The Parchment by Gerald T. McLaughlin Read Free Book Online Page A

out.”

    Barbo paced angrily around his office. The Middle East and Benedict's health required immediate attention. Now this manuscript appears. He had to take the blackmail seriously. Visconti was too clever to become involved in a hoax.
    Barbo buzzed for Alessandri.
    “Enrico, have Bishop Renini come to my office at once.”
    Ten minutes later, Alessandri escorted the director of the Vatican Library into the cardinal's office. Barbo handed Renini the photocopy of the parchment.
    “This translation goes along with it. Read the document and tell me what you think.”
    The Bishop perused the Hebrew carefully, occasionally looking at the translation.
    “Your Eminence, this must be someone's idea of a tasteless joke.”
    “Two of your visiting scholars — professors Bielgard and Mi-chellini — claim they found the original among some uncatalogued Templar documents in the Vatican Library. Check through all our databases and see if anything like this is listed in the collection. Have your staff look through the uncatalogued documents as well. They may discover something relevant.”
    “A thorough search of the uncatalogued collection would take weeks, Your Eminence.”
    “Do what you can.”
    Barbo thought for a moment. “Will a search of the Vatican Library databases pick up items in the archives of the Palais des Papes in Avignon?”
    “No our files are not linked.”
    “Alessandri, get Bishop Pellent on the speakerphone.”
    In a matter of minutes, the director of the papal archives in Avignon came on the line.
    “Your Excellency, this is Cardinal Barbo. Bishop Renini from the Vatican Library is here with me on the speaker phone.”
    “How can I help you, Your Eminence?” Pellet's Italian was heavily accented by his native Flemish.
    “A first-century Hebrew census record has been found in a chest full of Templar manuscripts in the Vatican Library. Finding it with Templar documents may or may not be coincidental. I understand that the databases for the Vatican Library and the Palais des Papes are not linked.”
    Pellent sounded nervous speaking to the Secretary of State. “That's right, Your Eminence.”
    “Then I need you to run a search for any reference to this census record in your archives at the Palais. Bishop Renini is running a similar search here in the Vatican Library.”
    “Fax the text and I'll start immediately, Your Eminence.”
    “Pellent, if you discover anything, send it to me immediately.” The cardinal paused for a moment and addressed both librarians “These searches must be conducted in absolute secrecy. Administer an oath of silence to both your staffs.”
    As Cardinal Barbo clicked off the speakerphone, Bishop Renini stood up to leave. “Is there anything else, Your Eminence?”
    Barbo thought for a moment. “There is one thing. Could you send me several reference books on the Templars and a general history of medieval France?”
    “Should I include a copy of your dissertation?”
    “Yes, bring that, too.”

    Visconti hailed a taxi at the top of the Via della Conciliazione.
    “That was easy.” Michellini smiled at Visconti and Bielgard.
    Visconti was silent for a moment. “Perhaps too easy. Barbo is shrewd. He may try to take the parchment from you. Where is it?”
    Bielgard answered. “Right now it's in my room at the hotel.”
    “Put it in a bank vault for safe keeping.” Visconti's voice left no room for debate.
    As they were about to get into the taxi, Visconti's cell phone rang.
    “Hello ... Ah Baldini ... at Tre Amici? ... Let me ask.”
    Visconti pushed the hold button on his cell phone. “Baldini would like to test the manuscript for salt residue. He suggests meeting for a late dinner tonight at Tre Amici. He can do the test at the restaurant.”
    Bielgard frowned. “Baldini said he had finished testing the parchment. Why the change?”
    “He apologizes. He didn't have the necessary chemicals yesterday to do the test. There is a high alkaline content in parchment