The Serpent's Disciple

by Deborah Stevens

  “The only thing he could say Anthony was that you and Nelli were relatives of a cardinal from Rome who were here on holiday.”

  “Anything on the car that followed us to the villa?”

  “It belongs to a family named Bernarducci from Rimini. Perhaps that was just a coincidence.” Anthony bristled at the answer.

  “Never use the word coincidence again with me,” fired back Anthony.

  He was angry that Mattithyahu had taken such a nonchalant attitude to the occurrence.

  “I’m sorry To’mas. You’re right. It won’t happen again. I will look into the family and what that car was doing at that spot at that particular moment.”

  “Have the rest of the surveillance cameras been positioned further out on the grounds of the villa?” Anthony snapped.

  “Yes, the last of them were connected early this morning and we are getting live feed from all of them. Again To’mas, I’m sorry. I will look into the above matters and report back with anything I find out immediately.”

  “Good, thank you. Nelli and I are headed to the Musei Civici after breakfast. I will contact you later.”

  A couple doors down Nelli awoke from the smell of fresh coffee drifting upstairs. As she got dressed she remembered having a dream about the box she bought in Rome at the little shop. It was the same box but the one in her dream had unusual letters engraved in the wood. She remembered in the dream she was trying to figure out what they stood for. She finished dressing and went down to the loggia where Anthony was already with a cup of coffee in his hand.

  “Good morning Nelli. Franco has prepared a plate of Italian pastries and fruit for us.”

  Nelli walked over to a table that was displayed with a beautiful presentation of sweetbreads. Franco had prepared a selection of cornettos, biscotti, and brioches with jam and some soft mascarpone to spread on them. He also had a small plate of sliced hard cheeses, Parmigiano-Reggiano and Parmesan and a lovely selection of some freshly cut fruit. As Nelli was deciding what to have she heard Franco’s voice.

  “Buon giorno signorina Nelli. I hope you slept well. Would you like regular coffee or espresso?”

  “Since I am in your country I will have a cup of espresso please.”

  Franco smiled, “Bravo! Bravo!”

  Nelli took a seat across from Anthony, “I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t mind staying on in Italy for a while if everything turns out, God willing.”

  “I can’t say I am shocked. What about your work and Larry?”

  “Perhaps I can take a sabbatical from the university, and Larry has talked about living in Europe for a year or two.”

  Before Anthony could respond Franco returned with a French press of fresh espresso and was carrying something tucked under his arm.

  “I took the privilege of circling on a map some of the sites you should not miss seeing in and around Pesaro.” After pouring the coffee, he laid out the map on the table.

  “At the heart of the city lies the main square, Piazza del Popolo, where you can admire the sea horses and tritons that decorate the fountain. Across from it is the Palazzo Ducale, built in the middle of the fifteenth century by the ruling Sforza family. It now houses local government offices and an exhibition space open to the public. You must take a few minutes and walk into the grand courtyard.

  “Heading towards the sea along Via Rossini you’ll pass by the modest house where Italy’s great opera composer Gioachino Rossini was born. The annual Rossini Opera Festival in August has earned a worldwide reputation. After that you will come to the town’s cattedrale where you must go inside to see the mosaic floor that was uncovered in 2000. It dates from the sixth century and can be seen through glass panels set in the suspended floor. In some parts you can get a glimpse at an even earlier mosaic floor dating from as early as the fourth century.

  “Pesaro was also noted for its ceramic workshops that turned out the brightly painted earthenware known as majolica. In the Musei Civici in Piazza Toschi Mosca, you can see one of Italy’s finest collections of Renaissance and Baroque pottery. Here you will also find Giovanni Bellini’s masterpiece, Coronation of the Virgin in the adjoining Pinacoteca. This large painting with a series of smaller panels was originally created as an altarpiece.”

  Nelli turned to look at Anthony when Franco pointed this out.

