The Serpent's Disciple Read online

  He had prepared a file for Ms. O’Farrell, with all the information he had gathered and was hoping she could shed some light on his concerns pertaining to her brother’s case. Something wasn’t adding up. It was the way the facts had been laid out. At first reading, it seemed an open and shut case, but reading through it again, he noticed odd statements and facts that didn’t seem relevant to the case.

  It was getting late. He had gotten to the archives at nine in the morning and it was almost midnight. He had just finished placing all the information he’d gathered into two large manila envelopes, one for Cardinal McKenna and the other for Ms. O’Farrell, and had taken it to the mailroom for the morning’s mail clerk to deliver to their offices. Gathering up the rest of his things, before heading back to his residence for the night, he thought he heard a door open at the other end of the room.

  He looked up and caught a glimpse of someone dressed in black disappear behind a row of shelves. Awfully late for someone to be coming in, he thought to himself, but the archives were open twenty-four hours a day. He had come late at night himself a few times.

  Roberto was ready to leave and thought he would peek down the row of shelves to see if he might know who had come in to work. He didn’t see anyone. That’s strange; he didn’t hear the door open again if they went back out.

  Then Roberto thought he heard a noise come from behind him. It startled him and he turned to see what it was.

  There stood a person dressed in black but it wasn’t another priest wearing a cassock, it was some kind of ritualistic robe. A black hood covered its head except for two holes for the eyes. It was like looking into the eyes of pure evil, the devil himself. Where the mouth would be was an intricately embroidered cobra’s head with its mouth open ready to attack. In his hand he held an ax.

  As Roberto felt the cold metal blade enter his body he prayed that God would forgive this poor soul for his sins. Then he watched as a bright light at the end of a tunnel slowly seemed to be moving closer to him.

  CHAPTER 29

  The appointment with Bishop Rossini was over and Anthony and Nelli were now standing in front of the door to Mary Ellen’s office.

  “Well, we’re here, Anthony. Shall we go in and see an old friend?”

  Nelli grabbed the doorknob and opened the door to the office.

  Anthony knew it was the right thing to do but he was still having second thoughts as he followed Nelli into the office. Carlotta, Mary Ellen’s assistant, looked at the visitors entering and immediately knew this must be who Ms. O’Farrell was expecting.

  “You must be Nelli and Anthony Andruccioli; Ms. O’Farrell told me you would be stopping by around eleven-thirty. Please be seated, I will let her know you have arrived.”

  Nelli and Anthony nodded their heads and smiled, taking a seat.

  Ever since eleven, Mary Ellen had been watching the clock. Her level of anxiety had increased as it got closer to eleven-thirty. She had a habit of twitching her cheek when she was nervous. She tried rubbing it to make it stop, and then remembered how Anthony would always kid her about it.

  Mary Ellen heard Carlotta talking to someone in the outer office. Nelli and Anthony must have arrived.

  “Please dear Lord, grant me the courage to face my past with grace,” she whispered softly.

  The phone on her desk rang.

  “Ms. O’Farrell, your visitors have arrived.”

  “Thank you, Carlotta. I will be right out to greet them.”

  She took a deep breath, stood up, and walked towards the door. As she opened it the familiar scent of a man’s cologne filled the air. It was the one Anthony had always worn. It took her back to when she and Anthony were planning a future together.

  Nelli sensed the awkwardness of the moment and quickly got up from her chair to greet Mary Ellen.

  “It’s wonderful to see you again,” she said, walking over to give Mary Ellen a hug. “It’s been much too long.”

  Mary Ellen was thankful to Nelli for sensing the awkwardness of the moment.

  Anthony stood at the same time, “Nelli’s right Mary Ellen; it’s been much too long.”

  “Thank you Anthony, it’s wonderful to see both of you. Please, come into the office. Let’s sit down over by the windows and you can look out on to some of the beautiful gardens we have here at Vatican. I would like to hear all about your meeting with the bishop.”

  Mary Ellen closed the door and followed them over to the seating area.

  “What project will you be working on here at the Vatican?” asked Mary Ellen.

  “I’ve been brought in to assist with the continuation of the restoration project to restore some of the halls in the Apostolic Palace that were subdivided into smaller rooms during the last century. Many of the corridors are in urgent need of repair. I am sure you must be familiar with the project, now that you’re working here in the administrative offices.”

  “Wasn’t there a discovery of more pagan carvings along the walls when they overhauled the Appartamento Borgia?” said Mary Ellen.

  “Yes, it’s quite exciting. I’m going to be able to combine my expertise in architecture and ancient religion, which doesn’t happen often.”

  “That must be thrilling for you. They picked the right person for the job.”

  As she smiled at both Anthony and Nelli, she felt the barriers coming down between her and Anthony.

  “I was so sorry to hear about your father. He was a wonderful man, who will be greatly missed by many. I wanted to call but ….”

  Nelli touched the cross that hung from the chain around her neck that their father had given to her, “Thank you, Mary Ellen. We do miss him very much. How is your brother doing? I know you had hoped to get the judgment against him reversed.”

  “That’s true, Nelli. He is doing much better. He has moved on with his life. We talk almost every other day.”

