Veil - 02 - The Hammer of God

by Reginald Cook

  “Yeah, I’m hungry too,” answered Samuel, his stomach growling on cue.

  “Ask for food,” said Eduardo, proud of himself for pronouncing the English words.

  “I’ll knock on the door and ask,” said Samuel, pointing. He rose, walked to the door and knocked hard. “We’re hungry,” he bellowed.

  “Can we get something to eat?”

  He turned to Eduardo and Felipe and made a funny face that sent them laughing and rolling on the floor. Nobody answered. Samuel knocked again, this time harder. He turned to his brothers. The lock on the door unlatched, and he turned to face Sister Bravo, ready to bark out their order, but the twisted face staring down was not Sister Bravo, but Father Sin. “Why are you making so much noise?” he asked.

  Samuel took several steps back, nervous, but not afraid. The same surge of energy he felt earlier returned. “We’re hungry, and we want something to eat.”

  “Later, when the rest of us eat,” said Father Sin.

  Samuel moved forward. “Now!”

  Anger swelled up on the priest’s face. “Don’t make me beat you silly,” growled Father Sin. “You’ll wait with the rest of us.” Samuel looked back at Eduardo and Felipe. Both boys were frozen with fear. Samuel turned his gaze back to Father Sin. “You won’t hurt me. You wouldn’t dare. Now, get us something to eat, or I’ll scream for Sister Bravo.” Father Sin rushed over, snatched Samuel off the ground and pulled him nose to nose. Samuel struggled to break free. “Put me down!” he demanded.

  Father Sin shook Samuel so hard he thought his head was going to snap off. “I said wait!” the priest bellowed.

  Samuel slapped at Father Sin’s face, hitting him in the eyes and nose.

  The priest pulled back an open hand, ready to strike back, then hesitated.

  Samuel, filled with rage he’d never known, slapped Father Sin as hard as he could. The priest dropped him on the floor.

  Eduardo and Felipe rushed to Samuel’s side and helped him to his feet. Felipe pointed to Father Sin, a ghoulish anger on his face. “Tes jours sont comptes,” he said, angrily. “Your days are numbered.” Eduardo moved in front of them, ready to take on the gargantuan priest towering over them.

  “We’re hungry, and want something to eat,” Samuel repeated, out of breath.

  Father Sin stared at them, amused. He backed out of the room and slammed the door.

  Felipe pointed at the door. “Meurtrier!” Samuel didn’t understand. Felipe kept pointing, and pulled him close.

  “Murderer!”

  Samuel walked over to the spot where they sat earlier and resumed his position, his eyes narrow, teeth grinding. His brothers sat down next to him.

  I have to make us a team, so we can get out of here. He held up three fingers. “Three are better than one,” said Samuel.

  Eduardo and Felipe held up three fingers.

  “Trois,” said Felipe.

  “Tre,” repeated Eduardo.

  “Good,” said Samuel, smiling. “We’re going to beat them.” The boys edged in closer together, to teach and learn.

  54

  Cardinal Polletto sliced through the throng of reporters and well-wishers outside the hospital, wearing a look of serious concern, ignoring questions and comments about Cardinal Maximilian’s medical status.

  He reached the intensive care unit, and gave two of his Vatican colleagues long hugs and kisses on each cheek before making his way to Cardinal Maximilian’s bedside, whose fierce eyes and fiery aura had been replaced with the helplessness of a child. Tubes flowed in and out of the cleric, surrounded by more medical equipment and wires than Cardinal Polletto had ever seen. A large tube disappeared down Cardinal Maximilian’s throat, and the black, glass enclosed ventilator pump worked hard to keep him alive.

  “What’s his prognosis?” Cardinal Polletto wondered out loud.

  “He’s been in a coma for almost twelve hours,” a voice behind him answered.

  Cardinal Polletto turned to find Bishop Giovanni Ruini, a stout, round-faced Italian, with a large bulbous nose, slightly kowtowing before him.

  “His condition is touch and go for the next twenty-four hours, Your Eminence. If he hangs on until then, he’ll be out of the woods,” said Bishop Ruini.