  Franco didn’t notice and continued talking. “The castle in the background of Bellini’s painting is the Sforza family fortress at Gradara; it was Pesaro’s ruling lord, Costanzo Sforza, who commissioned the picture from the Venetian artist.

  “There is a legend that the Lord Sforza had other reasons for commissioning the painting. He had a son whose first name was Lawrence. Most paintings during the Renaissance period centered on figures from the Bible and his father wanted to honor his son. For many Italians, children are named after a saint. You will see that the painting is surrounded with the drawings of eight saints, Saint Lawrence being one, and remarkably Saint Lawrence has an uncanny resemblance to Lord Sforza’s son.”

  Again, Nelli looked over at Anthony.

  “Ah, but I ramble on and you must want to see our lovely Pesaro first hand. I will go to the market and prepare a surprise for dinner tonight. Please call me with any questions. Ciao.” He headed towards the kitchen.

  “It looks like Matthew chose well for us.” Nelli grinned. “Franco will be a good source of information a book could never tell us.”

  CHAPTER 47

  It had looked like Cavallari had pulled it off. Even the pilot came out of the cockpit as he was getting off the plane to say goodbye and hoped the cardinal would feel better soon. The pilot explained that his mother had experienced episodes of vertigo and he remembered how debilitating it was for her when she had a severe attack.

  Cavallari thanked him for his concern and continued down the stairs from the plane. A man was waiting at the bottom standing next to an open door to a limousine.

  “Welcome back Cardinal Cavallari. Thomas informed me of your circumstances and I am to take you back to the Vatican and assist in any way I can.”

  “Thank you, I just want to return to my apartment and rest. My personal aide will help me with anything I might need.”

  “Si. I should have you back at the Vatican within twenty minutes.”

  Cavallari was glad to be back in Rome. He knew how his actions and duties over the next few days could affect the final outcome of P2’s plan if he did not succeed. It was going to be a delicate balancing act but he would be instrumental in Peter Romanus becoming the next Pope.

  The years had passed by so quickly and for more than half of them he had spent as a priest. The world was about to change and last night’s festivities he could do without. That would all come later after his new position within the New World Order.

  He had slept better than expected. Even though a pill artificially brought on the vertigo attack, it still had taken a toll on him physically. So last night’s sleep was welcomed.

  Today he planned on finding out who knew and what was being done about the death of Father Roberto but he had to be careful and not arouse suspicion of himself. A couple things had already aroused his attention. There seemed to be a heavier presence of the Swiss Guard than usual.

  Then at the morning’s mandatory prayer service for the cardinals, everyone attending was asked to sign in next to their name before entering the chapel. Cardinal McKenna was not present and his name had been removed from the list. Cavallari probably wouldn’t have even noticed it if he hadn’t heard a couple of cardinals ahead of him say something about it. Why would his name have been removed from the roster?

  He had noticed a change in McKenna’s behavior recently. Being the prefect of the CDF and a major component in the handling of the ever-growing sexual allegations against clergy, Cavallari was particularly interested in his activities. P2 had done an excellent job on propagation of the scandal that was destroying the credibility of the Holy See and its authority because of the way it had been dealt with. />
  Peter Romanus had taken advantage of this crack in the wall by corrupting the LC and conveniently having Father Marcial Maciel’s secret life exposed had been ingenious. It seemed to be the final straw. In combination with the other organizations P2 had infiltrated, everything was now in place. The Pope’s position was in jeopardy. The media reported that Pope Benedict who had been prefect for the CDF at the time had covered up what the Church knew concerning the Legion of Christ and the allegations against Father Maciel. They were asking that the Pope step down. Satan would finally win his battle with God, occupying the seat of Peter and ruling God’s kingdom on earth leading his sheep to slaughter. That is why the Grand Master had chosen the name Peter Romanus.

  Cavallari needed to get the Pope’s schedule. It would be crucial for executing the final stage of the plan. A meeting with His Holiness was already on his calendar. He buzzed for his assistant Carlo.

