Shrouded In Silence

46





The afternoon sun drifted through the locked front window and the lacy curtains, throwing light across the Townsends' living room. Detective Alfredo Pino paced nervously back and forth across their living room. Father Don Blake sat passively in a chair across from Michelle. Pino's constant fidgeting and sighing made her nervous, but she tried not to overreact.

"Really, detective," Michelle said. "My husband will be home shortly. He only had to make a trip to the Vatican Library. We don't have any problems to fret over today."

"No problems!" Pino exclaimed. "For people who've been nearly blown to Sicily, you have no problems? If so, I don't know what a problem is!"

"Come now, Alfredo," the priest said. "There's no need to go into orbit."

"But she said he'd be back thirty minutes ago," the detective protested and pointed at Michelle. "I don't see him."

"That was a figure of speech," Michelle said. "If nothing else, the traffic can slow anybody down."

"Our friend detective Pino tends to get a little nervous on occasion," Father Blake said. "Personally, I don't think any of us are in a great hurry."

"Oh, really?" Pino barked. "I have important business elsewhere. Let's be frank. I'm going to have to get on my way if Dr. Townsend doesn't show up quickly."

"He's coming any moment," Michelle protested. "I know he's interested in talking with you."

A knock sounded from the front door.

"Let me see who's here," Michelle said and walked toward the door. She peered through the peephole. "My goodness, it's Guido Valentino." She swung the door open.

"Buonasera," Guido said. "I see you have company."

"Come in. We're waiting for Jack to return. He should be here any moment."

Guido walked in. "Ah, Father Blake. How are you?

"Fine. Yes, I'm fine. I believe you know Detective Pino?"

Guido bowed politely. "We've met several times while walking around the wreckage of the old offices after the bombing. Yes, good to see you sir."

Pino nodded politely with a hint of being put upon.

The back door of the apartment burst open. "I'm home," Jack called out through the kitchen.

"Here he is," Michelle said. "I knew Jack would be here any second."

Jack walked into the living room. "Well, to what do I owe the honor of a visit from my American chaplain and the Italian champion of justice both at the same moment?"

"We have matters to discuss," Detective Pino responded icily. "Perhaps, we should retire to a more secluded room?"

"Guido is privy to everything we're about," Jack said. "He was driving the car when the chase began that sent us running for cover in the ancient Roman ruins. Signor Pino, you can talk freely in front of Guido."

Pino looked as if he didn't appreciate the situation, but would have to accept it. Looking "put upon" seemed to be his forte.

"Jack, I can leave," Father Blake said.

"Heavens no!" Michelle said. "You were the one who got me to the hospital and have been with us all the way. You're fine, Father. Stay put."

Pino pulled out his small notebook and began writing. "OK, I am noting that we are talking with a larger group in a conversation that has been approved by the Townsends." He made quick flourishes across the page. "Please everyone sit down."

Michelle watched the men take a seat in the crowded small living room. Probably this conversation would only be routine, but she hoped Pino had come up with something new.

"We are still attempting to make sense out of the bombing and the two attempts that have been made on your lives," Pino said. "We have two strong suspects. Dr. Albert Stein is one. Then, we have the terrorist group called The Scorpion." He paused and looked at Jack. "I hate to mention it, but you suggested that the Vatican might have some involvement."

"I'm late because I've been exploring the possibilities in that accusation," Jack said. "I've been checking out the possibilities, and this morning I made inquiries. In my opinion, you can cross the Vatican off of your list.

For the first time, Alfredo Pino looked relieved. "Excellent! You are not a detective, Dr. Townsend, but I am going to accept your word on this matter. Running down that alley could have turned into a riot. Don't worry. I'm dropping the Vatican from my list immediately." He made a quick notation.

