Two minutes before ten they reached Santa Maria della Vittoria. "Andiamo! Andiamo! Vai vai vai!" various police officers hurried out of their cars to the church. Bursting through the doors, weapons drawn, everyone suddenly came to a halt, the shock evident on everyone's face as Ernesto exclaimed "Oh santo Dio." There, the third preferiti screamed in agony as the flames of the pyre gnawed away at his skin. "Triatelo giù!" Olivetti shouted to them in Italian, looking for a way to cut down the agonized cardinal. Sara stood in the middle of the aisle, the horror spreading through every fibre of her body. Trying not to gag as the horrible smell of burning flesh entered her nostrils, the images of her recent nightmares flashed like a movie in front of her eyes. Sara shook her head in an effort to get rid of these images and tried to concentrate on the here and now as best as she could. She watched how Robert shouted some orders to the carabinieri as a shadowy figure in the back of the church caught her attention. She instantly drew her weapon and slowly made her way to the back as Vincenzi went to the ground. Just as she wanted to check for his pulse various shots sounded and her body tensed. With a drawn weapon and highly focussed she looked around the room. Her mind didn't want to think about what or who these bullets might have hit and killed. She didn't even notice that the preferiti's screams had stopped, all she could think about was the angel statue that stared right back at her. A heartbeat later someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her into the darkness. The last thing she saw was Ernesto on the ground and a heart-breaking scream escaped her lips.
A metallic tapping sound echoed through the smouldering church, as firefighters scurried to help Robert out of his hiding place. "Signore, are you okay?" one of them wanted to know and Robert only managed to nod. They helped him sit down on a bench and one of the paramedics handed him an oxygen mask. Robert inhaled slowly and his lungs welcomed the clean oxygen. His gaze wandered around and then halted on a statue of Saint Teresa. "Saint Teresa on fire," Robert mumbled to himself. Just as he wanted to get up, a deep voice held him back. "Oh good, I thought we had lost you," Ernesto said, trying his best to form a small smile but failed. Robert nodded slightly to the Italian as if saying he was glad to see him as well. Only then did he notice the absence of the ginger haired police officer. "Where is…," he began, but Ernesto did not let him finish his question. "The kidnapper took her as well…," he said, concern written all over his face. Robert looked at the man in shock. All the more reason to hurry. The professor stood and pointed at the statue he was looking at before. "What direction is that?" he asked. "West… I think." Ernesto answered, surveying the angel pointing in the said direction. "Cross Rome… the mystic elements unfold…," Robert murmured and asked for a map as an idea formed in his mind. Literally across Rome? With a pen, Robert marked the churches they had been to before and then searched for the next intersecting on the line. "A church with water… wait, wait, wait, the poem must mean it literally, cross Rome… Piazza Navona. Earth, Air, Fire, Water. Cross Rome. Bernini's Four Rivers."
"Professor, Commander Richter has ordered me to escort you to the Vatican immediately," a carabiniere then interjected. "Non adesso," [Not now.] Ernesto urged as they made their way back to the car. The carabiniere – however – didn't give up that easily. "Professor Langdon, the Vatican insists that I have to take you back."
Robert stopped in his tracks and furiously turned around to the officer. "The Vatican is about to see its fourth cardinal murdered tonight. Now, look. You can do as they say and force me back to the Vatican where we can all mourn his death together. Or you can show how real cops act and let me go to the Piazza Navona where we still might be able to stop it." Taken aback, the police officer nodded slightly and let Robert and Ernesto pass. As soon as the doors were closed, Ernesto hit the gas, they didn't have much time. "So you and…" Robert asked hesitantly.
Ernesto turned to look at him and nodded. "Yes." Before concentrating on the road again. Robert nodded as he looked out of the window. He wasn't nosey or anything, he just… okay yes he was nosey. "Let angels guide thee… There it is… There it is," Robert then said as they came to a halt at the piazza, accompanied by two police cars. "Professor, I know this fountain. There is no angel on it."
