Following Arimathea's Line

**Incomplete early chapter **
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Related to Walkinbird - Called to action pieces "Il Pubblico Secreto" and "Captured Images"
If you wish to read more, contact Walkinbird - Called to action for Passkey

### 30 ###

Dorotea Canto kept her measured demeanor while browsing the written report in her hand. She stepped quickly across the plaza. Brother Vace, somewhat winded keeping at her heels, still intrusively chatted with her all the way from meeting her car curbside. Both the conclusions in the brief and his vocal claims of doom were ones she'd heard many times. Her response: "The Consul du Judgment often rumbles with displeasure, especially in matters related to Doctor Julcre." She stopped herself from adding, of course this always is within small factions of idiotic lesser members.

"You think speaking these things, even as opinion, out loud, makes them important to me? You could cause me more trouble by angering him while he is with us, than the pain you are suggesting we'd save ourselves in distancing from him. Do you not realize that? Just stop your alarmist banter!" "Do not say things that he can use against any of us individually in the courts."

The Head Consul herself recently predicted that replacing Robert Julcre's assistants would become increasingly difficult. Many simply would not accept his authoritative personality. The man also seemed obsessed with being more a mentor than a man requiring assistance. Few were willing to escape death narrowly and see it as Julcre insisted, as some greater life lesson. Luckily this was all touted as rumor and smoke. No one knew Robert Julcre and all that had befallen him, in truth.

"There is nothing I believe this man alone or assisted can complete before we all are fallen," Brother Vace stated emphatically while stepping into the echoing archway just as Robert Julcre stepped forward into the sun-brightened courtyard.
Vace, shadowed by the hallway vault stared up stonily at Julcre blanched by direct sunlight.

“Faith enables us to realize our true positions as sojourners on this planet," Julcre stated softly as if to himself, but distinctly, so Brother Vace heard too. Then he added in a spiteful whisper to Brother Vace's ear, "HEBREWS 11:1. Oh, yes...Let's not forget 'Love one another'.”

The vampire corporate conglomorate was waiting – their ultimate hostile takeover still incomplete. Robert could feel his own soul lingering as a counter to their posturing. But, clearly, Aubrey Xavier being assigned to assist him showed that the Consul also felt the time was close. Julcre spoke to the gaseous phantoms which he encountered at times in his mind as it fought against sleep. "Each have lessons to learn...," this was something that came up again and again. He favored the idea that one day he would not hear in his own mind, but knew it would never be so.

---

Sophia completed the spread, hesitating only once at the placement of the sixth or seventh card. Robert noticed a look of concern struggle for dominance on her face. But, the emotion seemed wiped clean from her face once Sophia allowed eye-contact with Robert just before speaking.

Aubrey strolled the street while Robert had this reading. He silently acknowledged the passive stare of a young woman selling outside a storefront from a single chair and fold-out table. He considered her product – beautifully polished stone beads. The young artist, named Susan Talkcrow;her business card proclaimed her Cherokee heritage he noted.

She spoke plainly, yet locking eyes with young Aubrey as she urgently placed a strand into his hands.
“These are more than decorative beads. They're imbued with more than natural mineral properties, or the metaphysical power people attach to crystals – They carry protection. I have called something of myself to be in them. Of course The Living Spirit already in it is best to provide defense in the hands of a believer.”

Aubrey make a silent transaction and turned immediately back to assess the Tarot room. As he entered the darkness of the waiting room, Robert strode out forcefully from behind the curtained doorway of the seers chamber. He ignored the flash of Marquez' signed query, and moved past with a step betraying guarded emotion. Aubrey drew the curtain aside to inquire what had transpired But before he caught sight of Sophia's concerned face, he noted not one but several telling cards face up on the table.

With a sweeping motion, Aubrey indicated the spread and gently sat in one motion. "Do you have any advice, so I can best help him through this?"

Sophia looked across the small table at the young man awaiting her recommendation for his companion. "The cards tell me that Death reappears in his life day-to-day. Perhaps his sleep is haunted by something he cannot express to you. That is an unusual place to be in, dear. This may not be a man you want to hang out with!"