Time: Present Day

Location: Vatican City

Peter went immediately to see the Archbishop. He was going over in his mind what he would say to him. After all, he was the third most powerful man in the Vatican, some cardinals believed him to be the most powerful, even above the Pope himself.

He wasn't sure why but he had an awful feeling that he was about to find out. He would have to be careful . . . careful Graz was a dangerous man to make an enemy of, he knew that from past experience. He decided on the way, that discretion was the better part of valour. He would show him the photo. . . no more. . . he would not tell him all he now knew. He would gauge his reaction. . , there would be questions about how he had come by such a photograph. . . he had to have plausible answers. . . he wasn't sure exactly how much Graz knew about the days events. He knew he had a network of spies throughout the Vatican. . . his sparrows he called them. . . Peter wasn't certain if this was a reference to his favourite dish, sparrow casserole, if his spies knew, by this, their fate if they were ever to cross him.

He finally arrived at Graz' office on the third floor. His office was adjacent to the Secret Vault, so he could witness first hand who was gaining access to the most highly guarded secrets of the world. Two Swiss Guards guarded his office standing on either side of the door and directly opposite another two guards on either side of the first entrance to the vault.

The senior guard extended his right hand. Peter took his right hand in his and covered it with this left. He applied the secret handshake that had been used in the Vatican since the time of the Knights Templar. Peter was told that there were three secret handshakes, he was given only the first. He was instructed in it, in secret, by Graz himself. Peter always had had a curious nature and he had asked about its origin. Graz didnt tell him much, only that the three were similar but not the same as those commonly used in some orders of Freemasonry since, they too, had sprung from the Templars. Peter executed the grip with precision it was designed to trap imposters who might seek access to secret places, things or people.

He was relieved yet a little alarmed when the guard said simply and ominously, "Pass, the Archbishop is expecting you."

He didn't ask Carter for the handshake. He merely shivered as Carter passed right through him.

When he entered Graz was looking through some papers on his desk. He looked up over his pinc nez glasses and said, "Ah, Petros, come in my boy, take a seat. What brings you to see me this fine day?"

Carter retired to a corner hovering six feet above the ground, he had quickly found this afforded the best vantsge point to observe dealings amongst mortals.

"You are probably aware that I have had a visitor, a visitor from Australia, A visitor from my past, Amelia's mother, you remember, I have told you about her, Amelia I mean, many times over the years."

"Mmmm, Oh, yes I remember, wasn't she the girl next door, the love of your life - until you found God that is," Graz played him like a fish at the bait. "And what lies did the mother of your love tell you? Did she tell you that she deceived her daughter, that she deceived you, that she tricked you into leaving your home?"

"She said she had lied to me in the past but didn't elaborate. She just told me that Amelia was dead and they, not the police so much, suspected foul play. She showed me a photograph of who they suspected, apparently he was the last person seen with Amelia before her body was found. I think it might be the one you call Andy, she said his name wad Andre. He looks just like the one I introduced to Dan, that scared Dan out of his wits at Rome airport when we arrived."

"So you say Dan told you about Andre, after I expressly told him not to. I'll have to have words with Father Dan Allen." Peter had realised, after many dealings with Graz, that when he used your full name you were in for some deal of trouble, like a parent angry with a rogue child. The child instictively knows by the name his parent uses how much trouble he or she is in.

Peter had to think fast, even though Dan avoided most of his questions about his behaviour that day he had obviously told him more about Andre after the incident at the airport than he was supposed to.

Now he had to save Dan, he would have to lie laced with the truth as he had been shown. Dan had instructed him well though. Deceit was a two edged sword he had taught him, one that could just as easily cut the doer as well as the recipient, and sometimes kill one or both.

"No Grats," this was risky using his first name but he had to quickly re-establish some sort of rapport or things could go downhill rapidly. His name was Graziano, Graz for short but the Italians pronounced it Graarts so that's what he did.

"He merely told me, he thought he'd seen someone he knew from the past at the baggage claim. He was obviously upset, scared I thought. I just put two and two together and surmised it was Andy, that had spooked him for some reason. He slid his phone over to Graz to shift the conversation away from Dan, that's the last photo of my Amelia before she was found dead. She's on the right, and that looks a lot like the Andy I remember at Rome airport twenty or more years ago."

"I know which one is supposed to be Amelia. Are you sure this is Amelia, it might be Amanda. She might be trying to trick you again, be careful of people who trick you Petros, especially those who profess to love you. Do you believe her when she says Amelia died, maybe she just wants you to believe this so you leave them alone? Women can be very deceitful creatures Peter, that is why we keep an eye on them in the Vatican."

"I am not sure of anything Graz but I know this woman and this woman spells trouble."

