by Lynn Sholes
Casselman dropped down in the chair. "It's amazing how far the tentacles of this Grail thing reach-like somebody spit in the pool and the ripples just keep on spreading." He patted Cotten's hand. "We're sending you to Rome to cover the Grail's return to the Vatican. Of course not until you're on the mend. And there's a big fat promotion in this for you, Cotten. Thornton will be missed, but the public will love you in his spot. Not only are you the rising star, the whole backstory will have everyone clamoring to sit in front of their televisions when you're on."
She didn't want any more notoriety. The quest for the big story wasn't high on her list anymore. "Not me." Her voice was small.
"But Cotten," Casselman said, "of course you'll cover it. Think of the publicity for both you and SNN. Young female reporter saves the most important religious relic of all time." Casselman grinned. "Twice!" He rubbed his chin. "In the meantime, I've got a million questions for you two, starting with this cloning business."
"Let somebody else go to Rome, Ted," Cotten said.
Casselman chuckled. "No way. You're the only one who can do it-the only one."
Cotten gave a half-hearted laugh. "Yeah, I get that a lot."
Movement in the doorway made them all turn.
"Felipe," John said, surprise in his voice.
A tall man in a black suit with a Roman collar entered the room. His dark complexion matched his eyes. He extended his hand. "John, it is good to see you." A faint Spanish accent coated his words.
"And it's good to see you again." John took the priest's hand in both of his and gave it a strong shake. "I'd like you to meet someone;" he said. "Your Excellency, this is Cotten Stone, news correspondent with SNN. Cotten, this is Archbishop Felipe Montiagro, the Vatican Apostolic Nuncio to the United States." He nodded toward Casselman. "Archbishop, this is Ted Casselman, news director for the Satellite News Network."
Casselman got to his feet. "It's a pleasure, Your Excellency." He stepped away from his chair. "Here, please."
Montiagro waved his hand. "No, no." He moved next to the bed and studied Cotten's face for a few moments. "You are a courageous young woman. I hope your recovery is going well?"
"Thank you," she said. "I don't know about courage. John is the one who got us out."
He blessed her and whispered a quick prayer. Then he turned to John. "I received a call late last night. You've been summoned to the Vatican to document the extraordinary events that have taken place here."
"Whoa, that's incredible," Casselman said, raising both hands high. "An audience with the new pope!"
Montiagro smiled at Casselman. "There is no guarantee of that. As you can imagine, everyone wants to meet the new Holy Father."
"How soon?" John asked.
"They are anxious."
"Give me a few days."
"I'll relay your request," the archbishop said. "And John, I have a feeling the Holy Father has something special in mind for you."
The archbishop turned to Cotten. "Miss Stone, the authorities are making arrangements to return the blessed relic to us. We would be honored if you could be there to take part in the ceremony."
"She accepts!" Ted Casselman said.
A small idiosyncrasy in Montiagro's expression made her realize he understood that the final decision would be hers. "We will see you in Rome, then. May the Lord speed your recovery," he said.
"Archbishop," John said as Montiagro walked to the door. "Thank you for everything."
Montiagro placed his hand on John's shoulder. "It is you we must thank-both of you."
When the archbishop had gone, Casselman grabbed Cotten's toes through the sheets and wiggled her feet. "This just keeps getting better."
THE HALL OF
CONSTANTINE
"THEY'RE READY, MS. STONE," the priest said. He motioned with his arm, and Cotten rose from her chair in the Vatican Museum antechamber. Standing nearby was an FBI agent, a group of clergy, and a handful of plainclothes members of Vatican security. Two Swiss Guards were positioned on each side of the tall, ornate door-their colorful armor and plume uniforms dating back to Michelangelo. The FBI agent held the silver travel case.
As Cotten stepped through the doorway into the Hall of Constantine, the first of the museum's Raphael Rooms, she gasped at the splendor. The room, chosen for this ceremony because of its theme of the triumphs of Christianity, displayed scenes from the life and battles of the great Roman emperor.
The hall was packed with clergy, dignitaries, and members of the world press-a sprinkling of red and purple designated many of the Roman Curia who were present, including the Secretariat of State, along with other heads of the Vatican and Italian governments. Cotten also recognized the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, and the president of SNN. Beside him was Ted Casselman.
The priest escort ushered her to the center aisle where she turned and took the case from the agent.
The room was so quiet that Cotten could hear the rustle of her crisp gray suit against her stockings as she walked alone up the aisle. Ahead, on a platform riser, stood a solitary man-the newly consecrated bishop and papal appointed prelate of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology-John Tyler. Her eyes fastened on hisstill the bluest she'd ever known.
Suddenly, she felt a knot in her stomach-a pang of dread that a chapter in her life was ending-a door was closing forever. Seeing John in the purple cassock of his new office confirmed it.
But everything she needed to know was all there in his eyes.
"Hello, Cotten Stone," John said softly, extending his hand as she came to stand before him.
"Hello, John Tyler," she said so only he could hear. Accepting his hand, they stood in silence for a moment.
The Hall of Constantine erupted in applause, becoming awash in flashes and the brilliance of video camera lights.
Then she let go of him for the last time.
Cotten held the silver case out to John. "Your Excellency, I have the honor of presenting to the Universal Church, this blessed relic known as the Cup of the Last Supper, the Cup of the Crucifixion, the Cup of Christ, the Holy Grail."
Lynn Sholes (Florida) leads fiction workshops and trains educators in teaching writing. Her extensive work with the Broward County Archaeology Society sparked the idea for The Grail Conspiracy, her seventh novel. More information can be found at www.grailconspiracy.com and www.satellitenews.org.
Joe Moore (Florida) is a marketing executive with twenty-five years' experience in the television postproduction industry. As a senior audio engineer, he received two regional Emmy awards for individual achievement in audio mixing. He drew from four years of theological seminary training to write this book. The Grail Conspiracy is his second work of fiction.
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