some secrets are best left in the dark (anyone)

area around Jerusalem, 1215- two members of the Teutonic Knights, taking part in the Fifth Crusade to the Holy Land, stumble upon a cave and upon entering, they discovered a scroll that detailed plans for a small group of knights to rebel against the order, the two knights, determined to not let this happen, quickly left the cave with the scroll, but along the way, they were attacked and killed, the scroll however, was lost


New York City-2011

Thomas Kelly was in his office at the crime lab when Mac sent him to a church that was near by, what Thomas found shocked and angered him, the victim there was a clergyman, he had been stabbed in the heart and laid near the altar, Thomas called his boss, "Mac, you should get down here."

I didn't know what Thomas had to expect on his crime scene but I was a little surprised that he called and wanted me to come there. I knew he probably had a good reason.
"I'm on my way." I said and headed to the scene to find Thomas waiting outside the church.

Thomas was pacing back and forth, his face had both anger and sadness, 'Who would kill a priest?' he asked himself, as he paced, he looked up and saw Mac approaching him, the same look still on his face

I noticed Thomas' look and instantly knew that he indeed had a good reason to call me down to see what he found at the scene.
"What do you have here?" I asked him.

Thomas lead Mac inside, "Fr. Ryan Gilles, 42, associate priest here at St. Luke's." he started, his voice somber, an undercurrent of anger noticeable as he spoke, "The nun over there heard a commotion, then a cry of pain, when she came in, she found Fr. Gilles like this." he added

When he said that and I saw the actual crime scene I didn't like what I saw.
"So... some kind of ritual murder? It looks much like this was some kind of oblation murder." I said, as it was my first impression.

Thomas nodded, "Arms spread out, palms up, legs crossed at the ankles, remind you of anything?" he asked while kneeling down next to the body and starting to process

"Yeah... reminds me of the crucifix. Jesus looks like that." I said, looking up at the altar crucifix above.

Thomas looked at the crucifix, then back at the priest, it was then he noticed the symbol on his forehead, "Orden der Brüder vom Deutschen Haus St. Mariens in Jerusalem" he said out loud

"So we're dealing with a German Order from the middleages?" I arched my brow as I study the symbol on the victims head.
"I don't know, but somehow this is odd. The Order was developed during the third Crucade, if I am remembering correctly. But what did they have to do with offerings?"

"That is correct" Thomas replied, "The first record of them was 1190, the second year of the Third Crusade." he added, "If memory serves: during the Fifth Crusade years later, two knights of this order came across a conspiracy to split the order into two groups." Thomas stated

"Well, I didn't know about that, but you think this has something to do with it?" I asked in wonder, not remembering much of the history.

"I do" Thomas replied, "During the Protestant Reformation, the Teutonic Knights did split into separate groups. There were rumors of violence between the two sides." he added as he continued processing

"Okay, so they kill each other, though nowadays they're an order committed to god and that is a very different way to show that committment." I said quietly, examining the body a little more.

Thomas nodded as he finished up, "Agreed" he replied, in the back of his head, he could not help but feel that this was not the end with Fr. Giles's death

I finished up and looked at Thomas, who seemed to have something on his mind.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.

"That someone is upset the group split like it did." Thomas replied

"Well, I guess that is possible. But that means that this was probably just the beginning and I still wonder to which side our victim belonged, if he did belong to them." I thought loud.

Thomas nodded, "I'll look into it" he replied, before calling the guys from the ME's office, he said a quick prayer over the body, then crossed himself

I admired his faith. Something I didn't keep as well as I maybe should.
I pack up the evidence we found and give him a small nod before I made my way to the SUV.
"I'll see you in the lab." I said to him.

Thomas nodded after he finished, "I'll finish up here" he said to Mac, he wanted to talk with the nun that found Fr. Gilles

I nod and made my way to the lab, starting to look through the crime scene pictures.

back in the church, Thomas finished looking around, not finding much apart from foot prints by the door, he then walked over to the nun, Sr. Mary Beatrice, and interviewed her for the next few minutes

I was looking at the crime scene photos and the position the victim was found. I study the pictures and I just feel like something just doesn't add up, but I couldn't figure what it was.

after talking with the Sister Mary Beatrice, Thomas headed back to the lab, wondering if Mac found anything