Free The 731 Legacy by Lynn Sholes Page A

side of his desk. He indicated to Montiagro to join her. When they were all seated, the cardinal gave a heavy sigh and interlocked his fingers, resting them in his lap. "These are trying times, my dear friends. Our Lord tests us each moment, but in these past days, he has outdone himself."

    "Can you tell me the latest news?" Cotten asked.

    "It goes without saying, Ms. Stone," the cardinal said, "that what we discuss is to remain in this room. My words are spoken with total anonymity."

    "I understand. For now, I am here as John Tyler's friend, not as a reporter."

    "Cardinal Tyler, Archbishop Roberti, and Father Michael Burns, Roberti's assistant, are being held for one hundred million dollars ransom."

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    "So the Church will pay it, and we'll get them back safe?" Cotten said.
    "Right?"

    Fazio looked away for a moment as if fighting an inner turmoil. Then he said, "Ms. Stone, the Vatican does not negotiate with kidnappers and terrorists. I'm afraid there will be no payment."

    NIGHT VISITOR

    There was a small fireplace in John's room that gave off a minimum amount of heat, but the night was bitter cold despite the fire. Even though the walls were extremely thick, the wind seemed to find its way inside.

    His bare mattress was uncomfortable, but at least they had provided a wool blanket, musty as it was. With the bedside lamp out, he lay watching the fire cast undulating shadows across the ceiling.

    As he listened to the creaks and moans of the aging fortress, he wondered what it must have been like when Count Dracula walked the halls of the castle. Bram Stoker and Hollywood had done a great job of glorifying the legendary figure.

    John reviewed all the day's events in his head but nothing seemed to make sense. These men were bold and reckless in kidnapping diplomats. It was as if they didn't care about the political ramifications. If nothing else, this would bring condemnation from most other nations. One of the oldest and most honored practices between countries, even those at war, was the exchange

    of diplomats and the assurance of their safety. The sanctity of diplomats had been observed for centuries, going back to the standards set by Genghis Khan who strongly insisted on the rights of diplomats and would take horrific vengeance against any states violating the codes of honor. Diplomatic immunity was understood and accepted by virtually every nation on earth—agreed upon and ratified according to the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations. What was happening here was against every code of diplomacy.

    The constantly moving patterns shimmering across the ceiling became hypnotic. Even when John closed his eyes, he still saw them. The howl of the wind mixed with the crackle and pop of the fire produced an eerie, uncomfortable feeling as John fought to try to fall asleep.

    Soon, the fire died and the room fell dark—only the soft glow of embers cast off a faint light. Finally, he relaxed and drifted off.

    He hadn't been asleep long when a noise—a creaking footstep on the wooden floor—roused him. Confused about where he was at first, John tried to get his bearings. When he caught the low light of the burning embers, he remembered his room in the castle. That's when he saw a shadow move in front of the fireplace's glow. Silently, it swept across the room, coming toward him.

    John sat up. "Who's there? Who is it?"

    Still groggy from sleep, he felt icy fingers upon his skin as if the grip of

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    winter rode the wind into his room and wrapped around his neck.

    THE PHOTO

    "What do you mean you won't meet the demands and pay the ransom?" Cotten said. "You're risking their lives if you don't."

    Cardinal Fazio leaned forward. "First, the Church doesn't have that kind of—"

    Cotten rose and paced. "Spare me." She turned in a circle and waved her hand at the grandeur of the room. "Don't even start withyou don't have the money. Give me a break."

    "Ms. Stone, I understand your frustration," Cardinal Fazio