Tony in bewilderment: “Seriously? The guy is a real notorious personality. He was born on the North Shore, but his grandparents came from Italy, did you know that?”
Claudio adrenalized, replied, “I know everything about him. I want to be a detective! I need to…” Michael entered the room suddenly, grabbing an apple and breaking into the conversation, “Your father will never allow such a travesty, do you realize that Colombo?”
Tony abruptly interrupted his son: “Mind your business, Mr. Internet, Claudio is big enough to decide his future, and we all know that Giacomo is always playing the role of the stubborn.”
“Thanks uncle, I am happy for your support. You got my point!”
CHAPTER IX
The Encounter
A week later, outside the police academy: “It seems our detective is surrounded by a storm of cadets. You need Ryan’s intervention, son. Everybody is happily having a photo with Kevin,” resumed Giacomo…Isabel was impatiently rolling her eyes
Ryan gestured at Claudio, while Isabel poked his shoulder. He suddenly darted toward the inspector, anticipating a few cadets ready to raid the man. “May I introduce myself, sir? My name is Claudio Verallo, from Rome.
I am so happy to have the possibility to talk with you today. I was invited by one of my best friends here, Cadet Ryan Swann. He is standing over there.”
Mesotti paraded a compliant look, while gently depositing his phone in the right pocket of his elegant gray jacket. He noticed the other cadet retrieving a few steps away.
“Puoi respirare quando parli ragazzo! You can breathe when talking, boy,” said him, surprisingly mentioning a few Italian lines with an English accent. “I still know some Italian. I am impressed with your straightforward decision to burn the others. You know what you want. I like that. What can I do for you, Claudio?”
The boy was blushing, flattered by Kevin’s comment. He called to Isabel and his father, introducing them. Claudio was very attentive, noticing Kevin’s elegance. He introduced to Mesotti the figures of Laura and Reverend Armando Suarez.
The officer without any hesitation, and boasting a grinning smirk, told Claudio, “I know about it! Italian police have been collaborating with us since Father Larry died. Nothing was found in Rome related to his homicide, and the documents police found were just historical facts.”
After a short hiatus, he said, “Nobody ever threatened him or had a problem with Larry. He was reserved and obsessed with his studies, search- ing for spawned legends of the middle Ages,” concluding with a guttural, rumbled voice.
Giacomo speculated, “Do you know Inspector, how difficult it is to be transferred in a different diocese when studying in the Vatican?” A pause followed. “Not really,” replied Kevin, while Giacomo insisted, “It seems as if the clergy was eager to send Larry to Vancouver. It took only six weeks for the blissful upper echelon of the vicariate to arrange Larry’s departure from Rome. Outstanding!”
Kevin’s eyes riveted in a pale doubtful face: “I do not know about the clergy affair, and I want to rely on what you are saying, given that you guys are from there,” answered the perplexed officer.
Claudio’s father sounding arrogant and accusing, said, “They even hesitated when looking for the previous curator of the church, who was there before Larry. How come he was moved so quickly?”
In hearing all these logical and consequential questions, the inspector yanked with a tweak of uncertainty. He needed a way out with his smart guests, cutting to the chase and unveiling confidential information. “I think you did not come here for a signature or a photo, am I wrong? Anyway, I appreciate all the comments and criticism about this intricate case. If you know more, please let me hear it, I will give you my phone number just in case.”
Claudio was bewildered in hearing Kevin’s comments. A moment before he thought Kevin was going to liquidate them, after his father’s conceited behavior.
CHAPTER X
Roots of Evil
1604 Region of Navarre, Spain…
Doctor Daniel Morgair had two daughters, Elysa of twelve and Elena of six. His wife died of a mysterious virus that he desperately attempted to cure, and for this reason his sister-in-law moved to their house, helping the family with her glistening, positive attitude.
Daniel deepened and perfected his medical manuscripts, studying alternative natural cures, introducing herbal treatments, religious spiritual mindful rites and therapeutic potions. He taught his older daughter the doctor profession practice, and the secrets to quickly heal sick people in need.
“Give me the gauze, please, I will show you how to place it. The first part is important, calm, and gently, like this. I swabbed the surface before so that it is clean and disinfected, there we are,” said the doctor, assisted by his older daughter, who was attentive and eager to perform.
“Could I try to cut the rims further? I think I can do it!”
“No rush, you need more time before practicing, be patient and observe what I do.”
The patient remarked, “I am sure you will be one of the best doctors in town, Elysa, you are such a lovely girl. We are proud of you!”
She blushed, hiding under her father’s arm, while a dusty candelabra accompanied the pair to the exit. The job was accomplished. Doctor Morgair was of Irish origin, and his father left Ireland in 1566, when England conquered the island. He was a Catholic…and had to escape because the English Protestant settlers were converting all the Irish people through violence and torture. The rioting Irish rebels were caged and obliterated in the name of the pure Christendom.
It all began in 1536, when King Henry VIII imposed the Protestant Reformation on Ireland. While the king broke with papal authority, his son Edward VI of England moved further, breaching with the conservative papal doctrine completely. The Morgairs found refuge in the sentry Catholic Church of Spain, and their son Daniel was born a free, blissful Catholic in the Navarre Kingdom.
At that time, healing with medicinal plants was easy and safe for educated doctors, but at the same time dangerous from a religious point of view. Mandragora or mandrake herbs had been used for centuries and were one of the most important and powerful plants in sorcery, witchcraft, spiritual rites, and herbal medicine. Some herbs of the nightshade mandrake plant contained hallucinogenic, sleepiness and narcotic alkaloids. Daniel taught his daughter how to treat patients, introducing the use of ointments, potions, oils, and leaves.
Elysa was really interested in the subject, always travelling with her father visiting around the cities and in the province. She was studying and learning all she could about medicine. Elysa was passionate and clever but could never forget how her mother died in pain and despair.
“Remember, my love, never to tell anybody about those roots and herbs. We live in menacing times and cannot trust those who want to hinder the real medicine. If we keep it a secret, no one could impede us to experiment the real essence of healing…I mean saving lives,” explained Daniel to her. She questioned: “Did our mother die because of those ignorant, father? You could not cure mom from her illness.”
“Yes, it is true, love! They obstructed our analysis! Now let us focus on our topics.”
Elysa had light warm brown eyes, long dark-blond hair, and a soft tanned skin. She was called by the patients “d’angelo pelo” or “angel’s hair” for her beauty and kindness. She was fervent and naturally gorgeous, attracting intensely the youths who easily fell in love with her energetic sensuality. Elysa’s sister grew up in the shadow of her sibling. She had poor health, remaining in a form of undeveloped growth. Elena was not regarded as important as Elysa, staying at home with her aunt for domestic services.
Elena