The Guardian by Robbie Cheuvront and Erik Reed Read Free Book Online

find them, but he did. They had a private plane waiting for them.”
    “So Father Marcella is with the girl now?” “Yeah, and from what I hear, they were in a big hurry. Barely stayed long enough to sign the release papers.” “Where did they go?”
    “Nashville, Tennessee. That’s where she’s from.” “So you’re on your way to Nashville, then?”
    “No, I’m on my way to Venezuela.”
    Cardinal Wickham pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long sigh. “And
why
are you going to Venezuela, Jonathan?”
    “Vacation, of course,” he snapped. “Because
they’re
headed to Venezuela. Why else?”
    “So you’re leaving now?”
    “I’m at the airport as we speak.”
    “Find her, Jonathan. If she doesn’t have it yet, she will. He couldn’t just die and not leave it with somebody. She and Marcella know where it is. You get it from them at any cost. You hear me?”
    “I hear you.”
    Cardinal Wickham hung up the phone without saying good-bye. He pulled his hat down over his eyes and walked back to the Vatican. With any luck, he would have his prize soon.

CHAPTER 9
Caracas, Venezuela
    A nna and Father Vin stepped off the plane into a sweltering heat. It was almost nine o’clock in the evening, and the temperature still hadn’t let up for the day. It was a far cry from what they were used to this time of year.
    They grabbed their luggage and exited the terminal to hail a cab.
    “I’m starving, Vin,” Anna said. “You know anywhere around her to get some good food?”
    “I’m afraid I have only been here twice in my life. Both times were for missionary work. We ate at the homes of the people we were working with. I’m sure the hotel will be able to help us find something good.”
    “I hope so. I’d hate to know that I have all this money and can’t get a decent meal anywhere!” Anna nudged Vin in the arm. They both laughed at her joke.
    “I was very proud of the way you handled your parents earlier today.” Vin patted her arm.
    “I don’t know what made me do it. I just felt like I was supposed to tell them that. But I still have a lot of questions myself. You and I are going to have to have our own heart-to-heart here pretty soon.”
    “I can’t wait!” Vin showed a big smile. “How’s breakfast? Tomorrow.”
    “Sounds good. So, where are we going?”
    Vin raised his eyebrows and looked at Anna intently. “Ever hear of the Cathedral de St. Anna?”
    “St.
Anna?
You’re kidding me. Right?” She preened. “Well, I
have
always been rather saintly.”
    “Yes,” he said dryly, “a paragon of virtue.” He held out a piece of paper with the address written on it.
    “That’s just a number and a street name,” Anna said, examining the paper. “How do you know it’s here in Venezuela?”
    “Because I know Thomas came here after we got separated.”
    “So what do we do when we get there?”
    “That’s the big mystery, isn’t it? I have no idea. Your grandfather only left me the address. I guess it’s up to us to figure it out.”
    The cab twisted and turned along the roads and through the Plaza Bolivar, a historical and touristy area of town. When they reached the hotel, the driver got out and helped them with their bags. Father Vin pulled out a twenty and gave it to the man. “Keep the change,” he said. They walked inside and checked in.
    At the top floor, Father Vin turned the key to their room and stepped inside, holding the door for Anna behind him.
    “Wow!” Anna looked around the room. It was furnished like a New York penthouse. Two steps led down from the foyer into a living room area. Off to the left there were two bedrooms and a computer station. Toward the back of the room there was a small kitchenette. A fully stocked pantry was off to the side. There was a note on the coffee table. She picked it up and read:
    Welcome to La Casa de la Belleza, Ms. Anderson. If we can be of any service to you during your stay, please let us know. Your personal hotel staff