Book of JUDAS

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

Vatican City, Rome

Colonel Renauld’s phone rang in the medieval chamber overlooking Bernini’s piazza that served as his office. He picked up the receiver and promptly agreed to take the call. He had been holding a meeting with his senior officers only a few minutes earlier when he had received a coded message informing him that Goran needed to speak him urgently. His initial assumption was that it about the recently released news from the Dean of the College of Cardinals informing the world of Pope Paul XII’s sad demise.

“Hallo Goran, I take it you’ve heard the news?”

“This could not have come at a worse time, Colonel − who are we working for now? Who’s running the show?” he asked brusquely.

“Will we have to remain on the sidelines until the new Pope is announced? This will give the Satanica an unprecedented advantage!” he continued impatiently. “It could be too late by then!”

“No − that can’t be allowed to happen… We’re working under the directions of Cardinal Camerlengo Fiore until the new Pope is elected – we’ll take our orders from him, besides, you should be aware that Pope Paul XII blessed his candidacy shortly before he passed away.”

“That’s good, but remember strange things have happened during these elections in the past; the Cardinals hold their votes to ransom when those secret ballots take place!”

Colonel Renauld paused briefly for a moment. He knew there was element of truth in Goran’s words and he, not his agent, would be held accountable if they made the wrong decision. However, he dismissed the possibility – this was a time of crisis and he realised that the crime of inactivity in such important circumstances would be treated with equal contempt. Anyway, he consoled himself, the other Cardinals challenging for the Pope’s High Office are being kept informed of their actions at all times… Aren’t they?

“Time is of the essence, Goran,” he replied forcefully, barely disguising the irritation in his voice.

“Fiore has convinced them to break with tradition; they’ve brought the papal elections forward to this weekend… Already most of the eligible Cardinals have gathered in Rome! If all goes according to plan the world will have a new Pope by Sunday.”

“That’s positive news but the election of a new pope’s not the reason I’m calling!” replied Goran pointedly. “You’re going to need to inform Their Eminences that there’s been a second bloody killing by the Satanica!”

Goran paused for a moment whilst the news registered with Colonel Renauld.

“Who was it? Give me the facts!” Renauld demanded. His initial thoughts suddenly went to the possibility that the Satanica’s executioner had caught up with Anna Nikolaidis and the Trenchard brothers.

Goran then spent the next few minutes recounting the events as they had been announced in the media, on the TV networks and in the press.

“Can you be sure that this was the work of the Satanica? Are you sure it wasn’t some kind of copycat murder?” he quizzed once he had digested all the relevant information. He was relieved that the Satanica still appeared on the face of it to be some way behind the brothers’ trail.

“No I’m sure − I went to the murder site personally and found out from the people who discovered the body that they saw the initials ‘MM’ daubed in blood on the bathroom mirror – and these facts were never revealed to the public after Professor Palanski’s death!”

“It doesn’t make sense, what’s the purpose or meaning of such a killing?” wondered the Colonel out loud. “If you’re right, we don’t suspect that the victim was in any way connected to the Book of Judas or the search for the scrolls.”

“I don’t know,” said Goran lost for an answer. “It’s difficult to see any rational logic for this act − in some demented way, he clearly enjoys what he’s doing. I also suspect that he knows we’re studying him, observing the media surrounding these murders. Maybe the sick bastard enjoys the fact that we’re watching… Sees it as a kind of challenge!”

“Maybe,” the Colonel mumbled, “I’m sure he loves what he does but in a way I’m also surprised he’d take these additional risks.”

“In which case, Colonel, if the message is for us,” Goran began surmising thoughtfully. “He’s either trying to tell us he’s still in London and is not following their trail or he’s doing this to provoke more anxiety and unrest amongst the Cardinals − we know there’s a leak here in the top echelons of the Vatican and maybe the Satanica feel if they can provoke more unrest and disunity amongst the Cardinals they can learn more intelligence about our plans through their insider!”

“You’re right on that point,” replied Colonel Renauld. “You can almost feel the suspicion and unrest hanging in the air here. Most of the Cardinals want to know why there’s been such a dramatic change to the timing of the election – it’s been held fifteen days after the death of the Pope for centuries so they’re questioning such a fundamental break with tradition.”

“I think these are dangerous times, Colonel − we have to find out how the Satanica’s getting its information from the Vatican. Have you considered tapping the phones?” Goran queried.

“Yes, it’s an unprecedented step in the history of the Vatican that would cause an internal revolution and a damaging international media incident if it was discovered,” said Renauld, imagining the potential backlash against the Swiss Guard and against the internal system if the clergy became aware that their papal phone calls were being listened to. The thought of this knowledge extending into the public domain would give rise to an international incident that would damage the profile and standing of the church irreparably.

He knew the size of the stakes he was playing with but what other options did he have? He paused thoughtfully for a moment before answering.

“Yes… Yes, I think it’s the right thing to do. I’ll activate an internal cell of men whom I know can trust and from this point on I shall receive transcripts of all conversations going in and out of the Vatican.”

“It makes sense,” agreed Goran.

“I should obtain Cardinal Fiore’s clearance,” said Renauld, stroking his chin and thinking aloud.

“With due respect, I think that’s a bad idea,” retorted Goran sharply. “I think you should keep those who know to a minimum and besides, what if he says ‘No’? We know that the leak comes from a small circle of Cardinals and we can’t categorically rule out Fiore from that list!”

The point was not lost on Colonel Renauld and he murmured his agreement.

“Where are they at the moment?” continued the Colonel, referring to Anna and the Trenchard brothers.

“They’re in New York,” replied Goran swiftly. “Still travelling on their own passports.”

“Are they safe?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

“Ok Goran, let me know as soon as you have any more news, if everything works out this weekend we’ll have a new Pope in place to guide us through the final chapters of this assignment! In the meantime the Satanica will be trying to use this time to their advantage; they’ll try and get the upper hand while they feel we’re headless!”

“Then let’s hope the new Pope’s elected soon!” replied Goran. “But remember Colonel, only we know that we still hold the upper hand!”