Vatican Assassin Read Online Free PDF Page B

attack formation. The war may be on its way here.
    “We’ve never asked for the UTZ or the Vatican to join in our councils before. I thank you for joining us now. We may need allies. We seem to face a clear and present danger from the UIN at this time, which I believe warrants reevaluating our policy of neutrality.”
    Wow... Jackpot! We couldn’t have hoped for better! He’s sold already, or playing a very clever game.
    Is he that smart?
    Edwards is interrupted when a Lunar Security Cop enters the office. BC recognizes her. She’s got a bruise on her forehead. She’s the LSC he knocked out earlier, getting out of the tunnel! He pretends not to notice her.
    She looks at him strangely, but quickly moves on and over to Edwards, presenting him with a sealed report. He opens it, grimaces.
    “She was killed.”
    Edwards starts shaking. He brings his hand to his brow, pinches the bridge of his nose, and takes a deep breath. Composing himself, he continues.
    “Someone, um, assassinated Governor McEntyre. There were neurotoxic traces on her skin and in her blood. Someone murdered her.
    “I think, maybe, we can see now who.” Edwards is almost talking to himself. Then he looks up at the group around the table.
    “Hey, um, I need a minute or two, okay?”
    Edwards sits down, motions to the LSC.
    “Could you, uh, get me the latest reports on the
    position and disposition of the UIN ships? And could everyone take five?”
    The group around the table mumbles and nods assents. They get up from the table and head for the office door.
    As they leave the governor’s office, the Cardinal turns to BC.
    “I told you. They killed her! Now they’re coming in to finish the job! You wait here and help Mr. Edwards, Campion. I’m going back to the mission. If the governor needs me, let me know, but I think this is more your area of expertise.”
    “So I’ll be able to reach you in the mission’s shelter, then, Cardinal?”
    “Yes! Ah... I see, you got me there, Campion. Excuse me.”
    Just outside the office door the LSC from before taps him on the shoulder.
    “Excuse me?”
    “Yes?”
    “You look familiar, father... have we met?”
    “I don’t think so. You are?”
    “Nita Bendix, Lunar Security. You sure we’ve never met? Do you go out at all?”
    “No, not really,” BC says, gesturing at his outfit. “I’m a priest.”
    “Yeah, but you’re New Reform, right? You can party and everything, right?”
    “Well, sort of, but no, I just got here recently.”
    “You’re kinda cute. Do you have to stay celibate?”
    Man! Didn’t expect this...
    “Well, not technically.”
    “I see. See you later, father. Father... ?”
    “Campion. Bernard Campion, but you can call me BC.”
    “Okay, Father BC.”
    “Just BC.”
    “Okay, just BC. Bye, for now, anyway.” She gives him another strange look, turns and takes off down the corridor.
    Little flirt! Probably hasn’t been right since that clunk on the head. Nice body, anyway... A tall, blond haired man in a beige suit storms down the corridor towards BC, past Nita Bendix as she walks away. He brushes into BC, almost pushing him out of the way, and begins hitting the greeting buzzer on the governor’s office door repeatedly.
    A fixed look of anger scrunches up his face. His red-rimmed eyes don’t seem to be looking at anyone or anything. He keeps pounding on the buzzer.
    The door opens after about the fifteenth buzz. The man surges in before the door even opens halfway.
    BC hears, “Daniel!” as the door closes.
    Must be McEntyre’s widower. The angry, grieving spouse. Daniel McEntyre . Just got the news, I suppose. He’s in with the UIN, too, according to our reports. Possible future target. Has a weakness for very young Asian women and very old scotch. Our reports are pretty damn thorough... Know your enemy, one of the most basic rules. Too many skeletons to hold office himself, so he worked beside his wife. Family affair, how sweet. He’s all worked up. I wonder