Chapter 34 Chapter 32 Santa Marta Dormitory

"We have to proceed with caution," Dante said. Paula was livid.If Celin was here at this time, she might lose control.She realized that this was the third time, and she wished to beat the damn murderer all over the place to see if he could still maintain such a calm voice. They ran around the obstacle to the top of the building, and then came down again, and everyone was dejected.Dante had to go to the other end of the street to make a phone call. He told Sellin that security needed to be strengthened and he wanted on-site analysis.Selling's answer was that he could only let one UACV technician in, and he had to be in civilian clothes.Whatever equipment a technician needs to bring, it must be in a nondescript, ordinary case.

"We cannot let this news out, you understand, Dante." "I don't understand anything. We're looking for a murderer. We need to clear the building, find out how he got in, gather evidence." Dante looked at Paula, thinking she was crazy.Anthony shook his head, not wanting to intervene.Paula knew she had allowed the case to enter somewhere in her own mind, had poisoned her normal senses.She tries to behave reasonably because she understands her character.When something gets into her heart, she becomes unable to extricate herself.Her exasperation and her soul mingled at this point, like dropping a drop of sulfuric acid into a piece of raw meat every few seconds.

Now they are standing in the lobby on the third floor, where they were standing when it happened. Room 56 was empty, and that was the one who told them to go to Room 57. He was a Cardinal from Belgium, his name was Haniel, and he was 73 years old.It seemed that he was so irritated that the building doctor wanted to put him on the ground so that he could take better care of him. "Fortunately most of the cardinals were in the chapel for the afternoon meditation and prayer. Only five people heard the yelling and they were told it was a mentally ill person who came in and yelled in the hallway," Dante said. .

"That's it? Is this your 'emergency damage control'?" Paula said in a rage. "So that the cardinals won't notice that one of them has been killed?" "That's the easy part. Let's just say he got acute gastroenteritis from eating macaroni and that's being dealt with." "That's all right?" Paula shot back, sarcastically. "Oh, one more thing. Without official approval, you can't tell any cardinal to block room 57 of the crime scene." "Are you kidding, we are going to look for fingerprints in corridors, intersections and other places, you don't really decide like this?"

"Are you really going to do this, hot girl? There's a line of cops out the door and a thousand camera flashes? There's no way you're going to catch that psychopath by shouting around," Dante said, trying to look as arrogant as possible." Or do you want to show off your FBI credentials in front of the camera? If you are really that good, it would be nice to show your credentials." Paula didn't let him irritate her.Dante was right.Because confidentiality as much as possible is the first issue in this case.She had to make a choice at this time: whether to waste time banging her head on this 2,000-year-old marble wall, or make a concession, and then use the clues she found to solve the case as soon as possible.

"Call Serling and tell him to send Troy the best technicians. And put his men on standby. A Carmelite priest is in and out of Vatican City." Anthony cleared his throat to draw Paula's attention to him.He stood beside Paula and spoke to her in a quiet voice, his mouth close to Paula's ear.Paula couldn't help but flicker because Anthony's breathing gave her goosebumps, and she said to herself that she was lucky no one could see that she was wearing a jacket.She still had vivid memories of Anthony's strong arms holding her yesterday, when she charged into the crowd like a madwoman and Anthony grabbed her.His rationality can stabilize Paula.At this point, Paula wanted Anthony to hug her again, but now her anxiety had completely lost her self.Things are already too complicated.

"These orders have certainly been issued and carried out by now, and, besides, never mind the usual procedures of the police department, which are never used in the Vatican. We must continue to play the cards that fate has dealt us, no matter how bad they may be." ’” Then his tone changed, “These things remind me of an old saying: ‘In a land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.’” "You're right, I shouldn't have gotten mad. This is the first time we've had a witness, and that's how we've progressed." Anthony lowered his voice, "Talk to Dante, be strategic this time. Ask him to allow us to talk to Cardinal Gasser, and maybe we can get some descriptions of the criminals."

"But no court painter." "I'll talk about that later. If Cardinal Gasser sees the criminal, we can draw a portrait, a sketch of the killer. The most important thing now is to have the opportunity to talk to him." "You said his name was Gase? I remembered, did his name also appear in Kaloski's report?" "Yes, he is tough and smart. Hope he can help us. Don't mention the suspect's name, so we can see if he can recognize it." Paula walks over to Dante. "How? You two lovebirds have reached a secret agreement?" Paula decided to ignore his sarcasm.

