Sample Chapter from The Bossuet Conspiracy
Bangkok, Thailand
December 10, 1968
Merton let the spray from the showerhead fall on his scalp and then cascade over his face and shoulders. His hands slapped out a beat on his thighs keeping time with a Coltrane favorite he was humming. For half an hour, he had afforded himself this luxury, alternating hot and cold water as was his wont, awakening the senses and purifying his restless spirit. His brothers back at the Abbey of Gethsemani, marking his penchant for lengthy midday showers, teased him about his "Hour of Shower Power." In his present locale, the conference center near Bangkok, he was far removed from their playful observations.
His inner clock told him time was drawing near for the start of the afternoon session. He turned the knobs to the left and threw back the shower curtain. A towel was waiting on the curtain rod. He grabbed it and rubbed vigorously, letting his mind return to the here-and-now, wondering if the afternoon's offerings would be better received than was his that morning.
His eye caught a puddle of water outside the shower that led the few feet into the tiled bedroom area. Must have left the curtain outside the stall.careless of me. With the towel tucked around his waist, he stepped out into the puddle. He could not see that it led directly to the standing fan that was oscillating in the other room. Neither could he see the eyes that were observing him through partially-opened blinds at a back window.
His body was seized with a jolting, searing lightning bolt of pain. He stumbled through the bathroom door, unable to extricate himself from the wet floor and its insistent current. Falling forward, he brought the fan down on top of himself and breathed his last.
The two men in maintenance uniforms finished their business at the rear of his cottage then disappeared around the corner.
The New York Times
December 11, 1968
Controversial monk Thomas Merton dies
Associated Press
BANGKOK-
Thomas Merton, famous author and monk from the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, died yesterday in Bangkok while attending a convocation of Eastern monastic leaders. He was found dead by a friend in his cottage not long after delivering the opening address of the meeting.
The cause of death has not been determined, though authorities suspect an accident involving electrocution from faulty wiring of an electrical appliance. Foul play has not been ruled out.
Merton was a celebrated author whose prolific literary career was launched with the publication of his best-selling autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, in 1948, a few years after he entered the Trappist monastery. His works were acclaimed in both religious and secular circles, but political controversy surrounded his oft-stated opposition to the Vietnam War and to nuclear weapons, leading to unconfirmed rumors that the CIA was watching him closely. Conservative elements of the Roman Catholic Church also decried his embrace of Eastern religions and recently called for censure.
This personal statement from Pope Paul VI was released by the Vatican: "It is with deep sorrow that we learned of the death of Father Louis (Thomas) Merton in Thailand. His contributions to the Church and its contemplative traditions will long be felt. When we say that our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends, it must be recognized that Merton's circle embraced the entire family of God, including those of all religious faiths, with whom he engaged in fruitful dialogue."
Professor Dan Walsh of Bellarmine College in Louisville, whom Merton often credited with inspiring his call to the monastery, said by telephone interview today, "It's the saddest day of my life. I've lost my best friend, and the Catholic Church as well as religious persons of all faiths have lost their most ardent and talented spokesman."
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by his superiors at the abbey in Kentucky pending further investigation of the circumstances of his death.
The above sample chapter was excerpted from The Bossuet Conspiracy.
Novel/Suspense
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