  Cardinal Polletto thanked the bishop, then turned back toward the man who’d given him more difficulties than he cared to think of, closed his eyes, and pretended to pray. Twenty-four hours. You won’t make it if I can help it. When he finished, most everyone had left for the waiting room, except Bishop Ruini and a few Vatican aides.

  Cardinal Polletto pulled the bishop aside. “Have the authorities caught the ones who did this?”

  “They’re still investigating, but it doesn’t look good. It happened so fast, we didn’t get many helpful details,” said Bishop Ruini.

  The cardinal put a comforting hand on the bishop’s shoulder.

  “Nobody’s blaming you for not remembering any details. We’re just thankful you didn’t get hurt.”

  “Thank you, Cardinal. I wish I could’ve done more.”

  “The Lord will prevail, Bishop. Just stay prayerful.” Relief spread across Bishop Ruini’s face. “Is there anything else I can do for you, Cardinal?”

  “Yes,” said Cardinal Polletto. “I want you to keep me informed of any changes in Cardinal Maximilian’s condition. If he wakes up, I want to know immediately.”

  “Most certainly, I plan to stay here around the clock.” Cardinal Polletto thanked the bishop for his diligence, then took another look at Cardinal Maximilian. “Has anyone given thought to the cardinal’s security?”

  “It hasn’t been mentioned,” the bishop responded. “Do you think it’s necessary? I mean, do you think whoever did this will try again?”

  “You can’t be too sure,” said Cardinal Polletto. “It’s better to be safe.”

  Bishop Ruini stroked his chin. “I guess I could prevail upon the police to post someone, or call the Vatican Guard.”

  “I’d be happy to leave Father Ortega, my assistant, to help with any details. He has a special knack for security.”

  “I don’t believe he’ll be needed,” said the bishop. “I can handle this myself.”

  The Vatican aides left the room. When it was clear that nobody was listening, Cardinal Polletto pulled the bishop close. “How much do Veil and his partner know?”

  Bishop Ruini nervously rubbed his hands together. “Not much at this point, but soon they’ll pull it all together. They know Samuel was being kept at the castle in Torre Astura, but have no idea where he is now.”

  “Good, then we have time.”

  “A little, they’re working on the identities of the men they killed at the castle. That will lead them to Rinaldo and Dianora.” Cardinal Polletto looked around to make sure nobody was near the door. “Rinaldo and Dianora can take care of themselves. With Cardinal Maximilian out of action, things should slow down considerably.”

  “I’m afraid that won’t be the case. The cardinal left instructions that the American, Robert Veil, should lead Il Martello di Dio in this matter, and as you know, he’s very determined.”

  Cardinal Polletto thought in silence, his eyes fixed on the bishop’s.

  “Fine, it means nothing. Everything is in place at Bracciano. By the time he figures it out, it’ll be over.” The cardinal noticed hesitation in Bishop Ruini’s eyes, weakness. “Is there something I’m missing?” he asked.

  “No, Cardinal, I just…I,” Bishop Ruini began to say.

  Cardinal Polletto grabbed him by the back of the neck and pulled him closer. “Don’t fold up on me now,” he said, in a low growl. “This is not the time.”

  Father Ortega had overheard Bishop Ruini on a phone call at the Vatican not long after they arrived in Rome, discussing Samuel and his whereabouts. Cardinal Polletto finally confronted the bishop, and offered him a place in The Order’s new kingdom, or death to him and everyone in his family.

  Bishop Ruini’s hands trembled, sweat beaded up on his foreh
ead.

  Cardinal Polletto eased his grip. “There will be a place for you, a high place in my administration, but I need you to stand firm through this.

  We’ll need leaders like you in The New Order.” A weak smile elbowed its way on the bishop’s lips. “I understand.

  I’m fine.”

  Cardinal Polletto let go. “Good, then there’s one last thing I need you to do.”

  Bishop Ruini gathered himself and stood up straight. The cardinal looked over at Cardinal Maximilian, then back at the bishop, whose face turned pale.

  “But how?” he whispered, anxious, eyes wide. “I could never.”

  “I’d leave it to Father Ortega, but that would be too conspicuous.” He leaned over to the bishop’s ear. “It shouldn’t take much. Use a pillow, he’ll go peacefully.”

