THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA

  ( CHAPTER  41 ) - THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA - { PT.  7 } - She walked with haste as if Satan's bloodhounds were snapping at her heels and the burden of the world's fate was on her shoulders. What-ever choice she made she stood to lose something--if she had not already. She flagged down a taxi and requested the driver take her to the Colosseum. The journey was tense. Angelica's hands clutched around her bump in a reassuring embrace. The driver, a short wispy man, made constant glances at her through the rear-view mirror. She ignored him by turning her attention to the historical sights on the way. Sei una bella donna, he said Molto bella. She forced a smile Grazie. Then she turned back to the window. Twenty minutes later, the taxi arrived at the Colosseum. Angelica thanked the driver and paid him. He left her standing by the entrance, looking lost amongst the hordes to tourists eager to see the most famous landmark in Roman. A tap on her shoulder forced her to spin round.

  { PT.  6 } - THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA - ANGELICA: REPLACED THE RECEIVER - Tears drizzled down her cheeks. A warmth emanated from her womb, filling her with love. She made a faint smile and clutched at her belly. Thank you, she said aloud. She wiped away the tears. We'd better go. She looked round the stark room with its unadorned walls and its aloof furniture. Nothing there belonged to her. Her entire life lay in her womb, and she may have just heard the murder of the man she loved. She left the room and trod quietly over the black marble floor, passing by the kitchen with a vigilant eye. The door was wide open, and the sound of Frya's distraught hysterics was sure to drown out any noise she would make. Kurush was still by her side, consoling her. Angelica glided by like a ghost and left the apartment in a silent whisper, her presence a mere echo clinging to the safety of the surrounding walls. Outside, the unrelenting sun beat down its scorching heat. The Roman streets were

  { PT.  5 } - THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA - He took a puff on his cigarette, drew in the smoke until there was not a scrap of air left in his lungs, and blew it out in Christiano's face. Christiano coughed up more blood, much to Don Primo's amusement. The phone rang. Don Primo looked at the caller ID. A blocked number. Maybe she does love you, after all. He answered the call with a commanding air. Angelica. What a pleasant surprise. . . Yes, I can be there. . . Okay, it's a deal. What time?. . . I trust you're not stupid enough to involve the police. . . Aren't you going to ask me who dead? He hit the end button with a smile. Well if she's coming to save you, she must be madly in love with you. She would never have come for me. He scowled at Christino as he took a tuft of his hair in ine hand, straightened his head, and punched his face--Once, twice, three times. Christiano's head flopped to one side, his nose crushed against his face. He gasped for breath th

  { PT.  4 } - THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA                                      And just to show you how serious I am... No! resounded down the phone, followed by a gunshot. The line went dead. Shock gripped each of them. Frya fell from her chair. Her body hit the ground where she remained trembling and howling with terror. Kurush rushed to side, lay down beside her and cradled her in his arms. We don't know that anyone was killed. Frya. Please. He kissed her head and whispered comforting words into her ear. Angelica remained stunned and motionless. She looked down at the hysterical Frya, stood up, left the room, and entered the study. She collapsed onto a sofa in the corner of the room and allowed the tears to flow. How could you being us together and then take him away from me? she said aloud. As she continued her inconsolable tears, she noticed a telephone on the desk opposite. - SAMMEL AND CEDRICUNTIED - Johan's lifeless body and laid him down on a large sheet of black plasti

  ( CHAPTER  41 ) - THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA: - { PT.  1 }                                                  The hand was seconds away from the hour. Frya's cell phone rang. They watched it ringing at the certre of the table as if it was something alien. Kurush reached over and picked it up, looking at the flashing screen. It's Johan's phone. Frya collapsed in tears again. He took a deep breath, swiped the answer key, and hit the loudspeaker button. Pronto. He placed the phone at the centre of the table. Give me Angelica Kurush looked across at her. Don Primo, she replied. So now I get to hear your voice. Why are you doing this, selling me to that madman? Do you know he intends to kill me? So how does an infertile woman become pregnant? It really must be a miracle. Maybe because you the hick with that priest and God blessed you. Or, just maybe you really are carrying the Messiah. Either way, it's just about the money. She shut her eyes and opened them to dripping tears.

