The Second Messiah

“No, Jack, it’s not. I did not ask to be made pope. I never sought the papacy. But I believe that I was chosen for a reason.”

“What reason is that?”

“To bring about a sea change. And that is what is about to happen. Very soon, the Vatican’s archives will be thrown open to the public, along with details of all its private dealings. There will be no more lies. No more secrets or duplicity. The course of the church’s future is about to be forever changed.”

Jack heard the sincerity in Becket’s voice and stared back at him. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. One other thing. Father Kubel died this morning after a long illness. His sister was a witness to his deathbed confession of his crime. I can arrange for you to meet and speak with her, if you wish.”

Jack considered. “Tell me this. Is the scroll’s revelation true? Was there really a second messiah?”

“Yes, it’s true. There are several other scrolls that mention this false messiah and cast doubt upon some of the real Jesus’ actions.”

Jack frowned. “How will you answer that? How will you stop the doubt from creating havoc?”

Becket didn’t flinch. “I don’t honestly know, Jack. I have been praying for an answer. But so far, one hasn’t come.”

“Has it altered your belief?”

Becket’s voice was firm with conviction. “No, it hasn’t. Every day I have witnessed God’s love and goodness. I have felt His presence. How could I not believe?”

“You’re a remarkable man, John Becket. I wish I had your faith.”

The powerful gaze of Becket’s blue eyes almost bored into Jack’s soul. “You do have my faith. We all have it in us. In some it’s simply buried deeper than others. But we all hear the echo of God’s voice. We are all remarkable creatures, Jack, touched by our Creator’s love and greatness. And because of that we can do incredible things.”

“Answer me honestly. Did the Vatican have anything to do with Professor Green’s death and the theft?”

“You have my honest word, I know nothing about that.”

“But if it was involved in any way, you’d have the authority to find out, right?”

“The Vatican has a reputation for secrecy and intrigue. If I have my way, that will cease. But in any large organization there are always groups who seek to have their way with power and cunning. I will try my utmost to find out for you, Jack.”

Becket gripped Jack’s hands in his. “I will pray that your soul finds peace. And that if you discover who stole the scroll, who killed the professor, you’ll try to find it in your heart to forgive them.”

“Why should I?”

“Because to forgive is the first step toward redeeming the sin.”

“I’m afraid that’s one pledge I can’t give a promise to.”

113

Lela sat in the back of the stationary cab, Ari next to her. He clutched a pair of palm-sized binoculars and studied the monastery at the end of the street. “Did Cane say how long he’d be meeting the pope?”

Lela replied, “No. Ari, take my word. Cane didn’t kill Green. He’s innocent in all of this.”

“That’s for Weiss to decide.” Ari reached into his pocket for his pistol. “I have orders to take Cane back to Israel. Nothing’s going to change that. A word of advice: whatever happens next is going to happen hard and fast, so let me give you a friendly word of warning, Lela.”

“Meaning?”

“Keep your nose out of it and leave me and my men to do our job. Try to help Cane in any way and one of us is liable to put a bullet in you.”

Jack came down the few short steps of the monastery entrance. Behind him, Abbot Fabrio closed the oak doors. One of the armed guards unlocked the security gate and Jack stepped out onto the sunny pavement.

As he started to walk toward the café where he had left Lela, his cell phone rang. Jack checked the number. It was unfamiliar to him. He decided to take the call.

“Yes?”

“Mr. Cane.” A man’s voice, full of authority.

“Who is this?”

“No questions. Just listen and obey the orders I give you.”

“What—”

“Listen, Mr. Cane.”

It sounded as if the phone was being manhandled, then Yasmin’s voice came on the line, edged with fear. “Jack? Is that you?”

“Yasmin—”

“Jack, these—these people say they’ll kill me.”

“Which people?”

He heard panic in Yasmin’s voice. “They want the scroll, Jack. They want to—”

Yasmin was cut off mid-sentence and the man interrupted, “Where are you, Mr. Cane?”

“In Trastevere.”

“Do you know where the Trevi Fountain is?”

“Yes.”

“Go there. Across the plaza from the fountain you’ll see the Via del Lavatore. Stand on the corner and wait. Contact no one or the woman will be killed.”

“Listen—”

“You have twenty minutes to get there, Mr. Cane.”

“I can’t make it to the Trevi that quickly.”

“Twenty minutes, or don’t bother coming. She’ll be dead.”

Ari kept the binoculars pointed toward the monastery and said, “Okay, Cane’s on his way.”

Lela saw Jack appear from behind the security gate, ushered out by one of the guards. He walked toward the café for a few moments, then suddenly took out his cell phone and put it to his ear.

Ari watched. “He’s taking a call.”

“What do we do?” Cohen asked Ari.

“Wait until he gets closer, then make our move.”