  Bishop Ruini fell back against the wall, flush, confused. Cardinal Polletto handed him a tissue from a box on a table next to the bed. The bishop, eyes filled with tears, tried to compose himself. “What if I get caught?” he asked.

  Cardinal Polletto headed for the door, grabbed the handle and turned.

  “Don’t.” He opened the door. “Come, Bishop, let me buy you a cup of coffee. You look tired.”

  Bishop Ruini, sullen, head low, walked past the cardinal, avoiding the eyes of those watching.

  The door closed. Cardinal Maximilian’s eyes slowly opened.

  55

  Robert and Thorne spent the night in the stairwell, taking turns sleeping in two hour shifts. As far as they could tell, their pursuers left the area around four a.m. Father Kong and several other members of Il Martello di Dio, Robert hadn’t met, arrived to pick them up just after sunrise. They rode back to the villa in silence, carefully watching the roads to make sure they weren’t followed. When they reached the villa, he and Thorne explained the details of the shooting, including Father Tolbert’s confession and abduction.

  “He’s involved more than we knew,” said Father Kong. “Or else why would they make such a daring attempt to abduct him?” Robert agreed, and cursed himself inside for not securing their best lead so far.

  Sister Isabella brought Robert and Thorne hot tea and sweet rolls.

  The warmth and smell of hot bread felt particularly satisfying to Robert.

  He’d practically inhaled the lot. The nun smiled, and delivered him more.

  “Any word on Cardinal Maximilian?” asked Robert.

  “His condition is the same,” said Sister Isabella. “Stable, but serious.

  Bishop Ruini will report back if there’s any change.”

  “How about the van?” asked Robert, attacking the next roll.

  “We canvassed the area, but nobody saw or heard a thing. We did pull fingerprints from the steering wheel, and picked up a few cigarette butts. Other than that, the van was clean.”

  “What about the license plates?” asked Thorne.

  “Negative,” answered Sister Isabella. “It came back registered in the name of a man who’s deceased.” Robert paced the room. “We did have some luck on the two men you killed at the castle,” she said. “They both worked for a mafia family run by two locals here in Rome, Rinaldo and Dianora Calabrese.”

  “Can we approach them?” asked Robert. “I know they’re working for The Order, but maybe money will loosen their tongues.”

  “Not these two,” said Father Kong. “They take pride in loyalty. They won’t talk to us for any price.”

  “Maybe money isn’t the price we need to pay,” said Thorne. “If we can get to them, we can make them talk.”

  “Getting to them won’t be easy,” said Father Kong. “They live in a heavily guarded compound about seventy-five kilometers outside of the city.”

  “Good,” said Robert. “I suspect that the fingerprints in the van will come back to men who also work for them. If it does, that’s all we need to go on. We’ll lay out a plan to sneak inside the compound and have a talk with Rinaldo and Dianora.”

  “I doubt that’ll happen without further bloodshed,” said Sister Isabella.

  “Goes with the territory,” answered Thorne. “Right now, after what we went through last night, I’m up for a little payback.”

  “Revenge is mine says the Lord,” said the nun.

  “We’re instruments of God, Sister,” answered Thorne. “And if the good Lord is looking for revenge, I’m just the ticket He needs to do the deed.”

  Sister Isabella looked Thorne in the eye. “I’ll continue to pray for you. I understand your anger, but you must give faith a chance.”

  “Thanks, Sister. Just pray I shoot straight.” Robert shot Thorne a hard look and cleared his throat. “Let’s stick to the task at hand. Sister, find out if they have a match on those fingerprints. Father Kong, I need everything you have on the compound, fast. We’re going inside tonight, just after nightfall. Post two people there to keep watch. Have them report back, and let us know if Rinaldo and Dianora are there, and if they notice anything suspicious.” Everybody snapped to their task. Robert pulled Thorne aside. “A little heavy handed, don’t you think?”

  “Look whose talking. Not too long ago, I had to pull you back,” she said.

  “I feel you, but let’s keep these people on our team.” Thorne gave Robert a hard stare. “We almost got killed last night. I just don’t want any misunderstandings. You know me, if I have to die, it won’t be all by my lonesome.”

  Robert smiled. “I wouldn’t expect anything less, just don’t take any of us with you.”

