Scene 68

We made our way up the stairs, but as we looked through the window at the door to each floor, guards filled the hallways.

I shifted James to get a better grip. “I hate to say it, but our only way is up.”

“What will you do at the top?”

“I don’t know, but hopefully find another way down.”

We finally reached the top of the stairs and I carefully looked out the window on the door. “It seems to be clear.”

I pushed open the door and helped James through. Scanning the rooftop, I tried to find another way down.

James pointed to another door across the roof. “What about that?”

“We’ll have to try it.”

We made our way across the roof, but just before we reached to the door, it burst open. Church Police poured out with their weapons pointed at us.

I quickly turned back to the other door, but guards came out of that one as well.

When I turned back, the guards were stepping aside to let someone through. From out of the stairwell came the white-robed figure of the inquisitor.

The man stopped a few yards from us. “It is no use, heretics. Your escape routes are blocked. “I must assume I am speaking to Mr. Dove.”

A chill ran down my back. Too many people seemed to know about me. “And who might you be?”

“You may address me as Inquisitor.”

“Well, Inquisitor, why do you think I am this Mr. Dove?”

“It is fairly obvious. You fit the description and you did exactly as I was told you would.”

I had to stall for time, try to figure a way out of this. “Who told you this?”

The Inquisitor smiled evilly. “Now, now, Mr. Dove, I cannot reveal my sources. Let us just say that someone loyal to the Church has turned you in. I will delight in questioning you.”

“No thank you, I’ve seen what your questioning can do.”

“But Mr. Dove, you will have no choice.”

He gestured to the guards around him. “Secure them!”