"Don't say anymore Petros, sometimes we have to lay what happened in the past to rest in the past." With that Graz reached below under the table top of his desk and turned off his security cameras. He found them useful in reviewing his visitors, checking their body language, gauging whether they were being truthful or not, and recording, and reviewing the information they were giving him. There were times though, for his own long term security, that it be better that they be turned off. This was one of those times. He looked across at the Peter sitting opposite him, and was proud of his work in changing the fresh faced, and innocent boy that Dan had brought him, into a worthy successor to the Secret Guild.

He began, "Petros, my Raphael, you must have questions but they must wait. I have been thinking for some time now that you are ready to advance in the Secret Guild. But to fully advance there needs to be a test, a test of both your resolve and ingenuity in the face of imminent danger to our cause. These tests seldom reveal themselves so completely as the one you have brought to me today. Therefore, prepare yourself, for I am about to share with you one of the major secrets of the world, one that is only shared with a select few - heads of churches of many denominations, heads of selected governments, heads of selected national security organisations, and heads of the biggest and wealthiest companies and families in the world. You are probably thinking that sounds like the four pillars of SPECTRE which you already have been instructed in, and you would be right.

Cardinal Michaelus shall soon retire, his health deteriorates daily. He has asked me to prepare myself for advancement, part of that preparation is to prepare my own successor, you have been chosen Petros, many years ago in fact, but now it is finally time. I must warn you however that once you choose to occupy my seat, there is no getting up. It is permanent, and can only be relinquished through further advancement, retirement or death. My only question now therefore, is the age old question you have heard but once before. Are you Father Peter Margate, Keeper of Secrets, Cardinal Raphael, willing to undertake all manner of deeds to protect those Secrets about to be entrusted to you. Say 'I am' if indeed you are, remembering again there is no turning back."

Peter thought for a moment, he had known this day was coming Dan had told him as much, his only reservation had been that nagging doubt that he would be cutting off all chance of a reconciliation with the only girl, person for that matter, that he had ever truly loved. He now knew, that person was dead so he stood to attention and said, "I am."

"Do you further solemnly swear, before the All, never to reveal the Secret, or Secrets about to be entrusted to you, to any person or on any thing living or dead except it be in the process of advancement being rendered or received by you."

"I do," Peter said solemnly.

"Then advance to me and receive the Secrets and the Second Sign and Shake that you may know another in possession of such Secrets, or gain entry into the presence of one in possession of such Secrets."

Carter watched as Graz showed his father the sign, right hand over the heart with two fingers only extended.

The handshake is similar to the first save for this." He demonstrated the handshake in the open then got Peter to repeat it several times until he had it down pat.

"Good, now I will impart to you the Secrets aligned with the position of Guardian of Secrets and make you Cardinal in Pectore, Cardinal Gabriel.

Carter almost knew what was coming, knew like in a premonition, Graz said to Peter, "ln the Vault of Secrets opposite this very office is a manuscript, a manuscript written by Jesus himself. A manuscript uncovered in 645 A.D. in an excavation of a temple in Jerusalem. Some day you may get to read this manuscript in its entirety, but for now you may only listen while I précis its central theme for you, for it is difficult to read, in many respects. It is also the most dangerous document on earth for, in the wrong hands, it could bring about not only the destruction of the Church, but of all religions, and perhaps even civilisation, and the human race. We believe it was hidden by Mary Magdalene, because she feared for her own, and her family's lives. It could be used as the catalyst for the Armageddon predicted in the bible."

Chapter 6Scene 7 extended

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"The Pope knows about this of course?" Peter rightly asked.

"The Holy Father knows as much as you are to find out today...no more. As it has always been since the discovery the Templars have Guarded these and other Secrets from the Pope as much as from any reigning monarch. As much for their and the Church's protection as for protecting the Secrets. It was decided by the Templars at the time that there was a reason the discovery was brought to them rather than the Cardinals...that owing to the very nature of these Secrets they were best kept by warriors rather than priests. And so it has been ever since."

"You mean you are a...Knight of the Templars?" asked Peter incredulously.

"Yes...Mark this day in your memory Peter for so too will you be by the end of it."

"But everything I've ever read about the Templars says they were wiped out by the Cardinals....excommunicated and persecuted..." Peter argued.

"And who do you think would be able to do that...persecute a warrior force...the Cardinals? No Peter...you will find that we hold Lies just as well as Secrets...it is an integral part of hiding in plain sight as you will see and become adept at yourself...you must for after today your very survival depends on it. Do I make myself clear?

Peter nodded.

Then are you ready to begin young Petrus..or shall I call the Guards?"

Peter nodded again.

Carter watched as Graz imparted to his father the Secret that would change his life and Carter's death forever.

Chapter 49 - Secrets and Lies.

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