Redlined by Richard W. Wise

Author:Richard W. Wise
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: political thriller, urban thriller, saul alinsky, actionthriller, social action, community organizing
Publisher: Richard W. Wise

There was a soft knock and the slender veiled figure gently pushed open the door and entered the paneled bedchamber. As part of her evening ritual, the nun placed a tray on the table next to a comfortable chair upholstered in red silk damask. Positioned diagonally across the room from a king-size, four-poster bed, the table and chair sat in front of a half-wall of built-in bookcases glowing in the soft light filtered through the patterned damask lampshade. The nun turned toward the archbishop, who had just come in from his dressing room clad in a blue, silk dressing-gown.

“Your tea, Excellency,” she said with a brief smile and a quick curtsy. “May I pour?”

“Sister Mary Benedict, lovely to have you back with us. I trust your dear mother is on the mend?”

The nun beamed. “Yes, yes, she is. Much better. Thank you for asking and for granting me the time to be with her, Your Excellency.”

The archbishop waved his hand in dismissal. “Come, come, Sister, need I recall the words of our savior in Matthew verse 25, to a Biblical scholar of your stature?” I tell you the truth. Anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’ I shall continue to remember her in my prayers and don’t worry yourself about the tea, Sister. I’ll see to it myself. You may run along, and a very good evening to you.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency,” Sister Benedict said with a wide smile. “I shall look to Matthew for consolation before I retire. Good night, Your Excellency.”

The nun quietly closed the door behind herself.

The archbishop sat down, framed in a narrow pool of light. He ignored the tea implements, picked up the phone and dialed a private number.

The hand that picked up the receiver at the other end was brown-spotted with age and trembled slightly.

“Good evening, Your Eminence.”

“Timothy, what a pleasant surprise. How good of you to call.”

“I hope I am not disturbing you, Eminence.”

“Not at all, it is always pleasant to hear your voice, old friend.”

“Thank you, Eminence. I have news that I think will please you. But first, may I ask how things stand in Rome?”

The cardinal sighed. The Holy Father is not well; we fear that he is failing.”

“That cannot be too much of a surprise.”

“No, I suppose not, but we had prayed for another year at least.”

“As serious as that. Events will move quickly, then?”

“Yes, I fear so, Timothy. Tell me your news.”

“We are to receive a substantial anonymous gift, four million dollars, and I have complete freedom in its use.”

“That is very good news, indeed, Timothy. Praise the Lord! Such an enormous sum! You are to be congratulated. It could not have come at a more crucial time. A quarter of it should be more than enough to secure your elevation to the college. I will begin spreading the word tomorrow. I have a conference call with the Vatican secretary.”

“I only hope that it will also be enough to allow me to be present to see Your Eminence as the first American raised to the Chair of St.

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