"If we don't try we'll never know whether there's something there or not," he fumed.
"So talk to the minister and-"
"One of these days the minister is going to tell me where to stuff my hunches. He's getting a little tired of me and the shroud case."
"Well, I've got some news that might cheer you up," Sofia ventured. "The cardinal has invited us to a reception day after tomorrow."
'A reception? And who's 'us'?"
"Us is you and me. Padre Yves called me. That committee of scientists in charge of keeping the shroud in good shape is in Turin, and the cardinal always has a reception for them. Every important figure in the city associated with the cathedral will be there. Apparently you showed some interest in meeting these scientists, so he's invited you."
"I'm really not in the mood for parties. I'd rather talk to them under other circumstances-like, I don't know, in the cathedral, while they're examining the shroud. We never got anywhere running down the names and organizations on the lists the cardinal supplied. But this is what there is, eh? So we'll go. I'll send my suit out to be ironed. And you, Giuseppe, what've you got?"
"The chief here hasn't got enough men-or any men, really-for the team we need. He said he'd do what he can when the time comes. I spoke to Europol like you told me, and they should be able to help us out with two or three men. So you'll have to talk to Rome for the others."
"I don't want men from Rome. I'd rather keep it within the team. Which of ours can come?"
"The department is snowed under, boss," Giuseppe said. "There's just nobody available, unless somebody stops what they're doing, if they can, and you bring them in when the operation gets going."
"That's what I'd rather do. I'd feel better with our own people on the tail. We'll take what the carabinieri here can give us, and then the rest of us will play cop for a while."
"I thought that's what we were," Giuseppe said sarcastically.
"You and I are, but Sofia's not, or Antonino, or Minerva."
"You mean they're going to tail the guy?"
"We're all going to do whatever it takes, is that clear?"
"Clear as a bell, chief, clear as a bell. So, if that's it, I'm supposed to have dinner with a friend of mine in the carabinieri, a good guy who's willing to help us out He'll be here in like half an hour. Maybe you guys could have a drink with us before we leave?"
"Sure, count me in," said Sofia.
"All right," said Marco, "I'll go up and shower and be back down. What're your plans, dottoressa?"
"I don't have any-if you want, you and I can have dinner around here."
"Great. Maybe that'll improve my mood."
28
SOFIA HADN'T BROUGHT ANYTHING SUITABLE for a reception, so she looked in the shops on Via Roma until she came to Armani, where, in addition to a black silk dress for herself, she bought a tie for Marco.
"You'll be the prettiest girl there," Giuseppe told her, as she and Marco left for the cardinal's residence.
"Definitely," Marco seconded.
"I'm going to start a fan club with you two," Sofia said, laughing.
Padre Yves greeted them at the door. His collar and priestly wardrobe were nowhere in evidence. Instead, he wore a midnight blue suit and an Armani tie exactly like the one Sofia had given Marco.
"Dottoressa… Signor Valoni… come in, come in. His Eminence will be so glad to see you."
Marco looked at Padre Yves's tie out of the corner of his eye, and Padre Yves gave him a slight smile.
"You have excellent taste in ties, Signor Valoni."
"The good taste is Dottoressa Galloni's. It was a gift from her."
"That's what I thought!" laughed the priest.
They made their way over to the cardinal, and he introduced them to Monsignor Aubry, a tall, lean Frenchman with an elegant bearing and a kindly manner. He was somewhere around fifty and he looked like what he was-a seasoned and skillful diplomat. And he was keenly interested in the course of the investigation into the shroud, as he wasted no time in letting Marco and Sofia know.
They had been chatting for several minutes with the monsignor when they noticed that all eyes had turned to two new guests arriving.
His Eminence Cardinal Visier and Umberto D'Alaqua had just come in. The cardinal and Monsignor Aubry excused themselves and went over to greet them.
Sofia could feel her pulse beginning to race, despite herself. She had told herself that she wouldn't be seeing D'Alaqua again. Would he be coolly courteous or ignore her entirely?
"Sofia, you're red as a beet," Marco whispered.
"Me? I'm just surprised."
"There was every possibility that D'Alaqua would be here."
"It hadn't occurred to me. I just never thought."
"He's one of the Church's benefactors, a 'man of trust,' as they call these people. Some of the Vatican's finances pass discreetly through his hands. And remember that, according to Minerva's report, he's the one who pays for the scientific committee that's here tonight. But take it easy, you look spectacular-if D'Alaqua likes women, there's no way he won't be falling at your feet."
They were interrupted by Padre Yves, who had the mayor and two elderly gentlemen in tow.
"I want you to meet Sofia Galloni and Marco Valoni, who is the head of the Art Crimes Department," he said to his charges. "The mayor, Dr. Bolard, and Dottore Castiglia…"
They began an animated conversation on the shroud, although Sofia's mind was elsewhere and she heard only half of it.
She jumped when Umberto D'Alaqua stepped before her. He was accompanied by Cardinal Visier.
After the usual round of greetings, D'Alaqua took Sofia by the arm and, to everyone's surprise, drew her away from the group.
"How is your investigation getting on?"
"I can't say that we've made much progress, frankly. It's a question of time."
"I didn't expect to see you here."
"The cardinal invited us; he knew we wanted to meet the members of the committee, and I hope we can spend some time with them before they go."
"So you've come to Turin for this reception…"
"No, not exactly."
' "In any case, I'm glad to see you. How long will you be here?"
"I'm not certain yet-"
"Sofia!" A shrill male voice interrupted the moment. Sofia smiled wanly when she saw an old professor of hers from the university approaching-her medieval art professor, a famous scholar with a number of books to his credit, a star in European academic circles.