David Barry was better informed after talking with Cardinal William on the phone. Jacopo had revealed almost nothing, but had said that, if he wanted to know more, Barry should contact Jacopo’s superior, who by coincidence was a fellow American. David Barry played this same card, talking about Long Beach and the RMS Queen Mary, the transatlantic liner that now served as a hotel and museum, permanently anchored at that California city. He also talked about Houston’s incomparable museum and theater district, aware that a cardinal, unfortunately, always owes his duty to the pope, and not his country of birth. That’s how careers are. Everyone sells his work and loyalty to his job.
‘Did you call me?’ Aris asked from the director’s office door.
‘Yes. Come in and close the door.’
Aris came in and sat down without being asked.
‘I talked with the Holy See,’ Barry informed him.
‘Okay, you’ve got my attention.’
‘It was the only thing I could drag out of that son-of-a-bitch historian. The name of his superior, Cardinal William, who happens to be from Long Beach,’ Barry muttered.
‘Long Beach? How does someone from Long Beach become a cardinal?’ Aris asked curiously.
‘The conversation was cordial. They have almost everything under control,’ Barry continued, ignoring Aris’s remark.
‘Do you believe that?’
‘Of course not. I threw him a few crumbs to let him know we’re informed without letting him know we’re just outside the door.’
‘And the door is still shut,’ Aris added, jokingly. ‘And locked.’
‘Well, he half opened it. An Islamic terrorist group kidnapped Ben Isaac’s son.’
‘Who’s claiming it?’
‘Islamic Jihad.’
‘Those bastards.’
‘They go after the very rich, study them, analyze their weaknesses, and then strike. In this case Ben Isaac’s son,’ Barry explained, joining his hands together on the desk.
Aris thought about the story for several moments and then found flaws. ‘That doesn’t explain what happened in Paris, or Rafael’s presence.’
‘That’s what I thought,’ Barry agreed.
‘What did Cardinal William say?’
‘That Ben Isaac was a devout Catholic and well thought of by the church. Besides, he has partnerships with the Vatican and the Bank of the Holy Spirit.’
‘A banker with interest in banks. Tell me something new,’ Aris said sarcastically. ‘So the guy gives money to the church, and that’s why the priests want to save him. This doesn’t explain the murders. Or the agreement, the Status Quo.’
‘The agreement was another weakness for Ben Isaac. An agreement between financiers. They used the excavations as a way for Ben Isaac to transfer money to the church legally as investments. Islamic Jihad eliminated almost everyone involved to demonstrate they weren’t kidding, and would kill his son in the blink of an eye.’
They thought over William’s explanations, looking for a flaw.
‘Does that seem believable?’ Aris asked finally, lifting his hands behind his neck to stretch.
‘Not at all. The English and French have taken charge of the rescue operation. Let’s wait and see. Then in Rome we’ll know everything. Tell Sam to investigate these partnerships,’ David said, making quotation marks in the air, ‘between Ben Isaac and the Vatican and the Bank of the Holy Spirit.’
‘Okay.’ Aris got up promptly, went to the door, and turned toward Barry. ‘Does this mean that Rafael doesn’t know what he’s doing?’
‘Apparently.’ Barry took out his gun, checked the bullets, and returned it to his holster.
‘Are you leaving?’
‘Let’s go,’ Barry said, grabbing his jacket. ‘Take care of the calls and come with me to the garage. It’s time to deal the cards.’