The Order Read Online Free PDF Page B

conclave?”
    â€œHe didn’t go into specifics.”
    Gabriel nudged his phone to life and checked the time. He had been forced at long last to part company with his beloved BlackBerry Key2. His new device was an Israeli-made Solaris,customized to his unique specifications. Larger and heavier than a typical smartphone, it had been built to withstand remote attack from the world’s most sophisticated hackers, including the American NSA and Israel’s Unit 8200. All of Gabriel’s senior officers carried one, as did Chiara. It was her second. Raphael had tossed her first Solaris from the terrace of their apartment in Jerusalem. For all its inviolability, the device had not been designed to survive a fall of three floors and a collision with a limestone walkway.
    â€œIt’s late,” he said. “We should rescue your parents.”
    â€œWe don’t have to rush. They love having the children around. If it were up to them, we would never leave Venice.”
    â€œKing Saul Boulevard might notice my absence.”
    â€œThe prime minister, too.” She was silent for a moment. “I must admit, I’m not looking forward to going home. I’ve enjoyed
     having you to myself.”
    â€œI only have two years left on my term.”
    â€œTwo years and one month. But who’s counting?”
    â€œHas it been terrible?”
    She made a face. “I never wanted to play the role of the complaining wife. You know the type, don’t you, Gabriel? They’re
     so annoying, those women.”
    â€œWe always knew it would be difficult.”
    â€œYes,” she said vaguely.
    â€œIf you need help . . .”
    â€œHelp?”
    â€œAn extra pair of hands around the house.”
    She frowned. “I can manage quite well on my own, thank you. I just miss you, that’s all.”
    â€œTwo years will go by in the blink of an eye.”
    â€œAnd you promise you won’t let them talk you into a second term?”
    â€œNot a chance.”
    Her face brightened. “So how do you plan to spend your retirement?”
    â€œYou make it sound as though I should start looking for an assisted-living facility.”
    â€œYou are getting on in years, darling.” She patted the back of his hand. It didn’t make him feel any younger. “Well?” she
     asked.
    â€œI plan to devote my final years on this earth to making you happy.”
    â€œSo you’ll do anything I want?”
    He regarded her carefully. “Within reason, of course.”
    She cast her eyes downward and picked at a loose thread in the tablecloth. “I had coffee with Francesco yesterday.”
    â€œHe didn’t mention it.”
    â€œI asked him not to.”
    â€œThat explains it. And what did you talk about?”
    â€œThe future.”
    â€œWhat does he have in mind?”
    â€œA partnership.”
    â€œFrancesco and me?”
    Chiara made no reply.
    â€œ You ?”
    She nodded. “He wants me to come to work for him. And when he retires in a few years . . .”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œTiepolo Restoration will be mine.”
    Gabriel recalled the words Tiepolo had spoken while standingover the tomb of Tintoretto. Today you’re on holiday, but one day you’ll die in Venice . . . He doubted this scheme had been hatched over coffee yesterday.
    â€œA nice Jewish girl from the ghetto will be caring for the churches and scuole of Venice? Is that what you’re saying?”
    â€œRather remarkable, isn’t it?”
    â€œAnd what will I do?”
    â€œI suppose you can spend your days wandering the streets of Venice.”
    â€œOr?”
    She smiled beautifully. “You can work for me.”
    This time it was Gabriel who looked down. His phone was aglow with an incoming message from King Saul Boulevard. He turned
     the device over. “It might be controversial, Chiara.”
    â€œWorking for