understand?'
'Of course. We'll do nothing to jeopardize this opportunity. I spoke to our president earlier and he instructed me to give you every assistance in this matter. He would be here himself but he's on a trade visit to China.'
Torino handed the sealed document to the minister. 'This confirms that I speak for the pope.'
The minister broke the seal, scanned the letter and passed it to the lawyer. 'How can we help you, Father General?'
'As you know, the Vatican is an independent state within Italy. Ever since the Lateran Treaty of 1929 its unique sovereign status has been enshrined in law. This gives the Roman Catholic Church precious independence and authority to do as it thinks morally right, regardless of the host nation's politics.
'The Holy Mother Church is keen to extend its moral presence in the world. To that end we wish to found a second Vatican in the southern hemisphere, away from the staid conventions of Europe. In contrast to the ancient, urban splendour of Rome, this new Vatican will be a brand new eco-state. A spiritual retreat from the corruption of the modern world, the new Vatican state will be ecologically responsible and self-sufficient. This vision of the future will act as a beacon and an example to the world.'
'A new Eden?' said the minister.
Torino smiled. 'Exactly. Our preferred location is in Roman Catholic South America, and Peru is an excellent candidate. It's stable, neither too big nor too small. However, we are aware that a few years ago you agreed that the oil companies could develop swathes of the Amazon and build a pipeline. We are also aware that your country's international image has suffered because of this perceived neglect of the rainforest in pursuit of oil money.'
The minister shuffled in his seat. 'How can we help you decide on Peru?'
'We would found the new Vatican in the Amazon, within a protected perimeter of virgin forest that will be maintained and conserved as God intended. You will cede this land to the Vatican and enshrine in perpetuity its status as a sovereign nation state in both international and Peruvian law. You will also undertake to protect its sovereignty.
'In return you'll receive competitive payment for the land and, as hosts of the second Vatican, you'll enjoy enhanced international status within the region and the world. You'll also restore your image by showing the world you care about conservation. In effect you'll be surrendering land of limited economic value in exchange for capital, prestige and international goodwill.'
The minister glanced at the lawyer, who nodded. 'That sounds reasonable.' The minister rose and approached a map on the wall.
'Is any part of the Peruvian rainforest off limits or earmarked for the oil companies?' asked Torino.
'Not specifically. If you wanted a particular tract of land we'd give you precedence over the oil companies.' He pointed at the map. 'In any case I can advise you on a prime parcel-'
'That won't be necessary. I'll know the land when I see it. The Lord will guide me to it.'
'Father General, you surely don't want to go into the jungle yourself?'
'I must.'
'It's a dangerous place, Father General.'
'God will protect me, and the Holy Father has supplied me with four Vatican soldiers.'
'The Swiss Guard?' The beginnings of an incredulous smile formed on the minister's lips. 'With all due respect, every government minister who goes into the interior is always accompanied by a team of highly trained Special Forces soldiers.'
'And I will be doing the same. They might wear colourful ceremonial dress and wield halberds but the Swiss Guard are anything but toy soldiers, Minister.'
'I meant no offence. It's just that if anything happened to the Superior General of the Society of Jesus while a guest in our country…'
Torino raised a hand. 'I understand.' Many underestimated the Vatican's small army, which had been made up of Swiss mercenaries since the sixteenth century. When Hitler's army had entered Rome in the Second World War, Swiss Guards had donned subdued grey uniforms and taken up positions behind machine-guns and mortars. The Germans did not move against the Vatican but the Guard, though vastly outnumbered, had been prepared to sacrifice their lives for the Holy Father. All members of the modern Swiss Guard were Catholics, aged between nineteen and thirty, over five feet eight inches tall, and trained in the professional Swiss army. Competition was fierce and the Vatican selected only the best. Each recruit vowed to defend the pope and the apostolic palace with his life. The four Swiss Guards assigned to Torino were elite soldiers who spoke Spanish and had relevant jungle training. 'Be assured, Minister, my men are more than capable of protecting me. But I would appreciate your co- operation in authorizing access to any weapons or equipment they may require while in your country.'
'Of course.' The minister took a piece of paper from the lawyer and handed it to Torino. 'This letter guarantees you safe passage through the country. It also authorizes you to requisition any equipment and transport you might need in your search, including any weapons or supplies for your men. Tell the local authorities your requirements and they'll arrange everything.' He gestured again to the lawyer, who produced three copies of a thick document. 'This is the agreement your lawyers in Rome finalized with ours yesterday. It gives the Vatican the right to claim up to twenty thousand hectares of virgin Peruvian rainforest at the price agreed.'
'Any land I choose?'
'So long as it's virgin forest and doesn't belong to anybody else.'
'What about native tribes?'
'We'll move them.'
'If I require more than twenty thousand hectares?'
'We just add a supplementary agreement.' The minister smiled. 'As you'll discover, Father General, there's a lot of jungle out there.'
29
Cajamarca, Thursday, 4.30 a.m. Lauren had always accused Ross of being impatient, but he had never felt as impatient as he did kicking his heels in Cajamarca waiting for Hackett's return. Sister Chantal had retreated into a world of her own, using the opportunity to sleep and gather her strength. Zeb kept trying to reassure him, between reading everything she could find – as Lauren used to do when she was on holiday. But he couldn't relax. After he had purchased items on Hackett's list and explored Cajamarca for the third time he had pored over Falcon's notebook, trying to guess how long it would take to find the garden, if it existed. He was in limbo – neither by his wife's side nor on the trail seeking her cure – and desperate to move. Every day he called his father, every day Sam Kelly reported that there had been no change in Lauren's condition, and every day Ross had considered flying home.
Finally, Thursday morning arrived and Hackett picked them up outside the hotel in his silver Land Rover. It was still dark and the Southern Cross was visible in the sky.
Hackett was attired in pristine khakis, safari jacket, Indiana Jones hat and thick glasses. He greeted them, then stowed their bags on the roof rack. 'Please wipe your feet before getting into the car, then wind up the windows. I'm allergic to dirt. I'll put on the aircon when we're all in.'
Allergic to dirt? Ross exchanged a glance with Zeb, but said nothing as he sat in the front passenger seat while Zeb and Sister Chantal made themselves comfortable in the back. He had to admire Hackett for choosing a vocation for which he was so apparently ill-suited: running tours into the Amazon jungle, probably the largest source of dirt in the world. Ross liked the eccentric Englishman, though. For all his reserve and odd habits, Hackett exuded old-fashioned integrity.
The journey to Kuelap took six hours. The rough road cut across the cloud forest and over a three- thousand-metre-high pass, then dropped steeply to the Rio Maranon. Eventually, they stopped at a village called Tingo, south of Chachapoyas.
'We walk from here,' said Hackett. He looked at Sister Chantal. 'It's a pretty steep climb. Do you want to wait in the car?'
Sister Chantal didn't bother to answer, just got out, took Zeb's arm and began to walk. It was warm with a
