Chapter 19 Chapter 17 Vatican Provincial Capital Building

Paula was waiting for Dante, walking quickly and nervously up and down the carpeted hall.The day got off to a bad start, she barely slept a wink, and when she got to her office, she ran into a pile of papers and papers to sign.The man in charge of the civil defense system, Guedo Baitorano, lost his temper because of the increasing number of pilgrims who were already flooding the Vatican.Now stadiums, universities and all government institutions with vacant spaces are filled.Crowds were sleeping in the streets, hallways, shopping malls, and even in the front halls of ATMs. Paula connected Gaidou's phone, and wanted him to help investigate the suspect, but Gaidou just laughed dryly.

"Dear police officer, even if your suspect is bin Laden himself, there is nothing we can do to help you. You have to wait until this madhouse is deserted!" "But have you noticed..." "Officer, you said your name was Paula, right? Now that the President of the United States' Air Force One is parked at Fiumicino Airport, all five-star hotels offer the highest level of presidential suites. You know that in order to protect these Man do I have nightmares every day? There are reports of terrorist attacks every 15 minutes and threats of fake bombs. I am in touch with sniper shooters in ambushes in every town within 200km. Trust me your question we Just wait. Please don't hold my line now." He hung up the phone.

bastard!Why doesn't anyone take my words seriously?This case is a very serious murder!The killer's silence was exactly the nature of a murderer, but the harder Bora worked, the less the others took it seriously.She spent a lot of time on the phone, which turned out to be wasted time and found no clues.During these calls, she told Pontillo to go back to Santa Maria and talk to the old priest Gammy to see if she had missed anything, and she herself went to see Cardinal Somerro, the Pope's chaplain.Here she is now, standing in the doorway of Somerrow's office, pacing up and down like a tiger full of coffee.

Anthony was now sitting in a large, comfortable crimson chair.He seemed relaxed, reading his daily prayer book. "Whenever this happens, I regret quitting smoking." "Are you nervous too, Father?" "No, but you're making me a little nervous pacing here." Paula understood what Anthony meant, and she stopped and sat beside him.Paula pretended to read Dante's report on the first murder, but what was on her mind was this: At UACV headquarters this morning, Deputy Dante had a strange look on his face when Dante and Anthony were introduced to each other.Dante called Paula aside and said curtly, "Don't trust him." Paula was worried and confused.When she decides to see Dante again, she must ask him exactly what he means.

Paula turned her attention back to the report.It was a downright miserable sight.Apparently Dante was not often tasked with writing such reports, which was another blessing to him.Because they need to return to the scene of Bishop Potini's death, hoping to find some clues with conscience.Go this afternoon, no later.The photographs from both murders were good and clear, and Paula couldn't concentrate as she closed the file. Paula couldn't deny that she was a little scared.Now she's in the heart of the Vatican, in this building in the middle of the city.The building houses more than 1,500 offices, not counting the Pope's.For Paula, she found the paintings in the corridors cluttered and distracting, and for centuries-old politicians like the Vatican, this was exactly what they wanted.They knew all about how their city made visitors feel, but Paula would not allow anything, not even the slightest distraction, to distract her from the case at hand.

"Father Fowler?" "what?" "Can I ask you a question?" "certainly." "This is the first time I have met a cardinal." "Oh." Paula thought for a moment. "I mean, see the living ones." "What do you want to ask me?" "What should I call him?" "Usually 'Your Excellency'." Anthony closed the book and looked Paula in the eye. "Relax, he's just a man, like you and me. You're the investigating officer, you're the professional. Just act like you normally do."

Paula smiled gratefully.At this time Dante finally came out of the office in the reception room. "Please come in." There are two tables in the reception room, and two young priests are sitting next to the telephone and the computer respectively.They nod politely and receive visitors.Then several people entered the servant steward's office.It was an ascetic's room, without paintings or carpets.There is a library on one side and a sofa and some small tables on the other.The only decoration on the wall is a wooden cross. The walls are bare, but Somerro's desk is full of papers.Until the next pope is elected, Summerro will manage everything here.Dressed in crimson robes, he rose from the sofa to welcome his guests.Anthony knelt down and kissed the ring on the cardinal's hand, showing respect and obedience to the cardinal, which is the etiquette of every Catholic when meeting the cardinal.Paula took a step back, trying to be more cautious.She bowed slightly, perhaps out of shame that she hadn't bowed deeply, and she hadn't considered herself a Catholic over the years.

Summerlo didn't care about Paula's recklessness, and still received her gracefully.On his face and slightly sloping shoulders, there was weariness and regret.For the next few days, he was the highest authority in the Vatican, but from his appearance, he didn't seem to like his current role very much. "Forgive me for keeping you waiting. I've been talking to a representative of the German delegation on the phone. They're completely out of order. There's no hotel anywhere now, and the city is in chaos. And at the funeral tomorrow morning Every single one of the representatives of every country in the world wants to be in the front row."

Paula nodded politely. "I think this whole mess is a big test for us." After hearing this, Summerlo only let out a long sigh as an answer. "Your Excellency, have you heard what happened here?" "Of course Serling has been on time to report to me what happened to them there. It's horrific, both cases. I wish I could have been tougher about this vicious crime, but I have to be real I honestly admit that I don't even have time to be afraid right now." "Your Excellency, as far as you know, we need to strengthen protection measures for other cardinals."

Summerlo glanced at Dante. "The police department has taken special measures to gather all the cardinals and let them all live in the Santa Marta dormitory in advance, just to ensure the safety of the cardinals." "Santa Marta dormitory?" Dante explained: "It's the Casa Santa Marta. During John Paul II's time, John Paul II issued an order to renovate it, because he wanted to change it into a place where the cardinal lived during the election period." "It's quite specific, isn't it?" "It's open to notable visitors when there's no election," Summerrow said. "You lived there once, Father Fowler, if I remember correctly, didn't you?"

