“I have a bit of cash here. I’ll try to get to the store and buy some more supplies. Has your father’s company released my last paycheck?”
“Nothing yet, but let me call Papà.”
“No. We can do this on our own. I did attend Sunday Mass at the church. Father Valerio said that he might have a clerk position available. It isn’t enough to find a new place, but we’ll have food.”
“Look at your hands. What did you do for this money?”
“I took care of a farmer’s horses and slept in his stable. I fed them and brushed them.”
“Why did you come back?”
“Because I was fired when I told him that one of the horses needed more care. The horse was sick. The farmer shot it.”
“I’m so sorry, Dante. We shouldn’t have married. Papà might have taken care of me if I hadn’t insisted on the wedding.”
Dante cradled her head on his chest. “We’ll be okay. I’ll take the job at the church until I can find a small electronics company somewhere. I already have some names. Unfortunately, few around here need to hire anyone, especially another manager.”
“Good morning, Father Valerio,” said Dante, after a month working with a budget and counting the money the small church brought in.
“You’re a Godsend, Russo,” said the vicar, a rotund man with little hair to comb. “I think you should come to the service on Sunday. The parishioners are interested in you, and it doesn’t look good when your ignore them.”
Dante looked up at him.
“We will expect you at the eleven o’clock service. We have students at the seminary in Roma who also come to the services, and it would be good if you got to know them.”
Dante studied the middle-aged man. “You sound like you want our little church to be noticed, Father. Do you have plans for this parish or yourself that I don’t know about?”
The priest smiled. “I can tell you we don’t want to be closed. We have to appear to be robust and the presence of young men and women coming to the services will tell our bishop that we are thinking about survival.”
Dante pointed to the total of income from the Sunday collection plate. “How do you explain this?”
“We are a poor town and even poorer church. I can’t assure our survival because we have to come up with new ways to promote ourselves. Maybe you and the seminarians can talk about it over a drink before their return to the seminary. That would be nice.”
“I come from a business background, Father. Perhaps we can come up with some ideas. What do you want?”
“If you can bring in a younger crowd, perhaps people who are actually working, it would probably increase our income. I like how you think of the long term. If you and the student priests could help me more at the altar, we could put on a more splendid show of the Eucharist. I think people want to see the finery the Catholic Church offers, don’t you?”
“Do we have an organist?”
“We can’t afford an organist.”
“So we have little to work with.”
“Like you said, we’re thinking long term. What do you believe? Can you use your business background to draw in those students?”
“If you promise to use them, maybe.”
“Perhaps it would help if I got you more involved in the actual service too. I don’t know how much time you spent in church when you were a boy. Were you an altar boy?”
“No. I attended church but not regularly. I’m willing to learn—at least until I find a job that fits my background better.
“I’ll pray for you, Russo.”
Dante took his new task seriously. He was almost never home, planning and drinking with his new friends. Many of the seminarians went to school during the week, but several returned to the pub to drink with Dante too. As a result, the Sunday service transformed into an elaborate production. Dante’s satisfaction grew as the pews began to fill to watch the vicar and the young men, seminarians and Dante, line up to help him.
“You’re returning home less hungry and with a smaller paycheck, Dante,” said his wife one evening. “Are you eating out?”
“On occasion, I have to. It’s not that much less. I have to do it to keep my job.”
“I don’t have enough money to pay for things for the baby. I’m due in weeks, not months.”
“Why don’t you come to church this Sunday, Ciana? It would be good for you to get out.”
“I do get out. I have to shop for all our supplies. I have a tab at the store. Will you please go to the store tomorrow and pay him? I talked to Papà, Dante.”
“I suppose you told him how bad it is here. Of course, we wouldn’t be in this position if he hadn’t disowned you.”
“I’m sorry. I was just trying to fix the situation.”
“By asking for money?” asked Russo
“I didn’t ask for money. I just wanted him to know that we were all right.”
“I can see him laughing at us.”
“He isn’t like that.”
Dante turned to see the tears streaming down her cheeks. He bit his tongue. “Do you play an instrument, Ciana? Was music part of your education?”
“Yes. I play the piano.”
“Would you play for the service? We need someone to make the services more alive.”
She stared at him.
“No, the congregation can’t pay for it, but you should get out more. I want to hear you play. We don’t have a piano, but if you play for the church, it will be like we have one.”
She sat on the bed set up next to the front door. “And when the baby comes?”
“If we get the church going, we’ll have enough money to pay an organist. Maybe you can get that job. It’s a good one because you can raise the child at the same time.”
She lay back and stared at the ceiling.
“I’m serving the soup tonight,” he said. “You just rest. Tomorrow, I’ll go in and pay the tab. Is there anything I need to pick up?”
“If I play on Sundays, will you come home more often?”
“I promise. The better services we have, the less time I’ll have to spend inspiring the others. Church people don’t think like businessmen, Ciana. They get inspired over prayer and music and art. I have to work on the seminarians to get them to do something on a grander scale.”
