Time: Modern Day
Location: Vatican City

The next day Graz summoned PC, Dan, Alex and Carlos to his office for a meeting at 10 am.

PC felt relaxed in his office across from Graz's and next to the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. His mood soon changed though when he saw the CCTV monitor on the passenger lift from the ground floor entrance. It was five to ten and the lift doors opened to reveal Carlos striding regally along the corridor towards Graz's office, his arms cradling The Fool! The guitar that had triggered the memory of Cat, the girl with the dead eyes in the middle of the bed, her chest embracng the knife that came with it. PC was in the grip of a mixture of panic and loathing at the memories Peter's brain was displaying. 

How could he do such a thing to a young girl like that.

And if his father was capable of such an act how far away was he from doing something similar. After all, his father had arranged the horrendous death of Carter's grandmother in that tunnel in Paris and even given Anton instructions to inflict as much pain as possible. So maybe he did butcher that call girl in the hotel.

Look how I am now fantasising about killing Carlos and Anton, and my father and even my grandfather. Maybe I am evil too. I just got killed before it had time to manifest itself. 

PC physically shook himself out of it and started to think up excuses as to why he couldn't play the guitar. He thought of crushing his hand in the door jam as he left his office but realised the futility of it all. 

He didn't look where he was going as he burst out of his office as if to escape the tortured mind it housed when he bumped right into Alex.

"Hey Petros, what's the rush? We still have five minutes I think, don't we?"

"Yes, good morning Alex, sorry about that I wasn't thinking."

Well that's a lie. I was thinking alright. Nothing but thinking.

PC fell in line with Alex as they approached Graz's office, faced the guard and each gave him the secret handshake. The guard stood aside, bowed as he slightly and slowly opened the door ajar for them to complete entry. This signal told Graz that whoever was entering had been duly proven to be in possession of the secret handshake by the guard. If the door were to open suddenly as it had that fateful day that Petros took Enrico's life, a newly installed alarm system would simultaneously force the door closed and open a secret compartment in Graz's desk containing a loaded Glock and a large switchblade. Neither were required as Graz took first Petros' hand with his right then Alex's with his left as a welcoming gesture.

PC and Alex turned as the guard pushed the door ajar again as Anton, closely followed by Carlos entered the room. Carlos glared at PC as he patted the fucking guitar under his arm and then laid it on the coffee table next to PC. 

"So we are just awaiting Dan. The lift must be slow this morning." 

No sooner had he said it when the door opened a third time and Dan entered the room in high spirits after his short vacation to Venice and Vincenza. 

Graz embraced Dan warmly and then gestured for everyone to sit down. 

Carlos broke protocol by announcing the obvious that he brought Petros' guitar because he had apparently forgotten to do so. 

Graz glared angrily at Carlos, who didn't seem to notice until he was taken aback by the venom in Graz's response. 

"Yes, we all know you want to hear Petros play Carlos, but we have work to do which is difficult for you lately it would seem."

Carlos went white. It was never a good idea to piss off the Black Pope. 

"To business. I have called you all here to sort out our plans for the rest of the current year as far as those present are concerned. 

"SPECTRE USA has received a request from the CIA for outside assistance in the Selection process of the new President. 

"It seems some 'friends' of Petros here are interfering in the Election. The lame-duck Republican President, that woman, is not the problem. Our preferred Democrat candidate's popularity seems to be waning. The cause is this other progressive Democrat candidate that we were publicly forced into endorsing as well because of the past indiscretions in poll fixing."

"Did you say friends of mine are somehow involved, Graz? I would like to know who they are please." PC asked for clarification. 

"Well, they came to visit you not long ago I believe. Friends of your son Carter, that woman reporter, Layla and her lover boy Malcolm."

Carlos' eyes shot to PC, his mouth agape as he realised he had organised for Anton to kill Petros' son. 

No wonder Enrico didn't want Petros to know till it was done. Shit, so that is why Petros' attitude to me has changed. I shall have to watch what I say in future. Carlos was in a mental spin. 

"But they are Australian, so how can they affect the American elections, Graz?"

"It seems Americans like Layla's accent and she is good looking as well. Her reports for her Australian current affairs program are getting loads of attention on YouTube. So much so her and Mal are in high demand for interviews with the political press and Main Stream Media including the Cable stations like CNN and MSNBC and even Fox. They have also heavily infiltrated the 'PJL for President campaign. At the insistence of his daughter, they have virtually taken over the media aspects of his campaign based on what happened once in Australia.'

"So what's to be done?" Alex chimed in. 

"They need to be dealt with," Graz said matter-of-factly."

"Sorry, who is this?" Carlos asked, pointing towards Alex.

"Oh sorry, I forgot you two haven't met yet. Petros have you not told Carlos he is being replaced?" 

"No, sorry, I thought you'd like to do it yourself."

