The Secret Cardinal

49

The sounds of Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra greeted Donoher as he entered the catacombs workroom, the jazz legend’s seductive voice dancing with Oscar Peterson’s piano through ‘These Foolish Things.’ Grin sat at his workstation eating a croissant, a steaming cup of espresso nearby. His freshly laundered cassock hung from a coathook near the door.

‘All’s quiet on the eastern front,’ the computer guru said before the Camerlengo could ask the question foremost on his mind.

Donoher pulled up a chair and sat down. ‘I heartily approve of your choice of music this morning.’

‘I’m weak when it comes to a woman with a great set of pipes, and few can deliver raw emotion like Lady Day.’

‘That lovely woman had more than her share of pain to draw upon,’ Donoher agreed. ‘Have you learned anything from Velu’s BlackBerry?’

‘He was telling the truth. Since arriving in Rome, he’s corresponded only with his brother — all updates on mother Velu’s condition. Some very depressing reading.’

‘Velu and I spoke with his brother last night — his mother’s life is near an end.’

‘Then I hope he makes it back home in time. I did check the server handling all the Vatican WiFi traffic, and it came out clean. Just a handful of e-mails that sync perfectly with what’s on his PDA.’

‘Then Velu’s not our leak.’

‘Doesn’t look like it. While I was in the server, I checked out all the other message traffic. I can identify all the devices used by the guards and other Vatican personnel, and even which hot spots they tapped into to send their messages. Velu’s PDA is the only one that connected with the hot spot in Domus Sanctae Marthae.’

‘Poor Velu. Among the penalties for what he’s done is excommunication latae senteniae.’

‘I know what excommunication is, but what was that bit of Latin at the end?’ Grin asked.

‘There are two types of excommunication,’ Donoher explained. ‘Ferenda senteniae is a judgment imposed by a Church superior or a Church body. Latae senteniae happens automatically, at the moment the sin is committed.’

‘Do not pass GO; do not collect two hundred dollars.’

‘In a manner of speaking. Historical interference with papal elections made such an extreme penalty a necessity. In a way, it’s a direct attack on the papacy.’

‘What’s on the agenda today?’ Grin asked.

‘Prayer and reflection coupled with an exhortation by the senior cardinal deacon, which should shake things up as he’s an old fire-and-brimstone man. I expect there will also be a bit of discreet politicking going on. With any luck, we’ll see some progress when voting resumes tomorrow.’

‘With any luck, we’ll see Nolan and his team cross the Chinese border with Yin.’

The workroom phone rang, and Grin checked the caller ID.

‘It’s your assistant,’ he said as he offered Donoher the handset.

‘Good morning, Sister.’

‘Your Eminence, I have Colonel Gergonne, the commandant of the Swiss Guard, holding for you. He says it’s a most urgent matter he needs to discuss with you.’

‘I’ll speak with him.’

The line went silent for a moment as Sister Deborah transferred the call.

‘Good morning, Colonel,’ Donoher said.

‘Your Eminence, I apologize for disturbing you during the conclave, but I have a young priest in my office who is most insistent on speaking with you. In fact, he has been here with us for much of the night. I have verified that he is who he claims to be — a priest assigned to the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano — and that he has no history of mental illness and is unarmed.’

‘Has he given you any indication about why he needs to talk to me now?’ Donoher asked.

‘He claims to have information for you about a threat to the conclave and a Chinese Bishop.’

‘Colonel, have him brought to my office straight away. I’ll meet you there shortly.’ Donoher shook his head, amazed, as he rose and cradled the handset. ‘The Lord indeed works in mysterious ways.’

‘How so?’ Grin asked.

‘Would you believe that this very morning, a priest has appeared on our doorstep with information regarding the source of our leak? I’ll let you know what I learn.’

After Donoher left, Grin looked up at the ceiling and whispered, ‘God, don’t get me wrong. I like divine intervention as much as the next guy, but right now our people in China need it more than we do.’