Anthony looked a little uneasy. For a moment, it seemed that the two were in a state of confrontation. There was no smell of gunpowder, but it was also a confrontation of will.Finally Anthony bowed his head. "Indeed, Your Excellency, I have been invited to the Holy See once." "I remember some unhappiness between you and the Inquisitor Saiufou." "I've been subpoenaed to ask about some of the activities I've been involved in, and that's the truth, nothing else." The cardinal seemed content with Anthony's discomfort. "Ah, yes. Of course, Father Fowler. You don't have to explain anything to me. Your reputation advances you. As I said, Detective Paula, I feel at peace with the safety of my cardinals, Thank you for the efforts of our police department. Almost all of them have moved into the Vatican and are out of danger. There are still a few who have not arrived. Anyway, they have the option to live in the Santa Marta dormitory until April 15th. Many The cardinals are scattered in different halls, or residences of the priests. But we are informing them now that they need to all live together." "How many people are living in the Santa Marta dormitory now?" "84. That's a total of 115, all about to arrive. We've worked hard to contact everyone and have them notify us of their itinerary so we can have full protection. Most of them are in our records Yes. But I told you too, Sheriff Selling is in charge of everything. You don't have to worry, boys." "Do you include Robaya and Portini among the 115 you mentioned?" Paula asked, deliberately provoking the cardinal's arrogance. "Uh, actually I should say it's 113th." Somerrow replied angrily, as a proud man, he didn't bother to be corrected by a woman. "I'm sure Your Excellency has made very thorough arrangements for the whole incident." Anthony said, wanting to ease the two of them. "Indeed. We have already made it known that Potigny stayed in his native Corsica due to illness. As a result, his condition deteriorated and he died. As for Robaya, in order to show respect, we came up with the reason that he was because of deacon Too busy to come to the elections, although he himself would very much like to come to Rome to obey the new Pope. Sadly, he will die in a car accident, for which the police will make a full report. These stories will be published after the election Published in the media, not before." Paula was extremely surprised when he heard the cardinal's words. "I can see that Your Excellency has completely taken care of this matter." The servant butler cleared his throat before speaking. "It's one of many ways, and it's the only one that doesn't do anybody any harm." "It just hurts the facts." "This is the Catholic Church, officer. A place of inspiration and light to millions. We can't allow ourselves any more scandal. From this point of view, what do you say is the truth?" Paula realized the logical contradiction in the old cardinal's words, and doubt was written all over her face.She had several answers to the bishop, but she also knew that her words proved nothing.She decided not to comment and it was better to continue the interview. "I think this method of gathering the cardinals together in advance will not allow them to exchange opinions with each other?" "Of course not. I have already expressed our opinion to them that they should not leave here without being accompanied by the Vatican police or Swiss security. The reason is that a radical group in the city is threatening our institution. I believe they will Understood." "Did you know the two victims personally?" The cardinal's face darkened a bit. "God, yes. I have nothing in common with Portini, I just know he's Italian. My work has always been centered on the inner Vatican institutions, while his has been devoted to doctrinal work. He's always writing And travel, he's a great guy. Personally I don't agree with his political views because he's too open and too revolutionary." "Revolutionary?" Anthony took a step forward. "Yes, Father. He argued about condom use in order to ordain some Godfathers. He might be the pope of the 21st century. Besides, although he is fifty-nine years old, he is still young. If he sat in Peter's On the throne, he could be in charge of the Third Vatican Council, which is something many people want us to do. His death is a great disaster and an infinite loss for us." "Would you pick him?" Anthony asked. The servant butler laughed through his teeth. "You don't really want to know who I'm going to choose, Father?" Paula took a step back, trying to manage the subject of the interview. "Your Excellency, you say that you have no resemblance to Cardinal Potigny. What about Cardinal Robaya?" "A remarkable man. Totally dedicated to helping find the source of poverty. He had flaws, of course. For his image, he always wore white and stood on a balcony looking out over St. Peter's Square. Of course, in public he didn't Has shown his ambition. We are good friends. We have been writing to each other. His only sin is his pride. He always try to show his poverty. He always write 'bless the poor' when he signed, to stimulate him , I signed my letter 'bless the poor in soul'. But he never understood my insinuations. Despite his faults, he was the pillar of the country and the pillar of the church. He has done too much in his life Good thing. I never imagined him wearing fisherman's sandals, but I guess that's because I know him so well." The old man grew shorter and darkened as Summerrow talked about his friend.His voice was distressed, and his face showed the tired look of an old man in his seventies or eighties.Even though Paula didn't quite agree with him, she sympathized with his mood.She knew those words would make a fine epitaph, and that the old Spaniard would regret not having time to cry alone for his friend, all because of the dignity.As she thought about it, she found herself looking at the old cardinal's shawl and crimson robe, examining the people who wore them.Her gaze seemed to be looking at an object with only one plane, and Paula warned herself that she needed to learn not to see the clergy that way, because her prejudice against the clergy could easily derail her work. "When it's all said and done, I don't think anyone will be a prophet for their country. Like I said, we both agree on a lot of things. That good old man Robaya came seven months ago Here, that was the last stop of his trip. One of my assistants took a picture of us in this room. That's where the picture should be." The bishop went to the table and opened a drawer, and took out an envelope with some photos in it.He looked at them one by one, picked out one, and handed the photo to the visitor. Paula looked at the photo and didn't pay much attention to it at first, but suddenly something on it caught her eye.Her eyes widen, almost into two balls, she grabs Dante's arm and nearly pulls it off. "Oh my god!"

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