The Voynich Cypher

CHAPTER 32

The following morning at seven, Steven’s voice sounded calm to Luca as he relayed his proposal.

“Fly into Florence this morning on the Alitalia flight departing Rome at 9:45. Turn your cell phone on once you’re on the ground. I’m assuming this number is your cell. I’ll call once you land and give you further instructions. Bring at least two thousand dollars cash to cover logistics,” Steven said.

“It will be tight to get to the airport in time to buy a ticket and make the flight. I still need to get dressed, and traffic…”

“You can make it. Get going. I’ll see you in Florence.” Steven disconnected.

Luca felt a thrill of excitement. Here he was, playing spy, dashing for airplanes while on secret orders from the top. He’d never done anything like it in his life, but there was always a first time. It was more Synthe’s area of specialty, but he didn’t get the impression that Steven was a threat, so he felt no foreboding — only a tingle of anticipation.

He made it to the airport with just enough time to stand in line, buy the ticket, and jog through security to the gate. Morning rush hour in Rome was notorious, and he wondered if Cross knew what a miracle it was that he’d made the plane.

The flight was smooth, lasting only an hour from gate to gate, and when he landed, Luca thumbed his cell phone on. He disembarked and stood in the arrivals area, waiting for something to happen. After fifteen minutes, his phone rang, and Steven’s now-familiar voice gave him his next instructions. He hung up and walked out to the taxi stand and dutifully stood in line, checking his watch. There were six people ahead of him. He tapped his foot nervously as he waited his turn.

The cab took him to the train station, where he booked a first class ticket to Milan. He boarded the train and settled into a comfortable seat for the hour and forty-five minute ride. Once they were underway, a service operative came by and asked him what he’d like to drink. He opted for a soda, as did the man sitting next to him. After half an hour, the man excused himself and went to the bathroom.

Steven took the vacant seat and leaned in to Luca, murmuring a greeting.

“Diego Luca, I presume.”

Luca turned to study Steven, who hadn’t shaved for three days, as was the fashion for many Italians.

“Correct. I recognize you by your voice, Dr. Cross, although I was expecting someone older,” Luca said.

“Sorry to disappoint. Let’s get started on this. I’ve reached an agreement with the girl, and she’s willing to give up the item in exchange for a number of things, which I’ll tell you about in a few minutes. In the meantime, you should know that I have successfully decrypted the document,” Steven said flatly.

Luca’s heart rate spiked. “How do I know this is true? After centuries of trying…that you were successful in doing what everyone else couldn’t? No offense intended.”

“Fair question, and none taken. Let’s just say that I know where the Light is located. Is that sufficient?”

Luca played dumb. “The what?”

“The Divine Light. Are you not high enough in the power structure to know about it? Why did they send you?” Steven sounded annoyed.

“I know of it, but always thought it to be a myth. You’re saying it’s real?” Luca tried.

“According to the Scroll it is. But maybe we should just forget about it and deal with the return of the Scroll…” Steven said.

“I didn’t say we weren’t interested.” Luca’s eyes narrowed. “What are your terms? What do you want?”

“In exchange for the Scroll, both the girl and I will require new identities, with passports from a European Union country — within three days of striking any deal. We will also require a guarantee of protection for the rest of our lives. That means you will have to pay for whatever security we deem necessary, anywhere in the world. And I will require a letter, signed by the Pope, thanking me for the valuable service to the Church.”

Luca waited for more. Steven stared at him.

“That’s it?” Luca asked, incredulous.

“And twenty million dollars.”

“Ah… That’s more what I was expecting.” Luca knew it. Still, the price was laughably low.

“I’m kidding. I don’t want your money. I had no part in this, and I’m merely helping the girl return what her father came into possession of. The passports and security are to keep us safe from her father’s associates, who won’t be delighted over losing the Scroll. But I’m not interested in blackmailing you,” Steven explained. “Neither is the girl. All we both want is to be safe and to start someplace new without worrying every day.”

Luca couldn’t believe his ears. It was completely unexpected.

“I can agree to your terms. Now let’s discuss the rest.”

“Not so fast. What’s your role with the Church? How do I know you have the authority to make important decisions for it and make binding agreements with me?” Steven asked.

“My name is Diego Santiero Luca, and I am a special appointee of the Pope. I answer only to him, and I work under his authority.”

“You work directly for the Pope? And your agreement is the same as if he agreed to it? Just to be clear,” Steven said.

“That is correct. Now, let’s move to the other matter. The location of the Divine Light. What is it, anyway?” Luca asked.

“The Scroll doesn’t specify. It merely describes where it is.”

“Merely. Fine. What do you want in exchange for that?”

