The Museum of Soulmates

3.

Ethan Weisheit was fortunate to be born into a wealthy family on the West Coast of the United States. His older brother was destined, almost from birth, to take over the family business after his father. And that's what happened. Ethan's future was a bit more unclear, as his own parents weren't sure what would become of their second son. Not that they weren't interested in him, but he had the privilege of being able to choose his path, any path. He made the decision to take the helm of the Weisheit Foundation, a richly endowed philanthropic organization. While taking a keen interest in the foundation's affairs, Ethan pursued his studies, more for the prestige of the degree than for the usefulness of it. He already had a job secured for the rest of his life. Ethan has no regrets about going to college, since it's where he met Hillary. In a natural way, the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. For the last year of college, he and Hillary decided to move in together in a house on the outskirts of campus. Actually, they only occupied the second floor, but it was still their little nest. They were now on the right track.

Both students graduated the same year. Hillary realized her childhood dream of becoming a schoolteacher. And then, two years after graduation, she became Mrs. Weisheit. Since then, the couple has been living happily in a beautiful home that, this time, belongs to them in its entirety. Ethan is now the president of the Weisheit Foundation, and this job is not exactly a relaxing one. In order to do things right, he sometimes has to travel, more or less far away. Not long ago, he supervised an exhibition held in a prestigious Las Vegas hotel, to which paintings from the foundation were loaned. For the Weisheit Foundation's primary concern is art, both ancient and contemporary. This obviously consists of trying to acquire works of recognized historical interest, but also to help unknown, living artists who have some talent. The other facet of the foundation is patronage, for the restoration of historical monuments. The latest project, desired by Ethan, is to help renovate the stained-glass windows of Strasbourg's Cathedral.

To carry this project out, the president of the foundation launched a call for candidates. He needed someone with expertise in medieval stained glass, which is not necessarily a very common specialty. The job offer was first launched internally and then distributed via the Internet. Sometimes it is interesting to try to understand the coincidences that make the right person among millions of Internet users "fall" on the right job offer, among thousands. In this case, the candidate did not have to do the research himself.

- Hello, Agent Stewart.

At the time his cell phone vibrated, Bosley was sitting at a coffee shop. It's not exactly the most discreet place in the world to receive this type of call. So he had to speak very quietly to avoid being overheard.

- Master, it is an honor.

- We found the messenger.

- I had no doubt that you would be able to locate it.

- And we now have a way to approach it.

- If you call me, it means that...

- Come immediately.

Without finishing his drink, Bosley left the café and headed, without hesitation, to a New York City building that looked like so many others, anonymous, the best way to hide the activities there. Bosley took the elevator to the eighteenth floor. The receptionist immediately led him to a small conference room where the young man and another agent found themselves alone.

- The Master is not physically present here, so I will give you an introduction to your assignment. The Weisheit Foundation is looking for an expert in medieval stained glass. Don't worry, Agent Stewart, we will give you all the information you need.

Bosley is a little confused. Every mission has its own special difficulty. This one he had not yet encountered.

- Your main objective is obviously to make the messenger do his work, without him noticing your surveillance.