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“To be honest, I’m not surprised you’ve shown up,” Tito continued. “When things start to get hot, you are always in the middle of it.”

“Apparently, that’s my fate in life.”

“Well, we all have our destiny.” Tito fiddled with his fork. “I’m here to help as needed.”

“Danke, my friend. I appreciate that, and it goes both ways. If you can’t find a job you like, let me know. I have some connections that could be useful.”

“Thanks, Nico. It’s good to know.”

They spent the rest of the meal chatting about friendly topics. Slash hadn’t spoken German for a while, and it felt good to use it talking with one of the few friends he had. Already a plan was forming in his head. He wanted to execute it and get home as quickly as possible.

He insisted on paying for the meal. When they stood, Tito thanked him and shook his hand one more time. “I’m relieved you’re here, Nico. I’ve got a bad feeling about what’s going on. Something feels off.”

“Agreed. Stand by, old friend. I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”

Tito nodded, but a shadow of concern crossed his face. “I’ve no doubt about that. You’re definitely the man for the job, whatever that job may be.”

Chapter Thirteen

Slash

The drive from Rome to Genoa was about four and a half hours in ideal conditions. He wanted to call Lexi, but what could he tell her? She’d want to know what was happening, and he had nothing substantial to report other than a confirmation from Tito that something mysterious was happening at the Vatican. He wondered what she would think of that.

How could he shield Lexi from his past without jeopardizing her trust? Gripping the steering wheel tightly, he considered the three principal issues.

Will she still love me the same way if she knows the things I’ve done?

Will I lose her respect if I continue to try to hide my past from her?

If I keep secrets, does that mean I am admitting I don’t trust her?

He rolled his neck. That last question was moot. He trusted Lexi implicitly. It was himself he didn’t trust.

Outside of Florence, traffic crawled past a serious accident. A small car lay partially crushed under a large truck that had spilled construction materials across several lanes of traffic. As he passed the scene, he noted them loading an injured woman on a wheeled stretcher into an ambulance.

So, instead of calling Lexi, he turned on the music and rolled down the window, enjoying the breeze and the last couple hours of the drive. The weather was hot, but it didn’t bother him as much as he expected. His body adapted quickly, familiar with the heat and the rhythms of his birth country. Regardless, as soon as he arrived at the church in Genoa, he was relieved to walk into the cool dimness of the administrative offices, located behind the church.

A young priest rose from behind a desk when he entered.

“Buon pomeriggio,” Slash said. “I’m here to see Father Emilio Armando.”

“I’m sorry. Do you have an appointment?”

“I do not. I’m hoping the cardinal will be able to fit me in.”

“The cardinal is currently unavailable. He’s a busy man.”

“I’m sure he is. I’m only requesting that you let him know I’m here. He will either see me or not.”

The priest looked doubtful, but asked for Slash’s name and then disappeared down a corridor. Slash removed his sunglasses and hooked them on the front of his shirt as he sat in one of the chairs. About two minutes later the priest came back.

He looked at Slash with undisguised curiosity. “His Eminence will see you at once. Please follow me.”

“Thank you, Father.”

As they headed toward Father Armando’s office, an older woman, dressed in a crisp suit of navy blue, her brown hair pulled back in a tight bun, exited his office. She kissed the priest on each cheek and then left, making brief eye contact with Slash as he passed. Slash dipped his head at her, noting her eyes were puffy and red. She’d been crying.

Damn, he’d interrupted something.