"The dove. The Angel of Peace. And it's looking in what direction?"
"East, I think," one of the officers answered as a van came to a halt on the other side of the piazza. As this was a pedestrian precinct, the carabinieri were immediately on alert. Ernesto stayed behind with Robert as this did not fall within the remit of Vatican police. They watch as the carabinieri slowly encircled the van. Nothing happened for a few seconds as the officers are behind the van Robert and Ernesto did not see them fall dead to the ground. In the next moment, the side door of the van slides open, revealing the figure of the fourth cardinal, wrapped in chains and with manacled hands and feet. One of the links bisected his mouth like a horse's bit, stifling his cries for help. Then, the kidnapper shoved the bound figure roughly out of the van. The cardinal rolled, falling into the fountain with an enormous splash. His weighted body sinks immediately to the bottom. As the van tears out of the piazza, Robert and Ernesto spring into action. With joined forces the two managed to pull the cardinal upright so that his head was out of the water and he could get some air but it was still too heavy for them to lift out of the fountain on their own. Robert shouted for help but it took the people around a few moments to realise the seriousness of the situation. Some then came to help finally lift the cardinal out of the fountain. "Cardinal Baggia? Cardinal Baggia," Robert asked out of breath. The cardinal managed to nod as his body shook. "Where was he hiding you? The Church of Illumination, where is it?"
"Castel… Castel Sant'Angelo."
Robert looked up at Ernesto. "Castle of the Angel."
The room she sat in was dark and dusty. It smelled of rats and mould. She was tied to a wooden chair that looked like it would break at any second. Her head hung low as endless tears ran over her cheeks. Her heart ached so much she felt her lungs tighten; she couldn't breathe as the images of him lying on the ground wouldn't leave her mind. She had lost him. The only person she had left on this godforsaken earth and he was gone. She was alone. "Hush," the kidnapper hummed in a language she did not understand. Sara lifted her head to look at the same face she had back at St. Peter's Square. Her face was expressionless as he stepped closer. "Cosa vuoi?" [What do you want?] she spat.
"Jeg ville bare se på et smukt ansigt, før jeg forlod." [I just wanted to look at a pretty face before I leave.] he told her in Danish. She furrowed her brow, as she did not understand. If he wanted to kill her, he would have already done so. He came to a halt only a few inches before her. Instinctively she wanted to draw back but she couldn't move. "Pagherai per quello che hai fatto." [You will pay for what you have done.] He smiled slightly as he wiped away her tears and then let his fingers slowly glide down her neck onto her chest, admiring the softness of her skin. She felt her skin crawl in disgust at his touch. As he reached her torn blouse, she winced not in pain but repulsion. Her former white blouse was covered in dust and torn at various locations. Blood stained the fabric at her side where a rock had left a huge gash. His gaze lingered at her bosom for a moment too long. She closed her eyes but his touch never came. Instead, he had turned around to gather his things. "You know, when they call me and they all call me it is so important to them that I know that what they ask is the Lord's will. Or Allah's, or Yahweh's. And I suppose they are right. Because if he was not vengeful, I would not exist, now would I?" He said, taking his suitcase and laptop. "Be careful," he continued, halfway through the door. "These are men of God."
As soon as he was out of sight, Sara rattled at the laces trying to break free. To no avail. She screamed in annoyance, as they wouldn't budge. Couldn't just one thing go right on this awful day? Before she could try another time, muffled voices sounded in the distance. A moment later, Robert, Ernesto, and Vittoria came running into the room. "Amore!" Ernesto exclaimed relieved as he quickly walked over to unlace her bonds. Everything happened so fast that her mind had a hard time catching up. He was alive? She swayed a little as he pulled her to her feet. Strong arms wrapped around her and she sobbed violently against his chest as her mind finally realised that he lived. "Pensavo che ti avesso ucciso. Ti ho visto steso a terra… Ti credevo morto…" [I thought he had killed you. I saw you lying on the ground. I thought you dead.] she choked and Ernesto pulled her closer. "Sono qui. Sono vivo. Andrà tutto bene. Ti ho preso," [I am here. I am alive. Everything's going to be ok. I got you] he whispered. A moment of silence passed in which Sara regained her breath and Robert and Vittoria started looking for the device. "It's not here," Sara finally uttered.
