Chapter 59 Chapter 57. The Sacristy of St. Peter's Church

"The situation is not good." Anthony said quickly. Paula's hand reaches her waist and draws her revolver, a.38. "Let's go in!" "I thought Troy got your gun back?" "What he asked me to hand over was the automatic pistol, which is standard equipment for all police officers. This little toy is for emergency use only." They crossed the threshold. The gallery in the sacristy was empty and the lights in the windows were off.Sunlight streamed in through the many windows and reflected off the marble walls and floors.It was noon, but it was dark here, and Anthony led the way without saying a word, but complaining silently about the sound of the floorboards with every step.They went all the way through the four exhibition halls without looking sideways.But in the sixth exhibition hall, Anthony stopped suddenly.There was a hallway about 20 inches from him on the ground, and he was about to enter it when he saw a line of color stand out in the shadows: a hand in a white glove, and an arm with vivid yellow, blue and red lines.

Rounding the corner, they found that the arm belonged to a Swiss security guard, whose left hand was still clutching his belongings, but where the eyes were now just two bloody holes.Not far from him, Paula found the bodies of two nuns, tied together with their turbans, like a final embrace. Their eyes were gone too. Paula loaded the gun, and Anthony exchanged a tacit understanding. "Here he is." They're standing in the hall, which is the access to the Vatican sacristy, which is usually roped off, and there are two doors, the one on the left will be left open to satisfy the curiosity of the public, from here they can see Inside the house the Pope puts on his robe before saying Mass.

Now the door is closed. "For God's sake, if only we had time," said Paula, looking at the body at her feet. Adding up the bodies of the two nuns and those in front of the Swiss security guards, the number of people killed by Karowski rose to at least eight.Paula swore inwardly that this must be the last.Without thinking, she stepped over the body to the door.She holds the gun in her left hand, her right hand raised high to support her left forearm, across the threshold. She walked into an octagonal room with a 36-foot high ceiling, filled with golden light.Directly in front is an altar, between two pillars, hangs an oil painting: Jesus is being lowered from the cross.The fine marble walls are topped by ten large wardrobes, all in stylish Indian wood and myrtle.In the closet are the sacrificial garments.If Paula had glanced at the ceiling, she would have seen beautiful frescoes on the cupolas, and through those windows the room was flooded with light.But Paula couldn't appreciate it all, her eyes were fixed on the two people standing on one side of the room.

She recognized Cardinal Gase first.The other was also a cardinal, and he looked very familiar, and finally she recognized the man, it was Cardinal Paul Jack. Two cardinals stood by the altar.Paul Jack stood behind Gase, helping him adjust his robe, which was almost ready.Paula rushed over and pointed a gun at them. "Where is he?" she yelled, her voice echoing through the house. "Did you see him?" Gase's eyes fell on Paula's gun, but his voice was very, very slow, "Who are you talking about, Miss?" "Karoski. The murderer of the Swiss security guard and two nuns."

At this moment Anthony also entered, hearing Paula's last word.He stood beside Paula, looking at Gasser, and for the first time he exchanged glances with Cardinal Paul Jack. There was fire in those eyes, Anthony recognized them. "Hi, Victor," Anthony said, his voice deep and husky. Cardinal Paul Jack, who was Victor Karoski, suddenly clamped Gase's neck with his left hand, and with his right hand drew out Pontillo's pistol and pressed it against Gase's temple. "Hold on!" Paula yelled, echoing through the room. "You just have to move, Miss Paula, and we can take a good look at Cardinal Gasser's head." Kaloski's voice aroused Paula's anger and fear at the same time, stimulating her adrenal glands, and she remembered seeing Ponty Luo's body was his own feelings and moods, and this bastard had called himself.

She aimed carefully. Karowski was now about 30 paces away from Paula, and only half of his head and arms were visible at this time, hiding behind Bishop Gasser. Even with an automatic gun, it couldn't hit it. "Put the gun on the ground, officer, or I'll kill him." Paula bit her lower lip to keep herself from screaming.Now the murderer was standing in front of her, but she couldn't do anything. "Don't listen to him, Sergeant, he won't hurt the Cardinal, will he, Victor?" Kaloski squeezed Gase's neck tightly. "Of course it will kill him. Put the gun down, Paula, put it down!"

