“How’s your stomach feel?” Jeremy asked, grinning.
“Asshole,” Maury snapped. “You know I’m going to have to change bandages all the time. It’s going to slow us down.”
Jeremy just smiled.
The two were traveling north in their rental car. For a Friday evening, traffic was light. After they left the Younger house they’d contacted the church, and the cardinal ordered them to pursue Benicio and the boy, who were traveling north. The brothers had no idea how Cardinal Espinosa got his information, but they had never known him to be wrong. Exitus acta probat, the old priest had mumbled on the phone. It meant nothing to them. They just did what they were told.
The satellite phone beeped on the backseat. Maury reached over and grabbed it.
“Hello.”
“Where are you?” Cardinal Espinosa barked.
“Headed north, out of Connecticut,” Maury answered.
“They may be heading to Canada. Stay on a direct path to the border. Contact me once you near the crossing. I will ascertain that they have crossed the border.”
“Yes sir.” He hesitated, then added, “Sir?”
“What?”
“What about Benicio?”
“He no longer serves the best interest of the faith. He stands in the way of your freedom and the continued health of the church. You may deal with him accordingly.”
Maury was surprised. Benicio was a highly trusted agent. “Should we speak to him first? Do you want us to find out his intentions?”
“I don’t wish him to further complicate the directives of the church, but if he will cooperate then so be it.” Cardinal Espinosa hung up.
Maury listened to the dead line for a moment then pushed the off button. He tossed the phone into the back.
“What’s up?” Jeremy asked, grinning. “Wrong number?”
“We’re supposed to head to Canada.”
“And?”
“And I doubt we’ll be bringing Father Valori back.”
Jeremy’s smirk faded but he nodded in resignation. They followed orders. That’s all they did.