“We knew this would be a shock,” Robert added. “But there’s more.”
Alison looked over at Robert in wonder. “More?” she asked.
“We have reason to believe Cardinal Polletto may be involved, or have knowledge of the kidnapping.”
Alison snapped to her feet. “That’s impossible! Why would he do such a thing?”
Thorne stood, walked over and put an arm around her. “We understand your hesitation,” she said, calm and soothing. “But you know us, we take our job seriously, and this is Samuel we’re talking about.” Alison shook her head. “I just can’t believe it. Have you told the FBI?”
Thorne eased Alison back down in her chair, but remained at her side, a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Robert leaned forward. “We don’t want to involve them,” he answered. “If we do, we’ll lose control. It’ll become a circus and tip our hand.”
Alison put her head in both hands and took a deep breath. When she emerged, both eyes were red and puffy. “What next?” she sniffled.
Robert cleared his throat. “Right now we’re keeping a close watch on the kidnappers, waiting for them to move. When they do, we’ll move in and take them down.”
Alison began to shake. Thorne massaged her shoulders. “It’s okay, honey, we’re right here for you.”
“What can I do to help?” Alison asked, tears cascading down her cheeks.
Robert knelt in front of her. “Just sit tight as though everything is the same. Don’t give any hint of what we told you to anyone, and we’ll bring Samuel home.”
Alison froze. “Bring him home? How can you be so sure?” Robert smiled. “We’ve seen him. He looked okay.” Alison leapt forward and wrapped her arms around Robert, almost knocking him over. “Thank you, Robert. Thank you.” Robert hugged her tight. “It’s okay,” he said, his voice low, cracking.
“We love Samuel, and we’ll do everything we can to get him back.”
“Hey, let me get some of that,’ said Thorne, walking over. Alison hugged Thorne tight.
Robert gave a heavy sigh of relief, happy that Alison was back on their side. She let go of his partner and faced him.
“Forgive me for the way I acted back in Chicago,” said Alison, looking ashamed. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s okay, we understand,” said Thorne. “You were under more pressure than anybody should have to handle.”
“Yes,” added Robert. “We never blamed you. You’re family.” Alison eased down in the chair. “What do I say if Cardinal Polletto finds out you were here?”
“Tell him we’re here on another case,” said Robert. “If he wants to know more he can find us.”
“Yes,” added Thorne. “We’re ready for him.” Alison shook her head again. “Cardinal Polletto? It’s still so hard to believe.”
“We’ve seen stranger things, trust us,” quipped Thorne. “You just make sure you call us if you see or hear anything suspicious.”
“Yes,” added Robert. “We don’t want anything to happen to you.” Alison’s forehead wrinkled. “If Cardinal Polletto has Samuel, why would he invite me here?”
“He probably feels like he has more control over the situation if he can keep a better eye on you,” said Robert.
“Yes,” added Thorne. “If he meant to harm you, he would’ve done it in Chicago.”
“But why does he want Samuel?” asked Alison.
Robert looked over at Thorne, whose eyes said, don’t you dare.
“We don’t know,” Robert lied. “But it doesn’t matter, all we care about is getting him back.”
Fifteen minutes later, Robert and Thorne were on their way back to Trevi Fountain to be picked up by Sister Isabella. Alison watched them cross the courtyard from her window. Father Ortega exited the bathroom and slipped his. 45 automatic back in its holster. He stood behind Alison, watched Robert and Thorne disappear around a corner, pulled out his cell phone, and dialed.
Robert and Thorne reached Trevi Fountain early, and waited, not noticing the thinning pale-skinned man behind them, sporting freshly cut blond hair. Collar up on his black leather jacket, Father Tolbert eyed them, working up his nerve. When he finally did, a car, driven by a serious-looking dark haired woman, who reminded him of Sister Isabella, quickly pulled up and swooped them away.
Father Tolbert had gotten wind of Alison Napier’s arrival. He too had a few connections in Rome. He staked out the hotel, knowing Samuel’s godfather would show eventually, and trailed them to Trevi Fountain after they left the hotel, but lost his nerve. Now, they were gone. He looked around and made sure he hadn’t been noticed. I’ll make the rounds and watch the hotel until they show again.
The priest wandered through the ancient streets, back to the small, hidden hotel where he felt safe.
44
C ardinal Polletto, sore from the tussle with Father Tolbert, rubbed the small of his back as he made his way out of Bracciano Castle’s large, high-ceiling bedroom, where he’d been recuperating for the past few days. He walked down to the library, Pope’s Hall, where he was greeted by low-level members of The Order, who avoided eye contact with him.
He could hear and feel their whispers as he eased by. He let Father Tolbert get away.
The cardinal covered for Father Tolbert at the Vatican Archives, but soon, Cardinal Maximilian or others at the Vatican would become suspicious and start asking questions. Attention he did not need. But it wasn’t the Vatican that worried him; his real concern came from The Order. He would be severely dealt with if Father Tolbert wasn’t found.
The priest was a very important part of the equation, and the ritual could not take place without him.
Two doors down from his bedroom, Father Sin, shot, but not dead, recuperated. Thankfully, the bullets hit the meaty parts of his right shoulder and left thigh, and passed in and out without breaking any bones. Unfortunately, it took over an hour to find him, and by then, he’d lost consciousness, and a lot of blood. The doctor who examined him, faithful to The Order, said the large, muscular priest would soon be up and around with sufficient bed rest. Cardinal Polletto practically had to threaten Father Sin to keep him in bed, to prevent him from going out to search for Father Tolbert.
Bishop Giordano had ordered their people to get rid of the old man’s body they found next to a crashed car. Father Sin told them that the old man gave Father Tolbert a ride, and refused to pull over. Both cars and the body were weighted down and submerged in the middle of the lake.
By the time anyone found them, it would be too late.
Inside Pope’s Hall, Cardinal Polletto sat down behind a large, dark wooden desk and waited for his guests to arrive. He ordered two hirelings to bring a pitcher of water and a bottle of wine. They came back with the ice water and a bottle of Chateau Margaux, one of his favorites.
He uncorked the bottle himself, a special pleasure he took delight in like a child unwrapping presents on Christmas morning. He closed his eyes and sniffed the cork, the richness of the dark grape pleasantly assaulting his senses. He waved off everyone in the room and poured himself a glass. He didn’t taste it right away as most did; the cork had told him everything. If the aroma was bad, so was the bottle, and he’d never let it touch his mouth.
Not long after he’d finished his first glass, Bishop Giordano entered with his guests, Rinaldo and Dianora.
“Hello, my friends,” said the cardinal, walking around and giving them both big hugs.
Bishop Giordano backed out of the room as Rinaldo and Dianora sat down in front of the desk. Cardinal Polletto poured them both a glass of wine without asking, knowing they’d appreciate the finely aged grape.
Rinaldo owned several vineyards in Italy, and as with most of her father’s ventures, Dianora was closely involved, and as much an expert as the two of them.
“I’m glad you could come on such short notice,” said the cardinal, taking his seat.
