sophisticated—the secular chasm growing ever wider. And the fact remained that many pre-biblical scriptures, rife with controversial writings that undermined the integrity of the gospels, still managed to evade the Vatican’s grasp.
Throughout Catholic history, a select few have been entrusted with maintaining this daunting archive. Donovan still marveled at how he had become its most trusted custodian.
It was a long road that had brought him from Belfast to Rome.
Straight out of the seminary, Donovan had joined Dublin’s Christchurch Cathedral as a resident priest. But his passion for history and books had soon earned him recognition as a biblical historian. Two years later, he had begun a highly successful Biblical History program at University College, Dublin. His legendary lectures and papers on early Christian scriptures had eventually caught the attention of Ireland’s preeminent Cardinal Daniel Michael Shaunessey. Shaunessey was quick to have Donovan accompany him on a visit to Vatican City where he introduced him to the cardinal who oversaw the Vatican Library. Collaborative projects followed, and less than four months later, a compelling offer was extended to Donovan for a position inside Vatican City, managing its archives. Though it was difficult leaving his aging parents in Ireland—his only remaining family—he had graciously accepted.
That was twelve years ago. And never did he expect that one day he would be intimately involved in the single largest scandal in Church history—and all because of a book.
Poring over the yellowed, parchment pages of the Archive’s latest acquisition, Donovan was scanning the leather-bound ancient codex entitled the Ephemeris Conlusio—the Journal of Secrets. In recognition of the blood spilled acquiring the relic now being studied in the Vatican Museum, he needed reassurance that the ossuary had met all the criteria described in the text. Pausing to study a meticulous drawing of the ossuary, Donovan exhaled with relief when his eyes came across a precise match of the unique symbol that had been carved onto the box’s side.
It was almost impossible for the librarian to imagine how he had come to this juncture—a shocking series of events that had been set into motion by a single phone call he received one rainy afternoon just two weeks earlier...
Oblivious to the unseasonable rain drumming against his office window, Donovan was deeply absorbed in an eighteenth-century study on the nature of heresy when the phone rang. Levering himself out of the chair, he had answered on the fourth ring.
“Is this Father Patrick Donovan, the curator of the Vatican’s Secret Archive?”
The voice was laced with an accent Donovan couldn’t quite place. “Who is this?”
“Who I am is of no concern to you.”
“Really.” It wasn’t the first time a reporter or frustrated academic had called under the guise of a potential seller to access some of the earth’s most coveted books.
“I possess something that you want.”
“I don’t have time for opaqueness,” Donovan responded. “Be specific.” He was about to dismiss the caller as a crank, when three words escaped from the receiver: ‘The Ephemeris Conlusio.’
“What did you just say?”
“I think you heard me. I have the Ephemeris Conlusio.”
“That book is a legend,” Donovan’s voice cracked. “Pure myth.” How could anyone outside the walls of the Archive or Jacques DeMolay’s prison cell in Chateaux Chinon have discovered its existence? He began pacing nervously as he awaited a response.
“Your legend is now being held in my hand.”
Donovan fought a wave of panic. It was only two years ago that a similar caller had offered up the Judas Papers—ancient Coptic writings that recast the infamous disciple as secretly acting on Jesus’s behest to faciliate his crucifixion. But the Vatican had considered the document’s provenance to be highly suspect, forgoing the opportunity—a grave miscalculation since shortly thereafter, the writings were published worldwide by National Geographic. Donovan was sure the Vatican wouldn’t want to repeat that mistake. “If you really do possess the Ephemeris Conlusio, tell me in what language is it written?”
“Greek, of course. Care to be more specific?”
He detected a rhythmic tapping at the other end. “Who is the author?”
The caller told him and Donovan was amazed.
“Catholicism’s prime enemy, am I not correct?” The caller paused. “Surely you can be more sophisticated than this?”
Outside the window, the sky darkened and the rain intensified.
On the spot, Donovan decided that only if the caller could reveal the book’s most profound contents would he consider the claim credible. “Legend has it the Ephemeris Conlusio contains a map. Do you know what it’s meant to locate?” His heart was racing.
“Please don’t patronize me.”
Donovan’s lower lip quivered as the caller elaborated, providing a precise description of the legendary relics.
“Do you want to sell the book?” Donovan’s mouth was dry. “Is that the purpose of your call?”
“It’s not that simple.”
Now Donovan feared the worst, painfully aware that this stranger could potentially wound the Church very deeply, perhaps even fatally. Before proceeding, it was essential to determine the caller’s motive. “Are you trying to blackmail the Vatican?”
The man cackled. “It’s not about money,” he hissed. “Consider the possibility that I might be looking to help you and your employers.”
“Neither your attitude nor your motive seems philanthropic. What is it you are after?”
The man had answered cryptically. “Once you’ve seen what I have to offer, you will know what I’m after. And