"Anthony advised me to keep calm and I think I should listen to him." Dante looked at her in disbelief, and was a little surprised by her sudden change of attitude. He simply didn't know what this woman was made of. "You're smart, officer." "We've been allowed in, haven't we, Dante?" "You can look at it this way. On the other hand, you are now being invited into another realm. We did what you asked this morning, and now we are going to do what we want here. There is no personal vendetta involved. " Paula took a deep breath. "Okay, I need to speak to Cardinal Gasser."

"He's in his room. He's recovering from the shock just now, and can't agree to your request." "Dante, for this matter, if you do it right, maybe we can catch the murderer." Dante stretched his thick neck, turning first to the right and then to the left.The bones in his neck rattled, he thought. "Okay, but on one condition." "What is it?" "You said that 'magic spell'." "Go to hell." Paula turned and walked straight to Anthony, who had a look of disapproval on his face.He heard the conversation between the two.Suddenly Paula turned to Dante again.

"please help." "Please help with what?" Dante, the fat pig, loved seeing Paula humiliated.Well, now for the fun. "Please help, Inspector Dante, can you allow me to talk to Cardinal Gasser?" With a smile on Dante's face, she finally did it.Now Dante immediately became serious. "Five minutes, five questions, no more. Paula." Two Vatican police officers, both in black uniforms and ties, emerged from the elevator and stood on either side of the door of Room 57, where Karowski's latest victim lay.They will stand guard here, waiting for the experts sent by the UACV to arrive.Paula decided to use the time to interview witnesses. "Which one is Cardinal Gasser's room?" Gasser's room was on the same floor, and Dante led them to No. 42, which was next to the stairs.He knocked lightly on the door with two fingers. Aunt Helena opened the door, she was no longer smiling now, but relieved when she saw them. "Oh, at least you're right, I heard them chasing that maniac downstairs. Can they catch him?" "Unfortunately, Mammy, no," replied Paula. "We suppose he escaped from the kitchen." "Oh my God, from that delivery lane? God bless those nuns, it's a disaster." "Mother, why did you tell us that there is an exit here?" "There's one, the main front door. The kitchen door isn't an exit, it's for the delivery truck, and it's a heavy door with a special lock." Pola realized that Helena's Italian was different, with heavy nouns. "The killer...I mean the attacker, you can come in and out from there." Mammy shook her head in disapproval. "Only two people have keys, one is the kitchen supervisor and one is myself. The kitchen supervisor only speaks Polish, like the other sisters who work here." Paula guessed that the one who opened the door to Dante in the kitchen just now was the kitchen supervisor.With only two keys, the mystery remains unsolved. "Can we come in and see the Cardinal?" Sister Helena shook her head vigorously, another No. "No, he's now, how should I put it, like a Vietnamese, in a state of tension." "Just a few minutes," Dante said. Mammy's face became more serious."No," she said in Polish. Helena seems to like using her native language when it comes to saying no.She was about to close the door when Anthony stuck a foot in the door frame and Helena couldn't close the door.At this time, Anthony hesitated, and carefully selected the words he wanted to say in Polish: "'Sprawia·przyjemno··, potrze bujemy eby widzie·kardynalny Casey, siostra Helena?'" Mammy's eyes opened like plates. "'Wasz jzyk polski nie jest dobry.'" "I know, I should visit your beautiful country more often. I haven't been in the last few years." Mammy shook her head and frowned, but it was evident that Anthony had won her trust.She reluctantly opened the door and leaned aside. "When did you speak Polish?" Paula asked quietly as they entered the door. "Just a few words. Traveling broadens your horizons, they say." Paula looked at Anthony with admiration before turning to the figure lying on the bed.The room was dark, and the Persian shutters were nearly closed.Cardinal Gasser was lying there with a wet handkerchief or towel (it was too dark to see clearly) on his forehead.The cardinal propped himself on his elbow to greet them as they approached the bed.The towel slid from his forehead, and he looked massive, with a sharp-edged face.His hair was completely white, matted in places from the wet towel. "Forgive me, I..." Dante knelt down to kiss the ring on the Cardinal's hand, but the Cardinal stopped him. "No, not now." Dante took a step back, feeling uncomfortable.He cleared his throat before speaking. "Master Cardinal, please forgive our abruptness, but we need to ask you a few questions, do you think you can answer us now?" "Of course, my