In a dimly lit room, the glow of several computers illuminates a disheveled, unkempt woman.
She squats on a stool, clad in a tank top and shorts that reveal her explosive figure. Unfortunately, no one is there to appreciate it. She listens to the phone, her head tilted in confusion.
"Vance? Little Black Gang?"
She wedges the phone between her shoulder and cheek, muttering to herself while her hands fly over the keyboard, tapping so rapidly that they blur.
"Mm-hmm," York responds while walking. "It seems to have been established for some time, linked to the Grizzly Gang. I suspect its main body is Grizzly Gang members."
"Grizzly Gang?" The woman's dyed eyebrows raise slightly. Her hands move faster, and as they do, the screens of several computers quickly display information about the Grizzly Gang and its activities.
York seems to hear the incessant tapping, speaking indifferently.
"Mm, that's all I know."
Today's information brokers are advanced, combining their resources with hacking skills. Hannah, who he knows, is just such a person. She often combines reliable online data with her intelligence, usually hitting the mark.
When performing exorcisms, information brokers like Hannah are invaluable. He relies on her to find out about the history of a house, any past deaths, or family information.
This saves him a lot of time and energy, allowing him to focus on planning.
Of course, it also costs him a considerable sum of money, hence his feeling that money is always tight.
"There's little information. I'll have to dive into the dark web and ask around."
A lazy, sultry voice comes from the phone. York can imagine Hannah's current posture but also understands her underlying message – she wants money.
"How much?"
"Hmm." Hannah, still sifting through information, reveals a sly smile.
"A hundred thousand!"
However, she doesn't expect the immediate agreement from the other end.
"Alright, the same account as before?"
Hannah blinks, surprised, as her busy hands pause. She wonders aloud.
"Father, you're so wealthy now?"
She remembers the robed man always boldly cutting the price in half and bargaining with her.
"No money."
His ever-calm response is followed by a click as the call ends.
Hannah is momentarily stunned; she hadn't expected him to hang up so abruptly.
"Damn priest, you're dead to me!"
Her curses mix with the intensifying keyboard taps, echoing in the small room.
Meanwhile, York has reached his church, unaware of the curses being hurled his way. Even if he knew, he wouldn't care, as he's used to being cursed by even the most ferocious demons.
Entering the main building, York approaches the candlelit altar and the statue of Jesus. He removes his vestments – the alb, stole, cincture, and chasuble – finding them cumbersome.
Standing before the statue, York crosses himself and heads to the rest room.
Recently, things have been piling up. His phone rings again as he walks into the room.
"Gabriel?" He's surprised by the caller. Upon answering, a deep voice comes through.
"York, I hear you've exorcised another demon and evil spirit?"
York's eyebrows raise slightly. "How did you know?"
The Vatican.
In a room lined with bookshelves, a robust, frosty-haired priest smiles as he looks at the setting sun outside the window.
"Your messenger pigeon arrived. The letter is being archived in the vault. As you know, I'm about to enter the vault and have access to it."
York pauses, thinking of the elderly priests in the headquarters' vault, the guardians and exorcists of the church. It seems his mentor is retiring.
"Have you decided?"
"Yes, I'm used to it. It's actually uncomfortable to be outside."
"Alright." York doesn't argue further, knowing the vault represents a prison to him but honor to a devout priest.
"Did you call just to tell me this?"
"Of course not." Gabriel remains expressionless.
"I need you to supervise Archibald, the trainee priest. It's his day to turn official, meaning he's about to perform his first exorcism."
York stuffs his belongings into a cupboard.
"That's not my responsibility, Gabriel. You know my purpose in joining the church was to perform exorcisms, not to babysit."
Gabriel begins to feel a headache coming on. York is his preferred successor but also the most troublesome.
"Just this once, York. If I weren't busy, I wouldn't ask you. Archibald should be there by now."
Hearing this, York senses someone entering the church. He keeps the phone to his ear as he walks out of the room, coming face to face with a young trainee priest, cautiously walking between the rows of pews.
"The guy's here. Just this once, Gabriel. If you want him to become a real exorcist, let him face the risks. Otherwise, being an ordinary priest is also fine. I'm busy, Gabriel..."
He is indeed busy, needing to act on the information about the Vance Gang and seek revenge for Old Brown.
Gabriel's expression stiffens, finally sighing in resignation.
"Have a look at the kid first."
"Fine!"
York hangs up unceremoniously, observing the young priest with a naive face, shaking his head.
Gabriel wants him to be a babysitter, ensuring the trainee's safety.
York, however, doesn't understand why this youngster wants to become an exorcist. After all, exorcism comes with risks, and death during the process is a possibility...