danbrown.angels&demons-第21章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　The　woman　was　speaking　fast　and　furiously。　The　operator　had　spent　enough　years　on　the　phones　to　know　when　he　was　dealing　with　a　pazzo。　This　woman　did　not　sound　crazy。　She　was　urgent　but　rational。　Calm　and　efficient。　He　listened　to　her　request；　bewildered。
　〃Il　camerlegno？〃　the　operator　said；　still　trying　to　figure　out　where　the　hell　the　call　was　ing　from。　〃I　cannot　possibly　connect　。　。　。　yes；　I　am　aware　he　is　in　the　Pope's　office　but　。　。　。　who　are　you　again？　。　。　。　and　you　want　to　warn　him　of　。　。　。〃　He　listened；　more　and　more　unnerved。　Everyone　is　in　danger？　How？　And　where　are　you　calling　from？　〃Perhaps　I　should　contact　the　Swiss　。　。　。〃　The　operator　stopped　short。　〃You　say　you're　where？　Where？〃　
　He　listened　in　shock；　then　made　a　decision。　〃Hold；　please；〃　he　said；　putting　the　woman　on　hold　before　she　could　respond。　Then　he　called　mander　Olivetti's　direct　line。　There　is　no　way　that　woman　is　really…
　The　line　picked　up　instantly。
　〃Per　l'amore　di　Dio！〃　a　familiar　woman's　voice　shouted　at　him。　〃Place　the　damn　call！〃
　
　The　door　of　the　Swiss　Guards'　security　center　hissed　open。　The　guards　parted　as　mander　Olivetti　entered　the　room　like　a　rocket。　Turning　the　corner　to　his　office；　Olivetti　confirmed　what　his　guard　on　the　walkie…talkie　had　just　told　him；　Vittoria　Vetra　was　standing　at　his　desk　talking　on　the　mander's　private　telephone。
　Che　coglioni　che　ha　questa！　he　thought。　The　balls　on　this　one！　
　Livid；　he　strode　to　the　door　and　rammed　the　key　into　the　lock。　He　pulled　open　the　door　and　demanded；　〃What　are　you　doing！〃
　Vittoria　ignored　him。　〃Yes；〃　she　was　saying　into　the　phone。　〃And　I　must　warn…〃
　Olivetti　ripped　the　receiver　from　her　hand；　and　raised　it　to　his　ear。　〃Who　the　hell　is　this！〃　
　For　the　tiniest　of　an　instant；　Olivetti's　inelastic　posture　slumped。　〃Yes；　camerlegno　。　。　。〃　he　said。　〃Correct；　signore　。　。　。　but　questions　of　security　demand　。　。　。　of　course　not　。　。　。　I　am　holding　her　here　for　。　。　。　certainly；　but　。　。　。〃　He　listened。　〃Yes；　sir；〃　he　said　finally。　〃I　will　bring　them　up　immediately。〃
　
　39

　The　Apostolic　Palace　is　a　conglomeration　of　buildings　located　near　the　Sistine　Chapel　in　the　northeast　corner　of　Vatican　City。　With　a　manding　view　of　St。　Peter's　Square；　the　palace　houses　both　the　Papal　Apartments　and　the　Office　of　the　Pope。
　Vittoria　and　Langdon　followed　in　silence　as　mander　Olivetti　led　them　down　a　long　rococo　corridor；　the　muscles　in　his　neck　pulsing　with　rage。　After　climbing　three　sets　of　stairs；　they　entered　a　wide；　dimly　lit　hallway。　
　Langdon　could　not　believe　the　artwork　on　the　walls…mint…condition　busts；　tapestries；　friezes…works　worth　hundreds　of　thousands　of　dollars。　Two…thirds　of　the　way　down　the　hall　they　passed　an　alabaster　fountain。　Olivetti　turned　left　into　an　alcove　and　strode　to　one　of　the　largest　doors　Langdon　had　ever　seen。　
　〃Ufficio　di　Papa；〃　the　mander　declared；　giving　Vittoria　an　acrimonious　scowl。　Vittoria　didn't　flinch。　She　reached　over　Olivetti　and　knocked　loudly　on　the　door。　
　Office　of　the　Pope；　Langdon　thought；　having　difficulty　fathoming　that　he　was　standing　outside　one　of　the　most　sacred　rooms　in　all　of　world　religion。　
　〃Avanti！〃　someone　called　from　within。
　When　the　door　opened；　Langdon　had　to　shield　his　eyes。　The　sunlight　was　blinding。　Slowly；　the　image　before　him　came　into　focus。
　The　Office　of　the　Pope　seemed　more　of　a　ballroom　than　an　office。　Red　marble　floors　sprawled　out　in　all　directions　to　walls　adorned　with　vivid　frescoes。　A　colossal　chandelier　hung　overhead；　beyond　which　a　bank　of　arched　windows　offered　a　stunning　panorama　of　the　sun…drenched　St。　Peter's　Square。
　My　God；　Langdon　thought。　This　is　a　room　with　a　view。