"Carlos, this is Cardinale Alejandro Coati, he has been installed as the new permanent Keeper of Secrets, you were well aware that yours was an interim appointment following Enrico's rather sudden demise, no doubt?" 

Carlos was flabbergasted and visibly shaken. He glared at Petros as though he blamed him. He said nothing though. He wasn't stupid. He knew when to bite his tongue. Cowardice was always more life preserving than valour when dealing with Graz. 

As if to read his mind Graz continued, "If you are wondering what is to become of you Carlos, you are to accompany Anton on a little private jet trip to the USA to help SPECTRE USA. 

Come forward now and receive your Assassin's ring."

Carlos had the look of a lost puppy as he tucked his tail and approached Graz, head bent. 

"Carlos, instrument of the Order, you are selected to join the Assassins Ring and as a token and symbol of your adherence to your blood oath you are to wear this ring at all times especially when carrying out duties assigned by SPECTRE in all its forms. This Skull Ring provides you with recognition and escapes from capture. There are four diamonds in the temporal lobe denoting the four continents you are permitted to operate in and two capsules in the place of eyes. One capsule is purple and affords the apparition of your death to afford and abet escape. Should this prove impossible then the red capsule shall afford you a swift and hasty exit. You must make every endeavour after taking it to ensure your remains go undiscovered. Your fellow assassins have a solemn duty to assist you to achieve this feat. Is all this now known and understood? 

"Yes, My Generale."

"Good. then prepare to receive your first task. You will accompany Anton and obey all of his orders as mine.  You will carry out the assignment and be rewarded as he sees fit. Your instructions and all you require are in this sealed envelope I now hand to Anton.You are both to commit all to memory and then destroy it for it is the only copy."

Anton took the, then proffered, envelope from Graz's extended hand. 

"Anton, before you leave for the States I want you to sound out your sister's interest in becoming a bodyguard for Petros while you are away. It is a new position not yours. So she may be able to stay on after your return subject to the satisfaction of everyone involved including you and her."

"Yes, My Generale, as you wish."

"You and Carlos can take your leave now to prepare. I cannot stress enough the magnitude of importance of your assigned tasks to the future of the Mother Church."

PC let out a sigh and smiled at Carlos. This act didn't escape Carlos nor did it escape Anton whose right eyebrow raised quizzically. 

"But we haven't heard Petros play!" Carlos peered triumphantly in the direction of the guitar. 'The Fool' was silent but not for long if Carlos got his way. 

PC panicked 

Oh shit! Carlos you prick. He's guessed I talked Graz into sending him away. But I bet he's yet to guess why. The backstabbing bastard. I'm fucked now. 

Dan piped into the conversation, "Petros doesn't have to play for us if he doesn't want to."

"Do not undermine your superiors Carlos, is that clear enough?"

Why do they protect him all the time, the lot of them, except Anton. Hmmm, maybe I can talk to him while I'm away. See what he knows and is willing to share. 

PC breathed a noticeable sigh of relief as Carlos bent down to retrieve the guitar from the coffee table. He turned back to see Graz looking at him thoughtfully. 

"Leave the guitar, would you Carlos but you and Anton may leave now, please."

The please by the Black Pope was as good as an ultimatum. No more discussion would be tolerated. 

Dan chirped in excitedly, "Do play us something, Petros. Like the old days."

PC panicked. 

Looks like the jig is up now. May as well come clean and tell them I'm not Peter. Dan suspects something. It's the eyes, my fucking blue eyes. He's probably told Graz. Graz has been watching Me I'm sure. That fucking robot HAIL is probably a spy. Oh well.  .    

Peter's body dawdled over to where 'The Fool' was lying in wait to expose him. 

How ironic a fake fool exposed by 'The Fool'. 

PC was about to come clean when Peter picked up the guitar and slung it in one motion over his shoulder and started playing House of the Rising Sun, Dan's favourite, perfectly. 

PC couldn't believe it. Peter's brain thought out, muscle memory, it's called. 

When he had obviously finished both men applauded him. 

Dan said, "How about singing Amelia's song for Graz?"

There was a familiar air of relief in Dan's voice. Peter recognized that he'd heard it before at a baggage check out at an airport long ago. The first time Peter had run into Andre. His musings were interrupted by Graz's voice now.

"Yes Petros, my boy. Sing me  the song you wrote for your long lost, first and only love, Amelia. I'd love to hear it, please."

This was a different please, a genuine please.

Maybe they have been telling me the truth? Maybe Dan and Graz had nothing to do with Amelia's death. Maybe it was just Enrico and Andre. After all, what sick bastard would kill the girlfriend of his son and then ask him to sing a song he wrote for her?

PC sang it and sang it and sang it well. His voice was filled with emotion and took on a feminine twang which seemed to please Dan and Graz even more.

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