Falling From Sleeves

“You want to tell me that freemansons are involved? Don’t come up with such a stupid conspiracy theory, that’s nonsense anyway. We are not in a movie where you can tell such fantastique stories!” Stricker sounded angry and amused at the same time after Gabriel finished his report about the last two days. “Anyway, where are you?”

“I am in the hotel’s bar “Hemingway”, Gabriel answered. “And where is Eve?”, Stricker wanted to know. “She felt bad and went upstairs to take a nap.” “Okay, listen – don’t tell her about this absurd theory. If you want, I am going to order an investigation about this Niclas Chamfort and this bishop you mentioned.”

Gabriel agreed and hung up the mobile connection. Strange, he thought, that Stricker was so strict against any further research about the free mansory group and involvement. But he is the boss and mybe there is nothing about this connection. But Gabriel felt deep inside that there might be more than this first glance at some history books showed.

He sighed and looked at his watch – already time for dinner. So he called Eve’s room, if she want to join him. They agreed to meet in the hall in about half a hour and Gabriel adumbrated that he has some news to tell.

Gabriel was surprised dazzled as Eve stepped down the stairs in the lobby. She was dressed beautifully and elegant, a french black dress with some small appliactions, a little nice bag and black pumps. But all the discreet make up could not cover the fatigue in her face around the eyes. Nevertheless she smiled at him and both went down the Rue de la Paix to the opera builing and the recommended restaurant Chez Clément Opéra. Sitting outside they had a great view to the place but not directly to the Opera.

During dinner Gabriel gave Eve a summary on the issues he found out not ignoring Strickers order not to mention the free mansory. Eve listened thoughtful and winched just once when Gabriel came to “Les Neuf Soers”. But she did not interrupt or question anything in his report. He finished and asked her about her opinion.

“This ‘nine sister’ thing sounds very incredible, more interesting is the story about Jean Baptiste Joseph Gobel as he seemed to have power and influence on politics and alternative circles via Niclas Chamfort and his party of constitutional clerics. In which times you said, he was bishop in Paris? Around 1780? Remarkable in these times are the building activities in the cathedrals we found. And you mentioned that in Notre Dame you found the same signet with the REIMS letters in it? So there must be something in Reims. Let’s start tomorrow morning and visit Reims again. Maybe there is something in the church, maybe there is something else, we have not seen yet.”

With this rough plan for the next day, they enjoyed the evening and the people passing by: some well dressed on their way to the opera, a lot of teenagers on the way to meet friends, to go out and to start into the vital night life. Eve was still tired and Gabriel recieved the impression that she have not slep in the afternoon, but still seemed to worry about something. But he did not want to destroy the good mood and the relaxed atmosphere.

The rest of the evening they talked about Gabriel’s last job about the ad campaign with the periodic symbols and calligraphic elements. He showed her the messages on the different levels and how he included them in the artwork and decoration. Fascinated Eve followed his explanations and found the idea great to use medevial stuff for a future orientated business.

Back in the hotel, the concierge stopped Gabriel and handed over an envelope. Eve asked, if he would mind to update her, if the message was from Stricker in the next morning. Gabriel nodded his head and both went to the elevator. In the lift Eve seemed to start to talk but remained silent. Gabriel looked at her and she turned her head not to meet his gaze.

Before the room, she whispered just “Good night” and disappearded quickly behind the door. Gabriel was astonished but went to bed. He did not sleep well as night mares troubled him – confusing pictures and scenes took turnes and stoled his sleep.

In the morning he just remembered surreal scenarios about swordsmen fighting and battles of spearmens in an unreal landscape with blood red skies and black rocks on purple grounds. He took a shower to wash away the remainings of the night and met Eve at breakfast. What a change! She was fresh, relaxed and welcomed Gabriel with a smile. Her good temper and her smile erased his worries and as he told her about the letter of yesterdays evening, her face shoned resplendent in the morning sun. It was a list about all contracts of Gobel regarding construction work including a quite big assignment with the royal architect Lois Duroché concerning a rebuilding of the Abbey of Saint-Remi in neoclassicism style after the big fire in 1774. This was the hint Gabriel and Eve needed to have a starting point in Reims.

“Do you know, where this message come from?” Eve asked. “No idea, first I thought it was Stricker, but now… he would have called us instead of sending a letter. But who cares? This is great. Let’s get over to Reims and have a look at the abbey there.” Gabriel smiled and came a bit closer to Eve. “Maybe there is a secret to find.”

Laughing and in good temper they left the hotel and drove up the way to Reims. The great tall columns of the entry welcomed the visitors of the Abbey of Saint-Remi and like an ancient italian building the strictness of the architecture was a cold contradiction to the gothic cathedral next door. But the sunshine warmed their faces and with a smile they headed towards the door and asked for entrance.