Page 106 of An Inside Job

“On numerous occasions. And he assured me that the Church’s finances were in good hands. Evidently the fund was experiencing spectacular growth, something on the order of fifteen percent annually with no losses. I told Luigi that it was too good to be true. But Iwas most concerned about the massive investments in high-end real estate, especially the London deal.”

“Because?”

“The amount of debt Bertoli was taking on. Four hundred million for the New Bond Street building alone. And he borrowed huge sums of money to purchase other properties as well, all on the advice of Nico Ambrosi. You can be sure that Nico and his partner Franco Tedeschi earned enormous fees for each loan.”

They filled their plates with food and settled atop stools at the end of the counter.

“Please forgive the informality,” said Veronica. “But it was all very last-minute.”

“It’s perfect. I only wish Luigi could join us.”

“I have to admit, I’m terribly envious that you were allowed to have dinner alone with him.”

“We were hardly alone.”

“How did he look in civilian clothes?”

“More handsome than ever.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that. But tell me something, Gabriel. Do you think he’s happy?”

“He seemed to enjoy himself for a few minutes. But I have a feeling he’s incredibly lonely.”

“Of course he is. I can see it every time he steps in front of the television cameras. Behind that benevolent pastoral smile that he’s perfected, His Holiness is dying of loneliness.”

“He doesn’t like it when I call him that. He insists that I refer to him as Luigi.”

“That’s because he’s desperately clinging to the man he was before the conclave. But I’m afraid that person is receding by the day. Soon no one will remember his real name.”

“His papal name does have a certain ring to it, don’t you think?”

“I’ll never forget that night in St. Peter’s Square when I heard it for the first time. Still, I was hoping for something with a bit more flair. Pope Alessandro would have been nice. Or perhaps Pope Gregorio. Luigi always struck me as a Gregorio.”

“What about Julius?” asked Gabriel.

“Or Marcellus,” suggested Veronica.

“There’s never been a Pope Gabriel, has there?”

“Or a Pope Veronica. And you can be certain there never will be.”

“His Holiness informed me that it’s doctrinally off the table.”

“The ordination of women?” Veronica turned her wineglass slowly on the countertop. “I have it on the highest authority that His Holiness personally believes that women should be allowed to serve as priests.”

“It will destroy the Church.”

“If anyone is going to destroy the Church, it’s Cardinal Bertoli.” She reached for the stack of quarterly reports. “Shall we make this a working dinner?”

“By all means.”

She handed Gabriel the most recent four years’ worth of reports and kept the rest for herself. Twenty minutes of silence ensued, broken only by the rustle of paper.

“Do you see what I see?” asked Veronica at last.

“I believe I do.”

“Is there any chance we can get a look at Cardinal Bertoli’s Vatican Bank account?”