The Keeper's Cup: A Controversial Archaeological Thriller

by Ken Fry

  I have found you. Once more we are together.

  She reached for it, but the image appeared to shimmer in a golden glaze before it faded from view.

  The professor moved forward.

  “Not yet,” Kelvin commanded, thrusting himself physically to block Fergal’s movement. “She is not yet with us. I will tell you when. Stand back, please.” He sounded as if he was in some other unknown place.

  Without a word, Fergal moved back to where he had been standing.

  Neither he nor any team member heard or saw the portly priest hidden behind a jutting promontory of smooth rock. In his hands was his usual camera, complete with a large zoom lens.

  After several minutes had passed, Miriam stood up and turned around. Nothing about her had changed. She was as she was always been. A smile crossed her face and she slowly walked toward Kelvin who had lowered his arms. Looking directly at Fergal, she said in a quiet voice. “I am home. None of you are to disturb what is here. I will explain everything later. Now please, move away and we will close these ancient doors. They will only open for me and Iseldir and nobody else, no matter who you are and how hard you try. So, let us go back and I will tell you what I now know.”

  “What the hell are you on about?” Fergal bristled with anger, but he found himself doing as she asked, as did the others. They all moved away.

  The zoom lens had captured it all on video and an incredulous Vincenzo scuttled off before he could be spotted. This changed everything.

  56

  Pope Adrian’s CT and MRI scans had come back as negative, but the pains continued and had become worse. Exploratory surgery had been suggested but he had refused this. If it didn’t improve soon, he would agree to it, but it had to become unbearable. Amidst this, the professor’s latest communiqué had given him a surge of religious joy, akin to his first ever religious experience of the Magdalene when on a retreat in the Dolomite Mountains many years back. A few nuisance pains would not stop him from enjoying SOTA’s latest finds. What he had found most intriguing was the professor’s description of the circumstances of the discovery and his partner’s strange reaction to it. She had seen something that the others had or were prevented from seeing.

  He dearly wished he could be there with them but was totally unable to do so in his condition.

  He was now sure Cardinal Nicholas had been lying to him. Comparing his report with those of his SOTA team, it was clear he was not being honest and had a devious intent. He wished Inspector Rizzo could find something that would allow him to make a move against the cardinal before he could do more damage.

  * * *

  “What are you saying?” Cardinal Nicholas bellowed into his phone. “Are you sure of this?

  “I saw it all with my own eyes, Your Eminence.” Vincenzo was beside himself that he carried such revelatory news. “The doors had a large red cross painted on them and when they were opened, they found what looked like an altar on which stood a glass case of some sort. What was in it, only the woman saw, and she prevented anybody else from seeing. Nobody was able to open the doors apart from her. It was fantastico da vedere!”

  “You have photographs?”

  “Si. I have a video and am sending it now.”

  “Excellent. What about Rizzo?”

  “He wants to see the glade and Cracker will do the rest when he falls into the trap. It is very close.”

  “Do it quick! Very quick. Understood, Father? We must end this problem once and for all. With this new discovery, nothing can stand in my way.”

  “Si, Inteso Cardinale.”

  * * *

  Minutes later, the Cardinal was watching the video from Vincenzo. He saw the ancient room, the doors, and Miriam and the other team members.

  This is unbelievable. Those doors are centuries old and what is that cross doing there!

  He took in a large lungful of air and blew it back out fast. He peered closer, especially at the footage showing Kelvin with his outstretched arms and Miriam kneeling behind him in some sort of prayer posture before what looked like a glass dome. He felt a surge of emotions – a mixture of thrilled excitement, incredulity, rapidly followed by an overwhelming rush of doubt and disbelief.

  If this is what they have been looking for, I must see it and have it. If the Doctor woman is the only one who can access it then we must get to her first and persuade her to allow us in.

  His thought processes went into overdrive. Somehow, Cracker had to dispose of Rizzo and then set to work on the woman. Everything now hinged on his two men to make this happen.