{ PT.  2 } - THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA   His head jerked back in shock. He winced from the sharp pain running down his spine, and his eyes now focused on the image behind them. A barely recognisable Johan, his face caked in dry blood and a mass of swelling and bruising hung his head limply to one side. His eyes were slits; his breathing almost undetectable. Johan. . . Can you hear me? Johan. Johan could only moves his eyes. Blood and saliva seeped from his mouth. He spoke without moving his lips. A hoarse whisper. Christiano.                                                                                                IN A CLINICALLY MODERN - kitchen, Angelica and Frya sat on stools that defied gravity, at a white plastic table supported by a solid leg the width of the table at one end, and an inverted leg built into the wall at the other--like a collapsed Z. Their faces were worn and puffy from hours of crying. Kurush wore a forlorn expression as he placed a cup of camomile tea on th

( CHAPTER  41 )  -   { PT.  1 }                                  A dreamy image, vivid with colour, Angelica's chest rose and fell in perfect synchronicity. Christiano found it comforting to watch. He moved across and planted his lips on hers. She smiled and opened her sleepy eyes to look up at him. Suddenly, her smile fade, and her eyes screamed in terror as the distance between them grew rapidly. Christiano was adrift, like an unbound air balloon floating into the night sky. He watched helplessly, his arms reached out as Angelica made frantic grasps for her hands. His tormented gaze remained fixed on her shrinking form until she was no more. Christiano gasped for breath. He opened his eyes just a crack to a disorientation of blurred images, each one superimposed over the other. A sharp pounding in his head was an unwelcome reminder of what had happened. Clanging noises reverberated around him as if he was in the deepest depths of a dungeon, and a metallic smell, putrid with death

  { PT.  9 } - KURUSH WAS THE FIRST To enter the study. He scanned his ransacked office to find the wooden box tossed to the floor. He picked it up and examined it for damage. Seeing none, he placed it back on his desk where he noticed a hand-written message scrawled across a pad. He turned the writing to face him. Frya came in through the patio doors; an anxious look on her face. I told you to wait next door. He turned to her with a burdened expression. They're gone by now, Papa They have Christiano. Frya was silent for a moment. At least he's alive. For now. He glanced behind her. Frya turned to see Angelica standing at the door, frozen and distraught. Angelica--Before she could finished, Kurush interrupted her. They have Johan too. She turned to him with alook that was already aware. Her eyes moistened. I told him not to go back to that place. Tears spilled down her cheeks. He walked towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder. I know you did. They're going to call u

  { PT.  8 } - I said, get down! Don Primo charged at Christiano, who casually stepped aside and landed his fist squarely on the charging man's right temple. Don Primo staggered, fell ton his knees and clutched at his temples. Bastardo, shouted Vincenzo, sprinting towards him. Christiano dropped to the floor and lifted his leg to catch Vincenzo's movement, he sent him hurtling through the air. He slammed on the floor behind him. Christiano then jumped to his feet and pounced on the dazed thug and held him down as he continued a succession of punches to his face. A sharp pain to his skull put an end to his fearless battle and shunted him into unconsciousness. He keeled over Vincenzo, who pushed him off. His body rolled over to face upwards. Don Primo placed his gun back in his pocket, all the while staring down at Christiano's motionless body. He's a tough bastard, for a priest. He kicked Christiano's leg. I don't think they're here. They would have come to h

  { PT.  7 } - Oblivious, Alessandro drew back from the study door and positioned his shoulder as a battering ram. The unexpected whack across the side of his face sent him hurtling against the study door. He landed on the floor with a thud. Vincenzo bounded up the stairs to see Alessandro's body unconscious and slumped on the beige carpet. Don Primo made his way up behind him and located the light switch. A warm, orange-tinged hue flooded the upstairs hallway. Christiano was back in his hiding place, straining to keep his laboured breathing silent. He wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned against the wall, trying to normalise his breath. Don Primo's brusque voice sounded through the hallway. Hey, priest. I recognise your handiwork. He'd better not be dead. Christiano closed his eyes, making a soundless thump of his head against the wall. Angelica, why don't you make this easy and give yourself up. I promise you, I will spare your friends. There's no one her but