  “Yes, Cardinal Cavallari?”

  “Please call Reni’s office and ask for the itinerary on his visit to the Vatican on Tuesday. Also contact Cardinal McKenna and tell him I would like a word with him today.”

  “Of course, I have made the copies you asked for of the latest news articles from around the world covering the sexual allegations against priests and the Vatican’s responses. There is one article in particular that you should look at first. It is from an investigative reporter from the United States. He has exposed that there was something called the “apostolic boys” within the LC. It was made up of young boys handpicked by the LC’s founder who are now saying they were sexually abused by him. What would you like me to do with them?”

  “Bring those in to me first before you make the calls.”

  Cavallari pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. By next week at this time the world would be a different place and none of this would matter any longer.

  Chapter 48

  Heading out the front door to go into town Nelli looked over at Anthony, “I know Dad never returned to Italy after he came to America, but it would be interesting to hear what he remembered of his childhood here. It’s hard for me to visualize him as a little boy running around Pesaro with Uncle Ray.”

  “I’m sure it looks a lot different now,” said Anthony.

  Before getting into the car Nelli stopped and looked up at the sky. A few puffy white clouds slowly drifted by.

  “Franco said there was a chance of rain later this afternoon. It doesn’t look like it to me but he’s the one that lives here. I think I’ll run up and get an umbrella just in case. I’ll be right back.”

  In the car, Anthony could feel the muscles in his neck and shoulders tightening up. Unconsciously he scanned the surrounding land around the villa but saw nothing suspicious.

  The villa had been a good choice. It sat on top of a hill and you could see clearly in all directions. There were only a few places someone might be able to go unnoticed for a short time.

  On the Adriatic side, behind the loggia there were vine-covered terraces with a few large bushes. In the gardens behind the villa there were two small buildings that store equipment where someone could take cover if they got past all the cameras and motion detectors without being seen.

  The car door opened, it was Nelli back with the umbrella. “Okay, got it, let’s go.”

  They headed down the driveway past the line of cypress trees and under the stone archway onto Via Trebbiantico.

  “Let’s drive by the Piazza del Popolo where we ate dinner last night on our way to the Musei Civici, if that’s okay with you Nelli?” said Anthony, at the same time checking the rearview mirror.

  He wanted to get a better look at it during the day. Last night the conditions were not favorable for him to study the side streets and roads that led in and out of the piazza.

  “That’s fine Anthony. I’m anxious to see the painting by Bellini. I told you about the night I fell asleep when I was reading about it in the Frommer’s travel guidebook, do you remember? How Bellini came to me in a dream. He told me, the answer to the question would be found within the painting.”

  “Try to remember everything he said to you Nelli. Did he say anything that would be a clue to what you should look for?”

  “No, only that it will guide me along the path I seek. That’s all Anthony, and then he was gone.”

  “Well, when we get to the museum, I’m sure they will have information and books in the museum store on Bellini and the painting. We will pick up some of the materials so we can study it in more detail back at the villa,” said Anthony.

  Nelli decided to change the subject. “How do you really feel about Mary Ellen coming for the weekend Anthony?”

  Anthony remained calm and continued to concentrate on the road, checking the rearview mirror and side mirrors on a continuous basis.

  “It’s fine Nelli, I told you the past is the past. It’s good to be able to have Mary Ellen as a friend again. It appears her continuing to look into the case against Devlin seems to be a concern for someone. I don’t know if it has any relevance to the journey we are on, but not knowing where to look for this lost book, perhaps Mary Ellen has stumbled across something that could lead us to information that could help us.”

  “Do you think she is in danger Anthony? You never did tell me what you found out about that card with the cobra symbol on it.”

  “I don’t know why she would be Nelli. Wanting to clear her brother’s name wouldn’t seem that unusual to most people. But it seems without her knowing it she’s stumbled upon something someone doesn’t want to have exposed. Hopefully we might gain some insight into what it is when she is here.”

