Patterson, James - Cradle & All by Patterson James

Author:Patterson, James [Patterson, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-06-28T01:52:52+00:00

"Monsignor, I

know

that you know the secret of Fatima. Pius told me you've actually read the words. The

message of the Virgin: the promise

and

the warning."

The monsignor didn't speak yet. His eyes showed nothing. He merely listened.

Rosetti continued, but suddenly he wasn't so sure about his old friend. "You were with Pius much

of the time he was ill. Back in 'ninety. He spoke of Fatima, and you were there. You heard it all.

And now I know what you know"

Distress flashed across Monsignor Stingley's face. "Pius had no right. No right to ask you."

"It's too late for recriminations or regrets. I know about the two virgins. One good. One so evil."

"Then you know

nothing!"

Stingley's voice rose. "There is so much more. God doesn't create in black and white. It's not

so easy. The truth has little to do with the human logic systems."

As Stingley spoke, Rosetti felt the small room at St. John's begin to spin, jerking him back to the

spinning sidewalk in Rome and the hot knives lancing into his heart. The swirling sidewalk became

the Beech plane spiraling down, cartwheeling into the trees, splintering metal and bones. It was

more than a memory or a hallucination. He felt the heat crackling around him and the sharp odor

of burning flesh.

The vision was a warning.

Leave this place! Leave now!

But he would not.

He couldn't!

Why was he being warned, though? Why had he been spared?

He heard his own voice as if it came from far away.

"Please, I need to know how to prepare myself. The search for the true virgin. What do you

mean,

I know nothing?

I want you to tell me exactly how it's going to be. I fear that my descent into Hell has already

begun."

Chapter 52

It has, Nicholas. You have that much figured out correctly. You're already lost! Your soul is

forfeited!

The Voice screamed laughter inside Rosetti's head. It seemed like hundreds of voices, and the

pain was unbearable, as if his skull were being ripped apart.

The old priest rose up suddenly, overturning a large oak chair with a resounding crash.

"They're

here!

You've brought them here!" His eyes widened with fear. "The legions are here! They're

everywhere! I can

see

the unholy bastards! Now they're waiting to be turned loose."

Father Rosetti tried to go to his former mentor, but his arms and legs wouldn't move. They felt as

if they were weighed down by stones.

What in God's name was wrong with him? Was he having a stroke? Was this another attack?

Could he possibly survive again?

Nicholas watched in horror as the same force struck Stingley. The priest flailed his arms, trying to

swat away an invisible presence. He stumbled toward the overflowing book cabinets.

He drew in a deep, raw breath. Then Monsignor Stingley's entire body sagged.

When he spoke, his voice was low and hoarse, as if he were having trouble getting out the words.

"At first there will be the loss of control," he said, swinging his head back and forth at an

exaggerated speed. "You will find that you have

no free choices

left.

"No freedom of thought.

"No freedom of action.

"That's only the beginning!"

That's nothing!

Rosetti heard the Voice inside his head.

Get to the good parts.

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