John Savage entered the tent and allowed the flap to fall behind him. “I’m not a priest,” he said.
She appeared puzzled as she looked at the Roman Catholic band around his neckline. “Then why the collar?” she asked.
“My name is John Savage,” he said, putting on his most inviting charm and extending his hand. “I’m an emissary from the Church.”
“You mean the Vatican?”
“They’re one and the same. Yes.”
“What can I do for you, Mr. Savage?”
Savage was holding a small silver case no larger than a child’s lunchbox. He lifted it. “May I place this somewhere? I’ve been carrying it forever.”
“Of course.” She gestured to the nearest table.
He placed the case down, and then faced her with his hands clasped in front of him in an attitude of prayer, trying to look as docile as he could just before the killing moment. “Please,” he began, his false smile never wavering, “I hope you accept my condolences for the loss of your father.”
She nodded, with a raised eye in suspicion. “Thank you,” she said. “And what is the reason for your visit to Göbekli Tepe?”
“Yes, of course.” He shifted his feet and cleared his throat, trying to appear nervous. “Like I said, I am from the Church—”
“The Vatican,” she corrected.
She’s a real spitfire. “Yes. The Vatican. And we’ve been following your father’s progress regarding his hunt for the Garden of Eden with great interest.”
“Really?” The level of her eye increased. “Why would that be since the Vatican—” She raised her fingers and flexed them to emphasize the word Vatican “—once considered my father’s expedition to be nothing more than tabloid fodder?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“My father asked for an endowment from the Vatican’s Administration,” she said, “with an offer to share in any unearthed antiquities, only to receive a response from the Holy See who invited him to seek other financial venues, since the search for Eden would be nothing more than a financial burden.”
“Then I apologize, if that’s the case. But the Vatican must be cautious with its funding. With that being said, it does not mean that the Vatican does not maintain an interest in your father’s matters. It does.”
“And what exactly is it that you do for the Vatican?”
He hesitated. This wasn’t going as smoothly as he thought. “I’m in the employ of the Servizio Informazione del Vaticano.”
She nodded, folding her arms defensively across her bosom. “The SIV,” she commented.
“You know what we do?”
“I know that the SIV was created about one hundred fifty years ago to gather information against those who they declared as insubordinates if they were against the policies of the Vatican.” She tilted her head, as if sizing him up with reasonable suspicion. “So tell me,” she added. “Has my father set off a nerve with the Vatican? Why shoot him down only to come knocking on my door after the fact?”
Savage showed her the flash of hardened features, which startled her. “You’re absolutely right, Ms. Moore, about the SIV. My job is to gather information. Now your father is a very famous individual with a lot of success under his belt—”
“So much success that the Vatican didn’t even want to support him?” she interjected.
He continued on. “Nevertheless, we followed your father’s advancements and gathered information from Turkish resources, as well as resources in New York.”
“You mean from the AIAA?”
“We intercepted a lot of information from them, yes.”
“Legally?”
“Ms. Moore, from the information I received based on statements provided by Mr. Montario, I have reason to believe that your father was very successful in his search; therefore, should you need any financial assistance from the Vatican, they would be in full support of future endeavors.”
Now it was her turn with the fake smile. “I don’t need your money,” she said.
“The Church—”
“The Vatican,” she corrected.
He wanted to roll his eyes. “We are not looking to interfere with your father’s discovery should Eden exist,” he said calmly. “The Vatican is willing to exalt your father any way it can. We’re talking press releases that will earn your department at AIAA numerous grants, beginning with the Vatican.” Her face softened. And Savage couldn’t help notice the beauty of her features. “We will guarantee grants for future expeditions in the name of your father,” he pressed.
She was swept up; the offer a fantastic one. “Guaranteed?” she asked lightly.
“On one condition,” he said.
Her face hardened a bit. “And what would that be?”
“That you take me along.”
“Take you along?”
“Take me along,” he said.
“No disrespect intended, Mr. Savage, but you have no experience, I’m sure. And I’m not inclined to have anyone on my team compromise the location.”
“Obviously you know where it is, then?”
“I have a good idea.”
“I see.” Savage smiled at her with that fake smile that was still enchanting, then turned away, shielding her from the small silver case. “So, Ms. Moore,” he began, undoing the clasps, “do we have an agreement? That the AIAA be given positive publicity for your father’s cause?”
“And what if Eden is not what the Bible depicts it to be? Will they still guarantee my grants?”
Savage lifted the top. The Glock sat in its molding, alongside the suppressor and two clips of ammo. The third clip was already seated inside the weapon. “The grants are guaranteed, Ms. Moore. I can assure you. We’ll even sign it into documentation before we leave, if you like.”
“I would like,” she said.
He pulled the Glock out and began to fasten the suppressor. “Very good, then,” he said. “Just let me get a pen and pad here, and then we can move on, yes?”
“That would be fine,” she answered.
“Just a moment,” he said, fixing the suppressor. “I’m almost through.” He hefted the gun in his hand, and placed his finger on the trigger. And then he began to make his move.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Alyssa — oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company.” Noah stepped inside the tent. The man with his back to them did not turn to greet him. “I can come back later.”
“No, that’s all right, Noah. I want you to meet someone,” she said.
Savage moved quickly to undo the suppressor, a few quick twists, and returned the items back their grooves.
“John Savage, I’d like you to meet Noah. He was my father’s right-hand man.”
Savage turned, smiling. “Noah Wainscot — yes, of course, I know all about you,” he said, holding out his hand.
Although Noah was taken aback after seeing the man’s Roman Catholic collar, he didn’t show it as he offered his hand. “And it’s nice to meet you too, Father Savage.”
“I’m not a priest,” he said. “I’m an emissary from the Church.” He gave a quick glance to Alyssa and immediately corrected himself. “From the Vatican,” he stated.
“Was I interrupting something?” asked Noah.
“Just finalizing a deal,” she answered. “It appears that Mr. Savage will be joining us on our mission. And in compensation, the Vatican has agreed to subsidize future assignments.”
Noah looked at Savage with the same degree of suspicion. And Alyssa picked up on it.
“It’s all right, Noah,” she said, reaching out and touching his arm. “Nothing is going to be taken away from my father. They’re in agreement that he gets the glory of all discoveries.”
“And fittingly, if I may add,” said Savage.
Noah kept his eyes on Savage while speaking to Alyssa. “The team’s here,” he said flatly. “And they’re quite eager to meet you.”