The Spear of Destiny

Chapter SIX



ROME, ITALY



Peter Dennis, Natalie, Jim Hutchinson and Inspector Thomas Bauer all cleared customs at the Leonardo Da Vinci airport and walked out into a mild, October, Italian sunshine. A Carabinieri, Italian police mini-bus was waiting in a bay that displayed a sign saying strictly no parking and a picture of a car being towed. Two uniformed police officers standing guard outside the bus. As the group approached the mini-bus Bauer took out his I.D and the front passenger door opened and a man in plain clothes stepped out to greet them.

“I suspect this is my opposite number in the Vatican police,” Bauer said.

“Good morning,” the plain clothed man spoke in perfect English, “I am Inspector Cesare De Luca of the Corpo della Gendarmeria dello stato della citta del Vaticano or, for your ease, of the Vatican police and of Interpol. We are concerned with security, public order, traffic control, border control, general police duties and criminal investigation.”

“Thank you Inspector. I am Thomas Bauer inspector of the Austrian police and Interpol. This is Mr Hutchinson, director of the Oceanic Archaeology Institute, his assistant and head archaeologist Miss Natalie Feltham and finally journalist Mr Peter Dennis.”

They each shook hands with the Italian inspector.

“Welcome to Rome!” De Luca said flashing his strong white teeth. He gestured towards the mini-bus.

“Do you ever get to guard the Pope?” Hutchinson asked.

“Sometimes,” De Luca replied smiling again. He opened the side door of the mini-bus and offered his hand to Natalie to help her inside the vehicle. She took the hand and thanked him, Dennis following closely behind.

De Luca proceeded to the front of the mini-bus and shouted instructions to his two men who got into the front seats, one behind the steering wheel. Dennis leaned close to Natalie who was watching the Italian police inspector through the windscreen.

“You fancy him don’t you?”

“Not really. Though he is very charming.”

“Charming?”

“Yes, you know, in that Meditteranean way.”

“Smarmy more like.”

“What is it about foreign men that winds you up so much?”

“It’s foreign barmen that wind me up the most,” then he leaned in close to her pushing her against the window.

“Ooh Natalie, you so beautiful. You are my heart. I love you as much as I love me. You cannot live without me. I am your world,” he joked in a corny foreign accent. He leaned over even further and pouted his lips to kiss her on the cheek. She put her hand on his face and pushed him away.

“Get off me!” she said irritated.

Hutchinson climbed in and caught the tail end of Dennis’ larking about.

“What are you two doing?”

“He’s acting the pratt as usual.”

Bauer climbed into the mini-bus and last came De Luca. He pulled the door to behind him and the mini-bus was started.

“Our journey will take approximately thirty to forty minutes. We are heading straight for Vatican city. We have many things to run through regarding the case and I have set up a command centre at the headquarters of the Vatican police. As there are only 130 officers in the Vatican police I’m sure you’ll appreciate every effort we are making and I have assigned as many officers as I can afford to the case. My opposite number in the Carabinieri is offering as much assistance as is required hence why we are travelling in a Carabinieri mini-bus. These officers from the national police do not know the nature of our case and will only follow basic instructions so please be careful as to what information you divulge to them. Does everyone understand?”

They all nodded.

“As to locating our targets. All airports and ports are on full alert We know who we’re looking for and they are all to be granted access without any fuss. The moment one of the suspects passports is used I will be the first to know.”

“Did you say they will be allowed full access? To Rome do you mean?” Hutchinson asked.

“Yes. We aim to catch them. We have routine border patrols set up. It is merely a precaution. The main purpose is to place a stamp in their passports which once acquired means that individuals are subject to Italian law. This should not cause concern for the men we are looking for. It will be merely a hindrance to them but they won’t suspect a thing.”

“You do realise that these people are extremely dangerous don’t you?” Dennis said, “They will definitely be armed and are not afraid to use their weapons. They’ve taken myself and Natalie hostage in the past and have killed security personnel both in London and Vienna.”

“Yes Mr Dennis everything is quite under control. The Vatican is the head of the Episcopal jurisdiction of the Roman catholic church. We take the threat of terrorism extremely seriously. We will catch these individuals responsible for the attacks in London and Vienna and any attacks they have planned for my city.”



