The general was staring at the television again. “Look at those princes of the Church, all robed in red.”
“The color symbolizes the blood of Christ.”
Ferrari’s good eye blinked with surprise. “How on earth did you know that?”
“I’ve spent the better part of my life restoring Christian art. It’s safe to assume I know more about the history and teachings of the Church than most Catholics.”
“Including me.” The general’s gaze returned to the screen. “Who do you suppose it will be?”
“They say Navarro is already ordering new furniture for theappartamento.”
“Yes,” said the general, nodding thoughtfully. “That’s what they say.”
4
Murano, Venice
“Please tell meyou’re joking.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t my idea.”
“Do you know how much time and effort it took to arrange this trip? I had to meet with the prime minister, for heaven’s sake.”
“And for that,” said Gabriel solemnly, “I am deeply and eternally sorry.”
They were seated at the back of a small restaurant in Murano. Gabriel had waited until they had finished their entrées before telling Chiara of his plans to travel to Rome in the morning. Admittedly, his motives were selfish. The restaurant, which specialized in fish, was among his favorites in Venice.
“It’s just one day, Chiara.”
“Even you don’t believe that.”
“No, but it was worth a try.”
Chiara raised a wineglass toward her lips. The last of her pinot grigio burned with the pale fire of reflected candlelight. “Why weren’t you invited to the funeral?”
“Apparently, Cardinal Albanese couldn’t find a spare seat for me in the whole of St. Peter’s Square.”
“He was the one who found the body, wasn’t he?”
“In the private chapel,” said Gabriel.
“Do you really think it happened that way?”
“Are you suggesting the Vatican Press Office might have issued an inaccuratebollettino?”
“You and Luigi collaborated on quite a few misleading statements over the years.”
“But our motives were always pure.”
Chiara placed her wineglass on the bone-white tablecloth and rotated it slowly. “Why do you suppose he wants to see you?”
“It can’t be good.”
“What did General Ferrari say?”
“As little as possible.”
“How unlike him.”
