The Third Secret (Stand Alone 3) by Berry Steve

Author:Berry, Steve [Berry, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Catholics, Christian, Mystery & Detective, Mary - Apparitions and Miracles, Cardinals, Fiction, Popes, Fatima, Suspense, Thrillers, Suspense Fiction, Christian Fiction, General, Popes - Election, Our Lady Of
ISBN: 9780345504401
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 2005-01-02T05:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-FIVE

4:30 P.M.

Valendrea was overwhelmed by the volume of information the listening devices were uncovering. Ambrosi had worked every night over the past two weeks, sorting through the tapes, weeding out the trivia, preserving the nuggets. The abbreviated versions, provided to him on microcassette, had revealed much about the cardinals' attitudes, and he was pleased to discover that he was becoming quite papabile in the eyes of many, even some he'd yet to fully confirm as supporters.

His restrained approach was working. This time, unlike at Clement XV's conclave, he'd shown the reverence expected of a prince of the Catholic Church. And already commentators were including his name on a short list of possible candidates, along with that of Maurice Ngovi and four other cardinals.

An informal head count taken last evening showed there were forty-eight confirmed yes votes. He needed seventy-six to win on an early ballot, assuming all 113 eligible cardinals made it to Rome, which, barring serious illness, should happen. Thankfully, John Paul II's reforms allowed for a change in procedure after three days of balloting. If no pope was selected by then, a series of successive votes would occur, followed by a day of prayer and discussion. After twelve full days of conclave, if there was still no pope, a simple majority of cardinals could then elect. Which meant time was on his side, as he clearly possessed a majority, along with more than enough votes to block anyone else's early election. So he could filibuster if need be–provided, of course, he could keep his voting bloc intact over twelve days. A few cardinals were becoming a problem. They'd apparently told him one thing then, when they'd thought locked doors afforded them privacy, proclaimed another. He'd checked and found that Ambrosi had amassed some interesting information on several of the traitors–more than enough to convince them of the error in their ways–and he planned to dispatch his aide to each of them before morning. After tomorrow it would be difficult pressuring votes. He could reinforce attitudes but, within the conclave, quarters were simply too confined, privacy too scarce, and something about the Sistine affected cardinals. Some called it a pull from the Holy Spirit. Others ambition. So he knew that the votes would have to be ensured now, the coming assembly only a confirmation that each was willing to uphold his end of the bargain.

Of course, blackmail could muster only so many votes. The majority of his supporters were loyal to him simply because of his standing within the Church and his background, which stamped him the most papabile of the favorites. And he was proud of himself for not doing anything over the past few days to alienate those natural allies.

He was still stunned by Clement's suicide. He'd never thought the German would do anything to endanger his soul. But something Clement said to him in the papal apartment nearly three weeks ago swept through his mind. I actually hope you do inherit this job. You will find it far different than you might imagine.

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