Free The Third Revelation by Ralph McInerny Page B

evening.
    â€œTell me more about your sister’s employer, John.”
    â€œI think I’ve already told you all I know. He is a billionaire.”
    Brendan’s eyebrows lifted. “Is that hyperbole?”
    â€œApparently not.”
    â€œHe inherited the money?”
    â€œFar from it. He is a self-made Croesus. Electronics.”
    â€œHanson?”
    â€œHannan. Ignatius Hannan.”
    â€œIrish?”
    â€œApparently.”
    â€œAh, an apparent Irishman.” Brendan was filling his pipe. “And a pious man though rich?”
    â€œThat is quite recent. He was too busy to practice his faith for years but suddenly it all returned. Pietistic might be a better term.” He told Brendan of the replica of the grotto at Lourdes that Hannan had put up on the grounds of his company.
    â€œAh.”
    â€œI suppose it would be difficult to have something built that would resemble Fatima.”
    Crowe said nothing, puffing on his pipe, looking at passersby. “La Salette might interest him.”
    Burke looked blank.
    â€œCelle qui pleure?”
    He shook his head. Crowe sat forward and began to talk of the apparitions at La Salette, also in the nineteenth century. Did Burke know Leon Bloy? A shame that he did not; he must read him. The writer was a great champion of La Salette because the messages were such an indictment of abuses in the Church. “Now don’t tell me that the name Jacques Maritain means nothing to you.”
    â€œOf course I know Maritain.”
    â€œBloy’s godchild, as was his wife, Raissa. Maritain wrote a book on La Salette but was advised not to publish it.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œHe consulted the pope.” Crowe’s eyebrows rose as if in explanation.
    Â 
    Â 
    On the day before she was to return to America, Laura invited John to tea at her hotel, and he brought Brendan along. To his delight, his sister and the learned Irishman got along, each immediately at ease with the other.
    â€œI didn’t think Americans drank tea.”
    â€œHaven’t you heard of the Boston Tea Party?” Laura taunted.
    â€œI was thinking of that. You dumped the tea overboard.”
    They talked of her employer’s interest in paintings depicting the joyful mysteries of the rosary. Brendan drew a folded sheet of paper from the sleeve of his cassock.
    â€œThis is what I came up with.”
    Laura was delighted.
    â€œNate will find a way of thanking you,” she promised.
    Â 
    Â 
    John Burke took Bloy’s The Woman Who Was Poor on vacation to Maiori on the Amalfi Coast and tried unsuccessfully to enjoy it. When he checked his e-mail there was a long message from Laura. Could he come to the States and see Ignatius Hannan in order to discuss an exciting new project? He replied asking why they couldn’t consult by e-mail or telephone. “He wants to make you an offer you can’t resist.” That was nonsense, of course, but the prospect of a visit to the States was attractive. He put it to his superior, saying a bit about Hannan. Bishop Sanchez Sorrondo stirred in his chair. That the academies could use the financial support of the American billionaire seemed to be his thought.
    â€œBy all means, go.”
    It was not a flattering thought that his absence would mean so little. He telephoned Laura and said he would come. “I’ll look into flights and let you know.”
    â€œNate will send a plane for you.”
    â€œGood Lord, no.”
    A moment of silence. “As you wish. Would it be possible to bring your friend Father Crowe?”
    â€œI doubt he could come.”
    â€œAsk him.”
    Apparently working for Ignatius Hannan had convinced her that all wishes could be realized.
    To his surprise, Crowe agreed.
    â€œI’ve always wanted to discover America.”
    â€œYou already have.”
    A blank look.
    â€œSaint Brendan’s voyage.”
    John Burke telephoned Laura with the good news. He