“Whoever it is that wants the pope is banking on our having to protect just about everybody who has any part in this papal visit. Well, we can’t protect everyone in the world. But we’ll concentrate on the people the killer seems to have singled out: the participants.
“So we’ve got almost all of the seminary covered. I don’t think anyone from the outside can penetrate that security.
“The kids—the Golds—had what they thought was an effective plan to create a major diversion after the pope lands on the seminary grounds. They figured that when we checked out the disturbance, they’d hit the man. The one thing wrong with their plan was that the feds would never have responded to that. They would depend on us to take care of the periphery. They would have just closed tighter around the pope.
“Still and all, with a good portion of security diverted, it was more possible—particularly since it will be dark out there—that one or another of them might’ve gotten in range to fire on the pope.
“The one thing they didn’t figure is that anyone getting close and attempting an assassination would be dead. But dead perps are small consolation when the main man gets hit.
“So we owe the Golds one. We’ve talked the Church guys out of having the outdoor reception. We’ll sweep the pope from Metro to the Cardinal’s home in Palmer Park.
“But we shouldn’t think for a minute that any of these measures will discourage the perp. The assumption is he wants the pope, and he’ll go to any extreme to get him.
“We know what we’ve got to do to protect the pope. What we’ve got to figure out is how to keep this guy from working his way up to a better shot at the pope by picking off innocent bystanders—namely, the participants, like the guys in the symposium.
“Which brings us back to Hanson—the one guy already killed. Any thoughts?”
Silence.
“Geez, Zoo,” Mangiapane said finally, “the next guy on the list—if there is one—could be … anybody.”
More silence.
Tully looked around the room. There seemed no other response forthcoming. He stepped to the squad room door and motioned someone to come in. Father Koesler entered the room.
Even though most of the squad was acquainted with the priest from past cases, Tully wanted to impress upon his people that Koesler had been called in as an expert resource person. He wanted the squad to consider carefully what the priest would be telling them.
Koesler, Tully announced, would bring the squad up to speed on the peculiarly Catholic aspects of this murder investigation. So far, excluding the copycat killing of Cardinal Schinder, one priest had been murdered as an adjunct to this papal visit. There was the possibility if not the probability of more killings.
“There’s always an element of danger when the pope is around,” Koesler began. “But you know that better than I. The only time, so far, a pope was shot was in his own backyard—St. Peter’s Square. He’s in more danger when he travels, of course, because each setting is different from all the others. So each requires different precautions, and each must be safeguarded and secured differently.
“Which introduces the elements of unfamiliarity and surprise. And there’s still a kind of mystique whenever the pope travels because for lots of years he didn’t. He was called ‘The Prisoner of the Vatican.’ Even now, because his trips are relatively few and far between, there is something special about them. And that special quality can attract dangerous nuts. So there’s always that element of danger.
“This visit is also somewhat different than the others because of the message he is expected to deliver. Actually, it seems no one in authority can verify what that message is going to be. But that doesn’t matter; it’s been newsed about so much that everybody is taking for granted the rumor is the fact.
“So whether he actually does it or not, he might just as well state—infallibly—that artificial birth control is wrong for everybody, all the time, no matter what the circumstance.
“This is no change whatsoever from what has been Church teaching for a long time. But in recent years very few people have paid any attention to his teaching. Still, even though the vast majority don’t take the doctrine seriously, it causes problems. There are some Catholics—many, even though a small percentage overall—who still follow Church teaching no matter how many others say it’s silly.
“There’s an even greater impact on world population. The Vatican is one of the states that formulates world policy on lots of matters, one of which is whether overpopulation is a serious, world-threatening condition. The Church’s doctrine on artificial birth control is an impediment to a unified and more forceful position. Population control would be simpler, more effective if the Vatican would add its voice to that of all the other nations. The Vatican presents its stand on this question as ‘truth.’ It’s a little difficult to buck that.
“Still and all, people around the world—everybody from individuals to nations—can and do reject Catholic policy.
“That might change dramatically were the Church to claim this doctrine was not just its ordinary teaching authority, but that it was protected by the considerable power of infallibility.
“If this were to happen, nations would be put on warning that this Catholic position was definitely not going to change or even be compromised—maybe forever. And Catholics who had rejected this teaching in practice would have to reevaluate their conduct. Perhaps they would have to leave the Church. For priests, the choice of conformity or continued disobedience would be a matter of deciding whether to leave the priesthood.
“And this radical disaster I just described touches only the surface. It would be the first in a series of shocks that would challenge choices.
“Now, in the face of all this, we have a symposium that is supposed to lead into—contribute to the Holy Father’s statement. But, for reasons not really relevant here, this symposium is delivering a mixed message.
“The presentation that was supposed to have been delivered this morning was not. And that was due to the murder of the presenter, Father Hanson. And, since I was supposed to be the moderator of that session, I know what point Father Hanson would have made. He would have denied on historical as well as on theological reasons the doctrine of infallibility”
“Lemme get this straight, Father,” Mangiapane said, “the special reason so many people are mad—upset—whatever, is because they expect the pope to say that the Catholic Church teaching on birth control is infallible. And Father Hanson was gonna claim there ain’t any such thing as infallibility?”
