Veil - 02 - The Hammer of God (20 page)

Robert was sure Father Tolbert had no idea where Samuel was hidden, or he’d be sitting in front of them with two broken knees. Father Kong said they had several strong leads, but was ordered by Cardinal Maximilian to hold off until their present meeting.

Everyone gathered in the living room. Father Sabastani turned down the already low lights and sat on the floor. “We believe we know where they’re holding the boy,” he said, flatly.

Robert’s heart almost tore through his chest. “Where is he?”

“We’ve spotted several suspected members of The Order in Rome over the past few days,” said Bishop Ruini. “We followed them, and both eventually ended up in Netunna, a small fishing village not far from the city.”

Robert stood. “Then what are we waiting for?”

“Please, Mr. Veil, sit down and allow us to finish,” Father Kong said, calmly.

Robert stayed on his feet, all eyes on him. “No, we don’t have time to waste. We should get Samuel tonight.”

“That’s not feasible,” said Father Kong. “We haven’t confirmed it yet.”

“Then let’s verify and move in,” said Robert.

Thorne pulled at Robert’s jacket. “Sit down,” she said, firm and commanding. “Let’s hear what they have to say. If it doesn’t make sense, we’ll go get him ourselves.”

Robert slowly eased down to his seat, but the tension remained thick.

“Even though we’ve spotted suspected members of The Order, we haven’t seen any sign of Samuel,” said Sister Isabella. “If they have him, he’s probably in the tower at Torre Astura. It’s the only logical place to keep the boy secure from prying eyes. But it won’t be easy to approach the castle without being seen. It’s an old sea fort, with one road across a small bridge. Most of it is surrounded by open sea.”

“Yes,” added Bishop Ruini. “And we should have proof before we make an attempt to enter. If Samuel’s not there and we expose ourselves, they’ll move him someplace where we’ll never find him.”

“It makes sense,” said Thorne, looking over at Robert. “Let’s stake out the tower and get visual confirmation.” She placed a hand on his shoulder. “No one blames you for being anxious, partner. Lord knows I want him back too, but let’s move carefully and make sure we get him back alive.”

Robert took a deep breath and apologized to the group. “Who are the members of The Order you’ve been following?”

“Sister Maria Bravo and Father Theodore Murphy,” said Bishop Ruini. “We’ve been tracking them for eighteen months. They’re both on special assignment to Cardinal Polletto.” Robert pressed back into the couch, thumping his thighs. “So, where do we go from here?”

Father Kong finished his tea. “First, we set up a rotation in Nettuna, around the clock.”

“No problem,” said Father Sebastani. “The others will be here by tomorrow night.”

Thorne cleared her throat. “The others?”

“Yes,” answered Sister Isabella. “Cardinal Maximilian has ordered all members of our group to Rome.”

Bishop Ruini turned to Father Kong. “We should tail Father Sin,” he said, with trepidation. The room fell silent.

“Who’s Father Sin?” Thorne finally asked.

“The thick shouldered priest you met leaving Father Tolbert’s room,” answered Father Sebastani.

Robert was so angry when he left Father Tolbert’s room, he barely remembered the man. “I gather he’s a member of The Order also?”

“Without a doubt,” said Father Kong. “He’s known as The Order’s death angel.”

Thorne’s eyes narrowed.

“Death angel?” asked Robert.

Father Kong looked at the others. “He’s their head of security, and an assassin.”

Robert looked over at Thorne, then back at the others. “If you know this, why is he still alive?”

“We haven’t been able to implicate him enough to get him arrested,” said Father Sebastani.

“Arrested?” shot Thorne. “How about a good ole fashion bullet to the brain?”

The three priests and nun sat quietly. Father Kong finally stood, walked over, and stopped in front of Robert and Thorne. “Because
he’s
an assassin, a murderer we are not.”

Robert eased to the edge of the couch. “Neither are we. But people will die if they get in my way. I swear it.”

“We understand that, Mr. Veil,” said Bishop Ruini. “We don’t approve, but do understand. Lord willing, we can get Samuel back without loss of life.”

Thorne cleared her throat. “I noticed none of you are carrying weapons.”

Father Kong stepped back. “We’re not allowed to carry weapons in Italy, especially in Vatican City or Rome. It would make it too easy for us to be discovered.”

Robert laughed. “Then how are we going to defend ourselves?” Thorne shook her head.

