Hidden Passion, page 12
“Yes, this news has been around, but I know nothing but gossip.”
“And what does that gossip say?”
“Well, he drowned and was washed ashore.”
“You work closely with Abbess Serena. Is that right? She assists His Eminence, the secretary of state I believe.”
“I am at the service of the abbess and His Eminence. That’s correct.”
“There’s no additional information they have shared with you?”
“If they have more knowledge of this, it has not come to my attention. I’m sorry.”
Joseph’s face felt warm and tight. Small beads of sweat teased at his hairline. He hoped it was not visible. His breathing felt shallow.
Neither man said a word for a few moments.
“Father Joseph, I appreciate this brief visit. I hope I’ve not delayed you from an important meeting. Of course, this is quite important to the church and confidential.”
“Yes, I’m sure. May I leave now?”
“Of course, this was a friendly visit. If you or the abbess need to reach me, just ask for Father Daniel at our main number.”
“I will. Are you American?”
“Yes, and I believe Abbess Serena is as well? And yourself?”
“I’ve always thought of myself as Roman Catholic.”
They looked at each other for too many awkward seconds.
Joseph stood and turned to leave but Father Daniel interrupted him.
“Oh, Father Joseph, one more thing. An odd question has come up. I don’t understand it.”
Joseph’s heavy head and dark eyes turned to the young priest.
“What?” he growled.
“As I said, this issue is perplexing, but I must ask.”
He tilted his head and presented a puzzled look. “The question is who might have access to a crosier? I understand that the abbess has one in her office, and she uses it for certain ceremonial occasions. Is that correct?”
“I’ve seen it.”
“So, in your role, might you be responsible for this and other belongings of her official office?”
“Responsible is a strong word. I help with her arrangements for official duties.”
“Is the crosier in her office now? Do you know when you last saw it?”
Joseph’s eyes raced along the walls of books. He struggled with a comfortable response.
“I … I don’t, well, I’ve not paid attention to that. Why do you ask?”
“It’s a foolish question. I’m sorry to bother you with it. Things get said. It’s something we need to look into. Oh, one other thing. Has the Carabinieri, or ROS, or other Italian investigators been in contact with you?”
“No, not with me.”
Joseph stopped breathing as he stared at the young priest.
“Well, if you hear anything that might be helpful, please let me know.”
Joseph left the room without attempting a civil departure.
The wooden heels on Joseph’s shoes tapped across the hall and clattered down a marble stairway as he escaped the encounter. The lower level was quiet. He paused to let his thoughts settle down. They raced faster.
“Joseph, are you okay? You seem to be shaken.”
Abbess Serena stood in front of an elevator a few feet to his left.
Joseph knew he couldn’t erase the shock on his face.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Abbess, I didn’t see you. I’m a bit surprised.”
He wondered if he should tell her of the meeting with Father Daniel.
She stepped closer. “What’s up Joseph? Something is heavy on your heart. I will listen if you wish to share it.”
“No. I mean, it’s not about me. I’m concerned about so much and cannot help. Do you have need of me? There are preparations for the exhibit of the letters of our Lord, and I thought I could help in some way.”
She studied him. “Something new has happened, Joseph.”
He waited.
“A Muslim cleric, an authority on ancient religions, was murdered in Lebanon.”
He felt like hurrying away. “That area has so much violence. It’s very sad.”
“Yes, Joseph, but this doesn’t appear to be part of the civil war. He was hung by his hands, his pants were removed, and the killer slashed the arteries in his groin. He died quickly of blood loss.”
Joseph noticed her expression was blank, expectant. He felt pressured.
“War generates ugliness. All standards disappear.”
“Yes, quite true. You hadn’t heard this?”
“Not at all, sister, I’m shocked. Why is this important to us?”
“We don’t know if it is. First there was the Greek priest here in Italy, and now we hear of this Muslim cleric in Lebanon. We hope they’re not connected. The authorities and media will be snapping at us more than ever.”
“About the exhibition sister, is there anything that I can do?”
“Thank you, there is. We need that American woman here immediately. Have you heard anything of her? Any news from Father Angelotti? I need you to speak to him now and get the latest information. Tell him we expect her tonight, without exception. And, Father, she had better be in good health. Understand?”
“Of course, that’s our wish.”
“One other thing, if there’s another death of any servant of God anywhere, this beautiful place will change into something ugly no one has seen before. The church is recovering from much harm committed to it from the inside. Any new problems will have glaring lights on all aspects of the church and open any sewers that might be there.”
“Yes, Abbess, we don’t want that. This is all too complicated for me. I need your leadership.”
A faint smile appeared in the parchment that was her face. “Very well, Joseph.”
The elevator doors opened. When they closed, she was gone.
He was disgusted with her use of English, a language from self-obsessed cultures. He needed the guidance of Sister Katherine. He couldn’t deal with this anymore.
Returning to his office, Joseph snapped in rough Italian at the bountiful woman doing nothing.
