and silver ornaments, intricately decorated with adorning crosses.
“On the top shelf is the bone of an index finger said to belong to St Thomas. This reliquary with the cross on top of it contains very small pieces of Christ’s crib and pieces of his sepulchre, his tomb and also pieces of the scourging pillar where he was whipped by the Romans.”
At these words Hutchinson felt goose pimples rise on his forearms. He rubbed at them.
“My God,” was all he said.
“Also on this shelf you can see two thorns from the crown that was placed on Christ’s head. On the next shelf down you can see, once again the reliquary with the cross on top, this contains the three pieces of the true cross once found by St Helena. On the bottom shelf is a nail used in the crucifixion. However and I must warn you now, that only three nails were used in a crucifixion and around the world there are far more than three nails claimed to be original. It doesn’t help of course that some Popes throughout history made copies of these nails and distributed them around Christendom. Finally on the bottom shelf you can see what is known as the Titulus Crucis or title of the cross. This was discovered here in the church in 1492. The same year as Colombus. This is a piece of wood written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. Legend has it that this piece was personally written by Pontius Pilate the Roman governor of Judaea at the time of Christ’s crucifixion. For many years it has been thought to be a forgery from the medieval period. However new evidence suggests that the inscriptions were written from right to left and not left to right as would be the case with a medieval translator. In the 19 century this relic was further proved by the discovery of a travel journal belonging to the Spanish pilgrim Egeria, a lady who had visited the holy land in the 4 century and recorded that she’d seen this relic in Jerusalem.”
“Wow! That is amazing,” Hutchinson said, “So much history,” he could feel his goosebumps returning.
“Yes history is my passion,” Alberto said, “I am in love with history. I am extremely fortunate to have been born in such a city where I tread in the footsteps of some of the most famous people who have ever lived.”
“That you are,” the American replied.
“And now lady and gentlemen that concludes our tour of the Santa Croce en Gerusalemme in Rome. I will wait for you all outside to give you free time here in the church. On your way down the stairs look for the brick in the wall with the inscription ‘Titulus Crucis’ which I noticed none of you saw on the way up.”
They weren’t very long in meeting Alberto outside.
“That was a wonderful tour,” Natalie said.
Hutchinson came forward and shook Alberto’s hand.
“Truly fantastic,” the American said, “If it’s not too personal a question may I ask how you are paid.”
“I do a lot of work for Citalia holidays. This particular tour was, I believe, paid for by the Vatican.”
“Oh I see. Are you allowed to accept tips?”
Alberto gave his best smile. Jim pressed a twenty euro note into the Italian’s hand.
“And did the Vatican tell you why we needed a guided tour?” Bauer asked. It was the first thing he’d said since arriving at the church.
“No. Just that i was to give a private tour.”
“Do you also give personal tours?” Hutchinson asked.
“Yes of course. Though my fees are expensive.”
“Would you be able to give us a tour tomorrow. Myself, Miss Feltham, Mr Dennis….” Jim waited for their re-action.
“Yeah I wouldn’t mind Jim,” Dennis answered. Natalie nodded. “Sounds good.”
“Inspector Bauer?”
“No thank you. I have reports to make tomorrow.”
“Just the three of us then. That’s if you can manage tomorrow?”
“What do you want to see?”
“Oh uh! I don’t know. Ancient Rome, the Vatican.”
“My fees are three hundred euros per day.”
“That’s only a hundred each,” Dennis said quietly and sarcastically.
“Ignore him.”
“That is my fee.”
“That sounds most satisfactory. I could pay you up front.”
Alberto’s beaming smile returned.
“Pay me tomorrow. I would be delighted to show you around my beautiful city.”
“Thank you so much. Would you like us to come to you?”
Alberto reached into his jacket pocket, took out a map of Rome and placed a cross on it with his pen.
“This is the arch of Titus in ancient Rome. I will be there at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning. I’ll look forward to