"Nephilim - 03 - The Revealing" - читать интересную книгу автора (Marzulli L A)

"Let me see," Jerry said.
Nora opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue, showing him that she had swallowed the pill.
He watched her until the candle burned down almost an inch. Then he gently pushed her down into her bed of papers and pulled the blankets over her. He went to his bed and lay there wondering what he was going to do with this crazy woman, until the effects of the speed began to lessen and he went to sleep.




8


Art MacKenzie followed a line of people of diverse nationalities through the boarding tube to the terminal gate in the Rome International Airport. Although he was travel weary, he looked forward to seeing the man whom he considered his spiritual mentor and friend, Johanen.
MacKenzie searched the crowd. What a zoo, he thought, as he heard half a dozen languages being spoken within earshot. A turbaned Pakistani with a bushy beard and a cell phone glued to his ear hurried by. A Moslem mother, her abaya concealing her body except for an opening revealing her wary eyes, led her children through the throng of people. An American couple, perhaps on their honeymoon, were discussing the star of Bethlehem. "I saw it on CNN," the petite newlywed said. "It was freaky-looking."
Her husband shook his head. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I thought it looked like something out of the X-Files, appearing out of nowhere, and then vanishing."
"The news said it wasn't a comet, and besides, the . . ." The last part of her sentence was lost as the couple moved out of earshot.
Mac fought the urge to comment. After all, he had been there, in Yemen. He had seen the Bethlehem star and knew what it was . . . a false sign from the Enemy, sent to deceive the nations of earth into believing that extraterrestrials were somehow linked to the birth of Jesus. Even though Johanen and he had destroyed the bogus tomb of Jesus and interrupted the broadcast that was supposed to reveal to a select cadre of people the extraterrestrial presence, the sign had been picked up by the Arab news agency Al Jazeera. It then found its way to England, via satellite, and finally, to the American mainstream press, who had a field day with it. The pundits on CNN, Fox News, and the major networks all had commentary and theories on what it might have been. Mac realized that the deception had begun. His mind flashed back to Yemen, and he involuntarily shuddered.
Do I stay here and wait? Mac wondered, as he carried his small bag, made his way to a concrete column, and leaned against it.
He looked down the main corridor crowded with people, but what drew his attention was a group of Roman Catholic clergy. They were hurrying en masse toward him, and as they passed he heard them talking in grave tones. He overheard "His Holiness" several times and wondered what to make of it.
He felt a tap on his shoulder that startled him.
"Welcome to Rome, MacKenzie," the familiar voice of Johanen greeted him.
"Johanen," Mac gasped, and the realization of who he was standing in front of pressed in on him. The beloved disciple, John the apostle, is here at Rome International Airport, and he greets me like an old school chum.
Johanen reached out and, grabbing Mac's shoulder, said, "Good to see you, MacKenzie."
He then pointed to the cluster of clergy, who were distancing themselves from them. He leaned close and whispered, "The pope is on his deathbed. He's not expected to live through the night. The media doesn't know."
Mac whistled between his teeth.
"Something else, MacKenzie. Cardinal Fiorre, a very dear friend whom I have known for years, was found dead in his house a few days ago. At first it appeared to be a stroke, but his protege, Father Thomas, and I believe he was murdered. The manuscript that Fiorre had labored on for years has been stolen. Father Thomas informed me that a copy was sent to me, but I never got it. I believe Stephan intercepted it and destroyed it, or allowed it to fall into the wrong hands. By the way, Stephan committed suicide ... hung himself in his jail cell."
"Did you have a chance to talk to him before he ... ?"
Johanen shook his head. "No, I did not." He looked troubled. "But getting back to Fiorre. Father Thomas informed me that there was a disk, along with photographs and papers, that he sent to someone in the States. NewYork City, to be precise. Apparently the recipient was at one time very close to Cardinal Fiorre."
"Do you think the disk is a copy of Fiorre's manuscript?"
"Yes, I do, and so does Father Thomas. You'll meet him shortly."
"How do the fallen angels figure in this ... or don't they?"
Mac watched Johanen frown. "I am not certain, MacKenzie, but I have a feeling that somehow they were involved in Cardinal Fiorre's death. The project that the cardinal was working on involved the identity of the man whom Satan would possessЧthe AntichristЧand the group of men who would be essential in implementing his plans. He had names."
"Of those in the Cadre?" Mac asked.
"Yes, MacKenzie, and I think he had a good idea of their timetable. The information alone is what got him killed."
"If that's true, then this man in the States is in danger."
"I agree. That is why we are headed to New York when we finish our business here."
The two men walked the rest of the concourse, entered the main terminal, and found their way to the curb, where Johanen hailed a cab. He gave a running commentary of the various statues, fountains, architecture, and sights that flew by as the cab made its way toward Vatican City.
A short while later, Mac and Johanen climbed out of the cab. Johanen paid the fare.
"This way, MacKenzie." Johanen opened a decorative wrought iron gate that led to an enclosed rose garden. They made their way to the front door, where Johanen took the gargoyle knocker and struck it several times.
The door opened and Johanen made the introductions as Father Thomas led them into the house.
"Have you been able to learn more about this man in New York?" Johanen asked.
Father Thomas nodded. "Brian Fitzpatrick was ordained almost ten years. He is a man of great intellect. He speaks over a dozen languages and holds two doctorate degrees. He is a linguist and is able to read, verbatim, from many ancient manuscripts. He also has a photographic memory. Cardinal Fiorre and he had worked very closely until the day of his departure."
"And he just left, in the middle of the research?" Mac asked.
Father Thomas nodded, then the telephone rang and he excused himself to answer it.
"What would make a man leave his calling like that?" Mac asked Johanen.
"I am not certain, MacKenzie. I must admit it puzzles me." Father Thomas hurried back into the room. Mac saw that all of the color had drained from his face.
"His Holiness has just died," the father blurted. His eyes filled with tears as he crossed himself, bowed his head, and began to pray.