The Secret Of The Cathars (2011) Read Online Free PDF Page A

unavoidable.”
    Galbaccino pointed a finger at him. “If that should happen it is essential that the death must appear to be an accident. Do you understand?”
    “ Yes.”
    Lerenard waited for the rest of the instructions.
    The nasty part of business concluded, the cardinal seemed more at ease. “Informers at the Department of Ancient Monuments tell us that a licence has recently been issued to the famous woman archaeologist, Jacqueline Blontard, to excavate in the ruins of a castle called Bezu which is somewhere south of Carcassonne. They advise us that they had little choice. She has very powerful people supporting her application, including the president, and there seemed no good reason why they could dare to refuse.” He smiled mirthlessly at Lerenard. “Nevertheless we are concerned that this Blontard woman may know more than she has divulged to the authorities about Bezu castle. She had already indicated sympathy for the heretic Cathar cause and her late uncle was a well-known adherent. You will not understand the threat the Cathars used to pose to the true Church. However that threat is by no means as dead as most people would like to believe.”
    Galbaccino breathed deeply several times. Then he again looked straight at Lerenard.
    “ We wish to find out what Mademoiselle Blontard is doing at le Bezu. Is there some new information which she knows? We want you to contrive to get close to her. If she, shall we say, unearths anything, we wish to know about it before she is able to release the information to the general public.” He sat back in his chair. “We think that may not be difficult, because she will want to keep any she finds under wraps, as they say, until it can be released as part of the television series which she will inevitably produce after the excavation is completed. Do you understand me?”
    Lerenard’s mind was already focussing on how he could begin to perform this most complex task. The first problem was solved for him by the cardinal’s next remark.
    “ We think we could find a way to introduce you into her team as an archaeologist. You would need a quick training course in archaeology.”
    “ I certainly would.”
    “ That can be arranged. The Abbe Dugard is himself a famed excavator of ancient remains. He can train you in the techniques of excavation and in classification of the type of finds you are likely to encounter at Bezu.”
    “ That sounds suitable.”
    “ He is currently excavating at Prouille monastery which is about fifty kilometres from Bezu. We will place you there as his personal assistant for a few weeks until the time is suitable to introduce you to Mademoiselle Blontard. You will start on Monday.”
    “ As you wish.”
    “ It only remains for me to inform you of the terms of payment.” Galbaccino paused for effect. “When you report to Abbe Dugard we will immediately put half a million euros into your account at the Bank of Zurich. Your expenses during training will be paid by us.”
    Lerenard was impressed. That was twice what he had been paid for the job in Medellin. And this time there was to be no killing and the messy disposal of bodies.
    The prelate was still speaking. “Providing that all the instructions you are given during the digging season are carried out satisfactorily you will be paid a similar amount when the excavating licence ends in September. Furthermore, providing nothing is revealed which might embarrass the Church in the television series which will follow in the autumn, an additional four million euros will be paid to you.”
    Jean-Luc suddenly found it difficult to breathe. This was real personal wealth. This meant the end of travelling the world as a mercenary.
    Galbaccino raised a finger. “That might require you to secretly remove and pass to us - or even destroy - certain evidence which may be turned up by the Blontard excavations. Do you understand?”
    “ I understand completely.”
    “ Good.” A pause. “I presume the terms