“A noble endeavor on the Church’s part, Luigi. But Father Spada doesn’t work for Caritas. In fact, I doubt he’s an actual priest.”
“He certainly looked like a priest.”
“Vestis virum facit,” said Gabriel, and told Donati the rest of the story.
***
His Holiness took up a fork and spoon and laid siege to his spaghetti carbonara. “But why didn’t the security guard simply remove the painting from the museum himself?”
“The public entrance on the Viale Vaticano is sealed tight after the museum closes. The painting had to be given to someone who could carry it past the Swiss Guard at St. Anne’s Gate.”
“Someone wearing the clerical suit and Roman collar of a Catholic priest?”
Gabriel nodded. “And carrying a nylon satchel large enough to hold a walnut panel measuring seventy-eight by fifty-six centimeters.”
“That would explain the framed photograph he presented to me. A group of Caritas workers feeding weary refugees.”
“How clever of him.” Gabriel sampled his tagliatelle with mushrooms. “But how was he able to get in the same room with you in the first place?”
“If I recall correctly, the visit was arranged by someone at Caritas headquarters here in Rome.”
“Was anyone else present?”
“Father Keegan, of course. And Bertoli was there as well.”
“Bertoli?”
“Cardinal Matteo Bertoli is the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.”
“Thesostituto?”
Donati nodded. “He’s essentially the chief of staff of the Roman Catholic Church. He manages the Curia, handles the flow of all papal documents, and oversees the operations of our diplomatic nuncios abroad. He even maintains control of the Fisherman’s Ring when I’m not wearing it.”
“How does he feel about the current pope?”
“My master was the one who appointed Bertoli, with my blessing, of course. I have no doubt that he’s more doctrinally conservative than I am. But he has been loyal to a fault, and the machinery of the Curia is functioning smoothly.”
“With the exception of security around the Holy Father,” said Gabriel.
“Father Spada was never a threat to me. In fact, he was quite charming.”
“Most thieves are.”
“I wouldn’t know,” said Donati.
“How long were you with him?”
“Less than five minutes. We exchanged a few words. Then Father Keegan showed him out.”
“He somehow managed to remain behind the walls until the power failure.”
“It probably didn’t hurt that he was dressed as a priest.”
“Or that he’s an extremely competent professional criminal,” added Gabriel.
“Mafia?”
“Camorra.”
