Private Rome

Chapter 77

I moved swiftly through the old building. I went to the front door and checked Via Sant’Anna where I saw a squad of Vatican police officers. I moved down the hallway to the kitchen, where I found the side entrance Father Vito had told me about. A covered walkway led between the bank and the papal residence. I followed this to an arch that brought me out at the car park a short distance from the Gallery of the Candelabra.

When I was halfway across the car park, I saw two men in suits heading in my direction. I was ready to retaliate if they attempted to stop me but they paid no attention to me. I went to the narrow alleyway beside the gallery and found the metal grille over the entrance to the secret tunnel.

I sensed movement nearby and tensed, ready for a fight.

Faduma stepped out of an alcove further along the alley, and I grinned with relief.

“You made it then?” she asked.

“I made it,” I replied. “You weren’t arrested?”

“I just told them I was your hostage,” she replied. “That you’d grabbed me in the street and forced me to go with you. By shouting and pretending to panic, I managed to slow them down a little.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“And you?” she asked, as we headed toward the grille.

“There’s a priest,” I said. “He’s been a friend to me a couple times now. He hid me from the cops.”

“Wow,” she replied. “Someone is looking out for you. It’s useful to have those kinds of friends.”

“I think he believes he can bring me back to the faith,” I said.

“Oh. Ulterior motive,” Faduma remarked, reaching toward the grille.

She put her hand through a four-inch square that had been cut into the metal and felt around for the catch.

A moment later, it clicked open and she pushed the grille wide open.

“If this priest is bringing us good luck,” Faduma said, “then long may it continue, whatever his motives.”

I smiled and followed her into the tunnel. I closed the grille behind us and we set off at a jog, heading back the way we’d come, returning to the secular side of Rome.