Page 123 of The Order

“Next year’s budget.”

“I thought fascists loved cultural patrimony.”

“Only if there’s enough tax revenue to pay for it.”

“I guess bashing immigrants isn’t good for the economy after all.”

“Is it true they were responsible for the flooding here in Venice?”

“That’s what I read onRussia Today.”

“And did you happen to read Alessandro Ricci’s article inLa Repubblicathis morning?” The general plucked an enormous green olive from the bowl in the center of the table. “The chattering classes think Saviano’s coalition might not survive.”

“What a shame.”

“They say a private audience with the wildly popular new pope would do wonders for his position.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath.”

“His Holiness might want to reconsider in light of the fact that he was in Florence the night that Swiss Guard was killed. Ifmemory serves, you were there, too. And then there’s that missing priest from the Order of St. Helena. His name escapes me.”

“Father Graf.”

“You wouldn’t happen to know where he is, would you?”

“Not a clue,” answered Gabriel truthfully.

“Perhaps someday you’ll tell me how all the pieces of this affair fit together.” The general ordered two more Bellinis and surveyed the interior of Harry’s Bar. “They did a remarkable job with the repairs. You wouldn’t even know there was a flood.” He gave Gabriel a sidelong glance. “I suppose you’ll get used to it.”

“You’ve obviously been talking to Francesco Tiepolo.”

Ferrari smiled. “He tells me you’re going to be working for your wife soon.”

“She hasn’t accepted my terms yet.”

“Do you think she might allow me to borrow you from time to time?”

“For what?”

“I’m in the business of recovering stolen paintings. And you, my friend, are very good at finding things.”

“Except for the Gospel of Pilate.”

“Ah, yes. The gospel.” The general removed a manila folder from his briefcase and laid it on the table. “That sheet of paper you gave me was produced by a mill near Bologna. A small operation. One man, in fact. Very high quality. We’ve found numerous examples of his work in other cases.”

“What kind of cases?”

“Forgeries.” Ferrari opened the folder and removed the first page of the gospel. It was still encased in protective plastic. “It looks like it was produced during the Renaissance. In truth, itwas manufactured a few months ago. Which means the Gospel of Pilate, the book that led to the murder of His Holiness Pope Paul the Seventh, is a fraud.”

“How were you able to date it so precisely?”

“The papermaker is on my payroll. I paid him a visit after my lab delivered its findings.” Ferrari tapped the page. “It was part of a large order of reproduction Renaissance paper. Several hundred sheets, in fact. The size was appropriate for bookbinding. It cost the buyer a small fortune.”

“Who was he?”

“A priest, actually.”

“Does the priest have a name?”