Read Online The Maya Codex by Adrian D'Hagé - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Adrian D'Hagé
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predictions for 2012, down to the last second. If humankind is to have any chance of responding, it’s vital this codex be found.’
Von Heißen poured another generous shot of whisky into his tumbler.
‘Whisky, Signor?’ von Heißen offered Felici, who had returned to von Heißen’s tent.
‘Thank you, Herr Sturmbannführer. You’re well set up out here.’
‘I like to think so, and, please, it’s Karl,’ von Heißen replied, conscious of Himmler’s dictum to treat the papal envoy well. ‘So, what did the Professor have to say?’
‘He’s convinced the lost Maya Codex exists, although I wouldn’t trust him, Karl. He is, after all, a Jew,’ Felici intoned, raising his glass. ‘ Prost .’
‘Yes, but don’t worry, we’re watching him very closely. Prost! Did he give you any idea what the codex might contain?’
Felici shook his head. ‘Other than being convinced it’s here somewhere, he was very vague, Karl. But if he does find it, I’d be very grateful if we could discuss it before any release to the wider world.’
‘Of course. We’re on the same side here. And how are things at the Vatican? I gather the Pontiff is not well.’
‘Deteriorating rapidly, I’m afraid,’ Felici agreed.
‘Any word on his likely replacement?’
‘Are you a betting man, Karl?’
Von Heißen smiled. ‘I’ve been known to have the odd wager, Signor.’
‘Then I’d put your money on the Cardinal Secretary of State, Eugenio Pacelli. If Pacelli’s elected, it’ll be a great boost for German–Vatican relations … The Cardinal Secretary of State is quite well disposed towards your Führer.’ Felici was stretching the truth a little. Pacelli, he knew, had serious reservations, but the concordat between Hitler and the Vatican had greatly strengthened the power of the Holy Church in Germany, and Pacelli saw the Nazis as offering the best hope against the advancing tide of Communism.
‘We should stay in touch,’ von Heißen opined, as he farewelled Felici from his tent. ‘Your proposal for a new Vatican Bank sounds very interesting. I’ve received word from Reichsführer Himmler himself that once this expedition is concluded, I will most likely be posted to Mauthausen in Austria. If you’re ever in Vienna, I know some excellent restaurants.’
Felici nodded, slightly unsteady on his feet. ‘I’m in Vienna two or three times a year on business, so I’ll look forward to that. Gute Nacht und danke schön.’ Felici weaved his way towards his own tent, reflecting on the powerful forces gathering to Italy’s north, and von Heißen’s impeccable connections to the highest levels of the Reich.
Von Heißen reached for his diary and began to record the day’s events in characteristic detail.
Levi felt frustrated. In the nearly three months they’d been at Tikal, despite having sent several messages via the local villagers, Roberto Arana had not made contact. Levi leaned back in his canvas chair and looked out through the tent flap across the red-dirt airstrip. The day before, he’d received word to join the elders in the local village for a meal, and he wondered if Arana might at last appear tonight. In the time they’d been here, 129 skulls had been collected from around the ball court. Father Ehrlichmann had meticulously measured each one and made copious notes. And in that time Levi had also received several letters from Ramona, letters he was convinced had been opened. Levi was more homesick than ever for her touch, her laughter, and he worried about her safety and the safety of the children. He re-read the last paragraph of the letter he’d received earlier in the week.
I hope you won’t be away too much longer, darling. There are more Brownshirts on the streets than ever now, and Hitler is making more threats. I’ve sent you copies of Wiener Zeitung this week, and as you can see from the headlines, our own chancellor is stoically resisting the Nazis, but we are all wondering for how long. I
Von Heißen poured another generous shot of whisky into his tumbler.
‘Whisky, Signor?’ von Heißen offered Felici, who had returned to von Heißen’s tent.
‘Thank you, Herr Sturmbannführer. You’re well set up out here.’
‘I like to think so, and, please, it’s Karl,’ von Heißen replied, conscious of Himmler’s dictum to treat the papal envoy well. ‘So, what did the Professor have to say?’
‘He’s convinced the lost Maya Codex exists, although I wouldn’t trust him, Karl. He is, after all, a Jew,’ Felici intoned, raising his glass. ‘ Prost .’
‘Yes, but don’t worry, we’re watching him very closely. Prost! Did he give you any idea what the codex might contain?’
Felici shook his head. ‘Other than being convinced it’s here somewhere, he was very vague, Karl. But if he does find it, I’d be very grateful if we could discuss it before any release to the wider world.’
‘Of course. We’re on the same side here. And how are things at the Vatican? I gather the Pontiff is not well.’
‘Deteriorating rapidly, I’m afraid,’ Felici agreed.
‘Any word on his likely replacement?’
‘Are you a betting man, Karl?’
Von Heißen smiled. ‘I’ve been known to have the odd wager, Signor.’
‘Then I’d put your money on the Cardinal Secretary of State, Eugenio Pacelli. If Pacelli’s elected, it’ll be a great boost for German–Vatican relations … The Cardinal Secretary of State is quite well disposed towards your Führer.’ Felici was stretching the truth a little. Pacelli, he knew, had serious reservations, but the concordat between Hitler and the Vatican had greatly strengthened the power of the Holy Church in Germany, and Pacelli saw the Nazis as offering the best hope against the advancing tide of Communism.
‘We should stay in touch,’ von Heißen opined, as he farewelled Felici from his tent. ‘Your proposal for a new Vatican Bank sounds very interesting. I’ve received word from Reichsführer Himmler himself that once this expedition is concluded, I will most likely be posted to Mauthausen in Austria. If you’re ever in Vienna, I know some excellent restaurants.’
Felici nodded, slightly unsteady on his feet. ‘I’m in Vienna two or three times a year on business, so I’ll look forward to that. Gute Nacht und danke schön.’ Felici weaved his way towards his own tent, reflecting on the powerful forces gathering to Italy’s north, and von Heißen’s impeccable connections to the highest levels of the Reich.
Von Heißen reached for his diary and began to record the day’s events in characteristic detail.
Levi felt frustrated. In the nearly three months they’d been at Tikal, despite having sent several messages via the local villagers, Roberto Arana had not made contact. Levi leaned back in his canvas chair and looked out through the tent flap across the red-dirt airstrip. The day before, he’d received word to join the elders in the local village for a meal, and he wondered if Arana might at last appear tonight. In the time they’d been here, 129 skulls had been collected from around the ball court. Father Ehrlichmann had meticulously measured each one and made copious notes. And in that time Levi had also received several letters from Ramona, letters he was convinced had been opened. Levi was more homesick than ever for her touch, her laughter, and he worried about her safety and the safety of the children. He re-read the last paragraph of the letter he’d received earlier in the week.
I hope you won’t be away too much longer, darling. There are more Brownshirts on the streets than ever now, and Hitler is making more threats. I’ve sent you copies of Wiener Zeitung this week, and as you can see from the headlines, our own chancellor is stoically resisting the Nazis, but we are all wondering for how long. I
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