{ PT.  6 } - He retrieved a key from behind a plant pot and unlocked the patio door. They're not home? said Angelica. Our friends spend eighty per cent of their time away on business. I watch the place for them. We'll be safe here. And what about Christiano? We should call the police. Kurkush pulled on the patio door, and they entered a dark room with the stale odour of closed doors and summer heat. He shut it behind him and locked it. We've always said no police. Don Primo has found you, and I don't know how, then the police are always a risk, said Kurush. How are you so sure? replied Angelica. Did you go to the police when you were hiding from him at the convent? Angelica sighed. No. In our home town, every officer was in his pocket. Exactly. The best plan is to wait until we think it's safe to go back home. Then we will deal with what we find, said Kurush. Even if it's Christiano's dead body? replied Angelica.              HIDDEN INSIDE THE DOORWAY of the

  { PT.  5 } - Angelica glanced over her shoulder and peered at him through the tear-stained corners of her eyes. We have come such a long way. Been through so much. What he has been through to get you here is the exact reason why you and the baby must make it through this. All you need to do is shuffle along to the centre of the roof and then slide down. I will hold you, and Frya will help you to the garden. Okay? Angelica took a deep breath and began shifting her buttocks along the tiles until she was halfway across the roof. She waited for Kurush to reach her. We're at the last hurdle. He sat behind her and gripped her waist. With a deep breath, Angelica slid down the tiles, guided by Kurush, who slipped down with her, maintaining a firm grasp of her waist, her legs supporting her on each side. When she reached the edge, Kurush took her hands and she slowly rose to her feet. Frya had placed a large, cushioned bench where Angelica's feet would land, significantly decreasing t

  { PT.  4 } - You can't tell from this vantage point, but the building practically connect from this roof. There is a gap of about two feer between our roof and the roof garden of their apartment, on the other side. We cross over all the time. Just not in the pitch dark. If you can do it, I can do it, replied Angelica. Good, just follow Frya's lead, said Kurush. Frya climbed onto the stone balustrade and hauled herself onto the rooftop. There, she sat down, easing her way horizontally until she was mid-way across the roof before making a controlled slide down the sloping tiles to reach the two-foot gap. Lifting herself into a standing position, she leapt across, landing with the elegance of a ballerina onto the roof garden next door. The cold stone wall between Angelica's thighs sent shivers through her body. She stared down at the fathomless drop to her left. Don't look down, said Kurush, gently gripping her waist. It'll be okay. I'm here for you. He pulled he

Was that Johan? He hasn't come home yet, and I'm-- We must get out of here, now, interrupted Kurush, scrambling out of bed. Papa? Kurush reached her side and pushed her into the hallway. Papa! protested Frya. Christiano came out of his room. What's the matter? I will explain later. Wake Angelica. We're leaving. Angelica appeared behind Christiano, wrapped in her robe. Let's move! said Kurush ushering them to his study. We'll take the roof. As he finished speaking, the sound of a key being inserted into the lock downstairs sent a petrifying chill through each of them. Kurush placed his finger over his mouth to hush them and motioned for the women to enter the study. The next sound was the front door opening, followed by faint noises and a short gap until it closed. Maybe it's Joh--Kurush placed his hand over Frya's mouth, his eyes wide with warning. Whispers and footfalls echoed from the corridor downstairs. Kurush grabbed a baseball bat from behind the d

The man hastened into the shadows to be swallowed by the darkness. The guilt of what he was now a party to gnawed at his intestines as he walked. It rose to his head, and the world took a disorienting spin as his chest laboriously heaved to catch a breath. He managed to reach the end of the road where he dropped to the ground--his heart thumping and his face hot with fear. He had knpwn the Attars for four years since their arrival from Switzerland, and they had always treated him with the generosity and repect he had never known from the other tenants. To them, he was a man, not a menial servant. Don Primo's threats had been persuastive. An offer he could not refuse. He rubbed the sweat from his forehead and noticed the blood money protruding from his pocket. In a disgusted rage, he tossed it to the ground and stood up with his fits clenched.  THE ABRUPT RING FROM - his bedside table startled Kurush from his dreams. He scrambled for the phone as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. A

