Shout in the Dark (49 page)

May God bless you and Sartini
in your work together,

MONSIGNOR AUGUSTO GIORGIO

THE VATICAN

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE VATICAN

Within the past few days, there has been
considerable speculation on the authenticity of a bronze head that
was recently handed over to the Vatican in Rome, in tragic
circumstances already widely known. The statement that follows
reflects the official view of the Vatican Special Investigative
Committee relating to this matter.

Many
historians and theologians accept
that the writer Eusebius of Caesarea saw a bronze statue of our
Savior, believed to have been made by eyewitnesses to the person of
Christ when he visited the region. We have no record of this statue
surviving the last sixteen centuries. The Church, however, is
always anxious to authenticate the relics within her charge. To
this end a Special Investigative Committee has appointed a team of
experts to carry out the most exacting scientific and artistic
evaluation possible.

This is the second time that a
bronze head has come into th
e possession of the Vatican, alleged to be the
likeness of Jesus Christ, and the highest level of security is now
operating. The examination will be thorough, and no further
statements can reasonably be expected for several months. It is not
the custom of the Church to study her history hastily or
lightly.

It is impossible for anyone to give an
opinion on authenticity at this stage. The thought of such a find
being genuine is naturally exciting, but the Committee will not let
enthusiasm stand in the way of truth.

STATEMENT AUTHORIZED BY MONSIGNOR AUGUSTO
GIORGIO

VATICAN SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE

MARCO FELT HIMSELF shaking with rage as he
knocked on Father Reinhardt
's door clutching the morning paper. Did Augusto Giorgio
and his circle of clerics really think they could get away with
it?

Josef Reinhardt answered the door with his
own copy of the paper in his hand. "Marco, I can tell from your
face that you have already seen the appalling press
release."

Marco held up the front page.
Long-term internal
investigation of a possible relic
were the vague words used by the Monsignor in the
interview. It was obvious to anyone that the Vatican would never
release the results of the tests. The headlines screamed of a
cover-up.

"
It must have come as a shock to you, Marco. I did at least
have advance warning."

"
Amendola and his holy men have hidden the head away and
slammed the door in our faces. I knew we couldn't trust any of
them."

Father Josef nodded. "Not Amendola. He is
still supportive of the program. You feel upset because you risked
your life to get the bronze head into the light."

"
Upset?
"
Marco could feel his anger growing. It was surely a righteous
anger. "Just look how many people got killed along the way. Do
those deaths mean
nothing?
Even
Laura was seriously injured because she tried to help us,
and
she's refusing to see me in the
hospital. We bring the relic back from Paris -- and what happens?
Monsignor Giorgio grabs it from us at the railway station. Then the
neo-Nazi skinhead snatches it from me at TV Roma. You take it from
him in the street and give it to the
carabinieri
. They hand it over to Monsignor Giorgio, and the
Monsignor kicks it out of sight forever. Yes, I'm feeling
upset!"

"
The
carabinieri
also
arrested me among the fighting skinheads outside TV Roma. They were
not initially aware of who I was, and thought they were acting for
the best. That is when the black leather case with the bronze head
slipped away from me into their hands. It was certainly not what I
planned. But do you really find it remarkable that the Monsignor
has hidden the relic away?"

"
No."

"
Neither do I." The old priest's tone became gentle. "You
saved Laura Rossetti's life, so you have no reason to reproach
yourself."

Marco said nothing, but was grateful for
the understanding. He was glad that Laura was now out of danger.
Mo, the disabled youth at Monte Sisto, had not been so fortunate.
He was still critically ill. He felt sad about that, and sad for
the farm children who had stood tearfully in the road as the
ambulance drove away.

Father Josef suddenly raised his voice.
"This Vatican statement by Augusto Giorgio is of course,
sciocchezze
,
absolute nonsense. Truth? Trust me, Marco, the end has not come
yet. When I was your age I was known as Reinhardt the Militant. You
and I are going to jump over the heads of this so-called Special
Investigative Committee." A faint smile appeared for a moment.
"Unfortunately I have to be in England tomorrow."

"
You should think about retiring."

Father Josef laughed. "I am far too old to
retire."

"
You used to work in England didn't you, Father?"

"
Papal Representative in London. My battle is now with the
extreme right. I have a list of names I took from the young German
outside TV Roma. It contains a register of top neo-Nazis." Father
Josef lowered his voice, although they were alone. "Many of them
are familiar to me. One is a British Cabinet Minister, and there
are details of several men and women with high posts in the
European Parliament. We also have the identity of the key figure in
the ADR who goes under the code name of Phönix. The civil security
services have decoded a mass of encrypted email. Much of it is
between senior members in the neo-Nazi movement, and someone using
the identification PX."

"
Phönix?" asked Marco.

Father Josef nodded. "Phönix seems to have
taken his eye off the ball in allowing the Düsseldorf members
of
Achtzehn
Deutschland Reinigung
to
have free rein in Rome, but we would be foolish to assume he will
be so careless next time."

"
You think there could be a next time?

"
Undoubtedly. But I cannot miss the meeting in London. This
is where Church and State have to work together to root out evil.
When I was a young man I thought I could take on the wrongs of the
world single-handed." Father Josef smiled. "I could not, but for
over half a century some would say I have not stopped trying. And
now, like the prophet Elijah, I am preparing to put you on an
intensive training course. You are still young, but I would love to
think that one day you will be able to wear my mantle."

