“What is that?” Sergio asks.

“A condition somewhere between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder,” the psychiatrist explains. “With elements of both illnesses. In Stefano’s case, he has delusions—or unfounded beliefs—and he hears auditory hallucinations.”

“Voices?” Sergio asks.

“Yes.” Lonzo sighs. “Stefano is particularly susceptible to bouts of depression. And with those episodes, he experiences persecutory hallucinations that are mood-congruent. In other words, he hears voices in his head that are very critical of him.”

“Whose voices?” Alana asks.

Lonzo thinks for a moment. “Different ones. Authority figures. Priests and abbots from his past. And of course, being as religious as he is, he also believes he can hear the voice of God.”

“God?” Alana echoes. “And the Church let him continue to work as a monk in spite of all these auditory hallucinations?”

“The Church is very protective of their own, regardless of . . . health issues. Besides, his mood and symptoms stabilized on the medication. Stefano was functioning quite well. Even the abbot seemed to think so.”

“Don Arturo?” Alana asks in surprise. “He knew about Stefano’s condition?”

“And his treatment, yes, of course.”

“When was the last time you saw Stefano?” Sergio asks.

“Perhaps two months ago. I can ask Lia to look up the precise date.”

“Two months ago?” Alana repeats. “That would’ve been right around the time the monks were being evicted from the monastery?”

“Yes. In fact, he was supposed to move out the week after our last appointment.”

“To where, Dr. Lonzo?” she asks.

“I believe he was being sent to another monastery. He told me he might not be able to see me for a while because of his move. And he asked for extra refills to his prescriptions.”

“What was he like that last visit?” she asks.

“To be honest, I was concerned.”

“Why was that?” Sergio asks.

“He was becoming somewhat paranoid. His delusions and hallucinations had shifted away from the usual self-persecutory themes.”

“What do you mean, shifted?”

“He told me that God was very angry.”

“About what?”

“The state of the world. The excess of sin and godlessness. These are common religious themes in the delusional, of course.” Lonzo pinches his chin again. “Stefano is a mild-mannered young man, you understand. I assumed he was merely projecting his own hurt and anxiety.”

“Over the destruction of the San Giovanni Monastery?” Alana asks.

“Perhaps.” Lonzo’s forehead creases. “Regardless, the last time I spoke to him, Stefano was quite convinced that God was out for vengeance.”

Chapter

Fifty-Five

Today is the fourth day of March. My heart is fuller than it has been since the day the pestilence claimed my Camilla. While I remain ashamed of recent deceptions, I believe she would have seen the necessity in them. I pray, too, that she would understand the affection which has grown in my heart for Gabriella.

How God will judge me remains to be seen. For last night I lay with Gabriella. I had insisted she sleep in my bed while I made a mattress of straw on the floor. However, she woke me in the night and guided me by the hand to join her. While there is no excuse for our sin, I do not regret the behavior. For I have fallen in love with this enigmatic yet enchanting woman.