boy, I'm just taking a break. It's horrific to be attacked in this sacred place. And I have a meeting in a few minutes to discuss a few important items, so please be brief." Dante looks at Helena and then at Gasser.Gasser got it: no witnesses. "Sister Helena, can I ask you to help me and tell Cardinal Parick that I will be a little late." Mammy exited the room, muttering bad words, words that were inappropriate for a clergyman. "Can you tell us what happened?" Dante asked. "I was going to my room for my daily prayers when suddenly I heard a horrible noise. I froze and wanted to make sure it was my imagination. I heard someone chasing up the stairs, Then there was the sound of knocking. I went into the corridor and was very surprised. At the elevator door I saw Father Carmel, hiding in the recess of the elevator door. I looked at him and he turned and looked at me. .At this time, I heard another knocking sound, and then this priest of Carmel attacked me, and I fell to the ground and yelled, and you all know the rest." "Did you see his face?" Paula interrupted. "His face was almost completely blocked by a thick beard, I don't remember anything special about it." "Can you describe his face and color?" "No. I only took one look at him and my eyesight is far from what it used to be. Just remember his hair was gray. I knew right then that he must not be a priest." "What makes you think so? Your Excellency Cardinal?" Anthony asked. "It's his manner, of course. He's standing there pushing the elevator doors and he doesn't look like a servant of God at all, not at all." Helena returned, clearing her throat nervously. "Cardinal Gasser, Cardinal Parik said that as long as possible, the committee will wait for you to preside at Mass. I have already arranged a conference room on the first floor." "Thank you, Mammy. You go to Ando, ​​because I have something to prepare. Tell him I'll be there in five minutes." Dante understands that their meeting with Gasser is coming to an end. "Thank you, my lord, let's go now." "You don't know how sorry I am. During these nine days of mass, churches all over Rome and around the world are praying for the Pope's soul. This matter is of great importance. I will not stop going because I was attacked." Paula was about to say something, but Anthony gently tugged her arm, and Paula said nothing.She waved goodbye to the cardinal, and as they were about to walk out the door, Gase asked them a very awkward question. "Is this person related to the disappearance of those cardinals?" Dante slowly turned around to answer the cardinal's words, speaking every word clearly. "Not at all, my lord. Just a saboteur. Maybe one of those young men who got caught in the anti-globalization movement. They always wear fancy dress to get attention, you know that." The cardinal sat up again, and now he was sitting upright on the bed, looking at Mammy. "Rumours are circulating among some of the Cardinals that two eminent district elders will not be coming to the election. I wish them both the best." "Where did you hear that, my lord?" Paula was surprised.When Dante asked questions, she heard the man's voice so gentle, kind and humble.It was the best sound she had ever heard in her life. "Oh my boy, a lot of things are forgotten at my age, like those conversations between dinner and dessert. But I can guarantee that I'm not the only one who knows that." "My lord, this is utter nonsense. If you forgive us, we are going to find the radical now." "Hope you find him soon. There's too much going on in the Vatican right now. Maybe this time we should consider adjusting our security measures." It was noticed that Gasser had a tinge of menace beneath his gentle words, just as Dante himself spoke.Paula's blood runs cold because she herself hates everyone in the Vatican Police. Sister Helena walked out of the room with them, and continued down the hall.A well-built cardinal was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs.It was Cardinal Parick, and the two went downstairs together. As soon as Pola sees Helena disappear, she turns to Dante, sarcasm written all over her face. "It seems that your 'emergency damage control' is not as effective as you say!" "I swear I don't understand how they heard about it." Dante had a tired expression on his face. "But at least we hope they don't understand the real reason. But that won't be possible after a while, and now maybe even Gase will be the next victim." "But now at least the cardinals know that there are strange things going on around them. To be honest, seeing your face flushed is what I want to see the most, so we can handle the case properly." Dante was about to refute when someone came over.That was the best and most careful UACV man ever sent by Troy. "Good afternoon, everyone." "Hello, Commissioner Troy." Now it's time to check out Kaloski's latest work.