Time: Modern Day
Location: Vatican City

The police entered and took up positions on either side of Father Peter Margate. The older man was greying and dressed in a slightly dishevelled navy blue suit with a grey and beige tie. He appeared to be in charge. The younger cop was in the uniform of the Vatican police. He had three stripes on his right shoulder. Petros(Carter) wasn't sure what that meant,perhaps sergeant. He rummaged through Peter's memory to no avail, obviously, Peter hadn't had much interaction with the Vatican police so far.

Petros(Carter) was pulled back to reality when the police introduced themselves in English, "Hello Father, I am Senior Detective Attard, Homicide, Rome District. This is Sergeant Artuso from the Vatican Police. We are here to get to the bottom of the attack that occurred last week at the Vatican."

Carter nodded Peter's head to indicate his understanding and willingness to co-operate.

"May I remind you that although you are not formally under oath, any statements you make to us may be recorded and used in evidence in any trial or hearing and may be used against you in certain circumstances. Is that clear?"

Petros(Carter) nodded again.

"You may, of course, refuse to answer any questions that are likely to incriminate you. Such refusal may not necessarily be taken as an admission of any guilt. Do you understand the basis of our inquiry?"

Petros(Carter) said, "Yes, I understand," in Peter's voice. It's so strange speaking in Peter's voice he thought. It's like play acting, but this wasn't on the stage like Mal and Layla. Only this was serious, real life, deathly serious!

"Good. Shall we begin then?"

Petros(Carter) nodded and said, in as much of a cavalier voice as he could muster, "Fire away."

"Recorded interview with Father Peter Margate, a resident of the Vatican, interview commenced at eleven fifteen a.m., the nineteenth day of May, in front of myself, Senior Detective Attard of Homicide, and Sergeant Artuso of the Vatican Police at the Vatican Hospital ICU."

"Father Margate, for the record, and in your normal voice could you please state your full name and title at the Vatican."

"Father Peter Margate, Guardian, Vatican City."

"Can you describe, in your own words the events leading up to the deaths of Cardinal Enrico and his bodyguard."

"I attended a meeting with Enrico and Graz. We were in the middle of the meeting when the armed guard on the door suddenly burst in on us. He shouted out 'Ali Akbar' and shot Enrico as he stood to order him out. Andre charged at the guard who shot him . . . three times I think. He then attacked me with his spear stabbing me multiple times until Anton struggled and disarmed him of his gun. I think he must have grabbed the gun off the floor and shot him. The next thing I remember is waking up in a hospital here."

"You mentioned someone else who was shot, someone called Andre? Who is Andre?"

"Andre is . . . er was, Enrico's bodyguard."

"Are you sure? We were told that Cardinal Enrico's guard, the terrorist who attacked you all, was called Antonio."

"Oh?"...shit how do I get out of this one. "Well, imagine that! I've been calling him Andre ever since I've been here at the Vatican. I had no idea, and he never did correct me. I wonder why?"

"And just how long have you been here at the Vatican Father Margate?" Attard asked as he scribbled a note and cast a quizzical look at Petros(Carter).

"About twenty years now I think. Time sure flies when you're having fun." Petros(Carter) laughed nervously.

"Just so. Why do you think that the guard stabbed you? Why not just shoot you?"

"I don't know, maybe he didn't mean to kill me. Just keep me at bay."

"Hmmm . . . Still, it must have been difficult for him to manage both weapons at once. The spear seems a cumbersome instrument, more for show than anything. Not what I would have used unless I had already lost control of the gun."

"Perhaps I am mistaken, maybe he had dropped the gun or something..I really don't remember much after being stabbed."

"That's understandable under the stressful circumstances. However you seem to remember someone else being shot someone we are not aware of? Come to think of it there was an awful lot of blood, perhaps we need the forensics unit to take another look."

"No, I remember now. I thought he had shot Anton but obviously, I was confused. So no-one else was shot only Enrico?"

"Other than the attacker? Yes or that's what we are led to believe. But it wouldn't be the first time that something didn't add up at the Vatican."

"I wouldn't be able to help you with anything other than what I have told you."

"And that's alright Father. This is merely a formality. It is necessary for me to interview all present especially those injured. I have been instructed to close off the matter once everyone has been interviewed, and you are the last one.

Thank you Father, for your patience and we wish you a speedy recovery. We will take our leave now and send in Father Dan so you can continue to enjoy his visit from Australia. Addio Father Margate."

Petros(Carter) nodded and watched them shuffle out of the cramped ward room and heard their muffled conversation with Father Dan in the corridor outside.

He let Peter's voice give out an audible sigh of relief as Dan entered the room.

"How did it go Petros. Well I trust?" Dan beamed from the foot of the bed.

"I think I might have stuffed up!"

"What happened?" Dan looked concerned.

"I got caught off guard and mentioned Andre being shot! What happened to Andre?"

Dan let out a sigh, "Shit I should have warned you. We disposed of Andre's body before the police arrived. We couldn't risk the police digging too deeply into Andre's background. As far as they know Enrico and you were the only two innocent casualties on that day. Are they suspicious?"

They said they were wrapping it up but did mention the inordinate amount of blood and maybe getting forensics involved again. That might pose a problem if they find Andre's blood in the carpet," Petros(Carter) postulated.

"Don't worry. The carpet has already been taken up and destroyed. We have friends in the forensics unit who will cover for us. It is over now Petros. Time to look to the future now."

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