Thirty minutes later and the mini-bus screeched to a stop outside the police headquarters in Vatican city. De Luca opened the passenger door and jumped out turning for Natalie’s hand. She smiled as she stepped out and Dennis came out next with a frown on his face. Hutchinson stepped out, greatly impressed by the two pike men guarding the entrance to the police station dressed in the traditional uniforms of red, blue and orange.

“Fantastic,” he said causing the others to look around.

“What is fantastic Mr Hutchinson?” Bauer asked.

“The Swiss guardsmen.”

“Oh I see.”

De Luca gave orders for the two policemen to wait for him then turned to Hutchinson.

“The Swiss guard have been the body guards of the Pontiff since the 16 century. These are of course traditional uniforms. You will see men in suits. They are also members of the Swiss guard.”

“Their uniforms are magnificent. Where do I sign up,” Hutchinson said, joking.

“I’m afraid to join the Swiss guard you must be a single male of Swiss citizenship, have completed basic training with the Swiss military, have a professional degree and be between 19 and 30 years old. Oh, and of course you must also be a Catholic.”

Hutchinson let his disappointment show.

“I do have a professional degree and I am a Catholic,” he said.

Dennis tapped him on the shoulder.

“You’re just 40 years too old my friend,” he said to the others laughter.

The two guards men saluted as they walked past.

Inside the main building it resembled more of a police station. Officers in suits were on telephones or computers. One, turned and smiled at Natalie in friendly fashion while he used a photocopier. De Luca took them up a flight of steps and through a door and stopped outside another office.

“This is the commandant of the Swiss guard, Colonel Martin Sonnenburg. You may call him Colonel or commandant. Do not call him by his name.”

De Luca knocked on the door and entered the room. The commandant was a tall man in a police uniform with three gold stars on his shoulders. He turned from a bulletin wall he was looking at and fixed a large smile and sprang forward to shake hands with everyone.

“Colonel may I present Miss Natalie Feltham, Mr Peter Dennis and Mr Jim Hutchinson.”

“Welcome. Welcome.” he said, “I was the chief of police in my native home city and I am a Captain in the Swiss army. I am the current commandant of the Pontifical Swiss guard appointed personally by his holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Can I get you all coffee?”

Sonnenburg picked up his telephone receiver and spoke quickly into it in Italian. Dennis caught the word ’Caffe’ and nothing else. There weren’t enough chairs in the office and as Hutchinson was about to ask if they could sit Sonnenburg picked up a blackboard pointer and turned to the board he was previously scrutinising.

“This is all the information we have at this time,” he began.

At the top of the board was a photograph of Von Werner, before his injuries. Next to it was a copy of the photograph Bauer had shown Dennis of von Werner’s scarred face in the range rover. Next to the photographs was written in black permanent marker his name, date of birth, country of residence, home address. Current whereabouts stated ‘unknown’

“If you know his home address why hasn’t he been arrested?” Hutchinson asked.

“He lives in a castle in Germany. Because he has not committed any crimes in his native country the German polizei will not arrest him without a warrant. This is being dealt with by the European court of justice in Luxembourg. Unfortunately its rulings can take months and we have to follow the procedures,” Bauer answered.

“This is why I want these individuals here in Italy,” De Luca added, “once here under Italian law I can arrest them.”

Dennis was studying the information on Von Werner.

“Von Werner is tall,” Dennis said to Sonnenburg.

“Tall?”

“Yes. I’ve been up close to him, very close. He is about 6ft 3in or 6ft 4in.”

Sonnenburg grabbed a permanent marker and wrote the word height.

“What would that be in metres?” he asked.

“Just under two,” Dennis said helpfully.

“Is there anything else about him you can think of?”

They all looked blankly at the photographs of the German count.

“If at any time any of you remember anything of relevance do not hesitate to say. Now we don’t know much on his associates. He employs a small private army. Mercenaries. Mainly of eastern European origin.”

There was a photograph of Sergei Danilov, underneath was written ‘deceased’

“He was on the American F.B.I’s most wanted list. We believe that he is dead.”

“He is,” Dennis added.

Sonnenburg turned to look at the journalist.

“You know of him?”

“I killed him.”

Sonnenburg stared at Dennis long and hard.

“Call it self defence.”

Sonnenburg turned back to look at Bauer.

