Read The Parchment for Free Online

would the Vatican pay for this?”
    Visconti thought for a moment. “Ten million euros would be a good place to start discussions.”
    Bielgard leaned closer to Visconti. “Would you approach the Vatican on our behalf?”
    “Yes.”
    “And your fee?”
    Visconti smiled. “We'll talk about it at a later date.”
    “Wait a minute!” Michellini started to put the parchment back in her briefcase. “First, it was dinner, then carbon dating, now extortion— events are moving ahead a little too fast for me.”
    “Pure and simple, Pietro, Jane is worried that we'll get caught.”
    Visconti stared at Michellini with a bemused look. “The Vatican is a multinational corporation and acts accordingly. It'll pay handsomely to keep this document from its shareholders. I assure you, there will be no police involvement. Trust me.”
    “Mr. Visconti, could Jim and I step out of your office for a moment.”
    “Of course. Use the conference room across the hall.”
    When they entered the room, Michellini exploded. “Don't try to make me out as the frightened academic. I told you what I want out of this — peer recognition. I want heads to turn when I enter the room. I want them to say that woman over there is Jane Michellini from Bard College. She discovered the Jesus-Magdalene parchment. Now she's at Harvard!”
    “Recognition doesn't pay college tuitions, Jane. I'll take the money every time.”
    “I'll agree to let Visconti approach the Vatican to explore their level of interest and report back to us. Then we'll see.”
    “You're making the right decision, Jane. Let's talk some more with Visconti.”

    Cardinal Barbo sat at his desk, staring at his watch. In just over an hour, Hamas's threatened executions would begin.
    Alessandri buzzed on the intercom. “The Portuguese prime minister is on line two, Your Eminence.”
    Barbo anxiously picked up the phone. “Isabella, thanks for calling me back so promptly.”
    “I wish I had better news. My staff tells me that taking these Hamas terrorists will give our anti-immigrant party here the opening they need to pillory me. The election polls are very close.”
    “Thanks for trying, Isabella. Sometimes you must say ‘no,’ even to the Holy Father.”
    “Please express my best wishes to His Holiness.”
    “In all this talk of Hamas and hostages, I forgot to tell you some good news. Both you and Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg have been nominated to receive the Golden Rose. As you know, it is conferred only on women heads of state who have demonstrated their devotion to the Church.”
    There was silence on the phone.
    “I'm flattered. The Golden Rose has not been awarded in decades.”
    “Not since 1956. But the Holy Father believes that you and the Grand Duchess are deserving candidates. It will be difficult for the Holy Father to choose which of you has most helped the Church.”
    “I hope the Vatican realizes just how good you are, Francesco. How many Palestinians must I take to stay in the running?”
    “Three.”
    “And what have you asked of the Grand Duchess?”
    “The Church has many needs, Isabella.”
    “I guess I'll have to live with some extra political risk. Portugal will take your three Palestinians.”
    Barbo had hardly time to enjoy his success, when Alessandri buzzed again on the intercom.
    “There's someone named John on line three. He won't give his full name. He says he's an old friend of yours.”
    “Put him through.”
    Barbo waited impatiently for Vincent to come on the line. “John, Portugal will take three. The Dutch Prime Minister promised that he would take more if it put an end to the crisis. If the Israelis will let the remaining five gunmen go, I think the crisis is over.”
    “I'm afraid they won't, Francesco. The Israelis just told Washington that all negotiations over the hostages in the church are off. They're furious over Eilat. They're threatening to invade the church no matter what the cost in lives.”
    “John, that cell