‘This information has been issued to all law enforcement and border personnel in Mongolia — the Bishop and our associates have been accused of a litany of offenses. As Mongolia is quite interested in fostering good relations with its neighbor to the south, the Chinese have effectively cut off this avenue of escape. It will also be only a matter of time before the authorities in Ulaanbaatar generate a match for Nolan from his tourist visa, albeit under a false identity. The question is whether they will choose to share this information with the Chinese.’
‘Why is that?’ Grin asked.
‘Embarrassment,’ Donoher answered.
‘By now, the Chinese have combed their database of foreign visitors and come up empty, which means Nolan entered their country illegally,’ Barnett continued. ‘In confirming that he was in Mongolia just days before appearing at Chifeng Prison, the Mongolians would be conceding he crossed their border into China.’
‘So they’ll get with the program and try to broom that inconvenient detail under the rug,’ Grin said.
‘I’m certain the entry paperwork for Nolan and his team has already disappeared,’ Barnett agreed.
Grin skimmed the notes on his legal pad. ‘So Mongolia is out. Same with Russia and North Korea, and I’m not sure Nolan would risk flying low over large expanses of open water.’
‘What are you getting at?’ Barnett asked.
‘Nolan’s last message,’ Grin replied. ‘He changed the reference he was using, which means his plans have changed. The next step was to fly north into Mongolia. If north is out, he has to go somewhere else.’
‘But where?’ Donoher asked. ‘You’ve already eliminated north and east, and south would be equally dangerous flying over the densely populated regions of China to where? Vietnam, Laos, or Burma.’
‘Oh, that is so bad.’ Grin groaned. ‘They’re heading west.’
‘Are you certain?’ Barnett asked.
‘Nolan wrote it down twice, just to make sure I got it. He threw me with the Seven Samurai reference because I knew there was no way they would try to fly all the way to Japan. But his reference to the “son” of the Seven Samurai is a different story. The original film has been rehashed a dozen different ways, most of which I own, including the animated film A Bug’s Life. One of the best reworkings of Kurosawa’s masterpiece is The Magnificent Seven — and the setting for this particular son of the Seven Samurai is the Old West. And in case I missed it the first time around, Nolan used the words “setting son”, and for “son” read our local star and not a male offspring.’
‘The sun sets in the west,’ Donoher said, paraphrasing the now obvious.
‘Considering their options, a westerly route would take them over the least populated regions of China,’ Barnett said. ‘The question remains is where they intend to cross.’
‘I’m sure Nolan will let us know as soon as he figures it out,’ Grin replied.
‘Doubtless,’ Barnett agreed. ‘What about the leak? Have you made any progress?’
‘Possibly,’ Donoher replied. ‘I hope to know more tonight.’
‘Well, that’s all I have, so don’t let me keep you.’
‘Thank you for all your help,’ Donoher said.
‘We both have a vested interest here,’ Barnett replied, before terminating the link.
‘So, what’s happening tonight?’ Grin asked.
‘Many things,’ Donoher replied, ‘but first we must speak with an old and trusted friend.’
39
Donoher and Grin found Archbishop Sikora in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel. He was seated near the late Pope’s empty chair, deep in thought. A digital video camera mounted on a tripod stood aimed at the papal throne.
‘Archbishop, thank you for meeting with us,’ Donoher said warmly, announcing their arrival.
Sikora rose and moved to greet them. It seemed to Donoher that the man had aged since Pope Leo’s death.
‘Your Eminence,’ Sikora said respectfully.
‘This is my associate, Mister Grinelli.’
Grin extended his hand, ‘Your Excellency.’
‘A pleasure.’ Sikora took Grin’s hand in both of his own and greeted him warmly.
‘I’ve asked Mister Grinelli to join us as he is assisting me in the matter I wish to discuss. I see you’ve brought the camera.’
‘Yes, though I was curious why. Is our conversation to be recorded?’
‘No,’ Donoher replied. ‘We simply wished to see the device.’
Grin stepped to the camera and began studying it. Donoher walked slowly past the Pope’s empty chair, recalling the last time he was here. He motioned for Sikora to resume his place and moved a chair in front of him.
‘How are you, Michal?’ Donoher asked.
‘All right, I suppose. I am greatly relieved the Pope’s suffering is finally over. The past few years were most difficult for His Holiness.’
‘For someone who was so physically active, his illness was particularly cruel,’ Donoher agreed. ‘Thankfully it spared his mind. But what of you? Any thoughts on what you will do?’
‘I have no idea. I served His Holiness ever since I was newly ordained and he was the Archbishop of Krakow.’
‘More than once he admitted to me he would have been lost without you,’ Donoher offered kindly.
‘He was a man of vision,’ Sikora demurred. ‘I just kept track of the details. And now I am just one of those details, something to be attended to once the new Pope is elected. What does one do with an old Archbishop with no diocese?’
‘I have always fantasized about finding a small parish somewhere in need of a priest — an old country church where you know the entire congregation by name. A small flock to tend in my waning years.’
‘That would be nice,’ Sikora agreed.
‘All will be revealed in God’s time, but now to the matter at hand. The disk you gave me before the opening session — it was made with this camera?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you were present when His Holiness recorded his message to the cardinals?’
‘No, the Pope was alone.’
‘Alone? Who operated the camera?’
‘His Holiness, with a remote control.’
Donoher glanced at Grin.
‘Remotes are standard equipment,’ Grin confirmed. ‘It lets dad be in the picture with the rest of the family.’
‘The Pope’s instructions to me were quite clear. His message was for the cardinal electors only. I set up the camera, made certain everything was ready, and handed the Pope the remote control. Then I left. He used this camera many times to send birthday messages and such to close friends and relatives. He knew how to switch it on and off. He called for me when he was finished.’
‘And what happened then?’
‘I removed the disk from the camera and placed it in a plastic case.’
‘There was only one clip on the disk you gave me,’ Donoher said. ‘Me, I require several attempts to record even a brief message on my answering machine. Did you edit the footage the Pope recorded, trimming it down to show only the best version?’
‘No, the disk I gave you was the one from the camera. His Holiness rarely required more than one attempt to deliver a message.’
Donoher nodded, conceding that fact.
‘What is the reason for these questions?’ Sikora asked. ‘Was there a problem with the disk?’
‘Someone revealed the contents of the Pope’s message to an audience His Holiness did not intend,’ Donoher replied. ‘What happened after the disk was recorded?’
‘The Pope signed an amendment to the Apostolic Constitution in the presence of Cardinal Cain and me. The document and the disk were placed in a large envelope, which the Pope then sealed.’