Time: Modern Day
Location: Vatican City

PC looked at the message on his phone.

Shit, shit. That bastard, Carlos, must have convinced him to bring the meeting forward. What, does he think I was going to learn the fucking guitar in a couple of weeks? Idiot!

Graz wanted him to come to his office at 3 pm today. No explanation, nothing. But then that wasn't unusual for Graz to expect instant obedience without question.

So it was with great trepidation that PC approached Graz's office. He gave the Swiss Guard the secret handshake that everyone needed to gain entry to the office of the Black Pope. The guard then knocked three times before opening the door a few inches and indicated that the protocol called for PC to push it the the rest of ithe way open. On entry he was surprised to see that neither Dan nor Carlos were there. Instead there was a stranger Cardinal. He was tall and handsome as Cardinals go. He could've been Italian or even Mexican for that matter. Peter's brain wasn't nearly as good, as his own, at figuring things like that out.

Graz settled the matter by introducing his guest, "Here he is now, Alejandro, meet Petros, the current Guardian of Secrets and your new boss.

PC went over, looked slightly up into cavernous dark brown eyes that promised nothing in return.

"Hello, Alejandro, cómo estás?"

"Ahh you speak Spanish, I'm well thank you."

"Un poco, a very little poco actually."

Alejandro let out a genuinely good-natured laugh.

PC shook his hand and waited patiently for Graz's explanation.

"Alejandro, Cardinale Coati is from Guatemala. I have just installed him as the new Keeper of Secrets replacing Carlos. You did realise Carlos was only caretaking the position until we secured Alejandro's release from the Guatemala City archdiocese didn't you?"

PC's heart skipped a beat and he almost couldn't contain his pleasure.

"I'll leave it to you to tell Carlos and reassign him. I must also tell the both of you that Carlos had been undermining your position here Petros. I've discussed the situation with Dan and we've decided that he is to be transferred to SPECTRE USA. We feel his treacherous nature might be an asset in dealing with certain members of the CIA. What do you think Petros?"

"I will go along with whatever plan you have for him."

"Since Alejandro, or Alex, as he says we may call him, has reaffirmed his blood oath we may speak freely in front of him now. There are worrying reports coming out of SPECTRE USA concerning the lead up to the Presidential elections. It seems also that the subject of these concerns are long-standing thorns in our side from your country Petros. I have purposefully not informed SPECTRE USA of the true events surrounding Enrico's assassination and the loss of Andre. It remains a need-to-know basis and best kept within the confines of the Vatican."

"What do you mean Graz by thorns from my country, you mean, Australia?"

PC looked around the room and was relieved to find no guitar in sight.

"I am talking about Carter's girlfriend, Layla I believe her name is, and her cameraman lover." Graz spat out in disdain.

PC observed Alex flinch at the level of venom in Graz's voice as he slammed down, with a loud thud, the Book of Oaths he'd been fiddling with throughout the conversation. Peter's brain had a slight conniption as Carter's spirit reeled at the mention of his and Layla's name. Peter's face turned red and his hands and underarms began to perspire. He folded his arms in an attempt to conceal his discomfort but Graz didn't miss much.

"Are you alright Petros? Can I get you something? A glass of water perhaps? You look hot and bothered by something. Is something bothering you, Petros?"

PC lost sight of Graz as his persona was taken over by an image of Teacher berating him!

"No, no it's nothing but perhaps a glass of water would be nice."

"Alex, would you mind getting Petros here a glass of water? It's over there, near the bar fridge. Help yourself as well, and before you ask I am fine, thank you."

"Now, where were we. Ah yes, the American elections. SPECTRE USA reports that the CIA suspects that the rise in popularity of the second tier Democrat candidate, this PJL as he wants to be known, could be the biggest threat to them since JFK. They are saying we cannot afford to wait until he potentially gains power to act. We should deal with the threat now, before or at last resort during the debates."

"So why don't they deal with it?" PC argued, "Why do they need the Vatican, SPECTRE Europe to get involved in their domestic politics?"

"Petros, I'm shocked, have you been wasting all this time in the Thunder Vault? Has your little friend HAIL not already informed you that we have always been involved in American politics even before there was such a thing as America let alone the USA. Since before Columbus the Knights Templar have governed things with the power of money, and the blackmail and bribing of the rich and powerful with their foibles and their sick and deviant fantasies. The New World may have pretended to be different but it was really just moving pieces on the chessboard from Europe to North and South America and Australia. I thought you would have realized that by now, as surely as you realized I am your father. And that Alex, here, is your uncle, the brother of Rosa, and one of the last remaining members of the Jesus bloodline that had escaped to South and Central America."

Jesus Christ! Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.

"Does that mean my mother has the Jesus bloodline? So . . . "

"Yes Petros, you too are a descendant of Jesus Christ. Your mother Rosa lies near death in Vincenza. I have offered to go and comfort her in her final hours. . . But there is only one person in the world that she wants to see - can you guess who that might be? It is not her brother, even though he has come all this way to do so."

