Targeted Killing by Rick Jones

Author:Rick Jones [Jones, Rick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: EmpirePRESS
Published: 2016-10-17T22:00:00+00:00

PART FOUR

RUNNING ON EMPTY

Chapter Thirty-Five

Onboard Shepherd One

Cardinal Antonio Calcagno served the Vatican as its president, the second highest position behind the Supreme Pontiff, which was John Paul III. He was a man of calm demeanor and a perpetual smile that was light but always pleasant. When he spoke he did so with a voice that was honey-smooth and monotone, and with words that were always well chosen.

Like John Paul III, Calcagno was a part of the Preferiti or the Papabile, the unofficial terms used for candidates to be elected pope. But in the end it was John Paul III who was chosen by the cardinals in the Conclave, with the conquest having been noted by the white smoke erupting from the chimney.

Calcagno was seated in the fore section of Shepherd One, the plane always referred to as such because of the implication of papal transports. He was pouring over documents with Father Auciello, each coming up with a game plan as how to confront the president of the United States of alleged improprieties, without damaging the relationship between the two countries.

It was, at best, a fragile situation. But one that needed to be addressed on a couple of fronts. First, Kimball Hayden was not expendable in order to keep certain secrets safe. And ‘Operation Incite’ was not to be given any chance of execution.

“Deniability is a plausible route that the president may take on this,” said Calcagno.

“Unfortunately,” said Auciello.

Then ways to judiciously propose the evidence without causing ire inside the White House were also discussed. And since President Burroughs agreed to a meeting due to issues deemed sensitive enough for a special envoy from the Vatican to present its case in a closed assembly, matters had to be delicately submitted.

When Shepherd One landed in Washington, D.C., the hour would be early and the sky still dark. But in Malta, the Santa Marija festival would begin to kick off its festivities as the first streamers of dawn’s light began to rise from the country’s horizon.

Auciello looked at his watch. Time was critical, this he knew. And yet as fast as Shepherd One was, it could go no faster.

Calcagno gave him a wink and a smile, the gestures meant to calm and pacify. “It’ll be all right,” he told Auciello. “We still have plenty of time.”

Auciello had to wonder: Do we? Do we really?

And then Father Auciello closed his eyes, praying that the cardinal was right.

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