“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Hutchinson said, “Do we know where this took place?”
“Yes. She was appointed by Constantine as Augusta Imperatrix, Greek for empress. He gave her unlimited access to the imperial treasury. She went on to build many churches. One on the site of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. Another on the mount of olives in Jerusalem where he ascended into heaven. She ordered a temple built hundreds of years earlier by the Roman emperor Hadrian to be pulled down. This temple was built over the site of Christ’s tomb in Calvary. When her men excavated the ground under the temple they found the remains of the three crosses said to be those of Christ and the two thieves Dismas and Gestas who were crucified either side of him. Dismas went on to become a saint.”
“Pete.”
“Oh sorry. Getting a bit sidetracked. Anyway, after the find Constantine had the church of the holy sepulchre built. Right over the spot where Helena found the relics.”
“Great,” Hutchinson said, “We’ve got no chance of searching that.”
“Now wait a minute. There’s more. Helena left Jerusalem for Rome in 327AD. She took the ‘true’ pieces of the cross with the nails, rope and the tunic of Christ with her. They are currently on display in the basilica of the holy cross in Jerusalem where they have been since she placed them there.”
“And that’s in Jerusalem,” Hutchinson said.
Dennis shook his head.
“Rome.”
“Rome?”
“Rome.”
“Great! We’ve got no chance of getting to that either.”
“Guys,” Natalie said, “I’ve got something here. I’ve just translated this German writing Von Brest made. It’s not dated but he believes that the items on this page, the rope, cross, etcetera would all have magical healing powers if used together.”
“All of them. But where.”
“That’s the next bit of the puzzle,” Natalie continued, “Von Brest was convinced that it was the sap from the tree from which the cross was cut that contained the healing powers after it was mixed with Christ’s blood. The holy lance of Longinus will have touched Christ’s blood mixed with the sap. This is what healed his blindness.”
“It all sounds a bit far fetched,” Dennis said.
“It’s the bible,” Natalie replied.
“Okay. Supposing it’s true where is this tree?”
Dennis quickly searched google.
“Cut down,” he said.
“I knew it,” Hutchinson added, “It was too good to be true.”
“Herod had the trees cut down and they were used in the building of the temple in Jerusalem. When, years later, the temple was rebuilt the wood was removed. Eventually it was made into Christ’s cross.”
“I’ve just translated the last of Von Brest’s description,” Natalie said, “He believes that St Helena took seeds from these trees and planted them. One tree has survived to today. It stands outside of the monastery of the holy cross in Jerusalem in Rome.”
“So if Von Werner was to obtain all these relics and take them with the spear of destiny to this tree he could heal himself.“
“Yes.”
“And the relics he needs are in Rome?” Hutchinson asked.
“Yes.”
“Then we know his next move.”
“Yes.”
Dennis reached for his phone.
“I’ll alert Bauer.”
CHAPTER SIX
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.”