“That’s about it.”
“Then one kind of hypothesis we could make,” Angie Moore said, “is that Hanson was silenced so he would not publicly state that the pope doesn’t have this special power.”
“I guess so ….” Koesler felt he was beginning to infringe on the realm of police affairs. And he certainly didn’t want to do that. He was comfortable only in doing what Tully had asked him to do: be a resource person who could guide these officers through the maze of Catholic teaching, customs, dogmas, beliefs, whatever.
“What did we used to call this in the military,” one of the officers said, “a preemptive strike?”
“Yeah,” another chimed in.
“In this hypothesis,” Moore added to her original observation, “the killer would have to be in agreement with the pope on the issue of infallibility, no?”
Koesler nodded. “And there are millions who fit that description … probably thousands right here in the Detroit archdiocese.”
“Wait a minute!” Mangiapane was obviously perturbed. “Are you saying maybe the pope took out a contract on the priest?”
Tully chuckled softly. “No. But I’m glad you put that question on the record. We’re brainstorming and anything that comes to mind is good.”
“Father Koesler,” Moore said, “since Vatican II, almost everything and everybody is labeled conservative or liberal … tell me if I’m wrong.”
“No … generally, I’d say
that’s true.”
“Then let’s say the pope’s belief in infallibility is a conservative statement. Whereas Father Hanson’s opinion on infallibility would be in the liberal camp. Right so far?”
“Right.”
“Okay, then from what you know of the rest of this symposium, is there another setup like the one on infallibility? Conservative versus liberal?”
Koesler set his jaw, then said, “Some more than others.
“That’s the way it was set up by Monsignor Martin, who is a pastor here and was in charge of putting together the symposium. It’s not—very definitely not—what the Holy Father or the Vatican had in mind. As a matter of fact, last night, Cardinal Schinder arranged a dinner meeting for just the conservative presenters plus all the moderators. So I was present. He had it in mind to bolster the presenters and … well … influence the moderators to tip the scales as much as possible toward the conservatives.
“So, earlier today, when I first heard of the murder of the Cardinal—even before we were told about the broken neck—I would not have been surprised to learn that someone in the liberal camp had done it.”
“Well …” Moore hesitated as if searching for the next logical avenue of thought. “Let me ask you this, Father: Is there any other session scheduled for this symposium that is comparable to the one on infallibility? One that, maybe, could have a similar impact?”
“Oh, sure. That, as far as I can judge, would be the one on moral theology.”
“What?” Many of the officers were confused. One confessed to his confusion.
“There were two main concerns about the pope’s statement. One had to do with infallibility—we’ve already discussed that. The other was the topic that was going to be the subject of this infallible statement. That would be the Church’s teaching on family planning and birth control. Well, that—this Church teaching—is the subject of one of tomorrow’s sessions.”
“And,” Moore asked, “is there the same radical clash between the conservative and liberal schools?”
“I’ll say! The conservative speaker, a Father William Palmer, will present the standing Church policy: that being that the only licit way to limit conception is abstinence, rhythm, or a slightly more reliable form of the rhythm method called natural family planning.
“The liberal presenter, a Father Norbert Rasmussen, will dismiss any concern as to method. He will argue that the only moral choice is between having or not having a child. Once that choice is made, the method of preventing conception is completely the choice of the couple—with no moral sanction on any method. With the exception of abortion—if abortion were used simply as a method of birth control.”
“So,” Moore concluded, “it’s just as big a problem for the pope, isn’t it? I mean, instead of running into a challenge to infallibility, he’ll be confronting an argument against the Church’s teaching on conception and contraception.”
“Uh-huh.” Sergeant Moore, thought Koesler, was proving herself a most logical detective.
“So,” Moore continued, “the pope can say this doctrine is protected by his infallible statement—without being publicly challenged, since that priest is dead. Only to have another priest expert claim the protected doctrine isn’t even a doctrine.”
“That’s about it.” Koesler felt that his value to this brainstorming session was about over. The detectives had learned from him all they needed to formulate whatever police response would be appropriate. However, he felt it would be impolite simply to walk out. To signify that he was finished, he found a chair in a corner of the room and sat down.
Tully again took over. “Okay. I think we’ve got as good a bead on this thing as we’re gonna get—thanks to the good Father here. Any ideas on the best course to take from here?”
Silence. Everyone had an idea but they all hung back, waiting for somebody else to step forward.
Finally, Mangiapane, fearless, ran with the ball. “Like I said before, whoever’s gonna get it next—if it isn’t the pope—is anybody’s guess. But this Father Rasmussen seems to be an odds-on favorite. So how ’bout we pull in tight around him? Dare the perp to try to get at him?”
“That’s a step,” Tully said. “Anybody else got any idea?”
“Yeah,” Moore said. “This is just a slightly different approach to what Manj said. But what if, instead of beefing up security around Rasmussen, what if we hang him out there like bait?”