“The Order’s under the same constraints as we are,” said Sister Isabella. “But they will reach out to less than honorable Italian forces to do their dirty work. An advantage we lack.”

“Great,” chimed Robert, “the mafia. So we’re grossly outgunned?”

“No,” answered Father Sebastani. “Greater are they who are with us, than those who are with them. God will make a way. You’ll see.”

“What makes you so sure?” asked Robert.

“Because, without faith, it’s impossible to please God,’ said Father Kong. “In the end, you have to believe.”

“I believe,” said Thorne. “But I won’t give up my gun. In fact, I’d appreciated it if one of you would commandeer a shotgun for me, preferably a sawed-off.”

The clerics looked at each other. “That we can do,” Father Kong finally said.

Robert stood. “Let’s get started.”

“As soon as the others arrive, and Cardinal Maximilian gives the final order,” said Sister Isabella. “He’ll be here tomorrow night. So will Cardinal Polletto.”

“You’ll stay here tonight,” said Bishop Ruini. “I’ve prepared your rooms.”

They all hugged, bound by the same purpose, finding Samuel and stopping The Order of Asmodeus.

Bishop Ruini prayed. “Lord, give us wisdom and strength, and keep Samuel safe and secure.”

An hour later, alone, staring at the high ceiling, Robert tossed, turned, and kneaded his pillow. He closed his eyes and prayed. He was close to getting his godson back. He thought of Donovan. Robert’s eyes watered, but he fought them back.
Not now. Not yet.
He turned over and let his eyelids fall. He dreamed that Samuel was back in his arms, and The Order of Asmodeus burning in hell.

I
nside the Church of St. Stephen, just east behind St. Paul’s Basilica, Father Tolbert, hands behind his back, paced impatiently in front of the altar, checking his watch every five minutes.
They’re late.

Maybe they’re not coming.
He walked to the chapel doors and peeked outside several times, deathly afraid Robert Veil and his partner had followed him, hopeful that Eduardo and his father would arrive soon.

Robert Veil had rattled him to his core. First, by showing up in Rome looking for Samuel, and second, by uncovering his secret; his dreadful desire for children. Shocked and startled, the priest had almost confessed and accepted his fate. However, cowardice overtook him and the truth remained hidden, locked behind his deceitful lips.

Knees weak, Father Tolbert sat down on the altar steps, barely able to stay upright. For what seemed like an eternity, a battle, a struggle, raged inside him, a compulsive hunger to touch childlike innocence, which in his youth went wanting. He tried to fight it off through counseling and prayer, but time and again, he met only defeat.

His earliest recollection of the struggle came a year before he finished his seminary. Before that, up until the age of fourteen, he grew up alone in a small Italian village, a bastard nobody wanted, or paid much attention to, except for a compassionate young priest on the rise, Giafranco Polletto.

When Father Tolbert turned six years old, Cardinal Polletto had gently informed him that his mother died at childbirth, and that his father had abandoned him and was nowhere to be found. Cardinal Polletto, his only friend, shifted him from family to family, and did his best to make sure he was well taken care of and safe.

However, having a busy grown-up as his only friend plunged Father Tolbert into bouts of deep depression. A fate he faced alone. He didn’t make friends easily, and when he eventually did, he was yanked to another family, in another town. Then Cardinal Polletto was transferred from Rome to Chicago, and Father Tolbert was placed with the Antonini’s, another family beholden to the cardinal in Brooklyn, New York.

Father Tolbert enjoyed New York City and adjusted quickly, only to find himself in Chicago less than a year later. Not long after the move, Cardinal Polletto, then a bishop, continued to look after Father Tolbert closely, seeing the troubled youth through high school and college at Northwestern University. Father Tolbert became a loner, and although he was considered to be very handsome, most girls showed very little tolerance for his introverted personality, heavy drinking and drug use.

After college, Father Tolbert drifted from job to job, but nothing satisfied him. His only avenue of true comfort came from attending mass, and the counseling sessions organized by Cardinal Polletto at St.

Thomas Cathedral, where Father Tolbert was always at ease and trouble free. He took his comfort in the Church as a sign, and with the help of Cardinal Polletto, enrolled in the seminary to become a catholic priest.

Comfortable during his time at the seminary, Father Tolbert made a few real friends, and thought he’d found his place in the world.

