encryption.’
‘I’m not interested in what doesn’t apply. I want this code … cipher … whatever it is solved,’ Felici demanded irritably.
‘I understand, Eminence.’
‘Which brings me to a related issue. You’re aware that when we acquired the cipher and the Inca prophecy, the documents were accompanied by a crystal skull?’
Monsignor de Luca nodded. ‘Yes, although I’ve never had the privilege of viewing it, Eminence.’
‘Viewing it is not important, Monsignor,’ Felici snapped. ‘Last week I had a discussion with Professor Macchiarolo from the National Museum of Rome. He tells me that in addition to the Inca crystal skull that’s already in our possession, there are two others. I want them found before they’re discovered by anyone else.’
De Luca remained devoid of expression, a result of years ofexperience in espionage. ‘That will require considerable resources, Eminence. And possibly the approval of Cardinal Sabatani.’ Technically, the Vatican’s intelligence and counter-espionage services came under the jurisdiction of the Cardinal Secretary of State.
‘Any resources you require will be met by my office, Monsignor,’ Felici replied icily. ‘The operation to recover the crystal skulls is to be assigned the codename Apollo. Other than your most trusted staff, no one else is to be cleared into the Apollo compartment, and that includes the Secretary of State.’ The codename had been chosen for a reason. Felici had long been scornful of the Ancient Greek priestess known as the Oracle of Delphi, whose prophecies were said to have been inspired by the Greek god Apollo – prophecies that were potentially damaging to the Church.
De Luca remained inscrutable. He knew better than anyone the fierce rivalry that had erupted when the liberal, widely read and well-respected Sabatani had been preferred over Felici for the second most powerful position in the Holy See.
Felici reached towards his in-tray and extracted another crimson file, embossed with his gold coat of arms. ‘This file is normally housed in the secret archives. It contains all the information we have available on the Inca skull, as well as a report on the Mitchell-Hedges skull.’
‘That is not one of the three you’re searching for, Eminence?’
Felici shook his head. ‘The Mitchell-Hedges skull is Maya, not Inca, and it is very well known. It was discovered in 1924 by Anna Mitchell-Hedges, the adopted daughter of a British explorer. That said, it may provide some clues. Sister Bridget has also typed up a report on my meeting with Professor Macchiarolo.’
‘Sister Bridget is aware of what we’re doing?’ de Luca asked, taken aback.
‘She’s a member of my trusted staff, Monsignor. As such, she is cleared to have access to Apollo. The other person you may find useful is Monsignor Matthias Jennings, a Jesuit like yourself. You may have heard of him?’
‘I’m not familiar with the name, Eminence,’ de Luca lied. He knew the man – and he also knew that if the sexual proclivities of the arrogant Jesuit priest-turned-archaeologist ever surfaced, the scandal would swamp the Vatican, and all those who had protected Jennings.
Felici reached for one of two files he kept on Monsignor Jennings and handed de Luca the sanitised version. ‘His details are in this file. He’s currently serving in Guatemala City, but I will arrange for him to be posted to Lima as soon as you need him.’
‘I’ll let you know, Eminence, but I’ll need to do some research first,’ de Luca said. The way things were going, it might be a long time before he needed any help from someone like Jennings, if at all.
‘Of course. Do you have any questions, Monsignor?’
‘Just one, Eminence. It might help if I knew why these missing skulls are so important. Or perhaps that is explained in the files?’
‘It is sufficient to know that anything that threatens the uniqueness of Christ threatens the Church itself. I expect this to have
‘I’m not interested in what doesn’t apply. I want this code … cipher … whatever it is solved,’ Felici demanded irritably.
‘I understand, Eminence.’
‘Which brings me to a related issue. You’re aware that when we acquired the cipher and the Inca prophecy, the documents were accompanied by a crystal skull?’
Monsignor de Luca nodded. ‘Yes, although I’ve never had the privilege of viewing it, Eminence.’
‘Viewing it is not important, Monsignor,’ Felici snapped. ‘Last week I had a discussion with Professor Macchiarolo from the National Museum of Rome. He tells me that in addition to the Inca crystal skull that’s already in our possession, there are two others. I want them found before they’re discovered by anyone else.’
De Luca remained devoid of expression, a result of years ofexperience in espionage. ‘That will require considerable resources, Eminence. And possibly the approval of Cardinal Sabatani.’ Technically, the Vatican’s intelligence and counter-espionage services came under the jurisdiction of the Cardinal Secretary of State.
‘Any resources you require will be met by my office, Monsignor,’ Felici replied icily. ‘The operation to recover the crystal skulls is to be assigned the codename Apollo. Other than your most trusted staff, no one else is to be cleared into the Apollo compartment, and that includes the Secretary of State.’ The codename had been chosen for a reason. Felici had long been scornful of the Ancient Greek priestess known as the Oracle of Delphi, whose prophecies were said to have been inspired by the Greek god Apollo – prophecies that were potentially damaging to the Church.
De Luca remained inscrutable. He knew better than anyone the fierce rivalry that had erupted when the liberal, widely read and well-respected Sabatani had been preferred over Felici for the second most powerful position in the Holy See.
Felici reached towards his in-tray and extracted another crimson file, embossed with his gold coat of arms. ‘This file is normally housed in the secret archives. It contains all the information we have available on the Inca skull, as well as a report on the Mitchell-Hedges skull.’
‘That is not one of the three you’re searching for, Eminence?’
Felici shook his head. ‘The Mitchell-Hedges skull is Maya, not Inca, and it is very well known. It was discovered in 1924 by Anna Mitchell-Hedges, the adopted daughter of a British explorer. That said, it may provide some clues. Sister Bridget has also typed up a report on my meeting with Professor Macchiarolo.’
‘Sister Bridget is aware of what we’re doing?’ de Luca asked, taken aback.
‘She’s a member of my trusted staff, Monsignor. As such, she is cleared to have access to Apollo. The other person you may find useful is Monsignor Matthias Jennings, a Jesuit like yourself. You may have heard of him?’
‘I’m not familiar with the name, Eminence,’ de Luca lied. He knew the man – and he also knew that if the sexual proclivities of the arrogant Jesuit priest-turned-archaeologist ever surfaced, the scandal would swamp the Vatican, and all those who had protected Jennings.
Felici reached for one of two files he kept on Monsignor Jennings and handed de Luca the sanitised version. ‘His details are in this file. He’s currently serving in Guatemala City, but I will arrange for him to be posted to Lima as soon as you need him.’
‘I’ll let you know, Eminence, but I’ll need to do some research first,’ de Luca said. The way things were going, it might be a long time before he needed any help from someone like Jennings, if at all.
‘Of course. Do you have any questions, Monsignor?’
‘Just one, Eminence. It might help if I knew why these missing skulls are so important. Or perhaps that is explained in the files?’
‘It is sufficient to know that anything that threatens the uniqueness of Christ threatens the Church itself. I expect this to have
Similar Books
