Free the Third Secret (2005) by Steve Berry

the question. “That would only taint your report. Instead, just observe. That way, we don’t risk slanting your observations.”
    “In another words, you’re not going to tell me.”
    “Precisely.”
    “And what would be the benefit of my doing this favor for you?”
    He allowed a chuckle as he slid a cigar from a side pocket on the door. “Sadly, Clement XV will not last much longer. A conclave is approaching. When that happens, I can assure you that you will have a friend who will provide more than enough information to make your reports an important commodity in journalistic circles. Maybe enough to get you back to work with all those publishers who let you go.”
    “Am I supposed to be impressed that you know things about me?”
    “I’m not trying to impress you, Ms. Lew, only secure your assistance in return for something any journalist would die for.” He lit the cigar and savored a draw. He made no effort to crack the window before he exhaled a thick fog.
    “This must be important to you,” she said.
    He noticed how she phrased the statement. Not
important to the Church—important to you.
He decided to add a dash of truth to their discussion. “Enough that I’ve come to the streets of Rome. I assure you, I will keep my end of the arrangement. The next conclave will be a monumental one, and you will have a reliable source of firsthand information.”
    She seemed to still be debating with herself. Maybe she’d thought Colin Michener was going to become the unnamed Vatican source she could quote to validate the stories she’d peddle. Here, though, was another opportunity. A lucrative offer. And all for such a simple task. He wasn’t asking her to steal or lie or cheat. Just take a trip back home and watch an old boyfriend for a few days.
    “Let me think about it,” she finally said.
    He sucked another lungful from the cigar. “I wouldn’t take too long. This is going to happen fast. I’ll phone at your hotel tomorrow, say two o’clock, for an answer.”
    “Assuming I say yes, how do I report what I find?”
    He motioned to Ambrosi. “My assistant will contact you. Never attempt to call me. Understand? He’ll find you.”
    Ambrosi folded his hands across the front of his black cassock and Valendrea allowed him the pleasure of the moment. He wanted Katerina Lew to know that this priest was not someone she wanted to defy, and Ambrosi’s rigid pose communicated the message. He’d always liked that quality in Paolo. So reserved in public, so intense in private.
    Valendrea reached beneath the seat and produced an envelope, which he handed across to his guest. “Ten thousand euros to help with airline tickets, hotel, whatever. If you decide to assist me, I would not expect you to fund the venture yourself. If you say no, keep the money for your trouble.”
    He stretched an arm across her and opened the door. “I have enjoyed our conversation, Ms. Lew.”
    She slipped out of the car, envelope in hand. He stared out into the night and said, “Your hotel is just back to the left on the main
via.
Have a nice evening.”
    She said nothing and walked away. He pulled the door shut and whispered, “So predictable. She wants us to wait. But there’s no question what she’ll do.”
    “It was almost too easy,” Ambrosi said.
    “Precisely why I want you in Romania. This woman bears watching, and she’ll be easier to monitor than Michener. I’ve arranged with one of our corporate benefactors to have a private jet available. You leave in the morning. Since we already know where Michener is headed, get there first and wait. He should arrive by tomorrow evening, or the next day at the latest. Stay out of sight, but keep an eye on her and make sure she understands we want a return on our investment.”
    Ambrosi nodded.
    The driver returned and climbed behind the wheel. Ambrosi tapped on the glass and the car backed toward the
via.
    Valendrea shifted his mood away from work.
    “With all this intrigue