“Mr Dennis has told me that he knows his way around firearms. Some training with the British army I believe….”

Dennis nodded.

“I have assured Mr Dennis that any measures he takes in assisting us will not lead to any prosecution. I have that from the director of Interpol personally.”

Sonnenburg nodded.

“Good to have you with us Mr Dennis.”

Dennis wasn’t sure if there was a hint of sarcasm.

“These other men,” Sonnenburg continued, tapping photographs, are all behind bars. Some of them in North Africa. Some are awaiting extradition to the United states of America.”

“Really?” Hutchinson said, “Why is my country getting involved?”

“Four of the men on this board are wanted in connection with atrocities against American forces in Iraq,” Bauer interjected, “This is why Von Werner employs them. They are military trained. He can provide them with money and a new identity. A chance they wouldn’t get elsewhere.”

“Then why aren’t the Americans leading this hunt?”

“Believe me Mr Hutchinson they want to. Luckily for us the European court of human rights does not force us to disclose personal data on these individuals. Therefore as much as the Americans ask the data protection act means that we don’t have to tell.”

Hutchinson was irked by this.

“You should let the Americans deal with it. Why they’d have had the whole case sewn up by now.”

“There is no need to be offended Mr Hutchinson. We are quite capable of dealing with this situation here. As it’s been said twice already, once these men pass over our borders they will be subject to Italian law.”

“Why are the Swiss guard and the Vatican involved?” Natalie asked, “I mean why not just Interpol. I thought you only guarded the Pope.”

“My dear Miss….”

“Feltham.”

“We have been alerted to the potential threat towards one of the holy churches of Rome Miss Feltham. In fact one of the very holiest churches of Rome. One built on Christ’s very blood. An attack on a Roman catholic church is the same as an attack on the holy father himself.”

Dennis was studying the photographs of the Roman re-enactors. On its own on the board was a silhouette of a man’s head.

“What’s this supposed to be?

“That is Von Werner’s new number one. We have absolutely no idea who he is but he does exist.”

“Danilov’s replacement no doubt,” Dennis said, “Have you considered that he is probably the Centurion who took the spear.”

Sonnenburg looked at the grainy, still images of the Centurion taken from the CCTV at the British museum.

“He personally passed the spear to Von werner in the range rover didn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have the footage of the Roman’s arrival?” Natalie asked.

Sonnenburg pressed play on his dvd player. They all watched the large tv screen. The playback was paused and he picked up the remote control.

“This clip is from a news reel,” he said pushing play.

Dennis recognised the reporter’s face.

“Oh Kim Nguyen,” he said as the reporter began speaking.

Natalie punched him on the arm. He smiled at her but all she did was raise her eyebrows at him. He nodded towards the tv as the camera panned around for the approaching legionaries.

“Can you stop it and run it back,” Natalie said.

Sonnenburg pressed chapter search and took it back by one. The clip started again. The camera panned aound.

“Just as I thought,” Natalie said, “Roman legionaries marched by leading off with their left foot. Any re-enactor would have known that. These men are marching on their right feet,” Natalie looked at Sonnenburg and then at Bauer, “These men,” she pointed at the screen, “Are military trained.”

“Great,” Hutchinson said, “A private army on the streets of London. What are we up against?”

“Well there is nothing any of us can do until we know that they’re in Italy,” Dennis added.

“This is true.”

Sonnenburg answered the knock at the door. The coffee arrived. Behind the bearer was another man carrying a leather attache case bearing the papal seal symbol in gold.

“Help yourselves to coffee,” the Swiss guard commander gestured towards the steaming pot. The other man opened the attache case and then left the room. Sonnenburg took out I-phones, one at a time, and placed them on his desk equidistant apart. There were five in total. Once empty he closed the case and placed it upright on the floor by the side of his desk. He then picked up an I-phone from left to right and began handing them out.

“What’s this?” Hutchinson studied the phone he’d been given. Dennis turned his over. On the reverse of the case was also the papal seal in gold.

“Official Vatican phones?” Dennis asked.

