‘They don’t muck around, those guys in scarlet. I won’t mention it, but when you’re ready you might think about bringing Yossi into the loop. He will give Giovanni every protection.’
Allegra nodded. ‘I’m sure he will and I’m sure he already knows that any challenge to the uniqueness of Christ or the dating of the scrolls in the Rockefeller will be denounced by Lonergan and the Vatican. The Omega Scroll is not a myth, and its existence will be met with a sustained fury and passed off as a total fraud. If we ever do find it, it might be better to have one of the Vatican’s own onside before any announcement.’
David laughed. ‘That’s a bit radical. Does such a creature exist? Apart from Patrick O’Hara?’
‘Patrick would do it, but they’d crucify him. He hasn’t got the academic cred, although he’d run rings around a lot of their Gregorian University types. But there is one who might.’
‘And where might they be hiding him? I presume it’s not a her!’
Allegra smiled. ‘No I think the old men in scarlet are threatened by women who go to university. Incongruously enough,’ she said, ‘it’s Giovanni who would do it.’
‘What makes you think the Patriarch of Venice would be part of any announcement, especially if his life’s at risk?’
‘It’s a long story but he’s a very wide thinker, and in a way it would give him some protection. If the Vatican wanted to get rid of him, they would have to think twice and not risk the heat of the inevitable inquiry uncovering the truth of the Omega Scroll,’ Allegra replied. ‘Giovanni has a towering intellect, although he hides it pretty well. Any more relaxed and he’d fall over.’
‘If you think he would do it, it’s worth a try because if we ever do find the Omega Scroll those bastards in the Vatican will pay whatever it costs to get hold of it before any theologian could comment on it, then it will just disappear into the depths of the Secret Archives,’ David said. ‘I guess we can hold off on announcing this inventory and that’ll keep Lonergan and the Vatican in their place, at least until we’re ready, although I’d love to know what’s in the Rockefeller’s vaults that made Lonergan so jumpy.’
‘I don’t think there is much hope of finding out,’ Allegra said.
‘I don’t know…’ David let his thoughts trail off, a conspiratorial look on his face. He carefully wrapped up the scroll and locked it in the office safe before they both headed off to David’s apartment for the dinner he had promised Allegra. Both were silent, acutely aware of the powerful consequences of their discovery.
David’s apartment was in Levi Eshkol Boulevard, not far from the Old City. It was on the top floor of an older stone building and had sweeping views across the lights of greater Jerusalem, out to the ramparts where King David had once governed.
‘I’m impressed, David. You’re quite the chef,’ Allegra exclaimed as David placed the dish on the table with a flourish.
‘Pesach cholent with stuffed eggplant.’
‘Pesach cholent?’
‘What I hope is very tender steak that has been slowly cooked with potatoes and eggs. Shalom,’ he said, raising his wine glass.
After dinner David and Allegra headed out onto the balcony with their coffee. The city was golden-hued and the inkiness of the night made the scene seem otherworldly. They leaned on the railing, relaxed and joking about getting on with their research and thinking of ways to infuriate Lonergan, making a deal that whoever got him to explode first had to buy the other dinner.
David bent low over Allegra’s hand making a show of sealing the deal with a theatrical kiss on her upturned palm. Allegra caressed his cheek and gently brought his face up to meet her gaze. David’s lips brushed hers and Allegra responded with an intake of breath. Her fear and apprehension of loving a man evaporated into the night air as David gently wrapped his arms around her body. She closed her eyes, capturing the moment. David’s lips pressed against hers and Allegra lost all sense of place. It was as though they belonged to each other and he knew how to make her head swim. His hands slid from her waist to her hips and he pressed her body against him. She began to kiss him back, urgently, passionately. David’s heart felt like it was beating in his throat, and he lost the power of speech. Keeping her close, David led Allegra back into the apartment towards the bedroom, the scent of her hair heightening his desire.
‘I haven’t done this for a very long time, David,’ Allegra whispered. Her body arched against his and they both melted into each other as they collapsed to the floor.
Allegra smiled as the message popped up on her computer screen. An email from Giovanni. Buongiorno Ho una sorpresa. I am coming to Jerusalem. I will be in Jerusalem for a few days next week. There is an interfaith dialogue conference where I will formally, if belatedly, hand over the reins to my successor and I’m to present a final paper on the Catholic Church’s response to Islam and Judaism. You will no doubt remember the Vatican politics. They’re still the same and the Veneto is a wonderful change. I had an email from my old friend Patrick O’Hara singing your praises – he says you’re doing brilliantly – nothing less than I expected. Dinner? Best wishes from your old friend, Giovanni.
After all this time they would finally catch up face to face. There had been plenty of emails but so often they had missed each other by a few weeks in different countries around the world. It was as if the universe had been keeping them apart. Allegra eagerly typed in her reply. Dinner would be wonderful. Would you like me to pick you up at the airport?
Giovanni’s reply came back immediately. Thanks but Patrick already has that in hand (no doubt in the other he will have a bottle of Irish whiskey). If you’re free on Wednesday night – I’ll let you choose the restaurant.
‘What are you up to?’ David asked as he came in. He bent down to kiss her shoulder.
‘Giovanni’s coming to Jerusalem,’ Allegra replied, turning her head towards him.
‘That’s great news. When does he arrive?’
‘Patrick’s picking him up from the airport next week and I’ve organised dinner for Wednesday night. Can you join us?’
‘Not for dinner. You two haven’t seen each other for years and you both need time to catch up, but I can drop you off in Onslow and I’ll join you for a drink. It will be good to see him again.’
‘I’m not sure he’ll be thrilled about a ride in Onslow but he’s Italian and I’ve always had a strong suspicion that’s where you learned to drive.’
Numero Venti was still only half full as Elie showed Giovanni and Allegra to their table by the window. A moment later a well-dressed Arab smiled politely to Elie and indicated he would like the table behind them.
‘David is a very charming man,’ Giovanni said, a touch of wistfulness in his voice.
‘And like you, he has many talents,’ Allegra said. ‘He hasn’t made up his mind but he told me the other night he is thinking of running for election in Yossi’s party.’
‘If he’s anything like Yossi he will be very successful,’ Giovanni said. ‘Yossi is probably one of the few politicians in Israel who can see that the present policy is never going to work.’
Allegra nodded. ‘Your friend Ahmed Sartawi has similar views and it seems that ordinary Palestinians are coming around to his way of thinking. Provided he can deliver a Palestinian State, he thinks the militant groups can be brought onside as well.’
‘In a way the death of Yasser Arafat was a circuit breaker,’ Giovanni observed. ‘Ordinary Palestinians are sick of the violence, as are the Israelis. Someone like Ahmed Sartawi would be a genuine hope for peace, as would Yossi.’ Giovanni thought back to the fishing trip. ‘I sent Ahmed my best wishes for the Palestinian elections and I’ve been praying for him.’
‘Will you see him while you’re here?’
‘I’d like to, but some of his more fanatical opponents might use it against him. Mar’Oth was an example of what can be done between Muslims and Christians but even there the change was gradual and people have to be given time to adjust. Are you sure David didn’t want to join us for dinner?’