— THE INTELLIGENCE of this man is incredible! — exclaimed the cryptographer, recognizing the laborious efforts of the medieval stonemason. — Can you imagine...? — His desire to show the world the secrets of the lodge was so great that he inscribed them in such a way that time could not erase them.
— How stupid we have been, believing it could be a written diary! If that were the case, we would now be trying to reconstruct a paper puzzle, eaten away by the years.
Sitting on his bed in his room, Colmenares acknowledged that the sculptor's strategy ensured that his legacy would remain intact for centuries. It couldn't be otherwise. Inscriptions on stone, according to Antônia, were the best — and safest — way to convey a message, perpetuating it for generations to come. Iacobus knew, as he had also guessed, that he would be reported to the foreman and punished for disobeying the shop's rules, though it didn't seem like he cared about dying in exchange for safeguarding his knowledge.
— Goddamn it, I can't understand it! — the lawyer finally exclaimed. — This devilish mason built an underground crypt just to carve esoteric symbols into the walls that, perhaps, if not for that manuscript, would have remained hidden until the end of time. And yet, despite everything, he risked having his tongue cut out and his eyes gouged out.
— The underground chamber was already there before construction began on the Velez chapel — said Gregory Evans, once again examining his own drawing. — According to what Geovanna was told, the building was built over an old chapel or mausoleum. Now I remember that detail clearly.
— The first thing we'll do is return to Madrid and analyze the drawing in depth and correct any images that are still unclear. Then, I'll print them for a detailed study.
Antonia knew clearly what her priorities were, but Greg disagreed.
— That will only happen after we find Geovanna and Umbert Monroe — he argued grimly, then froze the image and spun it around. — I'm not leaving here without them.
— You know very well we can't call the police — Colmenares reminded, supporting Antonia's decision. — And looking for them on our own is an impossible task without the necessary resources. —
— You are free to choose... — he swallowed and added somberly — ...and so am I!
Geovanna was in grave danger and he was not willing to give up the fight, never, under any circumstances, as long as he was convinced she was still alive.
— You don't even know if they're still in Murcia — the lawyer argued again, in a low voice.
Evans stood up, irritated by the tone of the conversation. He needed time to find a solution. Forcing a desperate escape would only benefit The Widow's Sons, but on the other hand, he recognized that the goodwill of the three would not be enough to find Geovanna and her uncle. The best way to help them would be to decipher, once and for all, the meaning of those hieroglyphs that adorned the walls of the seven rooms.
— Okay... then we'll do one thing — he suggested to them. — We'll return to Santomera again, where we'll try to locate Umbert's maid. I heard him say she lived in the village.
— So...? — Antonia asked.
— I'll tell you the truth, that I was once the romantic partner of Monroe's niece and that I came from Madrid to find them at the estate, but I can't find them at all.
— We run the risk that someone will report the disappearance to the authorities — the lawyer recalled.
— Indeed, she will do that anyway, but perhaps she will first inform us if there is any other residence where they might have sought refuge.
— Do you think they are hiding?
— I'd rather think about that than imagine them dead.
— Choosing the probability that suits you best is a symptom of desperation — the cryptographer commented.
— Enough to not give up.
Antonia's interpretation didn't irritate him, but he felt quite uncomfortable that someone he had just met was giving himself the right to judge his feelings.
— Okay, I agree... let's go... — Colmenares decided, also standing up. — ...but then we'll return to Madrid. I also have unfinished business to resolve, including the future of the Hiperión and the jobs of your companions... remember that?
Greg had to admit that he couldn't stop them from leaving, but if he did, he would lose the chance to find Geovanna forever.
— That seems fair to me — he admitted, with difficulty, — but you have to promise me that you will fulfill Clarice's last wish, financing the search for the criminals, as well as the missing.
The lawyer opened his eyes wide before answering.
— Of course! — he grumbled indignantly. — I'm Clarice's executor, and as a lawyer, I'm well aware of my professional obligations.
— So, we have nothing more to discuss... — Gregory Evans ended the conversation, heading for the door. — Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a good drink.
He left, leaving them there to deliberate on the future of this challenge they had embarked on because of a damned encryption code. And he had already begun the task.