Peter's brain was screaming at Carter.

This can't be, can it? Is there no end to this nightmare of deceit. My father is a descendant of Jesus . . . So that means his offspring, me, I was a descendant of Jesus. No, no this can't be real. This all must be some nightmare, some sick joke of the hereafter. I am in Hell after all. For this is surely Hell. A place of discomfort and lies, and trickery and forced acts of debauchery and murder.

Graz looked at PC with a quizzical eye. "No comment, Petros? Don't tell me this is all news to you. You are not as smart as I thought you were if that's the case. What exactly have you been using your access to the Thunder Vault for if not to find out your place in the scheme of things?

PC was struggling so he endeavoured to change the subject. "So, maybe I should go and visit this Rosa person?"

"Well yes, if you want to meet your real mother before she passes, yes."

"But we have that meeting on Monday, don't we?"

"Yes, but we can easily reschedule. Now that Alex is here you can just tell Carlos yourself. Tell him he's been replaced . . . I'm sensing that won't be too hard for you Petros?"

PC sighed a heavy sigh of relief as the threat of exposure was relieved. "So, when I tell him, he's going to ask what I want him to do instead."

"Yes he probably will, if he hasn't already punched you in the nose? It's your decision. Carlos is your asset, to do with what you will, ever since the car accident in Paris. What do you think you would like to happen to him?"

"To him?"

"If you wish. I am thinking of sending Anton over to the States to help SPECTRE USA with the Election."

"Help?"

"Jesus, Yes, Petros, you've been to enough SPECTRE meetings by now to know what I mean, surely?"

PC began to panic but had the presence of mind to hide it well. "You mean make sure the right person becomes President?"

"Exactly, the CIA are nervous about doing anything themselves since JFK. They favour using outside agents in case they are seen or caught. You could send Carlos over with Anton to help him with the contract."

"What is the contract?"

"The contract is to ensure that the only Democrat candidate for President is Boston Tyne. The second part of the contract is to take out this Layla Elise Hart and if possible Malcolm Shoebridge as well. The incentive is 70/20/10 with a maximum of one million dollars U.S."

Shit no! They are after Layla again but why? And Mal? What the fuck have they got to do with the US Election?

"I know Anton, he won't want Carlos with him. He prefers to work alone!"

"Yes, and I think I know Anton better than you, Petros. If I agree to pay Carlos a separate fee. Then Anton will have a much better chance of collecting the whole million if there are two shooters."

Ah, they are trying the sniper trick again. But I can't intervene this time I'm fucking stuck in this bag of bones.

"You still with us, Petros?"

"Err. Yes, Graz, I was just thinking, if I send Carlos with Anton who will be our body guards then?"

"Yes, I've been grappling with that myself. Since the Andre incident we have been sharing Anton then we brought Carlos in, at your insistence. He is probably anticipating replacing Anton eventually."

"Seems to me he has his eyes on my job actually. He is very ambitious and I've seen the way he looks at me sometimes."

"Maybe you are right, Petros, he has been as you Aussies say 'white anting you' to Dan and I of late. Perhaps it would be best if he were to disappear for awhile and help Anton out in the USA."

Only awhile? Why not permanently? PC put in Peter's brain.

"What has he been saying about me?"

"He has convinced Dan that you are different since the incident my dear boy. That you never play the guitar. That you swamp him with requests for information about conspiracy theories. He feels more like a PA, personal assistant, he said, than the Keeper of Secrets. More stenographer than assassin. He mopes around the place disgruntled. I think we shall send him for a little holiday see if that bucks up his attitude a bit, eh?"

"Yes, I think that would be a good solution to my problem."

"Your problem? And what problem is that?" Alex, raising one eyebrow, spoke, in perfect English, for the first time since the introductions.

PC was a bit taken a back. "Just thinking out loud."

"If there is a problem maybe you should tell me boss." Alex sounded more like a mafia boss talking to the Godfather than a Cardinale of the Roman Catholic Church.

"No, no real problem. I was maybe just wondering if you might not like doing the job that Carlos is complaining about either?"

"I think you may be right Petros," Graz took over the conversation, "I do need to replace Andre on a more permanent basis. This may be the perfect opportunity and I also think that you may indeed need a proper personal assistant. I have been talking to His Holiness about dragging the Vatican, albeit kicking and screaming, into the 21st century. We are going to get you a new personal assistant, her name is Cynthia."

She arrives tomorrow I believe. She is French I think, anyway she was recruited in Paris. She speaks four languages and has a degree in nursing. A very clever and personable girl who was looking for a career change and answered an ad on our website.

I think you will like her Petros.

As for a replacement for Anton while he is in the USA. I have asked his sister, Netty, to come in next week, after Anton and Carlos leave, for an interview. I asked Anton if he would speak to her but he suggested we should give the job to Carlos for some reason. Anyway, it is not up to Anton to decide. I don't think its necessary for you to be involved, Petros. I'm sure Alex can handle the interview and make a recommendation to me.

So by the end of the month, we should have our full complement of staff to take us into the new year.

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