was the same two police officers. They were both smoking and threw their cigarette butts down and stood on them. De Luca shouted at them in Italian and one of them looking sheepish bent down to pick them up.
“This is the Vatican,” De Luca said to Natalie after he saw her obvious look of disgust. She hated smoking and smokers but reminded herself that most men in the Meditteranean smoked cigarettes.
“Where exactly is this church we are going to?” Jim Hutchinson asked climbing into the mini-bus. De Luca got in last climbing into the third seat in the front. He unfolded a map and taking out his pen he drew a large circle on it and passed it back to Bauer. Bauer passed the map on to Hutchinson.
“Oh I see. Piazza Santa Croce in Gerusalemme,” he said, “Where is Vatican city?”
Dennis leaned over and pointed on the map for him.
“Citta Del Vaticano,” Hutchinson said, “So we are here,” he placed his forefinger on St Peter’s square, “And the church is the other side of Rome. How far is that?”
Dennis looked at the map again.
“It’s at least three miles.”
Hutchinson traced his finger in a direct line from St Peter’s to the holy cross church.
“Ancient Rome is between the two points,” he said, “Look the Colosseum is there. What does that mean ’Palatino’? he asked.
“Palatine hill,” Dennis said helpfully, “I must say Jim for someone who is an archaeologist you don’t know much about ancient Rome.”
“My expertise is in Egyptology,” Hutchinson replied, not offended. “Inspector,” he said to De Luca, “Until we are called to help what is there for us to do?”
“Commander Sonnenburg wants you to see the church with the holy relics. You will be needed if and when any of our suspects enter Italy. Until then you are free to do as you wish.”
The Carabinieri mini-bus pulled up as close as it could to the entrance of the church of the holy cross of Jerusalem in Rome. There were a few tourists milling about on the entrance steps and many turned in alarm at the sudden arrival of the police bus. One man, at the top of the steps holding an umbrella, was watching keenly. He descended the steps quickly as the occupants of the bus climbed out.
Natalie looked around appreciatively at the neat footpaths and shrubs that fronted the church.
“It’s very pretty,” she said to Dennis who nodded his approval.
“Good afternoon. Good afternoon,” the man with the umbrella shook hands vigorously with everyone. He removed his Fedora to reveal a brown, bald head. Dennis also noticed the man had eyes that appeared to bulge out of his face.
“I am Luigi Alberto. Pronounced Al-bare-toe,” he said helpfully, “I am to be your guide for this afternoon,” he turned and gestured to the baroque styled front of the church, “Welcome to the church of the holy cross.”
“Grazi,” De Luca said introducing the others to the guide.
“Pleasure. Pleasure. Pleasure,” Alberto said with a huge beaming smile.
“He’s a colourful character,” Natalie said.
“Quite the natty dresser,” Dennis replied taking in the three piece suit, khaki rain coat and despite the warm afternoon sun the silk scarf Alberto was wearing around his neck.
“We are about to go inside the church,” the guide started, “The current Cardinal priest in charge of the church is Miloslav Vlk from Bohemia. He has been in charge since 1994. He has very kindly given us permission to access certain areas to the church which are currently off limits to other visitors and tourists. So once inside we need to be very respectful and so please do not ,anyone, take photographs. There are a very limited number of leaflets and booklets, one of which is in English, on the church and its history. If anyone would like one after the tour they do accept a small donation for them.”
Hutchinson reached into his back pocket and took his wallet out.
“I’ll take one. Does anyone else want one?”
Alberto put his hand on Hutchinson’s arm.
“At the end sir. For now you don’t need one. You have something much better. You have me.”
This brought a chuckle from the group in front of him.
“The church is one of the seven pilgrim churches of Rome. These are visited by pilgrims in order to gain indulgences. Four of the churches have basilicas. They are St Peter’s of course, San Giovanni in Laterano, San Paolo Fuori Le Mura and Santa Maria Maggiore. The other three churches are San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura, Satuario Della Madonna Del Divino Amore