Chapter 146 — The Hospital Plan
As soon as the archbishop left, Father Gideon began to search the hospital room.
Lorraine and Judy exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what he was doing.
Only after confirming that there were no listening devices hidden in the walls or equipment did Gideon turn toward them, his expression grave.
"Mrs. Warren," he said quietly, "there's something you need to know."
When he told her what Wynn's investigation had uncovered about Archbishop Hans, Lorraine's eyes widened in disbelief.
"That can't be… Are you sure this isn't a misunderstanding?"
She stopped herself halfway through.
Knowing Father Gideon's temperament, she realized that if he was saying this, then he must have already verified every detail.
"Archbishop Hans… so that's what kind of man he truly is," she murmured.
Then another, darker thought struck her.
The exorcism trip that had left Ed severely injured — the sudden spike in mission difficulty, the unexplained surge of demonic activity — all of it might have been engineered by Hans.
Perhaps even their previous "Annabelle" assignment was part of the same manipulation.
A chill crept down Lorraine's spine.
As a parish archbishop, Hans wielded enormous power within the Church hierarchy.
If he also had a faction behind him — a secret network within the Vatican — then survival for her and Ed would be nearly impossible.
"But we never crossed him," Lorraine whispered, confused.
"Ed and I have never done anything to offend that man."
"You're not the only ones," Gideon said, tucking a small blessed icon behind the radiator.
"Other exorcist teams from the academy have also suffered 'accidents.'
This isn't personal — it's systematic."
Straightening up, Gideon's tone hardened.
"I'll report everything about Hans to St. Peter's Cathedral within the next two days."
After weeks of observation, he had made up his mind — he would hand Wynn's journal directly to Archbishop Borha.
If Hans was indeed targeting every exorcist connected to St. Dey Chapel, then the Warrens' hospitalization presented the perfect opportunity for him to strike again.
Gideon had no intention of sitting around waiting to be ambushed.
He'd already ruined one of Hans's "projects" at the sunflower field, and now they had met face to face — there was no doubt in his mind that his name was already on the archbishop's list.
That meant only one thing — he had to move first.
Given Ed's condition, transferring hospitals was out of the question.
So Gideon could only arm Lorraine with every precaution possible.
"Food, medical supplies, even the equipment in this room — all potential threats," he said.
"And don't forget: any incident could easily be disguised as demonic interference."
Lorraine nodded, her expression growing paler with each warning.
"Confirm the daily treatment plan with the head physician in advance," Gideon continued.
"Reject any sudden changes, no matter how minor they sound.
Never stay alone — make sure there's always a way to reach help immediately."
Lorraine had only been thinking about Hans's men — the possibility that he'd send assassins.
But listening to Gideon's methodical breakdown, she realized just how many hidden dangers there could be.
Judy, on the other hand, was listening with fierce determination.
"I'm staying here," she said firmly. "I'll keep watch on everyone who enters."
Gideon nodded approvingly, though his plan was already forming.
"Once I hand over the evidence," he said, "I'll come back and keep watch myself."
Partly because the Warrens were his friends — but also because Hans had become a direct threat that needed to be neutralized.
Lorraine suddenly spoke again, her voice steady now.
"In that case, Father Gideon, please take Judy with you.
I'll hire a private security guard to protect Ed until you return."
"I'm not leaving!" Judy protested immediately.
Lorraine sighed, pulling her daughter aside.
After a quiet, emotional conversation, they both returned.
Judy's eyes were red, and though she still pouted slightly, she no longer argued.
Gideon understood perfectly.
It was the reaction of a mother torn between fear and love.
And he respected that.
"By the way," Gideon asked after a pause, "the archbishop mentioned a commemoration day?"
Lorraine nodded.
"Yes. It's an annual Remembrance Day event — commemorating the signing of the Philadelphia Declaration."
"This year marks the eightieth anniversary, so the ceremony will be especially grand."
"No wonder I've never seen it before," Gideon muttered.
"What kind of people usually attend?"
"Government officials, state dignitaries, social elites… and of course, Church representatives."
"Then Philadelphia will be flooded with people that day," Gideon said, frowning.
"Exactly," Lorraine confirmed. "Last time, more than a hundred thousand citizens attended."
Gideon's eyes darkened in thought.
"So with the crowds, the city's security forces will be spread thin…"
"Which means," he murmured, "if Hans plans to make a move — it'll be then."
Lorraine stared at him, momentarily speechless.
"He's still thinking ahead," she realized.
"During the ceremony, everyone's attention will be elsewhere," Judy added quickly.
"If something happens at the hospital, they could escape in the chaos!"
Gideon looked at her and smiled faintly.
"Exactly."
Lorraine placed a hand on Judy's head, smiling tiredly.
It was strange, she thought — in matters of danger and survival, her daughter's instincts were beginning to surpass her own.
Still, she felt a deep sense of relief.
Having Father Gideon nearby made the shadow of Hans's threat feel a little less suffocating.
"I'll be back before the commemoration," Gideon promised.
"Until then — stay alert."
After one last round of instructions, he finally stepped out of the room.
"Father Gideon! Can we go to St. Peter's Cathedral now?" Judy asked, almost breathless.
"Not yet," he replied calmly. "We've still got security measures to finish."
Having learned from the museum incident, Gideon knew that in large buildings, escape routes were everything.
So before heading out, he and Judy made a full sweep of the hospital — marking exits, supply closets, and sanctum points.
They even set up a few holy relics in key locations.
An hour later, they returned.
"Back already?" Lorraine asked in surprise. "Did you forget something?"
Judy rushed in, panting, and grabbed a glass of water.
Gideon smiled faintly and handed Lorraine a small leather notebook.
"Mrs. Warren," he said, "I've designed six emergency protocols in case of an attack while I'm away."
As Lorraine flipped through the notebook, her expression shifted from confusion to shock.
"The hospital's security patrols every two hours," Gideon explained, "with increased frequency at night — here's their route.
Avoid the locked safety doors on the north wing's third floor and the south wing's second.
And I've hidden blessed relics under every potted plant on each floor — they'll recharge your sanctified wards if demonic activity occurs."
Lorraine blinked down at the pages — a detailed, tactical breakdown that bordered on military precision.
For a moment, she didn't know whether to be terrified or impressed.
"Honestly," she thought, 'Maybe Hans should just stay away… for his own safety.'
She wasn't worried anymore — only deeply grateful, and maybe a little sorry for anyone foolish enough to oppose Father Gideon.
"I'll memorize every step," she said firmly, bowing her head.
Gideon smiled gently, satisfied.
Once she had memorized everything, he finally left — this time for real.
Meanwhile, deep beneath the parish relief house, in a shadowed stone chamber—
"The Warrens are still alive," a voice hissed. "Explain yourself."
Archbishop Hans clenched his fists, his expression dark.
"I didn't protect them," he snapped. "They barely survived. They're crippled."
"As long as they're breathing," said Juan, his eyes cold, "it makes no difference."
Hans gritted his teeth.
"Don't worry. They'll only live another two days.
Once the commemoration begins, I'll have them taken care of."
Juan's expression eased slightly.
He knew Hans would never betray the "True Lord."
"I heard they had access to high-grade relics," Juan added.
"That's the only reason they survived."
"That's what puzzles me," Hans said slowly.
"With their status, they should never have gotten their hands on relics like that."
"Family inheritance?"
"Impossible. Lucia's descendants never carried that line of relics."
Hans's eyes narrowed.
"But when I visited the hospital today, I saw another priest there — one who runs a relic shop near St. Dey Chapel."
Juan's expression shifted.
"Oh? And who exactly is he?"