“Find Father Angelotti. He’s the secretary for the Propagation of the Faith. I must speak with him immediately.”
He marched to his desk and slipped his suit jacket over the chair. His thoughts raced. Can he or should he reverse the plans in Izmir?
His cell phone buzzed. It was Sister Katherine.
In his native German, he whispered, “Schwester, we have a problem. I need to find a replacement crosier for the abbess.”
The Island of Ischia
IV / 3
Rennie relaxed into the car seat as her attention riveted to the sights and sounds of the city. Her new friend Luca eased his car through traffic and spoke of his family and the town with a fresh, joyful spirit. Somehow, she entered a new day. The car was a world far from the dangers of the last day or this morning. A few blocks away, she could see the harbor. Hope lay ahead.
“Luca, you turned down this street, but the harbor is straight ahead.”
“Si, this is quicker. Up there all the traffic comes together and then we’re stopped. This way is—what you call?—shortcut. Quick to the ferry ticket offices and good parking for you. I have some time and am happy to help you get the right tickets. Not many speak good English.”
Happiness flashed large on his face.
“You don’t have to go in with me. I’ll be okay.”
“Okay, but sometimes not too clear.”
He remained cheerful enough and the ride was not much further. And, despite the talk about his wife and kids, she couldn’t help but find him attractive.
“Okay, Miss Susan, around this corner and you will see the building. This is the back of the place, a secret entrance just for you. Inside, we go to the front and you are there, first in line!”
Old warehouses lined the street. Crumbling docks on the shore didn’t suggest a functioning seaport. There didn’t appear to be a front of the building that could have a street available to it. Luca stopped at a rough door that had no official appearance.
“Luca, this doesn’t look like the place. There must be a mistake. This building can’t be it.”
“I know, it’s old. For this area, it serves the purpose. Come, I’ll help you to the office.”
He jumped out his door and ran to hers, flipping it open with a swooping gesture to the building.
“Luca, I think you should go first to see if it’s open. I’ll wait here.”
Her breathing became shallow and quick. Her mouth was dry.
“Okay, I do that.”
He hurried to the warehouse door and jerked at the handle. He tried again. He hammered at the door with the side of his fist. More banging with force brought an old man who peered outside. They exchanged a few words, the man shrugged his shoulders, and opened the door wider.
Rennie turned on her cell phone again and returned it to her coat. It might alert authorities of her presence and location, but it was her only safeguard. Her senses sharpened and the muscles through her neck and shoulders stiffened.
Luca returned more exuberant than ever. “It’s good. You can come in now.”
Rennie closed her door and rolled the window down. “I’m sorry, I’m not comfortable with this. Can you drive me around to the front where the main entrance is?”
“Sure, sure, but it’s too busy there. Here, let me have the boss come out. He will give you confidence. We are okay.”
Luca ran to the entrance before she could respond. He jerked it open and entered the darkness.
As a minute ground past her, Rennie noticed the keys were not in the ignition. She looked down the street and saw nothing civilized. A couple of beat-up delivery trucks went by. This is bad.
Rennie rolled up her window and found the “flashlight” in her pants pocket. It might be needed.
The old man who first opened the door came out and waved to her. He didn’t appear to be a businessman much less an official of any kind. As he walked to the car, Rennie could see him slide money into his pocket.
“Welcome, welcome. Tickets inside. I show you. Luca will help. Come now.”
His teeth were covered with brown stains.
“Does the ferry go to Ventotene? Can you sell tickets for that?”
“Ventotene? I think of that. Wait please.”
He straightened from his bent position and gazed into the clouds. “Yes, Ventotene. A good trip for you.”
“Can you sell me the tickets and I will wait here? I appreciate your help.” Rennie fluttered her eyelids.
He frowned. “I will check and come back. Maybe I have the tickets.”
The man returned into the darkness with Luca and came back almost immediately.
“First, I need your passport, and you must sign some papers.” His face and voice became cold. “I’m busy.” He tossed a dismissive hand into the air.
Holding the device in her hand, Rennie opened the car door and stood tall over the old man. She felt ready for action.
“Let’s go and get this done.”
Lights went on in the hallway as they entered, and Luca came around a corner.
“Wonderful, grazie, Vincenzo.”
The old man continued down the hallway as Luca ushered Rennie into what looked like a storage room.
“There that door is where we go to the ticket office. This is the shortcut.”
Rennie’s heart pounded as she struggled for breath. She wanted to run to the door. With her first quick step away from Luca, she was stunned in her right temple and stumbled sideways. She grasped her head, unable to hear or see. Another blow hit her in the back. She crashed to the floor, with the “flashlight” device spurting from her hand and sliding to the wall. The point of a shoe hit her in the gut and her mind went blank. The out of focus ceiling and light fixtures drifted over her. In a dim recess of consciousness, she felt her powerless body dragged across the rough floor. A doorway and a dark room engulfed her.
