THE NEXT DAY, GREGORY EVANS attended the appointment he had previously arranged with Candice. They agreed to meet at a restaurant on Serrano Street, across from the Archaeological Museum. Both were punctual. In fact, Evans waited a few minutes for the director to appear.
— Sorry I'm late, you know how traffic is in Madrid — she apologized upon arriving, forcing a casual smile.
Gregory Evans was well aware of the shortcomings the city hall was accumulating due to the numerous ongoing construction projects, a common topic of conversation when the climate was exhausted. Besides, it wasn't a noteworthy delay.
— Don't worry, I just sat down — he said softly.
— How about we order first?
— Yes, that would be better.
Candice sat down, after placing her bag on the chair next to her. The waiter approached to discreetly place the menu on the table. He then removed the glasses and plates that would not be used. Shortly after, another young man came to take the order.
When they were alone, Geovanna gestured for him to begin speaking. She needed to know how his investigations were progressing.
— I managed to translate the manuscript... — was her opening line. — I can tell you it's the most amazing story I've ever read in my life.
— I knew you could do it... — Her lips curved into a slight smile of satisfaction. — Jorge wasn't wrong. Only you could do it.
So much praise embarrassed Greg, as he'd only intended to add a touch of mystery to the dialogue.
— Here you go, I brought you a copy... — He held out a sheet of paper he'd taken from the folder on the corner of the table.
Read it and tell me what you think. I'm sure you'll find it fascinating.
The director began reading silently. Correct. The content piqued her interest, although she didn't grasp the narrative's overall meaning. Furthermore, she had difficulty mentally transcribing the old expressions so they would correspond to modern language.
— What does all this mean? — she asked, perplexed, handing the sheet of paper back to her subordinate. — I don't understand a thing, but I'm surprised to see the name "The Widow's Sons" mentioned again. — She bit her upper lip slightly before asking — Do you already know who they are?
— Perhaps... but I might be mistaken...— was his reply. — As I told you on the phone the other night, the ritual of cutting out the tongue of anyone who reveals the secret of initiation is part of Masonic law.
— Is a Freemason a Widow's Son?
— I repeat, I don't know... — She slumped back against the back of her chair, raising her arms in an eloquent gesture of inability. "Perhaps it's a parallel brotherhood. In that case, I would venture to say they're part of Operative Freemasonry, that is, a lodge formed by cathedral builders.
— Okay... — Monroe, confused, had wrinkles on her forehead. — What I still can't understand is what the Freemasons have to do with Jorge.
— Viana knew where to find Iacobus's book, that's why he was murdered... — He paused briefly before continuing.
— He sent me an email along with the transcription of the manuscript, a text that helped me find the clue. I'm convinced that the mason's diary is hidden near the Murcia Cathedral, something the Freemasons intend to hide from the public, even if they have to murder anyone who dares poke their nose into it... — He made a strange face. — Apparently, there's some knowledge they don't want to see fall into just anyone's hands.
— That's exactly what Jorge told me, the afternoon before he was murdered, that the manuscript revealed astonishing mysteries.
— That's what can be deduced from the cryptogram — Gregory Evans stated. — From what I can understand, The Widow's Sons hides from us the way to communicate directly with God." Candice's eyes widened. That seemed absurd.
— Do you believe it's possible?
— I won't know the answer until I go to Murcia and find the diary.
Geovanna looked at him with a look of astonishment. She hadn't expected such temerity from Evans, who had initially dismissed the idea of conducting an investigative project without the police's knowledge, and now ardently desired it. This change of heart would be beneficial for her.
— If what you expect is my approval, you will always have it, as long as you keep me informed of everything that happens and act with prudence. I wouldn't want the same thing to happen to you as happened to Jorge.
Then she added in a more confidential tone:
— I hope that in Murcia you will behave with the same discretion that characterized you here.
He insisted that she should lend him a hand.
— You're a cryptographer, and a good one, I think.
Greg was stunned.
— Wait a moment...! — Does Nicolas know I'm investigating Jorge's murder?
She had betrayed herself by speaking too much. She had asked him for so much restraint, but she herself had just slipped up, setting a bad example.
— He's my lawyer," was her sole and basic reason — and I needed to consult him for a legal opinion on the matter, but you don't need to worry, because Colmenares is a discreet and honest man, I can assure you. Most of my decisions are based on his professional advice.
— Did you tell him that Jorge called you the afternoon before the murder and that he sent us an e-mail?
— Yes, because I considered it necessary.
— And what did he suggest you do? — he asked irritably.
— That you tell the police everything.
— I can see how you accept his advice!
— That's none of your business — she interrupted him, somewhat harshly. — When it comes to my personal life, I like to make my own decisions.
There was an uncomfortable exchange of glances. Luckily, the wine and food arrived at that very moment. The waiter uncorked the bottle and poured a sip into Gregory Evans's glass. He savored the liquid with a touch of solemnity before nodding his approval.
They decided to postpone the conversation until dessert, but for Evans, what had happened so far was enough. He had Geovanna's consent to return to Murcia, to his home, to the land where Viana was born. The lawyer's detail was something he would have to absorb as soon as possible.
A wave of memories from his childhood and youth filled his mind as he enjoyed the culinary delights offered by that three-star restaurant.