CHAPTER 123

CHAPTER 123

NICOLE GOT OFF AT STATION Octaviano, near the intersection of Via Octaviano and Via Giulio Cesare. As he approached his destination with firm and resolute steps, the words of Joseph Messina echoed in his mind:

Don't worry, I'm not a member of the Brotherhood of the Serpent, if that's what you're thinking.

"Yes, rest assured Victoria, you made the right decision. The book will be completely safe in the Vatican."

How could they have been so naive!

All those revelations about the Brotherhood of the Serpent, Lucifer's plans and the consecration of the Antichrist!

How had she let herself be deceived?

Why hadn't he realized that that information, with that wealth of detail, could only be provided by someone with much greater involvement than that of a simple scholar?

SAN PETER'S SQUARE, with the great obelisk that had been brought from Egypt in the center, now unfolded before his eyes. Nicole looked at him for a long time, trying to understand how this could all be happening.

Ahead of him, that pagan symbol of worship planted in Christendom's central square loomed more imposing. His thoughts turned to the Washington Monument in the command center of the most powerful nation on Earth.

Was it possible that both the political and religious powers of the world were under the influence of the Brotherhood of the Serpent and Lucifer?

Tourists kept photographing and smiling around that monument. In each face, Nicole observed a naive joy, only possible to find in souls who thought they were confident and secure, in someone — the young woman reflected — like those tourists who, blinded by the true reality, were unaware that the world was crumbling under their feet.

NICOLE STOPPED IN FRONT of the small side entrance that leads into the interior of the Vatican State.

— Can I help you with something, miss? — Asked the Swiss guard who manned the place.

For a moment, Nicole considered backing away, waiting for Victoria and the others, who at that moment must be trying to find a way to retrieve the Golden Book.

— Can I help you? — Asked the guard again noticing the young woman's excitement.

— I came to take some pictures — he said, finally making a difficult decision.

— Take some pictures? The guard looked her up and down.

— Oh!, sorry! — Nicole said embarrassed — I was forgetting, but I think I should show you this.

Saying this, the young woman presented the Swiss with the safe-conduct that she had just removed from her purse, granted by Joseph Messina.

The guard took a long look at the safe-conduct, checking the signature of the Vatican Secretary General, then led Nicole to the gatehouse entrance, where he registered her visit.

THE LAST JUDGMENT, Michelangelo's greatest work painted on the walls of the Sistine Chapel, gleamed in contact with the light from the flashes fired by Nicole's camera. Slowly, while drawing up a plan, the young woman collected images of the fabulous Italian master.

Outside the chapel, in the outer courtyard, Nicole noticed that two Swiss guards were guarding the entrance to the Governorate building. Two guards... two obstacles to his purpose to retrieve the Golden Book.

Nicole mentally replayed her earlier visit to Joseph Messina's office. He remembered the remote under his desk and the false wall that had receded, revealing a secret chamber where several objects from a collection that still made him nauseous were.

It was exactly there that the Secretary General had deposited the book.

A Swiss Guard, passing by, threw away his cigarette. Watching that little glowing tip, Nicole knew immediately how she was going to get past the Swiss guards.