people. But their manner was quiet, humble, almost serene, even in the face of obvious danger, where none of them would be armed with so much as a slingshot. Robert admired their faith, but questioned Father Kong’s decision not to carry weapons.
“We’ll carry the sword of faith,” the priest had told him.
“I’d rather you totted a machine gun,” Robert had said, but the priest only smiled and assured Robert that they’d be armed with something much greater than bullets.
“In the spirit, more of them are with us then there are with them,” Father Kong said.
Robert took another look at the Bracciano Castle floor plans Father Kong had retrieved from the Vatican Archives. To his surprise, it not only gave a complete outline of every nook and secret passage in the building, but also included a series of diagrams, outlining an extensive underground system of tunnels, including three entrances accessible underwater.
“Everything’s in order,” said Father Kong, stepping up beside Robert. “I’ve gone over the details again with my people. We’re ready.”
“Good,” said Robert, his eyes fixed on the castle diagram. “Let’s go over the plan one more time to be sure.” He pointed to the spots alongside the road into Bracciano, where both Robert and Father Kong’s people would be posted; some alongside the road, others inside the woods and trees. Additional teams would situate themselves in the woods directly behind the castle, and inside several homes Father Kong’s people had commandeered in the quiet village. Reynolds would join one of the teams inside one of the houses closest to the castle, ready to get there first when the final call came.
“The closer we get, the higher probability we’ll encounter The Order and those with them,” Father Kong said.
Robert agreed, and instructed his people to quietly neutralize any threat, but be ready to kill if necessary. He had no idea how many men The Order might employ, but guessed that they probably didn’t want to disrupt the ritual with a violent shootout, unless they believed all was lost.
“Thorne and I will approach the castle from the shore on the north side of the lake,” said Robert, pointing to Trevignano. “We’ll scuba dive to the tunnels under the building and enter. Once we’re inside, we’ll notify everyone on the radio.”
The castle diagram showed three tunnels, but at least one, maybe two, were now sealed according to Father Kong’s source. To make sure they got in, Robert and Thorne would haul an underwater laser to cut through bars or steel plates if needed. It would slow them down, but there was no other choice.
“Once you’re inside, everybody will take up their secondary position,” said Father Kong.
“Correct. Once we locate Samuel and the other boys, we’ll all converge on the castle,” said Robert.
Father Kong stroked his chin. “I must make a last appeal that we limit any violence and deaths. Cardinal Maximilian insists.” Robert faced the priest as everyone in the room turned to listen.
“Again, I understand, but killing might be necessary. If The Order will hire the mafia, they’ll do anything.”
“We must make room for God. He’ll make a way,” said Father Kong.
“That way may be by the bullet,” answered Robert, glaring over at the others. “But I’ve instructed my people to use caution, and they’ll be armed with the tranquilizer darts. It’s the best I can do.” Father Kong nodded his consent, smiled and walked away. Thorne took his place.
“Everything’s ready to go,” she said. “I secured our weapons in waterproof sacks and tested the underwater laser. That thing could slice through the hull of a battleship.”
“Make sure you tell our people to go easy on the trigger,” said Robert. “I want them safe, but careful.”
“That may work going in,” answered Thorne. “And I know these priests and nuns want everybody to come out alive, but let’s be real.
Some of those assholes are going to die tonight, especially if I have anything to do with it.”
Robert knew better than to argue with her. “Whatever it takes to get Samuel out of there is fine with me,” he said.
Thorne smiled, handed him two nine-millimeter automatics, and went back to recheck the details with their team. The front door opened.
One of Father Kong’s people entered carrying a single envelope, and handed it to the priest.
When Father Kong finished, he gave the letter to Robert. “It’s from the Holy Father.” Robert took the folded paper, but didn’t open it. Father Kong took a deep breath. “Cardinal Maximilian informed him that the time was at hand, and he wanted to offer a few words of support.” Robert unfolded the note and read it to himself as everybody watched in silence. The longer he read, the harder his heart pounded. His eyes narrowed, his forehead wrinkled. The Pope’s words ignited his spirit. When he finished, as the note instructed, Robert pulled a lighter from his pocket, set the paper on fire, placed it in an ashtray, and then faced everyone in the room.
“Tonight, we must be at our best. Many lives are at stake; ours, three little boys, and possibly untold millions. Be brave, courageous, and let’s have everybody come home alive,” said Robert.
Father Kong stood, serious, panning the room. “Those of you with Il Martello di Dio know our charge. First Peter, Chapter Five, Verse Eight.
We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed. We are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken.” He then lowered his head and prayed.
When he finished, Robert nodded to Thorne, who barked out last minute instructions. Everyone gathered up their equipment and went outside. Detective Reynolds pulled Thorne to the side, gave her a long, passionate kiss then joined his team in one of the vans.
Robert, Thorne, Father Kong, and two others piled inside a black SUV. Each squad left in fifteen-minute intervals, Robert not wanting a parade. When they reached the main rode out of Rome, Robert relaxed and let his mind go. For ten miles nobody spoke. Father Kong’s cell phone broke the silence. Ten seconds into his conversation, the priest’s face went flush with horror.
“My God!” he cried, tears in his eyes. Robert’s back straightened.
Father Kong put his head in his hands. “My God, my God!” he bellowed and sobbed.
“What is it?” asked Robert, anxious.
Father Kong lifted his head, eyes red, bottom lip trembling. “It’s the Holy Father, the Pope. He’s dead.”
65
C ardinal Polletto gave the procession assembling inside the Hall of the Caesars last minute instructions, carefully looking them over forty-five minutes before the midnight hour. Outside, members of The Order of Asmodeus were gathering from all over the world, taking their seats in the makeshift stadium behind the castle, next to the stage and wooden deck they’d be standing on shortly, all watching history change before their eyes.
Sister Bravo and Father Sin were tending to Samuel, Felipe and Eduardo, gently securing their hands and taping their mouths. Samuel glared at the cardinal, a murderous scowl on his face that Cardinal Polletto brushed aside. Soon, you’ll thank me for making you ruler of the world. Each boy was lifted up and placed in a small, shiny black coffin, with three slits cut in the top for them to breath. To the cardinal’s surprise, none of the boys flinched or struggled. Maybe it’s sinking in.
Maybe now they’re starting to realize.
The coffins were closed tight, and two black-hooded priests were assigned to guard and carry each coffin. In front of the coffins, gagged, blindfolded and tied to a wide wooden board, lay Father Tolbert. The angry priest squirmed and fought, almost tearing free several times. Only after a generous dose of heroin filled his blood stream, administered by Father Ortega, did he settle down.
“You’ll burn. You’ll burn,” Father Tolbert mumbled, eyes rolling up in his head.
Cardinal Polletto had received word an hour earlier that the Pope had died a solemn death in his sleep earlier that night. After the ritual, Cardinal Polletto would rush to the Vatican with all of the other cardinals, where they’d plan and perform the Pope’s funeral, then be locked in conclave inside the Sistine Chapel, away from the public eye until they all agreed on the new Bishop of Rome, a position guaranteed to him by veiled forces more powerful than
