The Second Messiah

“You’ve just got to be kidding.”

“I must check all your body’s orifices.”

The guard’s pronunciation of the last word was a little askew but Jack got the message. “Now hold on a second—”

A smirk flickered on the guard’s face as he tugged on a pair of latex gloves and picked up a jar of lubrication jelly. “Cardinal Kelly gave strict orders. Refuse, and his next step would be to involve the Vatican security police. Believe me, you don’t want that nightmare. Actually, you’d be surprised how many people have been caught trying to hide papers in intimate places.”

“What surprises me is that I’ve agreed to this.”

The man picked up a penlight and flicked it on. “Like thieves, prisoners often hide objects inside themselves in slim containers. Lean forward, elbows on the table. This check I am about to carry out is just like the one a doctor does. You know, when he checks the prostate by putting his finger up your—”

“Yeah, I get the general idea.” Jack sighed, took a deep breath, and tried to steel himself against the humiliation and discomfort that were about to come.

“Spread your legs, signore, and bend over.”

“And to think you never even bought me lunch.”

Minutes later Jack buckled his trousers and followed the guard out of the room. Apart from mild discomfort, he felt violated and said to Kelly, “That was a bit extreme, don’t you think?”

“A document is missing; extreme measures are called for. We can’t be too careful, Jack.”

“I guess the good news is I won’t have to visit my urologist this year.”

Kelly offered a tight smile. “My apologies, but security really is paramount.”

“Has Father Rossi had any luck finding the document?”

“Not yet. But trust me, he’s like a hound after a scent in such matters. I’m sure he’ll get to the bottom of it, or kill himself in the process.”

The female guard gave a silent nod to Kelly when she appeared moments later, an unhappy-looking Yasmin behind her.

“It seems you’re both in the clear,” Kelly offered. “Now, let me show you out.”

As Kelly hurried them toward the exit, Jack said, “Have you ever heard of the Nero marbles?”

Kelly frowned and looked up and to the left, as if at some imaginary spot above his eyeline, then shook his head. “No, I haven’t. Why?”

“You’re sure?”

“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about. What are they?”

“Maybe my other questions are more important. What about the Atbash code, Cardinal? Have you heard of that?”

Kelly arched an eyebrow. “Yes, I have. Professor Schonfeld, one of the original Dead Sea scroll translators, claimed to have discovered such a code hidden in some of the texts. Why do you ask?”

“The scroll I found contained part gibberish. I’ve been wondering if it’s written in some kind of code.”

Kelly’s eyes sparked. “How incredibly interesting. Any help the church can give, you only have to ask, Jack. Such a document could prove of great interest to our scholars.” He handed over a card embossed with a golden Vatican seal. “My private cell phone number is on the front. Call me day or night if I can be of help.”

Jack tucked the card in his pocket as they followed Kelly down a flight of steps. “I appreciate that. You said you read Father Kubel’s report.”

“Many years ago.”

“What about the missing file titled ‘Father John Becket’s statement’?”

Kelly looked up and into the distance a few seconds, then shook his head. “I never even knew it existed. But I can always ask the pope about it. If he recalls having written it, and I feel the contents may be of help to you, I assure you I’ll get back to you at once.”

“One last question, Cardinal.”

Kelly glanced at his watch as they came out into the Belvedere Courtyard. “May I remind you I have an urgent appointment, Jack?”

“Then I won’t waste your time. Do you know Father Vincento Novara?”

Kelly frowned and gave that look again, toward some imagined point right above his eyeline. “Vincento Novara? Who’s he?”

“A Catholic priest and Aramaic scholar who lived at a monastery at Maloula, in Syria. I believe he was translating the stolen scroll when I met him yesterday and that he was involved with black-market thieves who stole it. Novara’s been brutally murdered.”

“I—I’m sorry to hear. That’s dreadful. But I’ve never heard of Novara.”

“Could you do me another favor? Check out Novara for me? I’ll take whatever you can find. He’s bound to be in your church records.”

“I can’t promise anything, but I’ll see what I can do.” Kelly sounded noncommittal. They reached the door and the cardinal made a point of consulting his watch. “I’m afraid I’m already seriously late for my appointment.”

“Just one more question. Is Father Kubel alive?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I’d like to talk with him.”

Kelly held open the door. “I’m afraid that’s impossible. The last I heard, Father Kubel was at death’s door, if he hasn’t passed away already.” Kelly offered his hand. “I really must be going. I’ll hold you to your promise of a copy of the translated scroll, Jack. A pleasure seeing you again. And to meet you, Miss Green. Arrivederci.”