Magnificat by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Read Free Book Online Page A

When he did, he pitched his voice even lower. “There is someone in Szechwan Province, near the town of Hongya, someone named Zhuang Renxin. We have to find him.” Unbidden, a face from his dreams filled his mind, and he made himself shut it away.
    “What are we talking about?” Willie saw the waiter coming back with their order and signaled Mendosa to silence. As the platter was laid in front of them, he filled their glasses and repeated the question.
    “The Church,” said Mendosa bluntly. “This is for the Church.”
    “Really.” Willie was skeptical but not impolite.
    “Yes,” said Mendosa. He picked up his glass but did not drink. “We’re at a disadvantage here. We have records of three priests still in rural China, but not one of them is in Szechwan Province. And we’re not sure how reliable these priests are. They’ve been isolated and one of them was in prison for five years.” He put his glass down untasted. “It would be as difficult to reach those three men as it would be to reach this Zhuang Renxin, I suspect.”
    “Is this urgent? contacting Zhuang?” Willie asked, fascinated by Mendosa’s predicament; he resisted speculating beyond the minimum.
    “Very urgent, I’m afraid.” This time when he picked up his glass he drank, not much, but as if the wine were vital as water.
    Willie resisted his inclination to demand more information. He pondered the matter. “Does this need to be public or private?”
    “It will be public, eventually, one way or another, and there’s nothing we can do about it,” said Mendosa grimly. “If we can keep it private for a while longer, I’d appreciate it.”
    “I see.” In fact, Willie was more baffled than ever. “Am I the only person working on this? Other than you?”
    “No,” said Mendosa. “There are five others, but frankly, I think you’re the best bet, or I wouldn’t be here.” He broke a small crusty roll in half and reached for the cheese knife.
    “I don’t suppose you’d tell me who else is involved?” He knew before he asked that Mendosa would refuse.
    “I’m sorry; the matter is very confidential. Very delicate.” Mendosa sniffed the soft, blue-veined cheese he had spread. “Wonderful.”
    “Someone in Szechwan Province—that’s the central part of the People’s Republic, isn’t it?” Willie knew China well; he wanted to test Mendosa’s knowledge of the country.
    “Hongya is almost due east of Chongqing,” said Mendosa. “That’s according to the most recent map. Hongya seems to be in the foothills of the Tibetan plateau.” He took a generous bite from his roll.
    “You’ve been doing some research,” Willie observed.
    “We’ve all been,” said Mendosa around the roll.
    “Yeah.” Willie lowered his head so that Mendosa could not see his face. There were dozens of questions he wanted to ask, but knew better than to press the lanky Texan. “All right, why do you want to find this guy? What’s so important about him?” When he realized that Mendosa was having trouble framing an answer he added, “One of your pals have a Chinese skeleton in the closet?”
    “I don’t think so,” said Mendosa slowly. “Not the way you mean. Not either way, come to think of it.” He finished his wine suddenly, impulsively, and refilled his glass. “But during this…recess of the conclave, it is important we find Zhuang Renxin.”
    “Meaning you aren’t going to tell me any more,” said Willie, cutting himself a slice of melon. “Doesn’t make my job easier if you take that tack with me, Eminence.”
    “I apologize,” said Mendosa, frowning at the use of his title.
    Willie went on as if he had not noticed Mendosa’s displeasure. “If it were possible to use public means, I’d call Dame Leonie Purcell, just to see what she might be able to arrange. She’s officially British Ambassador to Hong Kong now; she’s in a good place to help out. Unofficially, if that’s your preference,” he added as an