  57

  Rizzo was fully prepared. He had agreed to accompany Vincenzo to the grove and had examined all the possible scenarios. Daniel Cracker and his gun would be waiting for him, and possibly that of Vincenzo’s. It was obvious that the trap had been set.

  He drove a distance behind Vincenzo’s pickup truck, having refused the offer of being driven to the spot. That would only pose more difficulties and potential dangers. It was best to remain alone and that gave him a degree of control. He noticed nothing of the journey and kept his eyes fixed firmly on the truck up front. He had not been able to work out why he was doing this, but the inaction was more than he could bear. Whatever they were planning, if he survived, they would have no place to hide. The truth would be out.

  It was not long before Vincenzo began to slow down. He pulled into the side of a small layby with a hard to see track that meandered into the bushes and trees. Within seconds, he was out of the pickup truck, wearing his tracksuit and walking towards Rizzo, who was himself clambering from his vehicle.

  As he did, he noticed a silver SUV style Vitara parked and partially hidden by the undergrowth. That could be Cracker, was the first thought that came into his head.

  “It is not far, Inspector. Please follow me. Okay?” Vincenzo sounded tense. “You will be surprised at what you see.”

  “Okay.” Rizzo grunted as he felt his blood begin to rise and the first drops of perspiration slid down his back. He wasn’t going to be ambushed. He knew he was taking a risk, a huge risk, but something had to be done to force the issue and reveal what he wanted to know most. The cardinal’s role in the murder of Bishop Fisher was the prime directive in all the events that had followed since. Vincenzo’s shoulder holster had not gone unnoticed. His bulky form offered a sneaky glimpse of it through the lining of the tracksuit’s material.

  Vincenzo, beginning to puff, was not in good physical shape and the inspector had no problem keeping pace with him. He followed close. If there was to be an attack, he didn’t want to be isolated. Keeping the priest close by could be helpful in a firefight. He kept his eyes wide open, constantly scanning ahead, and both left and right.

  Several minutes passed. The going got tougher as the undergrowth and trees increased in density. Sunlight filtered down between the trees like an intermittent strobe. If there was going to be an attack, these conditions would suit it perfectly.

  He was right.

  Up ahead, he caught sight of a figure darting behind a small mound behind a tree. Rizzo didn’t hesitate. With one huge shove into Vincenzo’s back, he sent the unprepared priest sprawling flat out into the dirt. He himself sidestepped off the track and did a low shoulder roll behind a large oak tree, before he stood upright with his Beretta fully loaded and pointing in the direction of where he had seen the figure. He didn’t have to wait long. There came a deathly crack – a sharp sound that filled the woods as a hand sized slice of bark and timber split two inches away from his ear.

  “Gesù Cristo!” Rizzo ducked down to the thickest part of the trunk and let off a shot in the direction of the hidden figure. He guessed Cracker would be taken by surprise by his reaction. Three more shots peppering the oak tree confirmed his guess. From the top of his vision, Rizzo could see the priest still lying flat on the ground. He hadn’t attempted to move. He was directly in the line of fire. The figure was out of sight but if he attempted to change his position, Rizzo would see him at once.
/>   Two more bullets thudded into the oak, and if it hadn’t been there, Rizzo would have lost his face. Cracker was a fine shot, but so was Inspector Rizzo. Somehow, Rizzo had to keep him firing until he ran out of ammunition. Also, Vincenzo was armed. He had to disable one or both of them quickly.

  He saw Vincenzo begin to wriggle belly first across the track.

  Rizzo’s first shot exploded close to the priest’s outstretched arm. “Do not move, Vincenzo. If you do, my next shot will be into your leg.

  The priest froze like a block of ice as another shot spattered up the dirt next to his other arm. He didn’t move an inch. Rizzo’s command needed no further deciphering.

