Free The Guardian by Robbie Cheuvront and Erik Reed

miss …”
    “Ruiz. Isabella Ruiz. I am Manuel’s mother.” She nodded to Father Ruiz.
    “Ah yes, Mrs. Ruiz. So very nice to meet you.” Father Vin stooped down to give the lady a peck on the cheek.
    “Mamma, I am afraid I have some business to attend to with Father Vin. Please excuse us. I will be home for our brunch in a little while.” Father Ruiz helped his mother down the front stairs of the cathedral and said good-bye. Once she was on her way, he turned his attention back to his mysterious guests. “We can go back to my chambers if you wish.”
    Father Vin nodded his appreciation. “That would be best, I think.”
    Father Ruiz led Anna and Father Vin back down the hallway they came from and into the rear of the church. They entered the private chambers where Father Ruiz offered them some pastries and coffee. Though neither was very hungry, they both accepted. Once they were all seated, Father Ruiz began.
    “Father Vin, I must say I am impressed with your adapting to the Spanish so quickly.”
    “Well, I must admit I did take several years of it in school, and in seminary. It’s just been awhile. I thought it would come back to me quickly. At least I hoped!” Father Vin chuckled.
    “You did well! I enjoyed ministering with you.” Silence hung in the air for several seconds before Father Ruiz spoke again. “This other matter you mentioned earlier …”
    “Well,” Father Vin began, “I know Thomas spent several days down here. I was a very special friend of his. You might even say that I was his protector. Right before he came here, we got separated. Unfortunately, I was unable to meet him here. I don’t know how much you and Thomas talked, but I do know that right before he passed away, he gave me this.” Father Vin reached inside his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper that had one line scribbled on it:
    Father Manuel Ruiz, St. Anna Cathedral, Caracas, Venezuela
    “I don’t know why he would have us contact you, but I
do
know what it’s about. I assume you do, too.”
    Father Ruiz studied the face of the man sitting across from him. He looked over at Anna. “How do I know for sure you are who you say you are?”
    Anna quickly reached for her purse to pull out identification but stopped suddenly, remembering she no longer had any. “Please, Father Ruiz, if you have any information for us …”
    “You do understand,” Father Ruiz continued, “Thomas was in fear for his life. He only confided in me as a priest. We talked. I counseled him with his spiritual walk. Nothing more. I am afraid he made no mention of the two of you.”
    “Are you sure?” Anna asked. “He didn’t say anything to you about a scr—”
    “Anna—” Father Vin quickly cut her off.
    “Father, I’m sorry we’ve wasted your time. Anna and I will be going.” He stood to leave.
    “Just a second, please.” Father Ruiz motioned for him to be seated again. “Anna, your grandfather did talk about a grandchild. He said she was a little girl, and he told me about the last time he had seen her. Do you know what I am speaking about? Perhaps you’re the grandchild he spoke of?”
    So here it was. A test. If she passed, they’d get what they needed. If not, so much for the scroll.
    “Well, let’s see.” Anna tried to remember that day with her grandfather at the church. Unfortunately for her, it wasn’t a memory that she thought about often. “I think we had gone to church that morning. It was kinda weird though. Grandpa said he wanted to stick around after the service and talk to the preacher.”
    “And did you?” Father Ruiz asked.
    “I think so,” Anna said. “I mean we talked to
someone
, just not the preacher.”
    “What do you mean?” This is what Father Ruiz was waiting to hear.
    “Well, we waited for about thirty minutes after the service. We just sat there talking. I remember Grandpa saying that we were going to meet someone very special. I wanted to know who. He said it was a dear friend of his