Tuesday, January 7, 2014 – 11:32 AM EST – The Compound – Old Saybrook, CT



The latest on the news coverage of that tragic fire outside of Paris, France that destroyed one of the oldest Catholic monasteries in all of Europe and killed ninety three, is that Cardinal Reginald George of England has not been confirmed as one of the dead. As they confirm the identities of those that are dead, suspicion will rise about just how the fire happened and they will wonder and suspect that Cardinal George knows the answer. The thing is, they won't find the Cardinal anywhere. At least not until Asmodeus has allowed them to.


I suspect it is not an answer that they will discovery in the coming days. No, I expect Asmodeus to take his time and plan out thoroughly just what he's going to do with the presumed missing Cardinal.


The world should fear the Illuminatus. We do what we feel is necessary to our cause. The Catholic Priest in Michigan, and the one in Kansas City, as well as the monastery outside of Paris, is all just the beginning. Bigger and more deadly events are coming to the Catholic Church. When the time is right, we'll move on Vatican City.


We meet in my fathers cottage today. Asmodeus wanted to spend some time codling Thaddeus and his cottage is much warmer than the drafty old building that houses the rest of us on this bitter cold New England day when temperatures are below zero and the wind chills are at twenty and thirty below.


Jacob is here, as well as Matthew. Asmodeus sits near the crackling fireplace playing with young Thaddeus.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “So, Dad, I assume you like your gift?”

ASMODEUS: “Very much so, Sebastian. A wonderful gift. One that will bring me much joy when I unleash my plan for him.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “You care to discuss those plans with us?”

ASMODEUS: “No, I do not. When the time comes, I will get all of the pieces in place and Jacob will come along for the ride.”



That's pretty much as I expected. What I wasn't expecting is the call I'm receiving as we speak.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Yes?”

GUARD SHACK: “Mr. Duke, we have a Detective Ewing here at the gates.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Wonderful. Send him through. Tell him I'm at the cottage.”

GUARD SHACK: “Yes, sir.”



After ending the short phone call, the three in this small room stare at me.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What?”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “You think they have their warrant?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I would imagine so. Why else would they come back?”

MATTHEW: “The property deeds were separated on Sunday. I'm sure they're not even aware of that.”

ASMODEUS: “How did you make the changes at the courthouse on a Sunday?”

MATTHEW: “Well, you all have things you're good at. Our King here, is good at making grown man urinate on themselves. Jacob is good at planning and making odd weaponry contraptions. Father, you're good at inspiring us all to be the best we can be and teaching us what is right and what is wrong. I'm good at getting into places I shouldn't be able to get into.”



I move closer to Matthew and place my hand on his shoulder.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I was definitely wrong about you, Matthew. You're proving you belong with us. You're proving that you have what it takes to help when we need your help.

“I'm impressed.”

ASMODEUS: “That's wonderful, Matthew.”



A light knock at the front door and everybody freezes for the moment. I guess I'll have to be the one to open it. After doing so, I greet Detective Ewing with a slight smile and a handshake.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Nice to see you again, Detective.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “Mr. Duke, I've come to conduct a search of the buildings and the grounds.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Of course, do what you need.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “Will you be escorting us?”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “No, I don't think you all need me in your way. I trust you have the search warrant.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I do.”



The detective pulls out his warrant and hands it to me. As I begin to look it over, he begins to talk.



DETECTIVE EWING: “I'll leave it up to you where we start.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What do you mean?”

DETECTIVE EWING: “We can start with the grounds, the large building up there, or this little house, the choice is yours, Mr. Duke.”



Having seen what I was looking for on the warrant, I hand it back to him.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Actually, this only covers the main building and the grounds, Detective.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I'm not sure I'm following you.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Where you stand, and the small home in front of you, does not belong to me, Detective. Your warrant is only good for properties that are owned by me. I realize it's easy to make the mistake of thinking everything you see here belongs to me, but it does not. When I had the fences built, I included my fathers property inside as a measure of security for him as he ages.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I apologize, Mr. Duke. I thought all of this was yours.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “That's an easy mistake to make, Detective. If you like, you can verify what I told you at the county courthouse.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I assume you're telling the truth, but as a precaution, I will have my boys look into it.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Then by all means, conduct your search. Go right in, just try not to damage anything.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I hear its a historic property.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Indeed it is, Detective. That's why I'm so protective of it. If you need anything, feel free to call me, or come down here to talk to me.”

DETECTIVE EWING: “I suggest I will, Mr. Duke.”



Detective Ewing turns and leads his men up toward the Compound.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Oh, Detective?”



He turns.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “I'd dress warm if you go into the basement. The building is 250 years old. It's cold as hell down there.”



He gives a slight wave to let me know he understands. I return inside and close the door. All three of the men, and it even seems that young Prince Thaddeus is as well, are staring at me.



SEBASTIAN DUKE: “What?”

ASMODEUS: “For a man under pressure, you conducted yourself quite well.”

JACOB, THE MESSENGER: “I can tell Detective Ewing is starting to trust you.”

SEBASTIAN DUKE: “Well, I guess that remains to be seen.”



I look out the window and watch as the detectives and their search times enter my Compound. Fury rages within me. The world knows by now just how much I hate when those that do not belong here, enter my territory.

I'm an extremely territorial person. Anyone that impedes my territory most certainly needs to watch their step.



To Be Continued...