  The main objective was Cracker, still hidden and as vulnerable as himself. Crouched low, Rizzo’s heart hammered twice as fast as normal in his chest. It caused sensations in his mind and body, akin to a charge of high voltage electricity. Adrenaline flowed through him like a waterfall. This was a unique situation. Never before had he been hunted, and it was not an experience he would recommend. He let fly a barrage of shots and as he did, he did another shoulder roll toward a closer tree. He hoped his move had not been spotted. In his new position, he now had a better view of both men. They had not noticed him move.

  Cracker’s attention was still fixed on his former position. Vincenzo was motionless and face downwards in the earth. For once in his career, Rizzo was not sure what to do. It was only at this moment that he truly appreciated the desperate situation he had placed himself in. Killing or wounding his assailants would take a lot of explaining to do. The best thing would be to get the hell out of the place. He himself would be more valuable alive then dead.

  Vincenzo’s real agenda was now exposed, and Cracker identified. Looming over it all was the figure of Pope Adrian and the future of his Church. The evil nemesis of Cardinal Nicholas embraced them all. Rizzo’s hands were tied until his paperwork was ready. When that happened, he could make his move and have the backing of the UK police force.

  He had now let the enemy know he was on to them. Killing or wounding them could make the situation worse. Surveillance and containment of some sort was the only solution for now.

  He watched as Cracker fired another shot at the tree. It would be only too easy to shoot him dead from where he was in his hidden position. The temptation was huge as he raised his gun and took aim. No! He and Vincenzo have to be arrested and convicted for their crimes in Italy, and I can’t achieve that on my own. Once there, the cardinal will be next. Time to get out of here. Leave Vincenzo to worry and sweat about what will happen next.

  Rizzo took a deep breath and with great care, he lowered his weapon, crouched low and moved slowly behind Cracker. He could have taken him easily, but this was not the way. Soon, he had completed a full circle and was out of sight and back on the track, heading back to his car. He needed to change hotels fast and get in touch with the SOTA team and Pope Adrian. Events were approaching a head of steam. His disappearance would have an unsettling effect on the two men.

  With that thought, Inspector Rizzo’s foot hit the gas pedal and he U-turned the vehicle and drove back at top speed. He had to get away fast.

  58

  The rally at Florence had gone well, better than expected, in fact. His movement was attracting more and more followers. Underscoring this, the cardinal’s elation at what SOTA had discovered had been replaced by a mixture of wonder and dread. Vincenzo’s description of the event and his video had given Nicholas a profound shock. Has the cup been found? If so, the results will cause shockwaves throughout the religious world once the discovery was revealed. He could almost imagine the mayhem that would ensue. This is not the way I have planned things. Only after he had the chance to evaluate the find and confirm what it truly was, could he determine his next move.

  His mobile phone rang. It was Vincenzo.

  “He what?” the cardinal exploded.

  “Si, Your Eminence. He got away. We didn’t realise he would be armed. It was as if he knew. He had me pinned down but was hidden from Cracker. Then he disappeared and his car was gone. What do I do?”

  The alarm in the priest’s tone was not lost on the cardinal, who for once was at a loss for words. “Where’s Cracker?”

  “He must have got back to his hotel. He doesn’t think that the Inspector recognised him. There was little chance of that. If Rizzo makes any charges, I can only deny them and say I knew nothing about what happened or who the shooter was.”

  “Do you know where Rizzo is now?”

  “No idea, Cardinal.”

  There was a long pause before the cardinal spoke again. “I don’t think we have seen the last of him. Tell me did anyone else see you?”

  “There was no one else, I’m certain.”

  “For your sake, Father, I hope that’s true. Get hold of Cracker somehow and forget about Rizzo for the moment. What we need to do right now is take possession of that artefact, whatever it is. This is highly important. The fate of the Church will be in your hands.” God forbid, he thought. “Cracker will have to abduct that woman and force their hand in surrendering the find. If you can avoid direct involvement, do that. Once you have it, I may have to return to collect it personally. I’ll make use of my special envoy diplomatic status, together with my Vatican passport. This will ensure I will not be searched. Keep in touch, constantly. Understood?”