  Mary Ellen didn’t know if she should bring up yesterday’s events but she wanted to tell someone. There wasn’t anyone in her life right now that she felt she could confide in. The issue with her brother is what tore her and Anthony apart, but that part of their lives was now in the past. Maybe she would just mention the file from Father Roberto but ask Anthony what he might know about the card with that awful embossed cobra head on it.

  “The strangest thing happened yesterday. I received some documents containing information I had never seen before, pertaining to my brother’s case. I always said there was no solid proof for the judgment that was rendered against Devlin. These new documents seem to support that premise. Then an envelope was dropped off at my office yesterday morning. I wouldn’t mind running something past you, Anthony, if you don’t mind? Do you know anything about the significance of the symbol of a cobra’s head with one blue eye?”

  Anthony had trouble keeping his composure, the same way when he saw the stigmata on Nelli’s hand. Remembering the prophecy of Saint Anthony that warned of the rise of the serpent, it was becoming clear it truly had begun and Mary Ellen was part of whatever was happening. He had to find out what the reason was for her question.

  “There is a prophecy that warns of the return of the serpent,” said Anthony.

  “What does the prophecy say?” asked Mary Ellen.

  “After I tell you, will you explain why you would ask about that particular symbol?”

  “Yes, please tell me about this prophecy.”

  “There was a monk by the name of Fernando Martins de Bulhoes, who later, upon admission into the Franciscan order would take the name Antonio. He lived in the thirteenth century and was canonized to Sainthood, who we now know as Saint Anthony. He is commonly referred to as the ‘finder of lost articles,’ but most important is his prophecy. It is said that an angel visited him on three consecutive days. He was to write the words spoken to him in a book. A time was coming when the serpent that was described as having the head of a cobra and having one eye would rise again. If the faithful repented and heeded the words of God that were written in the book, t
hey would win the battle against the serpent and be saved from the gates of Hell. Many believe this is what the final chapter in the Bible talks about in Revelation.”

  Mary Ellen sat quietly. Anthony noticed the subtle twitching of her cheek. “Mary Ellen have you seen a picture of this somewhere?”

  Anthony tried not to show his concern over the question.

  Walking over to her desk Mary Ellen opened the top drawer and pulled out a small card of some kind then walked back and sat down and handed it to Anthony.

  “I received this yesterday in an envelope with only my name written on the front.

  It seemed quite ominous. I feel like it is some kind of warning but I don’t know why someone would send it to me. Do you have any idea what it could mean?”

  Nelli leaned in to look at the card. She could tell Mary Ellen was disturbed by it.

  “It’s actually a beautiful drawing,” said Nelli, “but the way its mouth is open, as if it is ready to attack, makes it seem threatening, doesn’t it? Do you know what it could mean Anthony?”

  Anthony didn’t want to say much more. His mind was spinning from this newest discovery.

  “Can you have your assistant make a copy of this for me and I’ll do a little research?”

  “I will make the copy. I don’t want Carlotta to know anything about this,” Mary Ellen got up and walked over to the printer in her office.

  Anthony had intended to talk with the other Guardians about the protection for Nelli but now it would be necessary to include Mary Ellen in the plan, and he would need to have it begin immediately. Time was running out.

  “Nelli, while I look into this, you could go back to the shop with the boxes,” said Anthony, “then later we could all meet for dinner and I can hopefully tell you something about this card you received Mary Ellen.”

  “Where are you staying?” asked Mary Ellen.

  “The Hotel Raphael.”

  “That’s actually very close to my apartment. That will work out nicely. We could stop by the shop you want to go to first, and then I know a lovely little restaurant not far from your hotel.”

  “That sounds good,” said Anthony. “You have Nelli’s cell number. Give us a call if you’re running late.”

  CHAPTER 30

  The meeting so far had gone smoothly. Thomas was meticulously going through the final responsibilities with each of the five men seated around the table. Every detail of the operation was covered not once but twice, nothing would be left to chance. He knew Peter Romanus was watching and listening to everything from his villa in Arezzo. There would be zero tolerance for error.

  It was getting late. The setup for this evening’s entertainment was taking place in the grand ballroom in another part of the compound, but Thomas knew he still had a couple more hours of details to go over with the men.

  In a calm voice Thomas asked, “Before we continue with the final part of our meeting, does anyone have any questions?” He sat back in his chair relaxing slightly. He looked around the table and waited for the first question.

  Back in Arezzo Peter leaned forward in his chair with his elbows resting on his knees clasping his hands. He was curious to see who would be the first to ask a question. Although he was confident, he knew who it would be and what it would be about. He had personally chosen these five men. He knew them better than they knew themselves.

  With his backing, the five men before him had achieved their life’s dreams. Along the way they had picked up some indulgences that Peter used to his advantage. He always wondered what they feared most, the loss of the power and wealth, or was having their secrets exposed to the entire world the greater threat? It didn’t make a difference to Peter. He used them equally to demand obedience. General D’Amoto was the first to speak.

