The SPECTRE Of The VATICAN ©

Chapter 48 - When in Rome.

Time: Present Day
Location: Rome, Italy.

When Monique arrived at Rome airport she was met by a chauffeur holding a placard saying Madam Cheval. She almost missed him because she wasn't used to being met by people outside the family. The chauffeur must have tecognised her somehow because he called out to her as she was about to pass him in a crowd of people that were heading for the baggage claim.

He spoke to her softly as she came up to him, "Bags,  Madam Cheval?"

"No, no I'm not staying. I'm booked on the 6 p.m. flight back to Paris," she explained.

"Ah, so you are my 5 o'clock booking, very good, my name is Henri."

"Pleased to meet you Henri, but I was expecting to cab it."

"Father Michaelus arranged it. It is easier this.way, what with the terrorist threats, it is difficult for a taxi to enter the Vatican these days. This way if you please. Madam," he gestured to a zone outside the front glass doors.

"Please call me Monique, Henri," she offered.

"As you wish Madam, er, Monique, a lovely name. Is it French . . . are you French?" Henri asked as he held open the back door.

"I was, or should I say I am, but I am also an Australian now," She explained sliding into the back seat.

"Lovely," he said.

Monique speculated as to whether he was gay or not, probably, she thought.

They arrived in Vatican City after a short trip. Henri let her out of the limo and escorted her through the visitor's centre where she registered and received a VIP pass.

She was escorted by a young woman, after saying goodbye to Henri, to a lift and taken to the first floor. On the first floor she was met by a young priest who escorted her to a small conference room. On a side table was a water jug and glasses, a fruit and cheese platter and a carafe of orange juice, red wine and white wine.

The young priest pointed to them and said, "Please make yourself at home, I will let Father Raphael, I mean Peter know you have arrived. He will be with you shortly I'm sure of it." He bowed and left her alone in the room.

Monique was thirsty so she poured herself an orange juice. She was only half way through it and had been passing the time studying the many religious paintings and prints on the conference room walls when the door swung open and a tall handsome priest in a white cassock entered. He had certainly changed over the years, put on a bit of weight, but there was no mistaking, it was Peter Margate standing before her, with a quizzical look on his face.

"Hello, Mrs Cheval, how are you?" Peter ventured.

"I'm fine," she lied.

"I must admit I was puzzled when they told me you were in Rome and wanted to see me. I was happy to hear from someone from the past, out of the blue, so to speak. What brings you to Rome? Or more specifically, what brings you to me? I was sort of hoping you might bring Amelia with you,  but I see you've come alone."

Monique was taken aback, surely he means Amanda,  she thought to herself, until Peter continued, "I haven't seen or heard from her in all these years, but I still think about her, and hope she is well. I guess she is married by now, with a couple of kids, did she carry on the family tradition by having twins too? Oh, and that reminds me. I was very saddened to hear that Amanda's son was killed in that shooting in Sydney. I only saw the After Dark program a few times when I was in Melbourne, but I liked the presenters, especially Carter Cheval for some reason. Perhaps because I knew your family when I was young. It was such a waste of talent like that, being caught up in an accidental shooting."