are we going?”
“Into battle.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“Bach. Brandenburg’s Concerto Number Two, if I’m not mistaken,” stated Carmen, taking a sip of Chateau d’Auvenier pinot noir.
“What did you say?” asked Reid, unable to hear her over the orchestra.
“I said I believe that’s Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto Number Two,” she repeated in a raised voice.
“I’m impressed,” Reid replied, nodding. “Beauty and brains. I think I chose a good date.”
“Just keep your hands to yourself. Remember, I have brains and I’m not easy.”
“I’ll just remind you to do the same,” Reid deadpanned. “After all, I’m not sure you’ve ever seen me looking this good before.”
The two operatives stood at the back of the crowd that was gathered in the main hall of the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, home of CERN’s annual Christmas party. Despite the early hour, the party was already in full swing, with no shortage of drinks and loud conversation. Formerly a hydroelectric station, the Bâtiment served as Geneva’s premiere performing arts center. The beauty of the L-shaped building was due, in part, to its position on the Rhone River.