Sinners and Saints

Sinners and Saints Chapter 20 - Claire Goes Viral

“…reported to be a nun also injured in the attempt.  Her condition is not yet known.  We’ll update as we get more details.  Again – Pope Francis was shot in an assassination attempt at the Vatican a little over two hours ago.  According to the statement you just saw, the Pontiff is still in surgery, but the injury is stated as ‘non-life threatening’ and he’s expected to make a full recovery.” 

“Oh thank goodness,” I turn down the volume and a yawn takes me by surprise.  According to the clock on the wall, it’s only 5:30 in the morning, but I feel like I’ve been awake for days.  My stomach reminds me that I haven’t eaten yet. 

But I don’t have any money on me, and the only thing that looks vaguely interesting in the vending machines is a fruit bar.  I lower my head down on the table and grab a couple of minutes of rest. 

“Claire?” Mona shakes me. 

“Yeah?” I answer.  I guess I fell asleep for a few minutes. 

“Let’s get you some food,” she can’t look at me without grinning now, “You’re going to be ok, you know,” she hugs me, “You did well.  They don’t have anything to pin you on and the forensics on the bullets they recovered will clear you.  And when the Pope wakes up, the whole world will see you as a hero instead of a suspect.  Come on,” she helps me to my feet, “Lucy said it’s ok to go out for a bite as long as we’re quick,” she shimmers again, this time into scrubs and trainers like mine.  She hugs me and we poof to the back of a café. 

We walk around the corner and make our selections.  The café is steady with early-morning workers like we’re posing as and full of talk about the shooting.  There’s a television on and all eyes are on it, even though it doesn’t look like there has been any updates. 

Mona stops and chats with some of the patrons and staff and I keep my eyes on the orders.  When ours comes up I grab the bag and cups and nudge her with my elbow.  We step back out and around the back again. 

“Interesting,” she says as she hugs me from behind. 

“What’s interesting?” I ask as we land back in the lounge. 

“As people are wont to do when they don’t have all the facts, they’re speculating,” she smiles and sits, taking her coffee, “About half of them think Pope Francis saved you,” she giggles, “I couldn’t help but set that one straight.  There are pictures of the car on TV, and I pointed out that there was no blood on the driver’s seat.  He couldn’t have driven you to the hospital if he were shot.” 

“Do we know when the Embassy is going to show up?” I ask, reaching for my calzone.  

Mona’s cell phone rings and I raise my eyebrows.  I don’t know where she’s hidden it – her scrubs appear to be as pocket-less as mine. 

“It’s Baron,” she tells me, checking the screen, “Baron – hello.” 

“Yes, yes she’s here.  She’s fine.  A little bullet to the head, but is already healed over.  Yes, of course it was her, silly,” she chuckles at him, “But she didn’t know it was the Pope.  Can you believe that?” 

I take a deep breath and try not to let my blush get out of control. 

“No, they haven’t shown yet.  Oh, you have?  Well, thank you.  Yes, that will be very helpful,” she turns the phone aside for a minute and looks at me, “Baron has already talked to them and no one is going to let anything happen to you.  He’s at the airport now and will be here in an hour.  What?” she turns back to the phone. 

“Yes, I’m sure they are,” she says, “But that will actually work in our favor.  We had a meeting with Giuseppe this morning before this whole thing happened.  Claire promised both of them in exchange for letting me go back to Paris.  No,” she pauses and looks at me, “She says she has to read her first.  Yes,” she looks at me again, “I told her that.  But this is her deal and she needs to do it her way.”