The SPECTRE Of The VATICAN ©

Chapter 5 - Letting Go.

Time: Modern Day
Location: Sydney, Australia

The orderlies entered the room respectfully. "Is it true? We're moving Carter Cheval's body?"

"Yeah, think so. Some bastard shot him and a mess of other people. Bikie war apparently, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"No accounting for bad luck. Have they got anyone for it?"

"Last I heard was last night the police raided both the Assassins', and the Sons of Chaos' headquarters looking for weapons used in the shootings."

They wheeled Carter's body out and down a floor to the morgue. They slid him silently into refrigerated cubicle A-Three and slammed shut the door. Carter had gone along for the ride still attached by his blue umbilical cord.

Carter was alone again but unnaturally. There was no TV in here so Carter became restless, wanting news, any news. He tried to break away but the heavy stainless steel door to A-Three was holding him fast. He would be there till the funeral.

He had often thought it would be great to be at your own funeral just to see how many, and who thought enough of you to skip work or whatever else and turn up. Now he wasn't so sure he was going to enjoy this. He certainly hadn't enjoyed the autopsy.

They wheeled him in on a trolley and set him up at the front. The coffin was one of those eco-friendly coffins. Layla and his Mum had probably organised it knowing his views on pollution and the environment.

Father Dan came in and surveyed the scene. Father Dan didn't much care for crematorium chapels. He preferred his own parish church but he had agreed to do the service as a favour for Carter's Mum.

It was going to get a fair bit of media coverage and he could do with some good press at the moment. The Vatican would be pleased to see him in the news for a better reason than he had been in recent times.

Carter watched as he approached the coffin, laid his hand on it and seemed genuinely sad as he said, "Rest in Peace in the presence of the Lord my son." He briefly brushed past Carter's blue cord which was just about bisecting the floral tribute on the coffin.

Father Dan went out to greet the mourners and talk to those family members and friends who were to deliver the eulogy.

Carter could see his Mum and Dad. Then Layla, his best mate at work, Chris, and his wife Laura. Many other work colleagues had come but were swamped by members of the general public. Viewers of the After Dark programme.

He was pleased to see his favourite uncle and aunty there as well. Perhaps it won't be so bad after all being at your own funeral.

Layla looked gorgeous despite holding back the tears. There were telltale traces of mascara run on her cheeks. Carter's parents embraced her warmly.

Carter got the feeling they were mourning not only his death but the death of the dream of beautiful grandchildren they had expected Carter and Layla to provide them.

They loved her almost as much as he did even from when they first met her. They had made it quite clear to Carter that they would think him a very great fool if he let this one slip through his fingers. And if he hurt her like he had hurt some of the others, well they would find it extremely difficult to forgive him.

People quickly filled the pews on both sides of the rather smallish chapel. The station had set up an OB team to broadcast the funeral and tape it for the nightly news. They had a big screen so the overflow crowd could still feel part of the ceremony. The entrance music started up. Layla had obviously picked the music. Procol Harum's 'A Whiter Shade of Pale'. She said during the eulogy that she knew how much Carter loved that song.

Sobbing her way through it she recounted much of their love of life and for each other. How she couldn't believe that he was really gone. Again she vowed to find the ones responsible.

Carter was drawn to a stranger dressed a bit too well in black. He had slipped into the chapel from the side entrance and made his way to the rear of the pews. It was the change of expression on his face when Layla said these words that gave Carter an uneasy feeling. The rest of the service went through without a hitch. Carrie spoke about their work together and how the station would be struggling to find a replacement half as good.

Father Dan did the summation. "Sometimes we wonder why things like this happen. Yesterday I was conducting a service in my own church. One of our parishioners, Ken, was a victim of the same incident that took Carter from us. I saw Ken just a few weeks ago when he came to confession so I know he is with the Almighty right now. So friends go now in peace remembering the good times you shared with Carter. Although you won't see him again (Layla breaks down). Be assured we will meet him in heaven when our time here is done.

He pressed a button on the lectern and the front curtains began to slowly close about the coffin as it slid silently through rear red curtained doors to the cremation chamber.

Imagine Dragon's 'I'm on Top of the World' started and gradually filled the chapel.

"Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, and may the Lord God bless you and keep you. In Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen." With that Father Dan blessed the congregation with an expansive Sign of the Cross.

The dark stranger wheeled quickly to exit before the rest of the congregation. Carter felt the urge to follow him. He tried but the cord kept him fastened to his body in the coffin. Through the closing curtains he was dragged back with the coffin out of sight, away from his parents, friends, colleagues, and worst of all away from Layla! Unease soon turned to panic.

Once outside the tall dark stranger glanced swiftly around and vanished quickly behind the rose bush garden. He slid out his mobile phone from his inside jacket pocket. He walked quickly just a little further out of sight as the congregation spilled down the front steps. A question was asked.

"No, nothing mentioned. But the girl . . . the girl might become a problem."

He crouched down and gagged a little as he reached into the freshly manured and fertilised dirt. He retrieved his hidden Glock and placed it in its shoulder holster. "Want me to fix it up while I'm here?" he asked.

He then picked up the "twins" and placed them in their tailor made concealed thigh holsters.

"No, our friends have it in hand. The case will soon be closed." The voice responded.

"Okay E you're the boss." The stranger said brushing the disgusting dirt from his hands.

"Come home now A. Home."

The coffin travelled quickly now along one of the conveyor belts. Ahead two cast iron doors slid open. The gas fire roared as the coffin entered the cremation chamber. Carter was in full panic now. Let go! Let go! Sparks flew as the doors slid shut severing his blue umbilical cord. He let go.

Funeral Music: A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum

: On Top Of The World - Imagine Dragons