Chapter one.
"How much longer am–,"
(sitting at the counter at a bar,Jaden looks around then looks at his watch)
"–I gonna wait?"
(He looks at the bar owner)
A glass of water please."
"Just a–,"
(The bar owner pours water into a glass cup)
"– sec."
(The bar owner gently slides the cup of water to Jaden)
"Thanks."
(Jaden smiles and takes the cup of water)
"Anytime."
(Said the bar owner as he exits)
"Yeah. My time–,"
(Jaden drinks the water and leaves the glass cup at the counter with some money before he stands up)
"– is u—,"
"Two glass of whisky–,"
(A man in all white walks in and wraps his right arm around Jadens' neck. Smiling, the man calls the bar owner)
"–please."
"Coming right up."
(The bar owner goes in to get the two glass of whisky)
"Thank you."
(The man on all white looks at Jaden as he continues)
"Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine. You're not the first person anyway."
"How delightful. Please–,"
(the man stretchs his right hand out)
"–have a seat."
"Sure."
(The two of them sit down as the man on all white looks at Jaden with a slight grin)
"So, are the rumors true?"
"Which are?"
"I heard (the man removes his glasses and smile as he continues) that you're the best in the valley."
"That is none of my busines—,"
"Here you go."
(The bar owner gently slides two glass cups of whisky to Jaden and the man on white respectively)
"Arigato (The man on all white gives the bar owner some money) gozaimas."
"I'm not Japanese but–,"
(looking at the man on all white, the bar owner collects the money)
"– you're welcome." (As he finish counting the money the bar owner leaves as the man on white laughs and looks at Jaden)
"He thinks I'm (The man on white reduces his laugh) Japanese."
How (Jaden looks at the man with a sarcastic face) funny."
"Nah,that's crazy. Have your drink."
(Jaden looks at the shot of whisky then he looks back at the man on all white)
"I don't drink."
"Really? (The man on white smiles) But wh—,"
"You know–,"
(Jaden with a straight face looks at the man)
"– I did not come here to chat and drink Raid."
"Straight to the point it is?"
(The mans smile increases)
" Just as the rumors say. In that case, I'll be quick."
"Now please (Jaden sits in) Let's not waste anymore time here. Why did you call me?"
(Raid replies)
"I need you to go to Rome."
"Rome? That's like across the ocean."
"And seas."
(Ray scoffs)
"Of all places, why Rome?"
(Raid sits in as well as he continues)
"I want you to uncover a hidden truth for me."
"What do you mean?"
"Theirs a hidden truth that has never been brought to light up till this day. A female pope named pope Joan."
"You have got to be kidding me."
(Ray laughs a bit then continues)
"A female pope? Raid have you lost it?"
"The story doesn't end there Jaden."
(Raid downs his glass of whisky)
"According to the legend; it says that she had a child."
"A female pope? A child as well?"
"Indeed. A f*******n one at that. But theirs more to it. The rumor says she delivered her child which was a girl in mansight."
"She gave birth in public?"
"Yes."
(With a mockery look, Rau sarcastically says)
"What comes next?"
"I don't know. From there on out, the story goes blank. And till this day no one has heard a word about her. Some say it's a legend, some a myth, while some say it's a story made up by the church inorder to prevent women from being higher ups in the Catholic mission. But I say, the church and all other stories are lies. I believe the church hid the truth and theirs more to the story we don't know about."
"If that's the case then why do you want to dig up what has been buried? I mean, if the church went through great lengths to hide the truth ;their must be a reason."
"You don't understand the situation at hand. Do you know what it means that people in Rome, particularly twentieth and twenty-first century have no knowledge about her."
"Because it might be just a myth Raid."
"I choose not till believe. Not till you get back with the information of what actually happened ."
"You know it's gonna cost ya?"
"I can pay any double."
(Ray smiles)
"Triple."
"Just send me your details and leave the rest to me."
(Suprised, Ray asks)
"Why are you so interested in this pope and her life? Wanna marry her daughter?"
"Don't (Raid smiles) be silly."
"Look, I can help you buh if your plan is to expose the church then count me out. Because for them to eliminate her from human existence means their's a great reason for it."
"You think too far. I have no intention to expose the church. You think I wanna be eliminated as well?"
"What do you mean by as well?"
"Topic for another day. Let's go back to the main topic. I am a collector, a discoverer and so much more;but I can't go on this one by myself."
(Raising his left eyebrow up, Ray smiles)
"Reason?"
"I was accused of murder."
(putting his left leg on his right leg then he slightly raise his pants up while talking)
"Have a look."
"You're under–,"
(Jaden looks at the house arrest band on Raids left leg)
"–house arrest?"
"Indeed. So I was put on confinement till further notice."
"And you're sure it's an accusation?"
"I might be a bad person buh not a murderer. I am not the giver of life so why should I take it?"
(Ray breathes out)
"You intend to document the information?"
"Nah, that wouldbe a waste of time. The girl who wrote a novel about it didn't even last a day."
"She got executed?"
"No, the novel was stolen before it could even got finished."
"So you want me to find the girl as well?"
"You're intelligent."
(Raid smerks while saying)
"But that's if she's alive. Anyways, do qe have a deal?"
"Take."
(Jaden brings out a paper and gives it to Raid)
"–It's my account details."
"Gimme a second."
(Raid downs Jadens own glass of whisky)
"Let me pay for another whisk—,"
"Bills– (Dropping some cash on the counter, Jaden looks at Raid and smiled) –on me."
"That's–,"
(In amazement,Raid looks at Jaden)
"–new."
"Well––– (Jaden puts hands in his pocket and smiles as he walks towards the exit) I guess this job just got a little interesting."
(He exits and stops a cab)
"Ell mores Street?"
"Fifty bucks sir"."
"I'll pay."
"Alright sir."
"Yeah."
(Jaden enters the cab. Bringing out his phone, he scrolls through the Internet