  Anthony realized that Nelli no longer seemed afraid for herself. She had reached a place of complete trust that God would protect her, but she was worried for the people around her. He had assigned a Guardian to follow Mary Ellen. The last report he got was that after the meeting with Cardinal McKenna, a gendarme was never far from Mary Ellen’s side. He needed to find out what had transpired in that meeting between the cardinal and Mary Ellen.

  “What about the cobra symbol?” Nelli asked again. “Why is the symbol of a serpent all of a sudden showing up when I have been told to look for a book containing the words of Our Lord?”

  Anthony was hoping she wouldn’t ask the question again. He’d decided to give her the background on where the symbol originated and the group that was associated with it.

  He wasn’t going to hide that this group’s ultimate goal was to create a New World Order, but he did not plan on telling her about the murders the group was suspected of and the way they were carried out.

  “What I know is the symbol of the cobra was created for a group that called themselves Propanganda Due. It’s been said that they were the executive branch of the Illuminati. In the 1960s a man by the name of Licio Gelli joined the freemason’s largest Lodge in Italy, the Grand Masonic Lodge. Then he got himself assigned to reorganizing the membership. There he was able to get a list of sleeping members, members no longer invited to take part in the rituals of the Lodge. Within two years Licio conceived the idea of a shadow society within the Lodge and its members reported to him alone. Even the freemasons were unaware that his covert organization existed.

  “From the start it was illegal. Gelli took the name from the nineteenth century Lodge ‘Propaganda.’ Propaganda Due or P2, as its members called it, was born. They had 2,400 members in Italy alone and membership spread worldwide throughout Europe and South America and even to the United States. It is said that they infiltrated every sector of society and were even in bed with the Mafia.”

  “Are you saying they infiltrated the Vatican as well?”

  “Yes,” Anthony continued. “Gelli’s goal was to form a New World Order but as far as anyone knows P2 no longer exists. So the card Mary Ellen received could only be a person or group that decided to use the symbol as a scare tactic to get her to stop asking questions.”

  They were now nearing the piazza and Anthony shifted his attention to surv
eying the town center.

  “Looks different during the day doesn’t it?” Anthony said, changing the direction of the conversation. “On our way home if we come back this way we can stop and walk around a little more. We can go into the Palazzo Ducale and take a look at the courtyard Franco talked about.

  “First things first, let’s find the museum. Before we go in we will give Mary Ellen a call and get the details on the plans for tomorrow. Why don’t you text her that we will give her a call shortly.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. Then we won’t play telephone tag all day.”

  Nelli sent the message as Anthony got back on Via Rossini heading north looking for signs to the museum. The skies were starting to look like rain. She was glad she had brought the umbrella. Her cell phone alerted her to an incoming text message.

  “That was quick. Mary Ellen texted she won’t be able to answer her cell phone for most of the afternoon and her plane lands at three o’clock tomorrow. She will call us when she’s at the airport.”

  “Well, then let’s go see a painting.”

  CHAPTER 49

  Now the next day and back in his office, McKenna waited for a copy of the file Mary Ellen had received from the now deceased Father Roberto. He wanted to study the contents of both files from the priest. He was anxiously waiting to hear if the research assistant found any evidence of a private diary kept by Saint Anthony.

  He spent the previous evening down in the archives reading everything he could on the life of the young monk Anthony. He had hoped to discover something that might shed some light on the list Father Roberto had written down beneath Saint Anthony on a separate sheet of paper. Pulling it out again, he reread the list of words.

  Private Diaries

  Burial places Giovanni /Saint Anthony

  Gradara Castle

  Altar

  Catacombs

  Shrine

  Monastery

  Box

  What was the importance of the list? The priest had underlined two words, Private Diaries and Burial places Giovanni/Saint Anthony. How did it relate to what was happening in the Church? Was Father Roberto killed because of what he was looking into?