The Columbus Affair: A Novel

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

ALLE LISTENED AS THE BELLS ABOVE ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL announced 5:00 P.M. She and Brian had approached the church from the west, positioned at the edge of the expansive plaza that stretched out from the main portal.

“Simon’s not our problem right now,” Brian said. “He needs you inside to show your father. It’s after he gets what he wants that the trouble starts.”

She was anxious about all of this, not pleased with being bait.

“I have to get you and your father out of here before Simon makes a move,” Brian said. “He will act. The question is where and when.”

People hustled in all directions. This was the heart of Vienna, the cathedral’s size accentuated by rows of low-slung, compact buildings. Two of the city’s most exclusive streets radiated from the plaza, home to countless stores and shops. Her gaze focused on one of the many open-air restaurants and a string quartet playing Brahms. She caught the waft of chicken frying somewhere nearby. Everything was alive with sound and movement. Impossible to know where a threat might lie.

“You have help here?” she asked.

“I work alone.”

“You had help in the café when we first met.”

He glanced at her. “I needed them then.”

“You realize that you could be wrong about Zachariah.”

“Then you won’t have a problem going in there alone.”

She was surprised.

“I can’t go with you,” he said. “It would only complicate things. This is among the three of you. You’re what your father’s come for. Simon knows we have you. He also knows you’re coming.”

“You told him?”

He shook his head. “Not me. But others did.”

She wanted to know about those others.

Who did this man work for?

She watched as Brian studied the busy plaza. Her gaze drifted up the cathedral’s south tower, which surged skyward like a jet of water in an unbroken ascent, tapering steadily from base to finial. The main roof, which the steeple seemed to pierce, glistened with its trademark glazed yellow and black tiles. A familiar sight, which she’d seen many times from her apartment, not far away. The church’s north tower had never been completed, which gave the building its distinctive unfinished look. Something Goethe had said came to mind. “Architecture is frozen music.”

Brian produced a cell phone and hit one of its buttons. He spoke Hebrew to the person on the other side, most of which she understood. She’d studied it in both college and graduate school. She decided not to let him know she knew that he apparently had a man atop the cathedral’s south tower, which could be climbed for a fee. She’d done it herself, the view affording a wide angle. Interesting how he wanted her to believe that Zachariah was a danger, yet he could not, or would not, be straight with her.

And Hebrew?

Who was this guy?

He ended the call.

“Time for you to go inside.”

———

ZACHARIAH ADMIRED THE CATHEDRAL’S INTERIOR. LONG, TRIANGULAR rays of late-afternoon sun slanted through a forest of towering pillars toward the far altar. Golden bits of dust flickered in the glow, dancing to the strains of an organ. Sculptures stood everywhere, like sentinels keeping watch. Stained glass blazed with color in the tall windows. Christians did know how to embellish their churches, that he would give them. Synagogues were decorated, but not with human images—that was akin to idolatry. He’d often thought about the contrast between such simplicity and the Jews’ two Temples, both of which would have rivaled anything in Christendom.

But they were gone, the buildings razed.

Their treasures carted off.

Seeing something like St. Stephen’s sickened him. First built eight hundred years ago, nearly reduced to rubble during the final days of World War II, rebuilt in just seven years.

And that reality only strengthened his resolve.

He’d come inside alone. Rócha was waiting outside where he could follow Sagan and his daughter once they left. Neither one of them would leave Vienna alive. Time for this phase of the operation to end, and the next to begin.

Tour groups loitered about. The day was waning but the church stayed open until 10:00 P.M. Maybe that’s why Sagan chose it. But how would he have known? The man had done little but wallow in shame for the past eight years. He was beaten and broken.

Yet he’d reacted in Florida.

But who could blame him?

His only child was supposedly in danger.

Yet he wondered.

How would Sagan react if he knew the truth?

———

TOM WAITED OUTSIDE WHAT A PLACARD IDENTIFIED AS THE Chapel of St. Katherine, which jutted from the cathedral’s south tower. From here he could see the west portal entrance, the entire nave, and the main altar.

He spotted Zachariah Simon as he walked past the ornate pulpit and strolled toward the altar. Thanks to Inna he’d gained entrance through a little-used door on the north side not open to the public. As he’d suspected, she had connections and made a call from the café to the diocese’s public relations director. The story was simple. She had a friend in town from America, a reclusive celebrity writer, who wanted to visit St. Stephen’s unnoticed. Would it be possible to gain access without passing through the main entrance? Her connection had been more than happy to help, which allowed him to arrive early and stay out of sight.

A quick survey and he estimated about a hundred people were present with cameras flashing, voices occasionally raised over the organ music. The cathedral was impressive. Its Romanesque walls were of red and purple-black stone, mottled and striated in bold strokes like some hanging tapestry. He marveled at the time and energy it had taken to craft something so grand, and envied such patience. His world had always been hurry-up, no time for much of anything except meeting the next deadline.

He missed that frenetic pace.

He used one of the massive pillars holding up the vaulted roof as cover, glancing around its edge, watching Simon. His gaze darted across the transept to the far side and an open iron grille manned by a single employee.

The catacombs’ entrance.

He already knew that it closed for the day at 5:00. The attendant, an older woman, checked tickets, since a visit below required a charge. Inna had provided him with a guidebook and he’d read about the catacombs, deciding they would provide him the opportunity needed.

He’d done his homework and readied himself.

Simon stopped before the main altar.

Tom turned toward the main entrance.

Alle entered the church.