"Please do as she says!" Gase moaned tremblingly. "Great performance, Victor." Anthony's voice trembled with anger. "Remember that after Cardoso was killed, we couldn't figure out how the murderer left? The door was locked, but he escaped from Cardoso's house. How incredible! In fact, this is the easiest way. part: he didn't go at all!" "What?" Paula froze. "We knocked open the door and saw nothing. Then there was a call, very fitting, the alleged attack at the exit. Victor was in the house, no doubt. Are you hiding under the bed? Or a closet inside?"

"Very smart, Anthony. Now put the gun down, officer." "But the cry for help and the subsequent telling of his attack came from a very reliable source, a man of faith, a cardinal, who was an accomplice to the murderer!" "Shut up, Anthony!" "He promised you that if you kill all his competitors, then in his quest for this undeserved honor..." "Enough!" Kaloski looked mad, his face covered in sweat, glue melting from a false eyebrow that drooped over his eye. "He's the one who came to see you at the Institute, Victor? He sent you here, right?"

"Enough of your insinuations, Anthony. Tell this woman to put the gun down, or this madman will kill me," Gasser said in a commanding tone, clearly desperate. "Tell me the Cardinal's plan, Victor." Anthony asked, ignoring Gasser. "You had to pretend to attack him in St. Peter's? Did he convince you to do it? In front of God's people? In front of these TV cameras?" "Stop talking, or I'll kill him! Kill him!" "You die, and he becomes a hero." "What would he give you in exchange for that 'Key to Heaven'? Victor?"

"Heaven. You scoundrel! He gave me eternal life!" Karowski moved the gun away from Gase's temple, aimed at Paula, and fired. Anthony lunged and pinned Paula to the ground, and Paula's gun fell out.Kaloski's bullet just missed Paula's head, but hit Anthony in the left shoulder, shattering the bone. Kaloski let go of Gase, who hid between the large wardrobes.Paula didn't have time to find her gun and rushed directly at Karowski.Her hand was clenched into a fist, and her right shoulder was pressed directly onto Kaloski's stomach, pushing him against the wall, but she missed him, and there was padding under Kaloski's robe, which would have made him appear smaller. Heavy.Pontillo's pistol also fell to the ground with a metallic sound.

