“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.”
“You do realise that these people are extremely dangerous don’t you?” Dennis said, “They will definitely be armed and are not afraid to use their weapons. They’ve taken myself and Natalie hostage in the past and have killed security personnel both in London and Vienna.”
“Yes Mr Dennis everything is quite under control. The Vatican is the head of the Episcopal jurisdiction of the Roman catholic church. We take the threat of terrorism extremely seriously. We will catch these individuals responsible for the attacks in London and Vienna and any attacks they have planned for my city.”
Thirty minutes later and the mini-bus screeched to a stop outside the police headquarters in Vatican city. De Luca opened the passenger door and jumped out turning for Natalie’s hand. She smiled as she stepped out and Dennis came out next with a frown on his face. Hutchinson stepped out, greatly impressed by the two pike men guarding the entrance to the police station dressed in the traditional uniforms of red, blue and orange.
“Fantastic,” he said causing the others to look around.
“What is fantastic Mr Hutchinson?” Bauer asked.
“The Swiss guardsmen.”
“Oh I see.”
De Luca gave orders for the two policemen to wait for him then turned to Hutchinson.
“The Swiss guard have been the body guards of the Pontiff since the 16 century. These are of course traditional uniforms. You will see men in suits. They are also members of the Swiss guard.”
“Their uniforms are magnificent. Where do I sign up,” Hutchinson said, joking.
“I’m afraid to join the Swiss guard you must be a single male of Swiss citizenship, have completed basic training with the Swiss military, have a professional degree and be between 19 and 30 years old. Oh, and of course you must also be a Catholic.”
Hutchinson let his disappointment show.
“I do have a professional degree and I am a Catholic,” he said.
Dennis tapped him on the shoulder.
“You’re just 40 years too old my friend,” he said to the others laughter.
The two guards men saluted as they walked past.
Inside the main building it resembled more of a police station. Officers in suits were on telephones or computers. One, turned and smiled at Natalie in friendly fashion while he used a photocopier. De Luca took them up a flight of steps and through a door and stopped outside another office.
“This is the commandant of the Swiss guard, Colonel Martin Sonnenburg. You may call him Colonel or commandant. Do not call him by his name.”
De Luca knocked on the door and entered the room. The commandant was a tall man in a police uniform with three gold stars on his shoulders. He turned from a bulletin wall he was looking at and fixed a large smile and sprang forward to shake hands with everyone.
“Colonel may I present Miss Natalie Feltham, Mr Peter Dennis and Mr Jim Hutchinson.”
“Welcome. Welcome.” he said, “I was the chief of police in my native home city and I