Robert stood at the open fireplace and looked at the moulded velvet case placed beside it, which held the four Illuminati brands. One was missing. "There's a fifth brand." Vittoria came to stand beside him, looking over his shoulder. "It's not an ambigram, it's just two crossed keys."
"The symbol for the Vatican," she suggested.
"No. The papacy… they intend to kill him. Before they destroy the Vatican, they're gonna kill and brand the pope himself."
"There is no pope."
"Tempe sede vacante."
"Il camerlengo," Vittoria said as it dawned on her. "We have to warn him."
"The passageway," Robert uttered, pointing in the direction they came from.
"Where is the killer?" Ernesto wanted to know before they leave.
"He left just moments before you arrived," Sara answered. "We need to hurry."
They quickly made their way back to the passageway they had found earlier. Sara staggered along behind them, holding on to Ernesto's hand. The passetto was narrow and dark, lit only by streaks of moonlight coming through the vertical slits in the walls. They raced up a flight of stairs, and the passageway came out into the open for a hundred yards or so as it left the Castel Sant'Angelo. They quickly made their way towards the Vatican when an explosion ripped through the still night. They all staggered and turned back, to see a car go up in an enormous fireball. Robert grabbed Vittoria's arm and they took off again. The passetto descended into another underground space. The outline of a steel gate loomed ahead, blocking their way. As they drew closer, they found the ancient lock hanging open, and the gate swings freely. This tunnel had been used recently. They plow onward as a low roaring sound came from above. Robert paused to look up. "We're under St. Peter's Square." Before they head on. Moments later they hit another gate, this one heavier but it too is unlocked. The sound of St. Peter's Square fades behind them now. Around a corner the tunnel suddenly ends. There is only a thick iron door, and as Robert searched it with his flashlight, he found no handle, no knob, no keyhole, no hinges. "Senza chiave! A one-way portal, the only access is from the other side!" With a roar of anger, he started to pound on the door. Moments later, the door flung open and they found themselves face to face with a flabbergasted Chartrand. "The Camerlengo is in danger!" Robert urged and they all quickly raced down the hallway towards the Pope's office. A bloodcurdling scream sounds from within the closed doors. The Swiss Guards throw open the door and enter with weapons drawn. "He's the one! He's got a gun!" Patrick shouted from the floor as he writhed in agony. His cassock was torn open and his bare chest was seared black. A large, square brand lays by his feet. The Swiss Guards act on instinct and open fire. Two bullets slammed into Richter's chest and he crumpled. Chartrand and the Guards dash to the Camerlengo, who clutched his chest, convulsing in pain. Robert walked towards him, stunned, as the Guards pull the Camerlengo's hands away from his wound, revealing the fifth brand. The crossed keys, seared into the flesh of his chest. Sara looked out from behind Ernesto's back and watched in disbelief as Robert kneeled beside the dying Commandate of the Swiss Guard.
"Order the evacuation. We only have 19 minutes," Patrick said as he struggled to a sitting position. "Get the helicopter for the older cardinals."
"Robert," Vittoria called. "The brand, the symbol, could it have another meaning?"
"Crossed keys. But those are upside down."
"St. Peter," Patrick suggested.
"The first pope was crucified upside down. On Vatican hill. A few hundred feet below us."
"Necropolis, city of the dead."
"Upon this rock I will build my church. Or bring it down upon itself. The bomb is in St. Peter's tomb," Patrick continued.