　At　the　far　end　of　the　hall；　at　a　carved　desk；　a　man　sat　writing　furiously。　〃Avanti；〃　he　called　out　again；　setting　down　his　pen　and　waving　them　over。
　Olivetti　led　the　way；　his　gait　military。　〃Signore；〃　he　said　apologetically。　〃No　ho　potuto…〃　
　The　man　cut　him　off。　He　stood　and　studied　his　two　visitors。
　The　camerlegno　was　nothing　like　the　images　of　frail；　beatific　old　men　Langdon　usually　imagined　roaming　the　Vatican。　He　wore　no　rosary　beads　or　pendants。　No　heavy　robes。　He　was　dressed　instead　in　a　simple　black　cassock　that　seemed　to　amplify　the　solidity　of　his　substantial　frame。　He　looked　to　be　in　his　late…thirties；　indeed　a　child　by　Vatican　standards。　He　had　a　surprisingly　handsome　face；　a　swirl　of　coarse　brown　hair；　and　almost　radiant　green　eyes　that　shone　as　if　they　were　somehow　fueled　by　the　mysteries　of　the　universe。　As　the　man　drew　nearer；　though；　Langdon　saw　in　his　eyes　a　profound　exhaustion…like　a　soul　who　had　been　through　the　toughest　fifteen　days　of　his　life。　
　〃I　am　Carlo　Ventresca；〃　he　said；　his　English　perfect。　〃The　late　Pope's　camerlegno。〃　His　voice　was　unpretentious　and　kind；　with　only　the　slightest　hint　of　Italian　inflection。
　〃Vittoria　Vetra；〃　she　said；　stepping　forward　and　offering　her　hand。　〃Thank　you　for　seeing　us。〃
　Olivetti　twitched　as　the　camerlegno　shook　Vittoria's　hand。
　〃This　is　Robert　Langdon；〃　Vittoria　said。　〃A　religious　historian　from　Harvard　University。〃
　〃Padre；〃　Langdon　said；　in　his　best　Italian　accent。　He　bowed　his　head　as　he　extended　his　hand。　
　〃No；　no；〃　the　camerlegno　insisted；　lifting　Langdon　back　up。　〃His　Holiness's　office　does　not　make　me　holy。　I　am　merely　a　priest…a　chamberlain　serving　in　a　time　of　need。〃
　Langdon　stood　upright。　
　〃Please；〃　the　camerlegno　said；　〃everyone　sit。〃　He　arranged　some　chairs　around　his　desk。　Langdon　and　Vittoria　sat。　Olivetti　apparently　preferred　to　stand。　
　The　camerlegno　seated　himself　at　the　desk；　folded　his　hands；　sighed；　and　eyed　his　visitors。　
　〃Signore；〃　Olivetti　said。　〃The　woman's　attire　is　my　fault。　I…〃
　〃Her　attire　is　not　what　concerns　me；〃　the　camerlegno　replied；　sounding　too　exhausted　to　be　bothered。　〃When　the　Vatican　operator　calls　me　a　half　hour　before　I　begin　conclave　to　tell　me　a　woman　is　calling　from　your　private　office　to　warn　me　of　some　sort　of　major　security　threat　of　which　I　have　not　been　informed；　that　concerns　me。〃
　Olivetti　stood　rigid；　his　back　arched　like　a　soldier　under　intense　inspection。
　Langdon　felt　hypnotized　by　the　camerlegno's　presence。　Young　and　wearied　as　he　was；　the　priest　had　the　air　of　some　mythical　hero…radiating　charisma　and　authority。　
　〃Signore；〃　Olivetti　said；　his　tone　apologetic　but　still　unyielding。　〃You　should　not　concern　yourself　with　matters　of　security。　You　have　other　responsibilities。〃
　〃I　am　well　aware　of　my　other　responsibilities。　I　am　also　aware　that　as　direttore　intermediario；　I　have　a　responsibility　for　the　safety　and　well…being　of　everyone　at　this　conclave。　What　is　going　on　here？〃
　〃I　have　the　situation　under　control。〃
　〃Apparently　not。〃
　〃Father；〃　Langdon　interrupted；　taking　out　the　crumpled　fax　and　handing　it　to　the　camerlegno；　〃please。〃
　mander　Olivetti　stepped　forward；　trying　to　intervene。　〃Father；　please　do　not　trouble　your　thoughts　with…〃
　The　camerlegno　took　the　fax；　ignoring　Olivetti　for　a　long　moment。　He　looked　at　the　image　of　the　murdered　Leonardo　Vetra　and　drew　a　startled　breath。　〃What　is　this？〃
　〃That　is　my　father；〃　Vittoria　said；　her　voice　wavering。　〃He　was　a　priest　and　a　man　of　science。　He　was　murdered　last　night。〃　
　The　camerlegno's　face　softened　instantly。　He　looked　up　at　her。　〃My　dear　child。　I'm　so　sorry。〃　He　crossed　himself　and　looked　again　at　the　fax；　his　eyes　seeming　to　pool　with　waves　of　abhorrence。　〃Who　would　。　。　。　and　this　burn　on　his　。　。　。〃　The　camerlegno　paused；　squinting　closer　at　the　image。
