Read Online the Third Secret (2005) by Steve Berry - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Steve Berry
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knew he would make certain no cars entered.
“This is Father Paolo Ambrosi, my chief assistant in the Secretariat of State.”
Katerina shook Ambrosi’s offered hand. Valendrea noticed Ambrosi’s eyes soften, enough to signal calm to their guest. Paolo knew exactly how to handle a situation.
Valendrea said, “We need to speak with you about an important matter we were hoping you might assist us on.”
“I fail to see how I could possibly help someone of your stature, Eminence.”
“You attended the tribunal hearing this morning. I assume Father Kealy requested your presence?”
“Is that what this is about? You concerned about bad press on what happened?”
He offered a self-deprecating expression. “With all the reporters that were present, I assure you bad press is not what this is about. Father Kealy’s fate is sealed, as I’m sure you, he, and all the press realized. This is about something much more important than one heretic.”
“Is what you’re about to say for the record?”
He allowed himself a smile. “Always the journalist. No, Ms. Lew, none of this is for the record. Still interested?”
He waited as she silently weighed her options. This was the moment when ambition must defeat good judgment.
“Okay,” she said. “Off the record. Go ahead.”
He was pleased. So far, so good. “This is about Colin Michener.”
Her eyes showed surprise.
“Yes, I’m aware of your relationship with the papal secretary. Quite a serious matter for a priest, especially one of his importance.”
“That was a long time ago.”
Her words carried the tone of denial. Perhaps now, he thought, she realized why he was so willing to trust her
off-the-record
assertion—this was about her, not him.
“Paolo witnessed your encounter with Michener this afternoon in the piazza. It was anything but cordial.
Bastard,
I believe, is what you called him.”
She cast a glance at his acolyte. “I don’t recall seeing him there.”
“St. Peter’s Square is a large place,” Ambrosi said in a low voice.
Valendrea said, “You are perhaps thinking, how could he have heard that? You barely whispered. Paolo is an excellent lip-reader. A talent that comes in handy, wouldn’t you say?” She seemed not to know how to respond, so he allowed her to linger a moment before saying, “Ms. Lew, I’m not trying to be threatening. Actually, Father Michener is about to embark on a journey for the pope. I need some assistance from you regarding that journey.”
“What could I possibly do?”
“Someone must monitor where he goes and what he does. You would be the ideal person for that.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because there was a time when you cared for him. Perhaps even loved him. You might even still. Many priests like Father Michener have known women. It’s the shame of our times. Men who care nothing about a vow to their God.” He paused. “Or for the feelings of the women they might hurt. I sense that you would not want anything to harm Father Michener.” He let the words take hold of her. “We believe there’s a problem developing, one that could indeed harm him. Not physically, you understand, but it could hurt his standing within the Church. Perhaps jeopardize his career. I’m trying to keep that from happening. If I were to charge someone from the Vatican with this task, that fact would be known within a matter of hours and the mission would fail. I like Father Michener. I would not want to see his career hurt. I need the secrecy you can provide to protect him.”
She motioned at Ambrosi. “Why not send the padre here?”
He was impressed with her spunk. “Father Ambrosi is too well known to accomplish the task. By a stroke of luck, the mission Father Michener has undertaken will take him to Romania, a place you know well. So you could appear without him asking too many questions. Assuming he even learned of your presence.”
“And the purpose of this visit to my homeland?”
He waved off
“This is Father Paolo Ambrosi, my chief assistant in the Secretariat of State.”
Katerina shook Ambrosi’s offered hand. Valendrea noticed Ambrosi’s eyes soften, enough to signal calm to their guest. Paolo knew exactly how to handle a situation.
Valendrea said, “We need to speak with you about an important matter we were hoping you might assist us on.”
“I fail to see how I could possibly help someone of your stature, Eminence.”
“You attended the tribunal hearing this morning. I assume Father Kealy requested your presence?”
“Is that what this is about? You concerned about bad press on what happened?”
He offered a self-deprecating expression. “With all the reporters that were present, I assure you bad press is not what this is about. Father Kealy’s fate is sealed, as I’m sure you, he, and all the press realized. This is about something much more important than one heretic.”
“Is what you’re about to say for the record?”
He allowed himself a smile. “Always the journalist. No, Ms. Lew, none of this is for the record. Still interested?”
He waited as she silently weighed her options. This was the moment when ambition must defeat good judgment.
“Okay,” she said. “Off the record. Go ahead.”
He was pleased. So far, so good. “This is about Colin Michener.”
Her eyes showed surprise.
“Yes, I’m aware of your relationship with the papal secretary. Quite a serious matter for a priest, especially one of his importance.”
“That was a long time ago.”
Her words carried the tone of denial. Perhaps now, he thought, she realized why he was so willing to trust her
off-the-record
assertion—this was about her, not him.
“Paolo witnessed your encounter with Michener this afternoon in the piazza. It was anything but cordial.
Bastard,
I believe, is what you called him.”
She cast a glance at his acolyte. “I don’t recall seeing him there.”
“St. Peter’s Square is a large place,” Ambrosi said in a low voice.
Valendrea said, “You are perhaps thinking, how could he have heard that? You barely whispered. Paolo is an excellent lip-reader. A talent that comes in handy, wouldn’t you say?” She seemed not to know how to respond, so he allowed her to linger a moment before saying, “Ms. Lew, I’m not trying to be threatening. Actually, Father Michener is about to embark on a journey for the pope. I need some assistance from you regarding that journey.”
“What could I possibly do?”
“Someone must monitor where he goes and what he does. You would be the ideal person for that.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because there was a time when you cared for him. Perhaps even loved him. You might even still. Many priests like Father Michener have known women. It’s the shame of our times. Men who care nothing about a vow to their God.” He paused. “Or for the feelings of the women they might hurt. I sense that you would not want anything to harm Father Michener.” He let the words take hold of her. “We believe there’s a problem developing, one that could indeed harm him. Not physically, you understand, but it could hurt his standing within the Church. Perhaps jeopardize his career. I’m trying to keep that from happening. If I were to charge someone from the Vatican with this task, that fact would be known within a matter of hours and the mission would fail. I like Father Michener. I would not want to see his career hurt. I need the secrecy you can provide to protect him.”
She motioned at Ambrosi. “Why not send the padre here?”
He was impressed with her spunk. “Father Ambrosi is too well known to accomplish the task. By a stroke of luck, the mission Father Michener has undertaken will take him to Romania, a place you know well. So you could appear without him asking too many questions. Assuming he even learned of your presence.”
“And the purpose of this visit to my homeland?”
He waved off
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