“First, I’ll need compensation for my decryption work, which I would argue is the best in the world, given that nobody in history has accomplished what I have. For that, and for having to give up my company and uproot my life, I want fair value of the company, which I will sell to the Church. I estimate it would realize one and a half million dollars from a motivated buyer. And the trove of rare parchments I’ll have to leave behind is worth half a million. All told, two million dollars. Which, given your reaction to my joke about twenty million, is a steal, I’d say,” Steven reasoned.

“I sense there’s more.”

“There is. I also want to lead the expedition to find the Light. With the Church making all arrangements I require, including travel facilitation under yet another passport, as well as for the girl. So two passports each, for both the girl and myself. First set for the return of the Scroll, second set for travel to find the Light.”

“I think I can do that. You don’t mind if they’re Italian and from Vatican City, do you?” Luca asked.

“Not at all. Oh, and there’s one more thing. I want to have unrestricted access to the Vatican archives for the rest of my life.”

Luca smiled. “The archives?”

“I’m an amateur cryptologist. Once you pay me, I’ll be a professional. As such, I’ll want to pore over the most obscure and rare documents in the world — which are in your archives. I won’t remove anything, but I will want to satisfy my curiosity for my remaining days. One can have money, and power, but knowledge is priceless. So I want something priceless, in return for giving the Church something priceless — the Light. And I will want that in writing, with the Pope’s signature. Irrevocable. You can have him sign it when he’s signing the other document.” Steven stopped talking.

Luca rubbed his chin and took a swallow of his soda.

“I can speak for the Church. Your conditions are acceptable. How would you suggest we proceed from here?”

“Give me an e-mail address so I can send the passport photos. I can get those to you by tonight — they’re already taken. I will also get you the names to use. I know the Church can snap its fingers and make this happen, so I’m not worried about it. On the money, I will give you an account in Lichtenstein for a wire transfer. Once you have the documents from the Pope and the passports in hand, we will do an exchange, and then I will tell you what’s required for our expedition. I’m trusting the Church to behave honorably in this, as I am acting, and I hope that faith isn’t misplaced,” Steven said.

“We’re in the faith business. So no, it isn’t misplaced. You have my word on that.”

“Good. I’ve taken the liberty of recording this discussion, should anyone on your side ever decide that the world would be a better place without me, or the girl, in it. That tape will go to every media outlet for release along with the entire story if you default or renege. Call it my own way of ensuring the faith isn’t misplaced. If you keep your bargain, you have nothing to worry about. Oh, and call off the Order. I don’t want to have to worry about them anymore. The girl’s father’s business partner is enough. Which, by the way, I could also use a hand with as part of our security. But we will touch on that once we have the passports and the money taken care of. Agreed?” Steven said.

Luca realized he had just been set up, but didn’t blame Steven. He knew that their transaction might be questioned in hindsight, and an overzealous new Pope might decide to void the deal. The recording would ensure that didn’t happen.

“We have a deal, Dr. Cross,” Luca said, offering his hand.

Steven shook it. “I never doubted we would. There’s always a way when both parties want the same thing. A win-win. Have a good trip. My associate will be returning to take his seat. Don’t get up until we arrive in Milan, and when you leave the train, take a taxi directly to the airport or, alternatively, buy a ticket back to Rome on the train. Now, give me your cell phone,” Steven instructed.

Luca fished in his jacket for it. Steven removed the battery and passed it back to Luca.

“Pleasure doing business with you. Write the e-mail account on this.” Steven handed him a train timetable and a pen. Luca thought for a few moments and then neatly printed an address.

“We’ll be seeing more of each other shortly. Safe travels.”

Steven moved down the aisle to the connecting door that led to the other cars, and Moody returned from where he’d been lingering by the bathroom. Without looking at Steven as he passed, he ordered a mineral water from the server before returning to his seat next to Luca. He glanced at the cleric and nodded, removed two ear buds from his shirt pocket and put them in place, and then activated his iPod.

Luca picked up the newspaper and returned to reading it, thinking, what a remarkable encounter.

In Milan, he opted to take the train back to Rome. It would give him time to think. He had half an hour to kill before it left, so after buying a first class ticket with some of the cash he was carrying, he went to find a cell phone store where he could get another battery.

Natalie threw her arms around Steven’s neck when he arrived at the house in the late afternoon.

“How did it go?” she asked between kisses.

“Nothing unexpected. Start picking out names. I promised I’d send them, along with the photos, by tonight.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. They agreed to everything, and we’ll be game-on within three to four days. We’ll return the Scroll, and then we’re off to find the Light.”

“Where are we going, by the way?”

“Oh, I’d imagine we’ll need to start in Israel or Jordan. I’ll have to talk with Moody about his contacts there, as well as in Palestine. But that can wait until tomorrow,” he said.

Natalie took his hand and led him to the bedroom as he removed his jacket. She turned at the threshold and helped him with his shirt.

It was a long night.