　〃It　says　Illuminati；〃　Langdon　said。　〃No　doubt　you　are　familiar　with　the　name。〃
　An　odd　look　came　across　the　camerlegno's　face。　〃I　have　heard　the　name；　yes；　but　。　。　。〃　
　〃The　Illuminati　murdered　Leonardo　Vetra　so　they　could　steal　a　new　technology　he　was…〃
　〃Signore；〃　Olivetti　interjected。　〃This　is　absurd。　The　Illuminati？　This　is　clearly　some　sort　of　elaborate　hoax。〃
　The　camerlegno　seemed　to　ponder　Olivetti's　words。　Then　he　turned　and　contemplated　Langdon　so　fully　that　Langdon　felt　the　air　leave　his　lungs。　〃Mr。　Langdon；　I　have　spent　my　life　in　the　Catholic　Church。　I　am　familiar　with　the　Illuminati　lore　。　。　。　and　the　legend　of　the　brandings。　And　yet　I　must　warn　you；　I　am　a　man　of　the　present　tense。　Christianity　has　enough　real　enemies　without　resurrecting　ghosts。〃
　〃The　symbol　is　authentic；〃　Langdon　said；　a　little　too　defensively　he　thought。　He　reached　over　and　rotated　the　fax　for　the　camerlegno。　
　The　camerlegno　fell　silent　when　he　saw　the　symmetry。　
　〃Even　modern　puters；〃　Langdon　added；　〃have　been　unable　to　forge　a　symmetrical　ambigram　of　this　word。〃
　The　camerlegno　folded　his　hands　and　said　nothing　for　a　long　time。　〃The　Illuminati　are　dead；〃　he　finally　said。　〃Long　ago。　That　is　historical　fact。〃
　Langdon　nodded。　〃Yesterday；　I　would　have　agreed　with　you。〃
　〃Yesterday？〃
　〃Before　today's　chain　of　events。　I　believe　the　Illuminati　have　resurfaced　to　make　good　on　an　ancient　pact。〃
　〃Forgive　me。　My　history　is　rusty。　What　ancient　pact　is　this？〃
　Langdon　took　a　deep　breath。　〃The　destruction　of　Vatican　City。〃
　〃Destroy　Vatican　City？〃　The　camerlegno　looked　less　frightened　than　confused。　〃But　that　would　be　impossible。〃
　Vittoria　shook　her　head。　〃I'm　afraid　we　have　some　more　bad　news。〃
　
　40

　Is　this　true？〃　the　camerlegno　demanded；　looking　amazed　as　he　turned　from　Vittoria　to　Olivetti。
　〃Signore；〃　Olivetti　assured；　〃I'll　admit　there　is　some　sort　of　device　here。　It　is　visible　on　one　of　our　security　monitors；　but　as　for　Ms。　Vetra's　claims　as　to　the　power　of　this　substance；　I　cannot　possibly…〃
　〃Wait　a　minute；〃　the　camerlegno　said。　〃You　can　see　this　thing？〃
　〃Yes；　signore。　On　wireless　camera　#86。〃
　〃Then　why　haven't　you　recovered　it？〃　The　camerlegno's　voice　echoed　anger　now。
　〃Very　difficult；　signore。〃　Olivetti　stood　straight　as　he　explained　the　situation。
　The　camerlegno　listened；　and　Vittoria　sensed　his　growing　concern。　〃Are　you　certain　it　is　inside　Vatican　City？〃　the　camerlegno　asked。　〃Maybe　someone　took　the　camera　out　and　is　transmitting　from　somewhere　else。〃
　〃Impossible；〃　Olivetti　said。　〃Our　external　walls　are　shielded　electronically　to　protect　our　internal　munications。　This　signal　can　only　be　ing　from　the　inside　or　we　would　not　be　receiving　it。〃
　〃And　I　assume；〃　he　said；　〃that　you　are　now　looking　for　this　missing　camera　with　all　available　resources？〃
　Olivetti　shook　his　head。　〃No；　signore。　Locating　that　camera　could　take　hundreds　of　man　hours。　We　have　a　number　of　other　security　concerns　at　the　moment；　and　with　all　due　respect　to　Ms。　Vetra；　this　droplet　she　talks　about　is　very　small。　It　could　not　possibly　be　as　explosive　as　she　claims。〃
　Vittoria's　patience　evaporated。　〃That　droplet　is　enough　to　level　Vatican　City！　Did　you　even　listen　to　a　word　I　told　you？〃
　〃Ma'am；〃　Olivetti　said；　his　voice　like　steel；　〃my　experience　with　explosives　is　extensive。〃
　〃Your　experience　is　obsolete；〃　she　fired　back；　equally　tough。　〃Despite　my　attire；　which　I　realize　you　find　troublesome；　I　am　a　senior　level　physicist　at　the　world's　most　advanced　subatomic　research　facility。　I　personally　designed　the　antimatter　trap　that　is　keeping　that　sample　from　annihilating　right　now。　And　I　am　warning　you　that　unless　you　find　that　canister　in　the　next　six　hours；　your　guards　will　have　nothing　to　protect　for　the　next　century　b