The Source - Michael Cordy [46]
The horror on the pope's face was almost comical but Torino didn't laugh. 'So what do you suggest we do?' demanded the pontiff.
'We turn the threat into an opportunity. We find the garden first and control it.'
'How?'
Torino had considered every option: from kidnapping the nun to stealing the book to threatening Ross Kelly. But he couldn't tell the pope any of this. So he lied: 'My scholars have managed to translate most of the final section of the manuscript. It gives directions to the garden and, with your blessing, I intend to seek it myself.'
'But you have duties.'
'None greater than this. I will set aside two months. No more. I have already arranged for Father Xavier Alonso to fulfil my responsibilities in that time.'
'You intend to race the geologist to the garden?'
'Yes.'
'Let's say you find it,' said Vasari. 'What do we do with it?'
Torino reached into his box file and pulled out three copies of the same document. He handed one to each man and kept the last for himself. 'These are a list of options, depending on what is found.' He smiled as he watched them read the bullet points. Their fear had been replaced with excitement. 'As you can see, the opportunities are limitless. So long as we manage everything carefully.'
The pope's pale eyes locked on to Torino's. 'I demand only one thing, Father General. Regardless of what you find, I as the Holy Father must see and hear nothing that contravenes doctrine. Doctrine must be sacrosanct. I must not be put in a position where I have to deny anything. Papal infallibility cannot be compromised. You understand?'
'Perfectly. I assure you that if the garden exists it will bring only glory to you and the Holy Mother Church.'
The pope nodded slowly. 'Good. How do we control this place? Surely, it will belong to whichever government owns the land.'
Torino smiled. 'The Cardinal Prefect has already supplied an excellent solution to that.'
Vasari raised an eyebrow. 'I have?'
'Yes. Your brilliant plan to bolster our presence in the world by founding a second Vatican state in the southern hemisphere.'
Vasari understood immediately. 'You can claim to be searching for the ideal location to build the Vatican of the New World. Even if Falcon's garden doesn't exist and you find nothing, the Church won't suffer. We've nothing to lose.'
'And everything to gain,' said the pope, slowly. 'If you do find something we can incorporate it into the new Vatican and legally claim it as our own.' Torino remained silent, letting them own the plan. The pope turned to Vasari, who shrugged and gave an almost imperceptible nod. Then the pontiff levelled his unblinking gaze on Torino. 'Take whoever and whatever you need. Do whatever's necessary, but keep us briefed. And be careful, Father General.'
'I understand, Your Holiness.'
'Go then,' said the Holy Father. 'Do God's work.'
26
Cajamarca, the next day
Ross, Zeb and Sister Chantal spent the night in the Hotel El Ingenio, the best in Cajamarca. Since they would soon be roughing it in the jungle Ross had decided they should enjoy the comforts of civilization while they could. After a surprisingly good night's sleep, he showered and dressed in jeans, T-shirt and a light fleece: the morning temperature was cool but forecast to hit the low seventies, with humidity in the eighties. After breakfast, he and the others walked into the town centre in search of a guide.
They didn't have to look far. Outside the hotel they were approached by a man sharpening a huge knife on a leather belt. 'You want guide? My name is Chico,' he informed them proudly, grinning and exposing toothless gums. Before Ross or the others could reply, Chico was tapping his razor-sharp knife on Ross's shoulder and reassuring him he could take them anywhere so long as they put down a deposit of ten thousand US