Karowski hit Paula in the back, and she screamed in pain, but instead of falling she punched Karowski in the face.He was dizzy and nearly lost his balance and fell. And at this moment, Paula made a mistake. She looks around for her gun.Kaloski took the opportunity to hit her in the face, her stomach and her kidneys.He grabbed Paula's neck the same way he had grabbed Gase, but this time he was holding something in his hand and sliding it back and forth across Paula's face.It was a fish knife, very sharp. "Aha, Paula, you don't know how much I'm going to enjoy killing you!" he said into Paula's ear. "Victor!" Kaloski turned around, and Anthony stood up, one leg still kneeling on the ground, his left shoulder completely broken, slumped on the ground, and blood gushed out. Anthony's right hand held Paula's gun, aiming at Karowski's forehead. "You won't shoot, Anthony." Kaloski gasped heavily. "How different we are now. We both go to the same hell. In your oath you swore that you would never Kill any life." Anthony twitched with pain, trying to reach his left hand for his white clergyman's collar.With one click, he tore off the collar and threw it into the sky, where it twirled and fell between Karoski and him, the immaculate white cloth now stained with red stains where Anthony had torn it off with his thumb. up.Kaloski looked at it, dazed, but he didn't see the collar fall. Anthony fired, and the fatal bullet caught Karowski between the eyes. The murderer fell to the ground, and his parents' voices were heard in the distance. They were calling his name, and he went to find them. Paula ran to Anthony, who was pale and almost fainted.She took off her coat and pressed Anthony's wound to stop the bleeding. "Lie down." "It was terrible here before you came here, my friend." At this moment, Gase's voice came, and he had regained his courage and stood up again. "That devil took me hostage." "Don't stand there, cardinal, call someone..." Paula said, trying to pull Anthony up from the ground, and suddenly she realized where Gasser was going—he was going to Kaloski's side, where there was Ponty Ro's gun!Now she and Anthony are two very dangerous witnesses.Paula hurried to find her gun. "Good afternoon!" Serin's voice came, and he walked in, followed by three Vatican policemen.He hurried to Gase, who was bending over to pick up his gun.He stood up immediately. "I thought you'd never come! Detective Chief. You must arrest these two immediately!" Gasser said, pointing to Paula and Anthony. "Forgive me, my lord, I want to speak to you." Serling looked down, and he walked up to Karoski, grabbing Pontillo's pistol by the way.Sellin kicked Karoski with his toe. "This is him?" "Yes." Anthony said. "Bastard, Selin, he's a false cardinal," said Paula. "What did you do?" "His letters of recommendation are well written." Serling was extremely efficient.Behind his indifferent face hides a brain with high IQ, turning as fast as a machine.He immediately recalled that Paul Jack was the last cardinal appointed by Pope John Paul II.That was six months ago, and the pope could barely get out of bed.He recalled that the Pope told the Prefect Summerro and another Cardinal Ratzinger that he was considering the promotion of a cardinal. His identity was only told to Gase, and Gase would announce his decision after the Pope's death.For Serin, it is not difficult to imagine who was blowing the wind in the pope's ears, and who is now accompanying the so-called "new cardinal" into St. Mark's Cathedral for the first time in order to introduce him to his colleagues. "Cardinal Gasser, you have to explain to us." "I don't understand what you mean?" "Please, Cardinal." Gase was a little apprehensive, but soon he recovered his composure and arrogance, as well as the self-esteem deep in his heart, which was the reason that led him step by step to where he is today. "For so many years, John Paul II has prepared me to continue his work. You know better than anyone what will happen if the Pope's control falls into the hands of people who are undisciplined! I believe that at this stage , you will dutifully protect the Church, my friend." Celin's eyes instantly came to a conclusion. "Of course I will protect the Church, Your Excellency. Domenico!" "I'm the Inspector here," called a policeman who had come with Serling, wearing a black uniform and tie. "Cardinal Gasser is going to Mass now." Gase smiled. "After the mass is over, you and the other police officers will escort the cardinal to his new place of residence: the Albergraz Monastery, high in the Alps. There, the cardinal can reflect on his actions alone, or Opportunity to improve mountaineering skills." "I heard it's dangerous there," Anthony said. "Most likely, afflicted by disease," Paula added. Gase didn't answer, and in the silence he could be seen breaking down.With his head drooped, his chin resting on his breast, and without a word he came out of the sacristy, Domenico accompanying him. Sellin knelt beside Anthony, Paula supported Anthony's head with one hand, and pressed her coat on his wound with the other. "let me." Selin moved Paula's hand away, her coat was soaked with blood. "You can rest assured that the ambulance will be here soon. Can you tell me how you got into this 'circus'?" "We dodged your 'ticket gate,' Selin, and slipped in from the Holy See." Although Serin remained calm on the surface, one of his eyebrows still raised.Paula knew