“These I-phones,” Sonnenburg began, “Are the property of the Swiss guard. I want you to each keep these with you at all times,” he handed the last one to Bauer, “Even take them into the bathroom with you. Do not let them out of your sight. There is only one number entered into these devices and that number is me. I want you to telephone me the moment anything out of the ordinary occurs. No matter how trivial it may seem at the time. Are you all familiar on how to use them? Good. You cannot access anything else on these phones so please continue to use your own if you need to contact each other.”

Sonnenburg pressed call on his own mobile phone and the one Natalie was holding began ringing.

“This is the pre-set ringtone….”

He let it ring until he was sure everyone would recognise it.

“Are there any questions? No. Good. If there is a problem and you feel that you are threatened or in danger the emergency number for the police is 112. If you want the Carabinieri, they speak more English than the regular Polizia then it is 113. But this is only for an extreme emergency. I want you to only liase with me at all times. Are there any questions?”

Sonnenburg looked from face to face. Nobody moved.

“Very well. Now assuming that none of you are too tired I have arranged for inspector De Luca’s men to take you to the church of the holy cross in Jerusalem, The Santa Croce en Gerusalemme, where a tour guide awaits you. He is one of the best guides in Roma so please make good use of his services. He is not cheap. After you have finished De Luca’s men will take you to your hotel. You are staying near the Termini train station. It is not the best part of Rome but convenient for you to acquaint yourselves with the city. Once again lady and gentlemen thank you for your help. Enjoy our city.”



The mini-bus was still waiting for them when they got outside. It was the same two police officers. They were both smoking and threw their cigarette butts down and stood on them. De Luca shouted at them in Italian and one of them looking sheepish bent down to pick them up.

“This is the Vatican,” De Luca said to Natalie after he saw her obvious look of disgust. She hated smoking and smokers but reminded herself that most men in the Meditteranean smoked cigarettes.

“Where exactly is this church we are going to?” Jim Hutchinson asked climbing into the mini-bus. De Luca got in last climbing into the third seat in the front. He unfolded a map and taking out his pen he drew a large circle on it and passed it back to Bauer. Bauer passed the map on to Hutchinson.

“Oh I see. Piazza Santa Croce in Gerusalemme,” he said, “Where is Vatican city?”

Dennis leaned over and pointed on the map for him.

“Citta Del Vaticano,” Hutchinson said, “So we are here,” he placed his forefinger on St Peter’s square, “And the church is the other side of Rome. How far is that?”

Dennis looked at the map again.

“It’s at least three miles.”

Hutchinson traced his finger in a direct line from St Peter’s to the holy cross church.

“Ancient Rome is between the two points,” he said, “Look the Colosseum is there. What does that mean ’Palatino’? he asked.

“Palatine hill,” Dennis said helpfully, “I must say Jim for someone who is an archaeologist you don’t know much about ancient Rome.”

“My expertise is in Egyptology,” Hutchinson replied, not offended. “Inspector,” he said to De Luca, “Until we are called to help what is there for us to do?”

“Commander Sonnenburg wants you to see the church with the holy relics. You will be needed if and when any of our suspects enter Italy. Until then you are free to do as you wish.”



The Carabinieri mini-bus pulled up as close as it could to the entrance of the church of the holy cross of Jerusalem in Rome. There were a few tourists milling about on the entrance steps and many turned in alarm at the sudden arrival of the police bus. One man, at the top of the steps holding an umbrella, was watching keenly. He descended the steps quickly as the occupants of the bus climbed out.

Natalie looked around appreciatively at the neat footpaths and shrubs that fronted the church.

“It’s very pretty,” she said to Dennis who nodded his approval.

“Good afternoon. Good afternoon,” the man with the umbrella shook hands vigorously with everyone. He removed his Fedora to reveal a brown, bald head. Dennis also noticed the man had eyes that appeared to bulge out of his face.

“I am Luigi Alberto. Pronounced Al-bare-toe,” he said helpfully, “I am to be your guide for this afternoon,” he turned and gestured to the baroque styled front of the church, “Welcome to the church of the holy cross.”

“Grazi,” De Luca said introducing the others to the guide.

“Pleasure. Pleasure. Pleasure,” Alberto said with a huge beaming smile.

“He’s a colourful character,” Natalie said.

“Quite the natty dresser,” Dennis replied taking in the three piece suit, khaki rain coat and despite the warm afternoon sun the silk scarf Alberto was wearing around his neck.