{ PT.  3 } -   

{ PT.  1 }  - The white Mercedes crawled along the cobbled road before parking in front of the sun-brick Renaissance apartment block where Frya and her father lived. At three in the morning, the streets slumbered as soundly as the local residents. Alessandro and Vincenzo stepped out of the car with Don Primo, while Benito remained in the driver's seat. I want this to go smoothly, said Don Prmio pulling on his jacket sleeves. Just Angelica. Kill the rest, but do it quietly. Let's move. They reached a set of glass double doors, and Don Primo rapped firmly on the window. The concierge looked up from his book to see two fingers flashing the peace sign in his direction. Recognising his cue, her nervously stood up and opened the door, standing back to let the men inside. You have what I asked for? said Don Primo. Yes, Sir, he replied as he reached a quivering hand into his pocket and removed a key. He handed it to Don Primo, who slapped a large handful of bills into his palm. Thank y

{ PT.  8 } -   What followed was a succession of punches to his right cheek. He vomited into the bag over his head; his breathing laboured; his entire body trembling with shock. The space that his finger once occupied was throbbing with unbearable pain. He felt his mind retreat to a faraway place that grew darker and darker, and smaller, until there was nothing but darkness.                                                              _________________________________________________________  

{ PT.  7 } - He should not have gone back to that place. Am I the only one who recognises how dangerous these people are?                          JOHAN AWOKE WITH A - pounding headache. His breathing was hot and heavy. He cracked his eyes open to find his head shrouded in darkness. He tried to move, but his hands and legs were bound securely to his seat. Sammel! Cedric! Are you there? He heard the patter of footfalls headed his way and a reply by way of an agonising punch to his face. His head flew back, sending a shooting pain through his neck and spine. He nearly blacked out again. What's your interest in Angelica? said an unfamiliar voice. Please, I don't know what you're talking about. Tell him what he needs to know, Johan, and no harm will come to you. Sammel. Please. You know me. How could you...? Another punch to his interrupted his pleading. Just tell us what we need to know, said the voice. Please, I don't know anything. No sooner had he finished his sentence,

{ PT.  6 } - That's correct, replied Kurush. So, how do you plan to arrange safe passage for us to Egypt without Don Primo or the Cardinal's knowledge?Do O detect a sudden lack of resistance, my friend? Christiano smiled. A little, perhaps. Did you translate the parchment? Not as yet, but let's just say there have been far too many pesuasive occurrences to deny this truth any longer. That's excellent news, he said, effectionately slapping Christiano's shoulder. After a toast, I will tell you on my plans. Kurush held up his glass. The others rose from their chairs, and four glinting glasses were lifted to the light. To the birth of the Messiah and the dawning of a new age that will save humanity once and for all, toasted Kurush. Their glasses clinked together. It's pity Johan is not with us. His part was instrumental to us finding you both. I honour his efforts, said Kurush, holding his glass up once more. They followed his lead. To Johan, said Frya, the love of

{ PT.  5 }   We know you've been deceiving us, said Sammel. Before he could make another move, Johan felt a sharp pain explode in his skull. He dropped to the floor unconscious.                                                      ANGELICA AND CHAITIANO ENTERED - the dining room just as Frya was placing a dish on the table. That smells delicious, said Angelica. You must be so hungry. Please sit. Just a few more items. Let me help you, said Angelica. Frya placed a hand on her shoulder. Just for tonight, let us serve you. Angelica nodded and sat down, while Christiano took the seat opposite her. Alone in the room, their toes rubbed together beneath the table, and they eyed each other like love-struck teenagers. The front door opened and clunked closed. Kurush sauntered into the dining room. I hope you like red wine, Christiano. He placed the bottle on the table and proceeded to open it. I do, he replied. Angelica, I assume you're not drinking. What would be your choice of beverag

{ PT.  2 } -    Johan's face bore a light smile as he arrived at the Cardinal's residence. After all these years of chauffeuring the Cardinal around and putting up with his menial and perverse fancies, he had finally completed his task of locating the Messiah and could now concentrate his efforts on ensuring that Jannara's instructions we followed to the very letter. He looked forward to holding the Messiah in his arms and welcoming him into the world. He walked through the service entrance to a frugally furnished servant's lounge consisting of a four-seater sofa, a television set, and a small kitchen area. Sammel and Cedric sat at a table, playing poker--somking and flicking ash into an overflowing ashtray. The stale, smoky odour nested in Johan's throat and nostrils. Ah, Johan, come join us for a game said Cedric. I would, but I'm here to take His Eminence to a dinner engagement. Oh that's been cancelled? Since when? Cedric stood up and walked behind him t