CHAPTER 52

CHAPTER 52

ACCOMPANIED BY GREG, Father Green waited in silence. By that time the newspapers must have been circulating all over Italy. The message had been clear and consisted only of the crime committed.

Green kept looking at the message, but the image that his mind brought to him was that of the sacrificed boy.

How did that happen? It will be what find the criminals?

His meditation was suddenly interrupted by the ringing of his cell phone, which sounded louder than usual, bringing him back to reality. He held out his hand to answer it, but Roman Green was quicker.

— Carabinieri, why not...

— Ah yes!..

— We will have discretion...

—Vatican? Yes yes!...

— St. Peter's Square, don't delay...

— We'll go right away!

Green turned off the cell phone.

— In the Vatican? — Greg couldn't hide his surprise as the car sped through the streets of Rome.

'From what I'm told the man we're looking for is an ex-Swiss Guard!'

— But who gave that information?

— He's a great friend, he said he'd wait for us in St. Peter's Square!

— That sounds like a joke.

— I checked the number, it's really from the Vatican. I don't think anyone over there would prank us!

In the distance, the majestic dome of St. Peter's Cathedral could be seen.

An ex-Swiss Guard involved in the kidnapping of a boy, chosen for a satanic ritual!

As Greg drove the discreet vehicle of the Carabinieri of Rome across the Bridge of Angels over the River Tiber, he took a long look at the magnificent Castel Sant'Angelo. It was hard to imagine that building was originally the tomb of a Roman emperor. The car then slowed down as it entered the straight Via Della Conciliazione, finally stopping next to St. Peter's Square which, at that time of the morning, was already teeming with tourists from all over the world.

In his multicolored uniform, a Swiss Guard officer approached the car as Greg and Green got out.

— Welcome, gentlemen, I'm Agent Menas, assistant to the Secretary General of the Vatican — said the smiling young man as he shook hands with them.

— We got a call just now...

— Yes, I'm here to take you to the Secretary General. Please follow me!

— You're kidding, Roman.

The priest smiled and said:

— I told you he could be trusted.

THE THREE CROSSED St. Peter's Square, entering the magnificent basilica through a discreet side gate. The tumult of hundreds of tourists soon gave way, on the other side of the wall, to the discipline and military organization of a group of twenty Swiss guards who marched in formation, armed with the same pointed spears that for centuries had ensured the escape of Pope Clement VII to the castle of San'Angelo during Charles V's invasion. At the time, 147 young soldiers were left behind.

They were all slaughtered, but their sacrifice allowed the pontiff to escape safely.

Greg was thrilled to step foot into such an exclusive venue for the first time. Agent Menas noticed and, with visible pride, began to guide his impromptu visitors.

— We just passed the Swiss Guard office. On the right we have the Central Post Office, where newspapers and correspondence from all over the world are received.

Going further ahead they came to a garden surrounded by lawns and magnificent statues.

— This is the famous Courtyard of the Borgias. Legend has it that here, Alexandre VI, held unorthodox parties, including the presence of his daughter, the exuberant Lucrécia.

The Detective's eyes turned to the magnificent building on his right.

— What building is this? — he asked as his eyes filled with ecstasy at the grandeur of the building.

Menas turned to him, pleased to see the sense of wonder on the Carabinieri's face.

— This, gentlemen, is without a doubt one of the marvels of human creation. It can be, without question, among the seven wonders of all time: it is the Sistine Chapel!

— The Sistine Chapel, which was entirely painted by Michelangelo?

— Exactly — replied Menas, his chest puffing out — too bad it's closed, otherwise I'd show you its rich interior myself!

— It's a shame — said Greg, as he walked slowly through another garden — that the residents of Rome don't have the opportunity to visit these wonderful places, sadly excluded from tourist itineraries!

Menas nodded in agreement.

— We're here — he finally said, as they stopped in front of one of the oldest buildings in the Italian capital.

Greg looked up at the bronze plaque over the front porch. It was in Latin:

GOVERNATORATO

Another Swiss Guard came to meet them.

— Please accompany me, the Secretary General is waiting for you.