“We are about to go inside the church,” the guide started, “The current Cardinal priest in charge of the church is Miloslav Vlk from Bohemia. He has been in charge since 1994. He has very kindly given us permission to access certain areas to the church which are currently off limits to other visitors and tourists. So once inside we need to be very respectful and so please do not ,anyone, take photographs. There are a very limited number of leaflets and booklets, one of which is in English, on the church and its history. If anyone would like one after the tour they do accept a small donation for them.”

Hutchinson reached into his back pocket and took his wallet out.

“I’ll take one. Does anyone else want one?”

Alberto put his hand on Hutchinson’s arm.

“At the end sir. For now you don’t need one. You have something much better. You have me.”

This brought a chuckle from the group in front of him.

“The church is one of the seven pilgrim churches of Rome. These are visited by pilgrims in order to gain indulgences. Four of the churches have basilicas. They are St Peter’s of course, San Giovanni in Laterano, San Paolo Fuori Le Mura and Santa Maria Maggiore. The other three churches are San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura, Satuario Della Madonna Del Divino Amore and this one. Satuario Della Madonna Del Divino Amore was added by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000. It replaced the church of San Sebastiano Fuori Le Mura.”

“What do you mean by indulgences?” Dennis asked.

“Indulgences are in catholic theology. They are remissions for sins commited. They are granted by the catholic church only after a sinner has confessed and been given absolution.”

“Oh I see. Well there’s hope for me yet.”

“I beg your pardon.”

“Oh nothing. Sorry. Just an English joke.”

Alberto’s face split into a huge grin.

“You English are very good at humour. Yes?”

“Very,” Dennis replied.

“The church was built surrounding part of the imperial palace of St Helena which she converted to a place of worship around the year 320AD. She was the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine who became the great. In 325AD the church was converted to a basilica and the floor was covered with soil from Jeruslaem. This is why the church has the name Holy cross in Jerusalem even though we are standing in Rome. From the outside the church doesn’t appear to be old. The bell tower was added in the twelfth century when the church was renovated by pope Lucius II. He also added a nave, a porch and gave the church two aisles. Santa Croce was again renovated in the sixteenth century and its appearance today comes from the Cardinal priest Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini who was the head of the church before becoming pope Benedict XIV. He connected Santa Croce to two others with new roads. The current façade was designed by Domenico Gregorini and Pietro Passalacqua. For 500 years there has been a monastery adjoining the church. Then earlier this year, in May 2011 an internal inspection, an inquiry, discovered that years of….how do you say?… problems….”

Some of the group nodded.

“After years of problems both financial irregularities and also behaviour unbefitting of a monk pope Benedict closed the monastery down. Now shall we go in?” he said turning and climbing the steps quickly. He used his umbrella as a walking stick and its metal tip click - clacked as he set off at a fast pace. At the entrance to the church he stopped for them.

Natalie and Dennis were the first to join him at the top of the steps.

“What behaviour?” Natalie asked.

“Excuse me?”

“What behaviour was unbefitting of a monk?” Dennis asked.

“There were reports of a nun who was pole dancing to entertain the monks.”

“No!” Natalie was shocked.

“What was her name?” Dennis asked.

“I’m not going to say. I’m sorry,” Alberto answered. He turned his attention to the others ascending the steps. Clearly not wanting to talk about it.

“Oh go on. What was her name?”

“Mr Dennis I am a deeply religious man. This is of immense embarrassment to the church, to the Roman catholic church. I do not wish to discuss it. If you are that interested and I suppose you journalists always like to get your story google the monastery and her name will be there along with the scandal.”

Dennis was going to reach into his jeans pocket for his phone but decided to leave it until later.

“No. It’s um! It’s not that important. I hope I have not offended you.”

“Not at all.”

The others got to the top of the steps.

“I would ask you to all put your cell phones on silent or turn them off. It will be quiet inside. Despite the importance of the church it gets very few visitors.”

“Has it always received few visitors?”

“No doubt Mr Hutchinson that in history its visitor numbers were many more. Helena had this holy place built for pilgrims who were unable to travel to Jerusalem. It is important to remember that the church did not take the name ’Holy cross’ until the middle ages. Now if we are all ready.”

He turned and stepped inside.

The church was brightly lit and they all stood and marvelled at the nave in front of the altar at the far end of the church.

