Silver Bullet

Episode 4

12: 45am

The Pope was visibly shaken by what had happened just
a few minutes ago. He sat on a sofa in the balcony. He
had a clear view of the city in all its beauty, but he could
scarcely appreciate the beauty as he normally did.
Tonight was strange and he could feel it; his fears were
heightened after the unexpected intrusion into the
palace. The strange intruder who introduced himself as
just THE MESSENGER really dropped a message and it
troubled him, in the suitcase was a Blu-ray disk which
contained a recorded voice message. He played it
again, for the sixth time and listened to it. He sent for the
Charmelengo through one of the Swiss guards guarding
the lodge.
The Charmenlengo is a clergy specially chosen by the
Pope himself officially as the administrator of the
property and revenues of the Holy See and to assist him
both personally and on official matters, he was much
closer to the powerful religious leader than any other
person.
He had chosen Pietro Francesco Bademosi, an African-
born priest as his Charmenlengo. He gave him the
enviable position because of his exceptional brilliance.
The Charmenlengo knew more than required in moral
theology, philosophy and the canon law. His overall
efficiency made him likeable.
The heavy oak door opened a bit and the handsome
ebony priest stuck out his head.
“Morning, Santita. I was just informed that the security
was breached just few minutes ago and the guards were
attacked”, he said, walking in and taking a seat opposite
the Pope. He obviously still possessed youthful
exuberance and he looked as bright and anxious as
always. He was on a black night robe with a gold chord
tied round the waist and was barefoot. The Holy Father
maintained a calm demeanor.
“Grazie a Dio, your life was spared. You seem worried,
what was that all about?” The Charmenlengo asked.
“This”, he said turning over the laptop computer to him. "Listen carefully to this audio message”, The Holy
Father said.

The cleric played the audio and by the look on his face,
he clearly understood what it meant.
“It’s a threat, Your Holiness. A serious threat from an
internationally acclaimed terrorist. I think he’s from my
country, Nigeria”, The Charmenlengo said when the
audio finished playing.
“What’s the content?”, The Holy Father asked fixing his
eyes on the priest. The black priest sank back in the
chair.
“Not something you would like to hear, padre”.
“Go ahead, we are listening”.
The Charmenlengo shook his head. “I think it’s a trap. It
claims to be from a notorious mafia group in Africa and
they’re demanding your presence for a negotiation. But
it’s dangerous my lord”, the Charmenlengo implored.
“We’ve made up our mind” The Pope said.
The Charmenlengo made a slight bow,
“As you wish Holy Father”.
Please do send for Signore Giovanni Lorenzo”.
“You mean the President of APSA?”
“Yes, we need him in times like this”.

TBC.