  The enormity of Cardinal Nicholas’s command was not lost on Vincenzo. “Yes. It is understood.

  * * *

  The setting sun was causing a glare problem as it began its dip to darken the streets of Rome and those of Vatican City. In the gathering gloom, behind shaded windows, sat an agitated Pope Adrian. His nervous excitement was a mixture of concern and religious fervour. Yet the now acute stabbing pains attacking his stomach and digestive systems tempered these lofty appraisals. There were fluctuations of nausea, vomiting, sweating plus both wet and dry heaves.

  Something was seriously wrong with him.

  In his heart, he only wished to concentrate on the implications of the SOTA find and those of Dr. Miriam Sinclair, but his physical condition was preventing him from fully concentrating. Added to this, he had decided to confront Cardinal Nicholas about lapses in his reports when compared to those he had received from the professor. Then there was the strange behaviour of Father Vincenzo.

  Are these men of God?

  Irrespective of Rizzo’s requests, it was time to take off the gloves and get tough. Reports of the cardinal’s secret rally in Florence had also reached him. The matter could spin out of control. The cardinal had been unreachable and out of contact. That was not unusual but now times were different and major issues were at stake.

  A stifling burst of stomach cramp caused him to bend double. His pains were becoming worse and he had only eaten boiled fish, bread and drank a glass of wine. His blood test results had returned as negative, and what was ailing him remained a mystery. His worry was increasing.

  It couldn’t be the food. There had to be another cause. What he didn’t know was what he should deal with first. Whilst in total power, he had never felt so alone. There was nobody he could truly confide in. Rizzo and Professor Christie were, at this time, the only two people he could trust, and they were not immediately to hand.

  He moved across his chamber to face the large wooden crucifix hanging from the wall and knelt to begin a fervent prayer.

  59

  “I want to know precisely what went on in there with you two and I’m not going to be fobbed off.” The professor was beyond annoyance. He was fuming.

  The three sat around a table in a nearby pub, away from the cosy hotel atmosphere and where they were not known or recognised. He stared hard at them both. He was not going to be side stepped.

  “Remember, I set this project up, and I have every right to know what’s going on. I demand an answer or the whole project will be closed down and closed down right now. So talk!” His clenched fist on the table was there for both to see.

  She
had known him most of her life and had never seen him look so serious and upset. She gazed at Kelvin. “Kelvin, Fergy is right. We have no reason to hide anything we know from him. Can you start, please, and I will say what I know when it’s the right moment.”

  Kelvin agreed.

  He began with his own thoughts and feelings and the stunning synchronicity of what had brought them together.

  Fergy began to interrupt him. “But what…”

  Kelvin raised his palm outright. “Please do not interrupt, Fergy. I need to say it all so that the find may make some sense to us all. “I’ve had many dreams and visitations of late and Miriam figured in them before I even knew her. That is in this life. From the moment I saw her, I felt that we were related in some way across millennia and centuries. I know, without asking, that she feels the same. Do you not, Miriam?”

  Miriam’s eyes grew moist and she nodded vigorously. “There’s no science present here, Fergy. I feel as if I’ve lived through a thousand lives and more.”

  “I can see that,” he snapped. “It sounds like a fairy story. There’s no way you could be related. Feelings are emotional, and in my book, not to be trusted.”

  Kelvin ignored the jibe. He then related all the episodes that Miriam had encountered since the project commenced that were in many ways related to his own visions. He said all he could and didn’t miss a thing. When he was done, a strange silence hovered around them.

  The professor still looked puzzled. “Okay, what about the door? What was that about?”

  “I knew it wouldn’t open for you.” Miriam said. “Don’t ask me how I knew but I did, and I knew it would open for me with Kelvin’s help. He knew that too.”

  Kelvin nodded his agreement.

  “I won’t go into that,” Fergy continued. “What I want to know is what you saw on that altar piece.”