Page 108 of An Inside Job

“I’m only drawing the logical inference.”

“How could such a thing be possible?”

“I believe the word is embezzlement.”

“On whose part?”

“Camorra Incorporated. But the fact Cardinal Bertoli participated in a scheme to steal a lost painting by Leonardo would suggest he’s been lining his pockets too.”

“Allegedly participated,” said Father Keegan. “But how did he know about the painting in the first place?”

“I was hopingyoumight be able to tell me.”

“He does have a number of very fine paintings in his newly renovated apartment in the Piazza San Carlo. In fact, it’s a bit like a private museum.”

“Gifts from wealthy benefactors?” asked Gabriel.

“Actually the cardinal borrows them.”

“From where?”

“The storerooms of the Vatican Museums.”

43

Hotel Hassler

Gabriel left Caffè Greco five minutes after Father Keegan and set off across the Piazza di Spagna. He arrived at the top of the steps to find Luca Rossetti standing outside the church of the Trinità dei Monti. Together they repaired to Gabriel’s suite at the Hassler, where General Ferrari, in a dark suit and tie, was leafing through the pages of Cardinal Bertoli’s quarterly financial reports.

“Enlightening reading,” he remarked without looking up. “I should break into your hotel room more often.”

“Those documents are for my eyes only.”

“I can imagine why. After all, I read not long ago that the Church was going bankrupt because of declining donations from the faithful and the costly financial settlements over the sexual abuse scandal.” Ferrari tapped the page with his ruined right hand. “But it says here that the Vatican has been acquiring expensive commercial real estate all over Europe with the help of its financial adviser, Nico Ambrosi. He does have the Midas touch, doesn’t he? My goodness, look at those returns.”

“I have reason to believe the numbers aren’t real.”

“As do the Carabinieri and our associates at the Guardia di Finanza. But these documents all but prove it. They also suggest that CardinalBertoli is engaged in activities that can only be described as embezzlement and fraud.”

“How long have you known?”

“About His Eminence? Let’s just say Bertoli has been on the radar of Italian law enforcement for some time now. But because he is a high-ranking official of a sovereign state, we have been powerless to pursue him.” The general paused, then added, “Until now.”

“Which is why Luca was in no hurry to leave that beachfront bar in Ventimiglia last night. He mentioned Nico Ambrosi’s name because he wanted me to do the Carabinieri’s bidding behind the walls of the Vatican.”

The general placed the quarterly statements in his attaché case. “I’ll also need the documents that Father Keegan gave you at Caffè Greco.”

“You can’t have them.”

Ferrari held out his hand, and Gabriel surrendered Cardinal Bertoli’s Vatican Bank statements.

“Only six million? I expected more. But then I suppose the cardinal has a few million stashed at Piedmont Global Capital in Milan.” The statements disappeared into Ferrari’s attaché case. Then he looked at Rossetti and said, “Perhaps you should tell Gabriel about his friend Franco Tedeschi.”

“His plane landed in Naples a couple of hours ago. He was met at the airport by several known associates of Lorenzo Di Falco, leader of the Camorra’s most powerful clan.”

“I wouldn’t want to be in Franco’s shoes,” said Gabriel.

“Neither would I,” said General Ferrari. “The Di Falco clan was behind the attempt on my life when I was commander of the Naples division. Lorenzo is the sort to kill first and ask questions later, especially when money is involved.”

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