Ciana did not show up to play the piano, but Dante had found someone else who played. Then he started to inspire people to join the choir.
“I can’t believe you and the seminarians have done so much to help this parish,” said Father Valerio. “The money in our collection plates have increased every month that you have been here. I have a question. Do you think you might want to seek ordination?”
Dante sat up straighter.
“If you did well in seminary, you would probably get a congregation of your own.”
“I don’t have the money…”
“You could make more money once you’re ordained. I’ve seen you in action. I think the Vatican has already noticed. I see your hesitation. Perhaps you think you couldn’t take all the vows. I have to admit, I didn’t think I could do without sexual relationships. It was difficult at first. I must confess that I haven’t been perfect, but I always thought of the woman I was with. I couldn’t bring myself to use another human being just to satisfy my own needs. It’s so easy to slip into it, especially when the potential partner is urging you. I just imagine it’s the devil, trying to make me sell my soul. I’m sure you’ll find your own way to fight the urges. I have faith in you.”
“Well, I’ll think about it.”
“Did I tell you about the sponsorship? There’s a group that pays for your seminary stay. If you choose to seek ordination, the bishop and I will recommend you to that program. We should hear any day now if the seminary in Roma will help support you.”
Dante thought about the Ciana. How could he support her? Should he let her go to her father? Did he want to seek ordination? The money would certainly be better. He could support his wife and
baby easily. Fabri would certainly be happy to take her back and be rid of him.
The summer heat arrived in late spring. The couple could barely breathe under the rafters of their tiny apartment.
“Why won’t this baby come?” asked Ciana, the heat and impatience bring her to the edge of sanity.
“Soon, Ciana. Soon. I know it.”
“How will we pay for the baby? I barely had enough for meals. Soon we’ll need diapers and formula.”
He turned to massage her belly lightly. “I can rub your back too if you want. You’re tense. I know about the money. I think I have a plan.”
“Is Father Valerio going to give you a raise?”
“No. The only way I can make more money is to have my own church.”
Ciana rolled over and stared at him. “You’re married. Why would they let you become a priest?”
“Because I haven’t told them. I could have introduced you, but you didn’t want to come.”
“They’ll find out. Don’t they check up on you? We were married in the Church.”
“I don’t know. They’ve already sponsored me to go to seminary.”
“What about money to keep the baby and me going until you’re ordained?”
“I was thinking that maybe your father…”
“Dante, he wouldn’t let me come home.”
“But if he thinks I’ve run out on you, he might give you the funds.”
“I can’t believe…” Ciana suddenly grabbed her belly and seized up. “Please, Dante. Call the doctor.”
“Let me get a cab to take you to the hospital.”
“We don’t even have money for gas for the car.”
“I’ve some put away for this.”
“My waters broke. Oh, the pain!”
Ciana delivered a healthy baby girl. Dante held the infant for hours in the hospital, and Ciana seem to put away the fantastic idea that Dante would leave. Unfortunately, Dante had already called Fabri, announcing the arrival of his granddaughter. The businessman showed up on the third day with a car to take his daughter and granddaughter home with him.
“What are you doing here?” Ciana asked.
“Your husband told me he could not afford to keep you and the baby. He thought the baby would have a better chance at the good life if you came home with me. All is forgiven, Ciana. I ask only that we both put the past year behind us.”
Holding the baby, Dante turned away from the window. He put the child into Fabri’s arms. “May I speak with Ciana one more time?”
“It is a good thing you did not call her your wife. She intends to get an annulment.”
“Papà, I don’t want one. Dante has his name on the birth certificate. He’s the father of my baby. Would you have approved of him doing less?”
“Yes. I have the funds to cover up any indiscretion, darling. I shall give you five minutes, Russo.”
Ciana turned to make sure her father was gone. “You called him without telling me. I can’t believe you went ahead with everything without my permission.”
“I can’t bear to see you and the baby living in such conditions. I promise I’ll call for you when ordination is in sight.”
“Papà will go ahead with the annulment, and you probably won’t see us again. He’ll want me to remarry.”
“I want you to be happy, Ciana. If you meet someone else, I’ll understand.”
“What about the baby? Don’t you want to spend time with her?”
“Of course I do. I just can’t give her what she needs. I’ll go ahead with the plans we talked about and hope that one day I’ll be able to take care of you both.”
Ciana turned and vomited. “Go. Get away. I don’t want to see you again.”
Dante left the room.
“I told you he was wrong for you, darling,” Fabri said when he returned. “He came from an impoverished family and wants to return to his roots. I’ll make sure you get on your feet. Then we can talk about your future.
Dante exited the elevator and made his way to the parking lot. He started the engine and looked at the gauge. There was just enough gas to get him to the seminary. He inhaled the stale air of the small village. He was taking the first step toward making things right. God would protect him from past mistakes.
Eighteen
Killer Monk
The nun and monk were ready to go when Bassi pulled up to pick them up.