"As I was saying," Pino continued. "We've got this strange fellow named Albert Stein. Problem is he's disappeared, and we don't know where he's hiding. I say hiding because he appears to have simply vanished and that isn't natural. I'm sure he's somewhere around Rome slithering around among our 3 million people. We simply haven't been able to nail down where the man is holed up."

"Stein is one troubling entity," Jack said. "He's been on my back for a long time. Of course, he's got the financial resources to cover his tracks because his family owns the Stein Motor Company in the outskirts of Berlin."

"Stein Motors?" Pino stiffened. "You didn't tell me that earlier."

"I guess I overlooked that detail. My mind's been somewhat wobbly since the explosion." Jack massaged his forehead. "Afraid I'm still trying to get everything back in order. Since the concussion I forget things."

Pino kept scribbling. "Stein Motors should make it much easier. We'll check out that angle."

"What's your next issue?" Father Blake ask.

"We still think the terrorist group that hit the subways and the Ciampino Airport could be behind your problems," Pino continued. "As strange as it sounds, they seem to hate Americans enough to blow up your offices. If they're instigators in this chaos, they probably won't quit until they've hit you hard again. Trouble is that we're still running down their identity."

Father Blake gave Jack a telling glance.

"Exactly what does that mean, Signor Pino?" Michelle asked.

"You're far from off the hook," the detective said. "We keep your apartment and the church under surveillance and will continue to do so. However, that doesn't mean these people have retreated one inch. They are a vicious group of hatchet men. We don't how large their group is, but they could be many men."

"I think we've got that picture," Jack said. "We still have the weapons that Father Blake gave us, and the guns offer some assurance."

"They're also fine Christian people," the priest quickly added. "The Townsends depend on the hand of Almighty Providence to hover above them. God is the true source of their strength, but a little help on the side doesn't hurt anything."

Alfredo Pino didn't say anything, but gave them an askance look.

"I can assure you that we've done nothing to attract these attacks," Michelle said. "We're keeping our heads down for sure."

"We've been over this before," Pino said. "My strongest advice remains to continue on that secluded path. You have my card. If anything comes up pertaining to these attacks or attackers, please call me at once."

"We will," Michelle said.

"I'll be going now." The detective closed his notebook. "My best to all. I can let myself out." With a slam of the door, he was gone.

"Alfredo is interesting," Father Blake said. "But I think he watched one too many American detective movies. When he gets nervous, it generally is a sign that he's not sure where the train is going. I think this latest attack at the airport really flipped Pino and his men. Everybody from the army to the prime minister is in a tizzy over that one." He picked up his hat. "I'll be going too. Don't worry, my friends. Everybody's hard at work on this situation."

Michelle opened the front door. "Thanks for coming. Keep us in your prayers."

"Keep those guns close at hand." Don Blake smiled, nodded, and was gone.

Michelle listened to his footsteps disappearing down the stairs and then shut the door.

"Everyone seems to be interested in us this morning," Jack said. "Not exactly the notoriety that I was hoping for. I liked that first article by Mario Corsini in the Il Messaggero much better. I think the reason for Pino's visit was to pick up any clues he might have missed earlier. Apparently, my tidbit about Stein Motors pressed one of his button. We'll see."

Michelle sat down. "Guys, what's our next step?"

"I came this morning because I strongly believe we must keep moving," Guido said. "Matters are coming to a head. If anybody has been getting inside information on your work, they already know of my involvement. I believe we must move and act quickly. I would suggest that we finish the job tonight."

"Tonight?" Michelle exclaimed. "You're serious?"

"I am. Jack's clarified where the Vatican is so we can discount men in clerical collars with machine guns. That's important because of where I want to take you. In my opinion, I believe we ought to move immediately."

Jack grinned. "I can't possibly tell you how ready I am to go, but we've got the problem of police surrounding this building. They'll see us coming out."

"That's why I think we need to move at night," Guido said. "Once the cover of darkness falls, we'll be able to travel easier and shake off surveillance. This time I won't pull up in the alley. We're going to take a different route."