Page 52 of The Medici Return

“I understand your concern. Perhaps this might help alleviate your fears.”

And for the next several minutes the man recounted one past assignment after another, each one right on target and correct. When finished, the man who called himself Ascolani said, “Is that sufficient?”

He nodded.

“You were there and did what you did on my orders. Have you had an opportunity to explore the palazzo?”

“It is an impressive place.”

“I have sometimes stayed here myself. There is a wonderful view of the campo from the main bedchamber.”

“I have been enjoying that.”

Ascolani motioned toward the stairs. “Shall we?”

He led the way back up to the third floor. Once they arrived Ascolani approached the open window and stared out. Thomas stayed back near the entrance door, out of sight.

An old habit.

Finally, the cardinal retreated from the window. “I never thought I would meet you face-to-face. I have always directed you through another, and you have always done exactly as I asked. I respect that. But I have always wondered. Did you ever find it odd that the church asked you to kill?”

“It is not for me to question.”

“For this one time. Question.”

“I assume that you had a good reason for wanting that done. The church has long had enemies.”

“You are correct. In fact, today might be the most threatening time in our history. We are under attack from every side, every corner. Especially from oppressive governments that want to control their populations. Membership is down. Doctrine is threatened. Prelates are rebellious. My task is to protect us from any and all danger.”

“Is Cardinal Richter a threat?”

He noticed a hesitation in the elder man’s face.

“Forgive me,” he said. “But you asked me to question.”

“That I did. And yes, the cardinal is a threat of the highest order. I was hoping we could merely expose Richter as a thief, discredit and humiliate him. But that is no longer enough. So I ordered you to eliminate him with a supposed suicide.”

“What has changed?”

“Cardinal Richter is not in Munich. He is here. Along with the American agent Malone. Whatever you did in Dillenburg was not enough.”

Now he knew what happened with Malone.

“He was supposed to be arrested,” Ascolani said. “Along with Richter. But Malone has now connected with Richter, who has joined with my predecessor, Cardinal Stamm, to clear his name. The situation has become much more complicated.”

“Not for me.” And he meant every word.

Ascolani smiled, though the face radiated about as much feeling as a tombstone. “Confidence. It can be both a blessing… and a curse.”

He offered a slight bow as a concession to his vanity.

“From this point forward you will take all your instructions from me personally.” Ascolani reached into his pocket and removed a cell phone. “We will communicate through this device only.”

He accepted the phone and nodded.

The cardinal walked back to the open window and motioned for him to join.

He hesitated.