“The style of building over the altar is eighteenth century baroque. The eight granite coloumns supporting the roof are the original ones from the fourth century. The flooring and frescoes are twelfth century. Underneath the altar is an urn which contains the relics of the saints Anastasius and Caesarius.”

Alberto gave them a minute to absorb the sights and sounds. Priests were going about their business in silence. One was lighting candles. Another was tidying a table containing leaflets and postcards. A few people were seated and praying. There were a few foreign tourists, English speaking, who were talking and giggling. One girl of the group was receiving text messages on her phone while two other girls crowded around her. Alberto frowned at them and was tempted to say something but it was Hutchinson who went over to them and said.

“Show a little respect.”

The girl quickly put her phone away and the three looked at each other and giggled again. Hutchinson rejoined his group.

“Bloody kids.”

“If we make our way downstairs to the right of the high altar,” Alberto said leading the way. At the bottom of the steps he stopped once again to let them catch up.

“This is the chapel to St Helena. This and the two rooms off to the side are part of the original palace owned and used by Saint Helena herself. We are two metres below the current building. This Roman statue is of Saint Helena holding the true cross of Christ. This glass covering on the floor is protecting the soil brought from Jerusalem. The papers and envelopes that you can see underneath the glass are prayers from pilgrims. The mosaics on the ceiling were originally done in the fifth century during the reign of the Roman emperor Valentinian II. They were re-done in the fifteenth century. In the second room of the chapel there is a fourth century statue with the inscription to St Helena on it. The room opposite this one is the Gregorian chapel which was built between 1495 and 1520. It is an exact copy, a mirror image of the St Helena chapel.”

Alberto led them through to it.

“In the silver frame there are over two hundred relics.”

Knowing that they would want time to examine the artefacts Alberto continued.

“I will wait for you upstairs.”

It wasn’t long before they rejoined him.

“I must say,” Hutchinson was very impressed, “You give one hell of a tour.”

“We have saved the best for last,” Alberto replied, “In a moment I’d like you to all follow me upstairs but before we do this shrine at the bottom of the stairs is for a young girl aged seven called Antonietta Meo, also known as Nennolina.”

“What happened to her?” Natalie asked.

“She had bone cancer at the age of six which resulted in her having to be….I don’t know the English,” Alberto mimed a cut across the top of his thigh.

“Amputated,” Hutchinson said.

“Yes. She wrote letters to Jesus Christ telling him of her suffering. Since her death there has been one miracle which was attributed to her. She was buried in the graveyard and her remains were moved inside in 1999. She is currently on the Vatican’s shortlist to become a saint.”

“Why this church?” Dennis asked.

“She was baptised here as a baby. This was her church.”

“That is such a sad story,” Natalie said. She reached out and touched the shrine. Her lips moving in silent prayer for the child.

“I will now show you the chapel of the holy relics.”

Alberto led the way upstairs and into a small room. The others filed in silently and spread themselves out. There were two other tourists in this room and they were hastily trying to hide a small Nikon camera, caught in the act of taking photographs. Alberto frowned at them and they quickly left.

“I thought that was kept in Turin,” Hutchinson said.

“Oh it is Mr Hutchinson. This is an exact copy.”

“What is it?” Dennis asked, looking at the large piece of stained cloth through the protective glass.

“It is an exact replica of the shroud of Turin.”

“The what?”

“The shroud of Turin,” Hutchinson said, “It is said to be the very linen that Christ’s body was wrapped in. Scholars have argued for centuries about its authenticity.”

“It looks medieval,” Dennis said.

“It is a work of art,” Hutchinson defended the piece.

“Art? I think it’s disgusting,” Dennis said, “and probably a fake. Just my opinion,” he said when he saw Alberto’s expression.

“But of course,” the guide replied.

Alberto led them into the final room. This room was brightly lit, the floor and walls white marble. At the far end were four black marble, square coloumns supporting a large roof, atop of which was a simple gold cross. Behind this, at the far end of the room was a glass case surrounded by brown marble.

“It’s beautiful,” Natalie said.

“This is the chapel of the holy relics,” Alberto said, leading them up to the glass.

“If you look to the left you can see a fragment of the good thiefs cross, the largest in the world. Now to the glass case.”

