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Valerie looked at the imposing Gothic building. It was surrounded by a high wall, with a large, iron gate and ornate carvings in the stone archway. The windows were tall and narrow, like sunken eyes staring out into the world. Valerie shuddered as she imagined what secrets lay within its walls.
"This place looks welcoming," Charlie quipped.
"Quite remarkable to have so readily captured the European aesthetic," Will added. "But of course, this building is no more than 150 years old."
"Of course," nodded Sheriff Carter, winking at Valerie.
She appreciated the sheriff's amiable attempts at relieving tension, but the truth was that she was wound up and ready to explode.
The grounds of the convent were overgrown and unkempt, with trees almost covering up some of the lower windows. There was an air of abandonment that hung over it like a shroud. Valerie had to fight back her trepidation as she stepped closer to it, wondering if inside this desolate place, she would find answers to her questions or more mysteries waiting to be solved.
***
Valerie, Sheriff Carter, Charlie, and Will were led through the interior of the convent by an old nun named Sister Tabitha. She moved slowly, her back bent with age, and her gray habit swishing on the tiles behind her. Valerie felt strangely out of place in the spartan corridors. Despite their best efforts at politeness, Sister Tabitha remained silent.
"A vow of silence, me thinks," Will said.
The old nun nodded and continued on her way.
Finally, they found themselves standing outside a large, wooden door at the end of a long corridor. Sister Tabitha stopped and looked up at them gravely before knocking on the door.
It boomed loudly.
"Come in," a voice said from the other side.
Valerie and the others were led into an old office that was in immaculate condition. She could see Will's eyes lighting up at the old leather books lining the walls, the rich mahogany wood panels, and several religious paintings depicting aspects of the crucifixion.
"Hello. I'm Father Piper," a red faced and heavy-set priest said from behind a desk. "Sister Tabitha, leave us."
Valerie didn't like the way the man spoke to the old woman, but there was no time to correct him.
"I'm Agent Valerie Law," she said. "We're with the FBI and Kerry County Sheriff’s Department, and we're looking into a series of deaths which have occurred across Kerry County."
"Oh," the man said. "I know exactly the ones you mean. I've been following it in the news. Terrible business. But what, pray tell, has it got to do with the Mary Magdalene convent?"
"We believe one of the victims was a young nun from here," Sheriff Carter explained.
The man tutted. "I'm afraid that isn't possible. All of our members are present and accounted for. But if you leave your number with one of the Sisters, I'll be sure to check back with you if I have any further information."
The man smiled, and every inch of the grin was dismissive.
Valerie opened her bag, pulling out a photograph of the victim. It was an image she had taken from the crime scene, and it showed a young woman with long, curly hair and a pale complexion.
"This is Greta Young," Valerie said firmly. "She was a nun here at Mary Magdalene."
The priest's face paled as he looked at the picture. He knew who she was.
"I take it you've seen this young woman before," Valerie continued.
"Yes," he said in a low voice. "Her name is Blanche Williams. She was training to be a nun here but left about two months ago." He rubbed his brow and shook his head.
"I'm sorry if this shocks you," Valerie added, "but we are trying to draw a connection between Blanche and at least three other victims. All of them seem to be connected through the phrasePost Tenebrus Lux."
"I know what it means," the priest said. "But I don't really know why Blanche would have been connected to it."
"If I may," Will said. "I might hazard the guess that she used that phrase, partly at least, because she had found light in her life after great darkness. Could it be that that darkness was created somewhere within these walls?"
"What is that supposed to mean!?" the man shouted.