  Thorne smiled back. “Keep your head low, and that won’t be a problem.” They both laughed.

  Thorne went to help Sister Isabella. Robert, once again in his life, was glad Thorne was there with him, as she had always been. He pondered the glue that kept them together, a team, and the dark secret Cardinal Maximilian eluded to back in Chicago, the one important moment in both their lives, when Robert was there for her.

  Twenty minutes later, Robert examined a hand drawn layout of the compound, and went over it with Father Kong. They estimated that twenty guards patrolled the area in and around it, with several more patrolling the heavily wooded area around it.

  Initially, Robert suggested that they hire outside help. He had two six-man mercenary teams on standby, men he and Thorne had worked with in the past, people he knew he could trust. Father Kong and Sister Isabella objected, but Robert kept his men on standby, just in case.

  “We’ll try to go in quietly,” said Robert. “Thorne and I will be armed, but I want everyone to carry tranquilizer dart guns. Thorne will get them from our people.”

  “Good,” said Father Kong. “We’ll take out as many guards as possible without killing them. But how will we know where to find Rinaldo and Dianora once we’re inside? And what about the cameras and alarms? I’m sure their security system is top of the line.”

  “With all those men, plus the house staff walking around, I bet most of the sensors and motion detectors will be down. Thorne can disarm the security system once we’re inside the compound, if necessary. We’ll spot as many cameras as we can before we go in, and deal with the rest as we go,” said Robert

  Father Kong agreed.

  “We’ve got a hit,” an excited Sister Isabella chimed in behind them.

  She laid out pictures of the two men killed at the castle on the table.

  “Both of them worked for Rinaldo and Dianora.” Thorne eased up beside her. “Good job, Sister. That’s the last piece we needed.”

  Robert leaned on the table, then looked up at the others. “Let’s do it.”

  A priest walked in and whispered in Father Kong’s ear. The priest thanked him and faced everyone. “Bad news, the police have issued an all-points bulletin. You and Thorne are to be arrested for killing two police officers. You’re considered armed and dangerous terrorists,” said Father Kong.

  Robert shook his head in disgust. “Nothing we can do about it now.

  Let’s get ready to go.”

  Everybody went to work. Robert st
ared out at the woods in the canyon below. He closed his eyes and prayed for Samuel, the Hammer of God, and himself.

  56

  Two cars, with four passengers each, including Robert, Thorne, Father Kong and Sister Isabella, glided through the dark back roads, passing a few cars along the way, with no police in sight. As a precaution, Robert and Thorne rode in separate cars, hunched down in the backseat, their heads covered. Everyone was clad in black from head to toe, including gloves and skullcaps.

  Robert closed his eyes, as he always did right before a mission, and played the details over in his head. The compound sat on fifty-two acres, which was good news. They’d be able to enter at the far end of the complex without detection, and walk up to the main area; a walled off six acres, with another wall around the main house. If they avoided booby-traps and land sensors they’d avoid being announced too soon.

  Their next potential hazard would be any roving security team on patrol, but with such a large area to cover, Robert thought the chance that they’d be discovered was small.

  Robert had finally managed to convince Father Kong and Sister Isabella to let him bring in three of the men he had on standby, by telling them that if things got too heavy, they’d need back up. Despite their assurances of faith, they finally agreed.

  Robert, Thorne and Sister Isabella would make the final approach inside the house. Father Kong, one of his people, and Robert’s men, would post up just outside the wall around the house, and would be ready to rush in at Robert’s signal. His men were directed to shoot only if necessary.

  Father Kong turned onto a dark country road, lights off. Drove two miles, and eased to a stop next to some high brush and trees. From there, they hiked through the expansive acreage. Thorne walked the point, using a metal detector to pick up any sensors or traps. The rest of them followed in twos, with one of Robert’s men covering the rear. From where they entered it was about four miles to the main wall, then half a mile to the wall around the main house.

  They kept low in the brush and took their time, quietly navigating the tall grass, with only the moon lighting their way. The excursion reminded Robert of covert incursions they’d run everywhere from North Korea to the Ukraine, and each step brought back the keenness of his senses and training. Adrenaline pumped into his veins, his heartbeat steady, controlled.