Sign of the Cross by Glenn Cooper

Author:Glenn Cooper [Glenn Cooper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2017-11-10T05:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Cal had never tried to raise a Vatican secretary of state on the phone and it proved to be a difficult task. The first time he called he identified himself and asked for Cardinal Lauriat only to be told that the prelate was unavailable.

‘When will he be available?’ he asked.

A monsignor replied that it was difficult to say.

‘I do need to speak with him today. Could you please tell him that Calvin Donovan called? Here’s my mobile number.’

He tried again an hour later, also to no avail.

Finally on the third try he ratcheted up the pressure.

‘Look, I’m sorry, but you’ve got to tell the cardinal that it’s imperative I speak to him. It concerns the priest, Giovanni Berardino. Is your office aware that he’s been kidnapped?’

‘I am sorry, did you say kidnapped?’ the monsignor asked.

‘Yes, early this morning.’

‘Could you please hold the line?’

Now the secretary of state was on the phone in a flash and Cal had to conclude he’d been in his office all along, ducking his calls.

‘Professor, I trust your journey home was smooth?’ Lauriat said.

‘I’m fine but Giovanni Berardino isn’t.’

‘I have heard nothing of this alleged abduction. What is the source of your information?’

‘I called him this morning. One of the nuns told me what happened.’

‘Why did you happen to call this morning?’

Cal lied. This was no time to talk about mystical experiences. ‘I had a follow-up question for him.’

‘An amazing coincidence, I would say,’ the cardinal said, ‘especially since your job is done. In any event I have not been notified at this time.’

Cal was incensed. The cardinal was more concerned about why he’d reached out to Giovanni than the abduction itself.

‘I expect these things take time to work up through your organization,’ he said. ‘I’ve been following Twitter and Reuters – Italy. There doesn’t seem to have been anything released by the local authorities yet but this is going to be big news. You’ll be deluged by the press soon.’

‘Well, thank you for your concern. I will see if anyone in Abruzzo has made the Vatican aware of the situation. I can assure you that the Italians have competent law enforcement authorities to handle this type of situation. If there has clearly been an abduction and a criminal organization demands a ransom, then the Vatican will have to consider its position. As to public statements, the Vatican press office is quite adept.’

‘Why do you think this is the work of a criminal group?’

‘Who else would take a priest, especially one with such a high profile? But you are correct, I should not speculate.’ He sounded impatient now. ‘Professor, I do thank you for giving me an early notice on the matter. Do tell us when you will be returning to Italy.’

‘I’m getting on a plane tonight.’

‘But why? Surely not because of this situation.’

It was a question he felt he couldn’t answer truthfully. He couldn’t tell him that the young priest had reached across the ocean to personally beg for help. He couldn’t tell him that he had a strange feeling that he was somehow personally involved in the drama.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.