Next Gabriel turned his attention to the source of the money that Estermann had embezzled from the Order. It was money, he said, that was supposed to have been delivered to the cardinal-electors who had agreed to vote for the Order’s candidate at the coming conclave. At the mention of the prelate’s name, Estermann gave a start and then spoke for the first time. With a single objection, he confirmed both the existence of the plot and the name of the cardinal whom the Order had selected to be the next pope.
“How do you know it’s Emmerich?”
“What do you mean?” asked Gabriel.
“Only a handful of us are aware of the conclave operation.”
“I’m one of them.”
“But I would know who you are.”
“Why would you assume that?”
“I know the names of all the secret members of the Order.”
“Obviously,” said Gabriel, “that’s not the case.”
Receiving no further protest, Gabriel returned to the topic of the payments. It seemed several of the prelates had informed Cardinal Albanese that the agreed-upon sums of cash had not appeared in their accounts.
“But that’s not possible! Father Graf told me last week that all the cardinals had received their money.”
“Father Graf is working with me on this matter. He misled you at my request.”
“Bastard.”
“The Order forbids such language, Herr Estermann. Especially when it concerns a priest.”
“Please don’t tell Bishop Richter.”
“Don’t worry, it will be our little secret.” Gabriel paused. “But only if you tell me what you did with the money you were supposed to deliver to the cardinal-electors.”
“I wired it into their accounts, just as Herr Wolf and Bishop Richter instructed. I never stole a single euro.”
“Why would the cardinals lie?”
“Isn’t it obvious? They’re trying to extort us into paying more money.”
“What about the account in Liechtenstein?”
“It is an operational account.”
“Why is your wife the beneficiary?”
Estermann was silent for a moment. “Do Herr Wolf and Bishop Richter know about the account?”
“Not yet,” said Gabriel. “And if you do everything I tell you, they never will.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to call Herr Hassler first thing in the morning and tell him to wire that money to me.”
“Yes, of course. What else?”
Gabriel told him.
“All forty-two names? We’ll be here all night.”
“Is there somewhere else you have to be?”