  “As you heard today, I have all my troops set up and in place ready for the final execution of the plan. The officers I have in charge are men I have personally handpicked. I have no concern about their loyalty to me.” General D’Amoto continued, “Thomas I would like you to clarify one more time exactly how the transfer of money to each of us will be handled for the final stage of the operation.”

  Peter smiled as he listened to the general, “I should have made a bet with Thomas,” chuckling out loud. “I knew the general would be the one making sure he would get his money.” He continued to watch the screens for any unusual ticks on the monitors that were outside of the normal readings on each man.

  Thomas turned and looked at Vingenzo.

  “Perhaps you would be so kind to go over that one more time for everyone.”

  “I would be happy to Thomas. There have been five separate Swiss numbered bank accounts set up at the Union Bank of Switzerland in Lugano, one for each of the men seated at this table.

  “When you return home, a courier will deliver an envelope to you, which will contain a list of numbers. Listen carefully; the first seven numbers will be an account registered in your name, which will be broken up into two separate installments. The next eleven numbers will be the phone number you will call; they will require identification and an electronic signature to access the first sum of money. You will use those funds to pay off all services and products you deemed were necessary to complete your part of the plan. The second account will need two signatures to access the funds, yours of course, and Thomas’s. Perhaps you would want to explain this part Thomas?”

  “Yes, thank you Vingenzo. After receiving the call, to initiate the final commands to your teams, you will then return here to await the announcement, which will be telecast worldwide, of the newly formed world government, headed by Peter Romanus II.

  “The statement has already been recorded by Angelo and the feeds to all the networks will go out on cue. Once everything is in place and the transfer of power has begun, I will enter the code and my signature that will allow you to access the second account. It will be the agreed upon amount we discussed with each of you at the onset of this plan. Are there any more questions on this?”

  The five men remained silent.

  “Good,” said Thomas. “There is a small matter the Grand Master feels you should be made aware of. It has been handled and we are confident it will not affect the final plans in any way.”

  As he glanced around the table, his eyes rested on the newest member, “It will affect you most directly Cardinal Cavallari. A member of P2 made us aware of a priest, one Father Roberto, who was asking questions about the LC. Of course, that was one of the groups we used to accomplish our objective. He was eliminated and a warning was left with him. There have been no news releases, so it appears the Vatican has wisely decided to keep it quiet.”

  Glancing at Angelo, “You will keep us abreast of any news reports that might be leaked. With all the other problems the Church is facing, we don’t think they’ll want to have this made public.” Turning his attention back to Cardinal Cavallari, “Perhaps you will be so kind, to call your office after the meeting and see if you are informed of any unusual activity at the Vatican we should be aware of.”

  “Do we know if this priest passed information on to anyone else?” asked Cavallari, showing indifference to the latest development.

  “We know a Ms. O’Farrell requested information from him on her brother,” said Thomas, “she has been trying to exonerate her brother for years but to no avail. We also know this Father Roberto cornered Cardinal McKenna one day last month and was asking him a series of questions. We have no way of knowing what their conversation covered, but we feel it might have touched on areas that could bring up questions we would rather not have asked.”

  Thomas continued, “Cardinal McKenna is head of the CDF, who is in charge of looking into the sexual allegations against clergy. We will continue to monitor both Ms. O’Farrell and Cardinal McKenna very closely. I am confident that the Vatican will attribute the death of Father Roberto to natural causes. The papacy cannot handle another scandal at this time. If this priest passed on information to anyone, his death should send a warni
ng not to pursue any further questioning for fear of his or her own life.

  “Being a matter of only a few days before the New World government will be in place, there won’t be enough time for anyone to stop it from happening,” said Thomas with complete confidence.

  Even though the cardinal was troubled by the murder he appeared calm to everyone. He was thankful one’s thoughts were still private. He could put himself into a state of relaxation with meditation through prayer and control his heart and pulse rate even under adverse situations.

  Being the newest addition to the group, he hadn’t been exposed, as the other four seated at the table, to the consequences of disobeying the Grand Master. Cardinal Cavallari was aware of the suspected involvement of P2 surrounding the death of Pope John Paul I and the scandal connected to the bank that Vingenzo now controlled. This newest twist with Father Roberto’s death put him in a precarious spot. One he was not too happy about. He had to be careful; tomorrow he would be back at the Vatican living a lie.

  CHAPTER 31

  The last two hours had gone by very quickly. Closing the file in front of him, Thomas rested his hands on top of the cover.

  “Our meeting is now concluded.”

  He nodded to one of the guards at the door who walked over and stood next to him.

  “My assistant here will come around and collect any and all papers to be shredded. Please do not attempt to leave this room with anything except your person.”

  The hooded disciple started with Silvio and worked his way around the table. Whatever they needed to remember would have to be from memory.

  Suddenly Thomas’s demeanor changed from deadly serious to almost lighthearted.

  “It’s been a long day, gentlemen,” he said. “Peter Romanus has planned an exceptional evening of delights for you to enjoy and partake in. After this evening, the next time we see each other, we will be witnesses to the new requiem with our own Grand Master as head of the New World Order. It is now six o’clock. We will all meet back on the veranda at nine sharp for drinks and the start of an evening I’m sure each of you will never forget.