Then, a year before graduating, while on assignment at St. Thomas Elementary School, he became enamored with and molested his first child, Cedric Benson, an enthusiastic boy, friendly and eager to please, who eventually grew up, floated in and out of jail, and hung himself in a rundown motel in Los Angeles. Slowly, Father Tolbert fell into a pattern too satisfying to stop, and like a drug, his appetite for child innocence increased, consuming him inside out, and hurting child after child along the way.

Father Tolbert checked his watch again. Eduardo’s father, Armanno, had promised to have Eduardo at the chapel by ten o’clock. They were forty-five minutes late. At eleven-fifteen, the doors to the Church eased open, and Father Wex Angler, young and studious, also on temporary assignment to the Vatican Archives from a parish in Australia, slid inside, searching the shadows of the sanctuary, illuminated only by the sunlight gleaming through the beautiful stained glass frescoes. Father Tolbert called out, and the young priest’s trademark enthusiasm immediately filled up the building.

“I’ve been searching all over for you,” said Father Angler. “There’s a young boy and his father waiting for you in your room. They showed up an hour ago and said they had an appointment with you. We searched all over. Thankfully I found you here.”

“Thank you, Father. I appreciate your effort. We were supposed to meet here, but I guess they misunderstood,” said Father Tolbert.

“I left them alone in your room. I hope that’s not a problem.”

“Not at all,” said Father Tolbert, gathering his things. “I’m sure they appreciate the hospitality you’ve shown them.” Father Angler’s smile widened and he bent over slightly, hands together. “Thank you, Father,” he said, effusive with delight. “You’re too kind.”

After three minutes of convincing, Father Angler finally accepted that Father Tolbert didn’t need help carrying his things back to the room.

The eager to please priest finally bounded off, no doubt searching for his next good deed.

Father Angler’s enthusiasm left Father Tolbert embarrassed, ashamed and envious. He could barely remember his own zeal for the Church, excitement and energy now buried deep in a trash dump of unforgivable sin.

Father Tolbert reached his room and stood outside, hands on the doorknob. He closed his eyes, took a deep nostril breath, and went inside.

“Father, we’re so sorry,” said Armanno, running over. He grabbed Father Tolbert’s hand and kissed it. “Please forgive our stupidity. I thought you meant for us to meet you here.” Father Tolbert accepted the fish trader’s apology and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Its okay, it’s an understandable misunderstanding.” He winked at Eduardo sitting on the edge of his bed, smiling.

Armanno pulled a dingy handkerchief from his inside jacket pocket and dabbed at his sweaty face. “If today is not a good day, we can come back tomorrow.”

“Nonsense,” said Father Tolbert, walking over to Eduardo. “Hello, young man. How are we today?”

Eduardo’s smile threatened to crack his face wide open. “I’m fine, Father.”

Father Tolbert fought back his urge to run the back of his hand down Eduardo’s cheek. He turned to Armanno. “This might be a blessing in disguise. Instead of a long drawn out affair, I’ll spend an hour or so with Eduardo, asking him a few questions. You come back in an hour or so, and we’ll schedule something more formal for next week.” Armanno looked over at his son then back at Father Tolbert. “That will be fine, but shouldn’t I stay. I’d like to see what we’re getting ourselves into.”

Father Tolbert laughed. “I understand, my friend, but Eduardo will have to do much of this without his papa watching over him. He’s a fine boy, and I’m sure you’ve taught him well. He’ll be fine.”

“He’s very rarely been out of my sight since his mother died giving birth to him.” Armanno beamed. “But as you wish, Father. We trust you very much. I’ll take a walk around Il Vaticano and come back in an hour.”

Father Tolbert gave a bow. “Perfect,” he exclaimed. “Let’s get started.”

Armanno walked over to Eduardo and knelt. “Be good and do just as Father Tolbert tells you. I’ll be back soon.” He gave his son a hug and left the room.

When Father Tolbert turned around, Eduardo’s smile was gone, replaced by a look of trepidation. The priest took a handful of candy, chocolates this time, sat them on the bed in front of the boy and pulled up a chair. “Help yourself,” he said, grabbing several pieces himself, and stuffing them in his mouth. “They’re good,” he mumbled, through a full mouth.

Eduardo laughed, grabbed two pieces, and did the same. They stuffed chocolate in their mouths until it was gone. Father Tolbert went to the bathroom, got a washcloth and cleaned Eduardo’s face.