“Dangerous,” Tully noted. “Gives us a much better chance to nail the perp—but dangerous.”
“Sure it is,” Moore said. “We’d have to explain it to Rasmussen—get his cooperation and consent. But we’d be way ahead on protection for him and, if we’re dealing with some twisted mind, the pope too maybe. And that’s tomorrow. In effect, we got till tomorrow to get this guy or we’re gonna have a real big problem. Whatever the killer’s motives in taking out a priest, I’ve got a creepy feeling his bottom line is. the pope. Maybe he hits on liberal theologians to throw us off his ultimate target. Either way we catch him with Rasmussen as bait.”
Tully looked at his detectives and read general acceptance of Moore’s plan—the same plan that had been in Tully’s mind even before Moore expressed it.
“Okay, let’s go with it. Now, where do we set Rasmussen up? Someplace where we can bait the trap and still protect him?”
“How about that downtown parish,” Mangiapane said. “St. Aloysius. It’s not that far from the seminary.”
Once again, Koesler had to take the floor. “St. Aloysius would be ideal, except that it’s in the same building as the Chancery—headquarters for the archdiocese. And the Chancery, actually, would be a great place to put somebody if you really wanted him to be protected. That building has a great security system.”
“Then where?” Moore asked.
“Well …” Koesler gave the question some thought. “How about the archbishop’s residence in Palmer Park? It’s in a well-populated but prosperous section. Not all that challenging to someone who’s good at breaking and entering. And there are plenty of places to conceal officers throughout the mansion.”
“Sounds good,” Tully said. “Let’s get cracking. Oh, and wait a minute: So it doesn’t look too much like a setup, let’s see if we can get another liberal panelist in there with Rasmussen.” He looked at Koesler. “Who would you suggest?”
“Somebody else from the liberal side …?” Koesler reflected. “Okay. I’d suggest Father Duncan. He’s the liberal on the liturgical panel. I know him. I’m sure he’d go along with this.”
“Okay.” Tully signaled a halt to further discussion. Time to move. “Make sure information on who’s staying where is readily available. Now, let’s set our little trap and see who out there is hungry.”
As his squad got busy, Tully reflected on how he and the squad had originally been exempted from papal duty to pursue the more pressing homicide cases that would undoubtedly occur during these several days. What Inspector Koznicki could not have known was that the papal entourage would open the door to Detroit’s most pressing homicide investigation in memory.
31
Tomorrow he’ll be here.
Tully lay on his back in bed, hands behind his head.
And tomorrow night he’ll be gone. He can’t get out of town too soon for me.
Anne Marie lay with her back toward him. He could tell from her deep, regular breathing that she was fast asleep. Why not; he had reassured her that all was well and that everything was taken care of.
It could be true.
The trap was set. If all went as planned, by morning the perp would be in custody, Rasmussen would be alive and well, and security would get back to its single-eyed purpose of protecting the pope. He could say whatever the hell he wanted and then split.
It was not Tully’s practice to be distractedly concerned with world population or overpopulation. He was obsessed with homicide within the corporate limits of the city of Detroit.
The title of an old film came to mind.
Death Takes a Holiday. That surely was not true in Detroit. Just because the pope was coming to town didn’t mean all that hatred and vengeance was going to turn into brotherly love. Matter of fact, possibly because he was coming, the homicide rate might well increase as word got around to those who couldn’t read that the cops would be busier protecting the pope than sweeping the ’hoods.
Tully regretted—he sincerely regretted—that he was not part of the surveillance at the archbishop’s mansion. But he wanted his detectives to know that he had confidence in them. For he had.
Nonetheless, he wished he were there.
For certain sure he would get no sleep tonight. How could he?
Had they figured this correctly? Was the setup foolproof? There had been so little time. Had they thought of everything? Was there anything even at this late hour that should be done? That could be done?
It was no use; he was going to lie here and torture himself with nagging doubts, second-guessing himself totally unnecessarily, all night, without sleep.
He might as well give up on sleep. That way he wouldn’t miss it as much.
Tomorrow he’ll be here.
Father Koesler was trying to read himself to sleep. It wasn’t working any which way. He found himself rereading sentences, paragraphs, over and over. And sleep was nowhere near.
Now that he was away from the theologians and the police, Koesler could revert to the way he had traditionally regarded whoever happened to be the Holy Father, the heir to the throne of St. Peter, the vicar of Christ on earth. This traditional attitude of Catholics to the reigning pope was something Koesler could not simply shrug away.
People who held on to this belief were becoming an endangered species.
The line of demarcation seemed to be drawn at the point where Paul VI, ignoring his own study committee, published his Humanae Vitae. At which point, untold scores of Catholics changed course. Catholics who had grown up believing completely and without the slightest misgiving that the pope never erred whether speaking infallibly or not, suddenly were faced with a most uncomfortable conclusion: Their pope, the one who would lead them unswervingly to the truth (and, by extension, thus to Heaven) every single time, had made a mistake. A very big and radical mistake.
Call No Man Father Page 25