Marco shook his head. "I'm not sure I'd
want it."

"
I am giving you a glorious opportunity, Marco. I want you
to help get a team from TV Roma into the Vatican so they can
present the relic to the world. Get them in secretly, of
course."

"
That's
a glorious opportunity?" He could feel a mixture of
excitement and doubt.

"
Most certainly it is." Father Josef laughed his shrill
laugh. "Do you want to stand back and let men like Augusto Giorgio
get away with this sort of secrecy? His Holiness is out of Rome for
a few days, and has authorized me to act in the way that will best
serve the future of the Church. I believe we have preserved secrecy
for too long in a misguided attempt to protect our
flock."

"
And?" It seemed very convenient that the Holy Father
happened to be away.

Father Josef rubbed his wrinkled hands
together in elation. "The experts have already removed the coating
from the surface of the bronze, and it appears to be the genuine
article. Tomorrow the world will know the truth."

"
Tomorrow? But you're going to be in London," Marco pointed
out, realizing as he said it that Father Josef had a devious
plan.

The old priest smiled. "Which is why I am
deputizing you to show them in. The team from TV Roma will record
every detail of the relic for the world to see. The Monsignor's
plans will come to nothing. That, Marco, is definitely a glorious
opportunity."

Alarm bells were ringing. "Not TV Roma.
Laura said there are fascists on the staff. It's not worth the
risk."

"
Then you would rather the relic stayed locked away for your
lifetime, and the lifetimes of all the young priests who will
follow after you?"

"
Of course not. But can you ... can we, trust TV
Roma?"

A knock on the door made Marco jump. A
sister peeped round cautiously. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Father,
but the young lady is here."

The door opened further, revealing the
visitor standing with a smile on her face, her small body concealed
by a long navy skirt and a loose red top.

Marco jumped to his feet.
"Natalia!"

Natalia's smile broadened and she pointed
a finger at him in mock accusation. "I guessed you'd be part of
this, Marco."

He turned to Father Josef. "The News Room!
You're going to use the TV Roma News Room! All right, you go to
London -- and I'll take over here."

Father Josef closed the door and spoke
quietly. "Now, young lady, I understand there will be just one
cameraman?"

"
An absolute minimum crew, Father Josef. I'm sorry that you
can't be with us, but you can rely on me." Natalia sounded well in
control of the situation. "We're using a shoulder-mounted camera
and battery lights. That way we won't waste time checking for power
sockets. We have to draw up a rough script and a shooting schedule
with you tonight. We also need to arrange to get the team into the
Vatican early without raising suspicion."

"
Wait a minute!" Marco held up his hands. "This
is
official, isn't it?"

"
Marco!
"
Father Josef sounded hurt but his voice was firm, almost stern. "It
is all exactly as I have said. Natalia has already been of
considerable use to me. There is more than one type of sympathizer
within TV Roma. Do not look so shocked. It would be impossible to
operate without such people. I think you two already know each
other. Perhaps you will get to know each other better."

This was said almost as an aside. Marco
wondered what the old man had in mind. Even though Natalia was so
clearly a Christian, she could never replace Laura. For a few days,
Laura had become everything he wanted. He glanced at Natalia then
turned away abruptly. Given time, Laura might change. Love could
heal their bitterness. They could share their past unhappiness, and
some day share a common faith.

Father Josef sat forward in his leather
armchair, looking over his half moon glasses. "Marco, we must not
underestimate the difficulties if certain persons become aware of
our scheme."

Marco smiled. "I know a way to get the
television unit into the Vatican. We can miss the Swiss Guards and
go through the Basilica." He grinned guiltily. "It's a handy trick
a choirboy once showed me when I was at school."

Father Josef shook his head and smiled. "I
do not think we need rely on the devious practices of choirboys,
Marco. I have arranged official entry permits -- by a trick known
to elderly priests."

Marco felt that maybe everything was
coming right. "You really think TV Roma can have it all on video
for tomorrow evening -- before anyone at the Vatican knows what's
happening? Sounds good to me. We'll present the world with the
truth."

Father Josef winked at Natalia.
"Excellent."

The wrinkled face showed an excitement.
Marco wondered if this was to be the old priest's reward for a
lifetime of service to the Church.

"
Marco, I notice you failed to add the words, 'for once',"
Josef Reinhardt observed dryly as he removed a piece of paper from
an inner pocket of his black jacket. "I want you to take this and
promise to dial the number if things get out of hand."

Marco took the paper. The telephone number
meant nothing to him. "And who's going to be on the other
end?"

Father Josef looked surprised at the
question. "His Holiness of course. Who do you think has been the
driving force in our plans to reveal such a sacred
relic?"

Marco tried to smile. "This is the Pope's
private number where he'll be staying? You're off to London, and
I'm doing this on my own? Just tell me once more: this job
is
authorized?"

Josef Reinhardt held Marco's arm, his eyes
alert. "Trust me, Marco, I think you are about to cause a few
ripples."

Chapter
44

The Vatican

AT THREE MINUTES after seven in the morning
the television crew of three were gathered around the black leather
box in a small room below the Sistine Chapel.

"
I'll be over in a minute," Marco called to the cameraman.
He gave Natalia a friendly hug. It helped him draw strength. "Are
you excited?"