“Now, my baby, we have some fun. You will like me very much.”
Luca’s blurry face appeared over hers.
Rennie felt hands fumbling at her belt and the waist of her pants. His knee jammed between her knees. Her body jerked around as he pulled at her clothing. He growled in anger.
“Come on, baby. Make it easy for old Luca.”
A pounding rhythm of steps bounced through rough wood floors followed by an explosive sound and a moan. The heavy odor of Luca no longer covered her face. She tried to roll to her side and found she was free. More grunts and thuds landed across the room.
In a glance, Rennie could see a man lift and slam Luca onto the floor. Luca’s distorted face was covered in glossy red. Rennie rolled further onto her belly and she saw the shoes of two men enter the room and go to the corner where Luca lay.
Above her she heard, “Rennie, can you breathe?”
It was Michael’s voice.
“Yes, help me.”
“I’m taking you to safety now.”
Rennie’s body floated up, her head falling onto Michael’s shoulder. A moment later, the sun and fresh air hit her face as he carried her out of the warehouse into the side door of an awaiting van. He laid her onto a firm floor buffered with thick cloth. Doors slammed shut and the motor roared into action.
Michael knelt beside her. “You’re safe now. Can you drink some water?”
Rennie nodded. “I need water.”
She drank as he tilted her head up, the water pouring over her cheeks into her nose. She coughed hard and sneezed.
Michael helped her sit up. “How are you doing? Can you hear? Where do you hurt?”
“I don’t know. I ache all over. My head hurts. I’m dizzy.”
She opened her eyes. “Michael, how did you find me?”
“We went to Raphael’s place and saw what happened. The authorities were there so we couldn’t stay. We’ve been searching for you. It’s a small town and you stand out. We can talk later. What do you need?”
“Take me away. Get me out of here.”
Her eyes fell shut and her body eased onto the floor.
“Michael, is Raphael okay? Who shot him? why?”
“We’re not sure. First, let’s go to a safe place and get you well. We’ll talk then.”
A deep ache pounded in her temple and back. She slid and bounced with every move of the truck. Rennie felt Michael’s hand cover her eyes. The darkness and the touch brought calm as her mind slipped into the hazy confusion of her ordeal.
***
Rennie felt something, or a lack of something. It was the truck. All was quiet and they weren’t moving. Her body ached, even her eyes. She sat up and sucked in a breath.
“What?” Michael said as he spun to see her. “What? Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. Where are we?”
“We’re at a small house in the countryside, a safe distance from town. We’ll go inside, refresh ourselves and get ready to move on.”
The men in front climbed out of the van, slammed their doors then opened the side door. They helped Rennie as Michael led the way, looking cautiously from one horizon to the other. Inside, they found simple furnishings, a pitcher of water, and fruit on the table. Rennie stumbled for a moment on her own and paused, holding her head. She gave it a shake, blinked, and went straight to food. She poured a glass of water and snatched an apple. A small refrigerator revealed sliced cheese and meat covered with plastic. She ate quickly.
Michael came inside. “This was a good find. When you feel better, we can meet in the living room. I’ll fill you in.”
“Let’s do it. I’ve become pretty good at meeting men in dark rooms.”
“I’m glad you haven’t lost your humor. Rennie, that was an awful situation. Bring the food with you.”
She fell into an overstuffed chair and set her plate on a stool with the water pitcher on another.
“Okay, I’m all set. Shoot.”
Michael stood nearby. “Rennie, what were you doing in the warehouse and with that guy?”
She looked away. “It was a mistake. I was dumb.”
“Rennie, I need to know what was going on.”
She ate more and drank water.
“Why were you there?”
Michael’s voice was less supportive.
“He said I could get a ferry boat ticket to that island, Ventotene or whatever. He said it was easier to go in a back way to the ticket office.”
“Okay, keep going. And, you were going there for what reason?”
She glared at him. “Look, Michael, my celebration trip to Rome has been hijacked. I’ve been jerked around by cops and nearly raped by that bastard because something happened on that island, and I plan to find out what. That priest believed something valuable was on that island and he got killed looking for it. Isn’t that the story? Some ancient Roman women were exiled there, and people suspect they left behind documents or letters or something. Isn’t that the story here?”
He sat down on an old wooden chair near her. “It’s our understanding that Father Anastasios was there for a kind of spiritual retreat. The area has been studied and excavated for over a hundred years. There’s nothing to find there.”
Rennie sat upright and seemed to grow. “Michael, people don’t get killed for going on spiritual retreats. The people who did that thought he was there to find something.”
“We don’t know why he was killed, but it wasn’t because he found or was about to find treasured documents as you did. He’s Greek Orthodox, and they place great value on the idea of experiencing the power of God through icons; you know, the bones of a saint or another relic conveying a holy presence. We believe he went to the island because of its religious history with those women you mentioned and the tradition of Paul visiting there. He probably thought that history could inspire him for new discoveries with his research.”