The shelves were filled with a variety of gold and silver ornaments, intricately decorated with adorning crosses.

“On the top shelf is the bone of an index finger said to belong to St Thomas. This reliquary with the cross on top of it contains very small pieces of Christ’s crib and pieces of his sepulchre, his tomb and also pieces of the scourging pillar where he was whipped by the Romans.”

At these words Hutchinson felt goose pimples rise on his forearms. He rubbed at them.

“My God,” was all he said.

“Also on this shelf you can see two thorns from the crown that was placed on Christ’s head. On the next shelf down you can see, once again the reliquary with the cross on top, this contains the three pieces of the true cross once found by St Helena. On the bottom shelf is a nail used in the crucifixion. However and I must warn you now, that only three nails were used in a crucifixion and around the world there are far more than three nails claimed to be original. It doesn’t help of course that some Popes throughout history made copies of these nails and distributed them around Christendom. Finally on the bottom shelf you can see what is known as the Titulus Crucis or title of the cross. This was discovered here in the church in 1492. The same year as Colombus. This is a piece of wood written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. Legend has it that this piece was personally written by Pontius Pilate the Roman governor of Judaea at the time of Christ’s crucifixion. For many years it has been thought to be a forgery from the medieval period. However new evidence suggests that the inscriptions were written from right to left and not left to right as would be the case with a medieval translator. In the 19 century this relic was further proved by the discovery of a travel journal belonging to the Spanish pilgrim Egeria, a lady who had visited the holy land in the 4 century and recorded that she’d seen this relic in Jerusalem.”

“Wow! That is amazing,” Hutchinson said, “So much history,” he could feel his goosebumps returning.

“Yes history is my passion,” Alberto said, “I am in love with history. I am extremely fortunate to have been born in such a city where I tread in the footsteps of some of the most famous people who have ever lived.”

“That you are,” the American replied.

“And now lady and gentlemen that concludes our tour of the Santa Croce en Gerusalemme in Rome. I will wait for you all outside to give you free time here in the church. On your way down the stairs look for the brick in the wall with the inscription ‘Titulus Crucis’ which I noticed none of you saw on the way up.”

They weren’t very long in meeting Alberto outside.

“That was a wonderful tour,” Natalie said.

Hutchinson came forward and shook Alberto’s hand.

“Truly fantastic,” the American said, “If it’s not too personal a question may I ask how you are paid.”

“I do a lot of work for Citalia holidays. This particular tour was, I believe, paid for by the Vatican.”

“Oh I see. Are you allowed to accept tips?”

Alberto gave his best smile. Jim pressed a twenty euro note into the Italian’s hand.

“And did the Vatican tell you why we needed a guided tour?” Bauer asked. It was the first thing he’d said since arriving at the church.

“No. Just that i was to give a private tour.”

“Do you also give personal tours?” Hutchinson asked.

“Yes of course. Though my fees are expensive.”

“Would you be able to give us a tour tomorrow. Myself, Miss Feltham, Mr Dennis….” Jim waited for their re-action.

“Yeah I wouldn’t mind Jim,” Dennis answered. Natalie nodded. “Sounds good.”

“Inspector Bauer?”

“No thank you. I have reports to make tomorrow.”

“Just the three of us then. That’s if you can manage tomorrow?”

“What do you want to see?”

“Oh uh! I don’t know. Ancient Rome, the Vatican.”

“My fees are three hundred euros per day.”

“That’s only a hundred each,” Dennis said quietly and sarcastically.

“Ignore him.”

“That is my fee.”

“That sounds most satisfactory. I could pay you up front.”

Alberto’s beaming smile returned.

“Pay me tomorrow. I would be delighted to show you around my beautiful city.”

“Thank you so much. Would you like us to come to you?”

Alberto reached into his jacket pocket, took out a map of Rome and placed a cross on it with his pen.

“This is the arch of Titus in ancient Rome. I will be there at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning. I’ll look forward to seeing you all then.”

Alberto shook hands with them all again and then went to a Fiat 500 and drove away.

“What a thoroughly interesting man,” Hutchinson said.

De Luca signalled to his men by the mini-bus. They jumped into action and soon brought the mini-bus over.

“Now lady and gentlemen if you are ready it’s time to show you to your hotel.”