that was his way of being amazed. "Ah, of course, old Bishop Hannar, the old man who never retires. I see he's loosening the criteria for getting into the Vatican these days!" "But his asking price is high," Anthony said, remembering tomorrow's painful meeting with Hannar. Sellin nodded.He understood what Anthony meant, and he pressed harder on Paula's clothes on the wound. "We can arrange that, I think." Paramedics arrived and brought a stretcher. While the two paramedics were rescuing the wounded, eight altar attendants and two priests carrying candles were waiting at the door, waiting for Gasser and Cardinal Paul Jack.It was now four minutes past twelve, and Mass should begin.Two elderly priests were about to send an altar boy to ask what was going on.Was there something wrong with the sacristy vestments given to the bishop by the nuns who served the sacristy?But according to regulations, they cannot leave their posts, and they have to watch the crowds who come to attend the mass. Finally, Gase appeared alone at the door and entered the church.The altar boy accompanied him to the altar of St. Joseph, where he would preside at Mass.The believers who were closest to the altar had the strongest faith. They whispered to the people around them: Look, the Cardinal must love the Pope very much. He burst into tears throughout the whole process. "Relax, you're out of danger," a nurse told Anthony. "We'll be at the hospital in a minute. They'll give you a full checkup. Don't worry, the bleeding is under control." The paramedics lifted the stretcher, and suddenly Paula seemed to see something: Anthony's discord with his parents, his refusal to inherit, and a terrible feeling of resentment.She stepped forward to stop two paramedics who were loading a stretcher into the ambulance. "Now I get it, the hell you and Kaloski shared. You went to Vietnam and killed your father, didn't you?" Anthony gave Paula a look of surprise, in fact he was startled, and said to Paula in English, "What did you say?" “Anger is what brought you to Vietnam,” Paula said, also in English, trying to keep the two paramedics from intervening. "That's your deep loathing for your father and your cold rejection of your mother. Refusing to accept the inheritance, you want to cut off all ties between your family and you. The mention of hell in your interview with Kaloski, both In the information you gave me, all these facts were always before my eyes." "Can you stop talking?" "Now I understand it all," continued Paula, leaning over the stretcher and placing her hand lightly on the priest's shoulder.Anthony was stunned because he was about to cry out in pain, but he held back. "I understand why you took the job to go to St. Matthews and how you came to be the way you are. Your father abused you as a child. It's true, isn't it? And your mother Both. Like Kaloski. So he respects you because you two stand on opposite ends of a line: you choose to be a man and he chooses to be the devil." Anthony had nothing to say.The stretcher bearers continued toward the ambulance.Anthony tried to concentrate, watching Paula and smiling. "Take care of yourself, officer." In the ambulance, Anthony struggled not to pass out.His eyes were closed for a moment, but a familiar voice woke him up. "Anthony." Anthony smiled: "Well, I said Dante, how is your arm?" "very bad." "You're lucky on the roof." Dante didn't answer.He and Sellin sat in the chair opposite the stretcher in the ambulance.Dante wanted to pay back Antony with his usual cynicism, only his arm was in a cast and his face was bruised and bruised.Selling is still the same poker face that has always been serious. "So, how are you going to kill me? Put cyanide in an infusion bottle? Or make me bleed profusely? Or go the old-fashioned way—shoot me in the head in the back? Personally, I like the last one." Dante was not smiling at all. "Don't tempt me, maybe someday I'll do it, but not today, Anthony. It's a return ticket to something better." There was no expression on Serin's face, he stared straight at Anthony. "I wanted to thank you, you were a great help." "I didn't do it for you, nor for your motives." "I know." "Actually, I was pretty sure you were running the show behind the scenes." "I knew you would say that, and I don't blame you." The next few people did not speak.Finally, Sellin broke the silence. "Is it impossible for you to work for us again?" "Absolutely not, Selin. You lied to me once, and there will never be a second time." "What happened last time depends on the past." Anthony thought for a while. "There is a condition. You know what it is." Sellin nodded. "I promise you, no one will come near her." "There's another one, the Spanish girl." "I can't guarantee that. We're not sure if she still has the CD?" "I asked her and she didn't have any. And she won't bring it up." "Well, without the disc, she can't prove anything." The silence in the ambulance was longer this time.Only the electrocardiogram attached to Anthony's chest made a "didi" sound.Anthony was about to faint again, and Sellin's last words seemed to float into his ears from the fog. "You know what, Anthony? I thought for a while that you were going to tell her the whole truth!" Anthony didn't hear his answer, and that didn't matter anymore.Not all truths will set you free.He knew not only that he couldn't live in the truth himself, but he wouldn't place those burdens on anyone else's shoulders.