“You don’t know how happy I am to see you, Ignazio,” said Sister Angela. “I was afraid Brother Salvatore wanted me to walk again.”
“Why do you complain, Sister? It’s a beautiful walk among the trees. And Brother Salvatore looks like he’s limping. Did he injure himself?”
“Yes, Ignazio. Sister Angela wanted me to hike up the mountain twice.”
“Tell him, Brother Salvatore, how you sat down in the pond twice too and how the second time you hurt your ankle. Please, Ignazio, we have brought you coffee and a roll. You can save the roll for later if you’ve already eaten.”
Bassi parked the car in front of the chapel. He had called ahead, and when the two walked inside, Bauer was already at the door, waiting for them. Then he waved at Ignazio.
“Bassi has to buy some supplies,” said Bauer. “He’ll be back with the supplies in time to take you down.”
“Marcus, isn’t it?” asked the nun, putting out her hand. “Don’t you usually work at night?”
“Yes. Costa has an appointment and will be late.”
“I have to take Brother Salvatore to the kitchen, but I would like to talk to you about the videos a bit later. The chief detective and I went through them and found some interesting discrepancies.”
Sister Angela followed the brother to the kitchen.
“I don’t have a pattern like that,” said Pozza. “I don’t have any knives like that one.”
“The picture shows the blade. Would that be something you might use in a kitchen?”
“Oh yes. It’s a filleting knife. I have several. The pattern on the handle is different, though.”
“What do you mean by different?” asked Brother Salvatore.
“It isn’t a common pattern. You could check the hardware store in the village. They might know who they sold it to.”
“I’ve seen it somewhere, though,” said Brother Salvatore. “I just can’t remember where.”
With Brother Salvatore at her side, Sister Angela next went to visit Neri in his office.
“What can I do for you, Sister?”
“In the light of new evidence, I need to speak with Brother Donato. Is there a way you can get hold of him?”
Neri checked his watch. “He will be deep in prayer. I am not sure this is a good time.”
“He may be preparing for Terce, which is in ten minutes,” said Brother Salvatore. “Maybe we can wait to talk to him after the service.” He took her arm and tried to urge her toward the door. When they got outside, he explained. “We don’t need Neri to give us permission. If Terce is in ten minutes, then we can stand by the gate until Brother Donato approaches.”
Sister Angela smiled. “Good thinking. That sneaky streak you display from time to time will make you a great detective.”
Within five minutes, they began to see the hermits trudge down the hill.
Sister Angela stood closer to the gate. “Brother Donato, I have a few questions. Do you have a minute?”
Brother Donato grimaced. “If I’m late, I’ll not be able to join them in the church. I already missed Prime so I must make the service.”
“My first question has to do with our interview a few days ago. You said you saw Brother Pietro behind you as you recessed through the gate the night of the explosion.”
“Yes. I did. I held the gate open for him.”
“Are you certain you saw him? Perhaps you only glanced at his hand or the sandals.”
“No. I handed the gate to him, and he thanked me. I was surprised since he usually doesn’t talk right after the service, but this time he did.” Brother Donato c
raned his neck and noticed the end of the procession disappearing into the narthex. “I must go, Sister. Meet me here in an hour, and I’ll talk to you then.”
The nun stared at him until he too vanished. “I didn’t expect that. I thought he would tell me that he might have been mistaken.”
“Are you sure the figure on the video wasn’t Brother Pietro?”
“Yes. We have to talk to Brother Donato again in an hour. We should talk to Bauer next.”
“Do you mean about the video and discrepancies?” asked Brother Salvatore.
“Yes. That’s a good idea. I’ll keep an eye on the time.”
“I’m not surprised,” said Bauer. “Morena asked for them. That’s why we taped everything.”
“Do you ever go through them?” asked Brother Salvatore.
“Yes. When I’m here, I watch everything in real time. When I’m out keeping an eye on the perimeter, I return and rewind the video so I can see if I miss anything?”
“But something must have happened, Mr. Bauer, that you or Mr. Costa missed.”
“I wasn’t here on the night of the explosion, but if you found something, it would help us if you reported it.”
“What we found was disturbing. The cameras didn’t give us the whole picture. If no one left through the back gate, then how and with whom did Brother Pietro leave? There was a monk who walked through the courtyard gate after Compline toward Brother Pietro’s cottage, but no one seems to be able to identify him. How did he get in? There’s no record of someone entering the courtyard that evening, and Father Francisco didn’t mention a stranger at Compline that night. This is troubling. How can you keep the brothers safe if your system doesn’t catch people?”
“You’re aware that relatives come to visit, and we aren’t required to log them in.”
“Yes we are,” said Brother Salvatore. “But don’t you have to let them in through the chapel?”
“Well, yes, unless they have a key.”
“And who gives them keys?” asked Sister Angela. “You? Mr. Neri? How do you know the people visiting are indeed relatives?”
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