Mirror, Mirror at 1600 D.C. Read online

  Mirror, Mirror

  at 1600 D.C.

  by

  Edward Galluzzi

  CCB Publishing

  British Columbia, Canada

  Mirror, Mirror at 1600 D.C.

  Copyright ©2010 by Edward Galluzzi

  ISBN-13 978-1-926918-28-0

  Third Edition

  Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

  Galluzzi, Edward, 1951-

  Mirror, Mirror at 1600 D.C. [ electronic resource ] /

  written by Edward Galluzzi.

  ISBN 978-1-926918-28-0

  Also available in print format.

  I. Title.

  PS3607.A423M57 2008 813'.6 C2008-904161-5

  Additional cataloguing data available from Library and Archives Canada

  United States Copyright Office Registration # TXu-916-174

  Extreme care has been taken to ensure that all information presented in this book is accurate and up to date at the time of publishing. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Additionally, neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express written permission of the publisher.

  Publisher: CCB Publishing

  British Columbia, Canada

  www.ccbpublishing.com

  Dedication

  I would like to thank my parents, William and Roberta,

  and my family and friends for their support.

  In appreciation, their names, in one form or another,

  appear throughout this novel.

  Acknowledgements

  I wish to thank Brandon S. Jeffress of JeffressStudios (www.jeffstudios.com) for his creation of the cover design for Mirror, Mirror at 1600 D.C. I also wish to thank Patricia L. Demaree for her careful proofing of this manuscript.

  Contents

  Chapter 1: Spia

  Chapter 2: Remembrance

  Chapter 3: The Holy Man and the Man of the Gun

  Chapter 4: You’re Mine Tonight

  Chapter 5: Software Down

  Chapter 6: Target ‘Target One’

  Chapter 7: The Holy Man and the Sinner

  Chapter 8: Going Down

  Chapter 9: Double Take

  Chapter 10: Confusion Would Be an Improvement!

  Chapter 11: A Lady in Waiting

  Chapter 12: Station Zero

  Chapter 13: The Hunter and the Hunted

  Chapter 14: The Calm Before the Storm

  Chapter 15: Duty of the Cardinal Camerlengo

  Chapter 16: An Empty Farewell

  Chapter 17: All in the Family

  Chapter 18: One Dead? One Alive? One…?

  Chapter 19: Prelude to Engagement

  Chapter 20: The Mirror of Ashton

  Chapter 21: Hide and Seek

  Chapter 22: Do You Hear What I Hear?

  Chapter 23: No Signature, Man!

  Chapter 24: “Love, Modem”

  Chapter 25: “Alpha – Bravo – Zulu…”

  Chapter 26: Mirror, Mirror

  Chapter 27: Back to the Hornet’s Nest

  Chapter 28: The Confrontation

  Chapter 29: Friendly Capture

  Chapter 30: Briefing and Debriefing

  Chapter 31: How Many Surprises?

  Introduction

  Under any circumstances, the role of the President of the United States is arduous and replete with challenges. The enduring patriarchy of presidents had ended with the first woman elected to this high office in the United States. This pioneering leader is delighting her supporters and readily converting her critics when she is kidnapped suddenly. But by whom? And for what reason? The unfolding plot is a matter of survival…not only personal survival, but also hanging in the balance is the endurance of the Presidency and the privilege of democracy in America. It will take a very special agent to expose this sinister plot. But whatever the costs, the President must be recovered…dead or alive.

  Chapter 1

  Spia

  It was a particularly warm day, even for the dog days of August, as the bright sun radiated sufficient heat to singe just about every living thing. Apparently nobody told Mother Nature that autumn was around the corner. However, everybody told Hannah with disbelief in their voice, “Hannah, this is not like you!” Hannah’s friends and colleagues were right. This was not like her—not like cautious, predictable, prudent, and planned to the minute detail—Hannah. She was having her wedding gown fitted to join a man that she has known only for four months. Four amazing months! No, this was not like Hannah, but then again, Harrison was certainly like no other man.

  It was a chance meeting for Hannah and Harrison. Hannah was on assignment in Vatican City, an enclave of Rome, Italy, as a journalist for the Washington Sun. Pope Joseph Josetta, who has reigned as the patriarch of the Roman Catholic Church for these past thirteen years, was in failing health. Harrison, who was on special assignment for the President of the United States, was also in Rome. Harrison, the consummate man of duty, has never to this day confided the details of his special assignments to Hannah. She admired him for that. She knew nothing beyond that he was in sensitive negotiations with the leadership of Italy.

  Harrison traveled to Vatican City during breaks in the negotiations. He was concerned about the health and emotional well being of Pope Josetta. He had numerous contacts with Josetta as part of his duties to the President over the past seven years. Harrison knew Josetta for many years even before his reign as pontiff during the time of his bishop and cardinal years when he was known by his birth name, Josepha Modesta. Despite their divergent vocations and lifestyles, they often shared common points of view given their mutual Italian ancestry. Harrison’s mother was born in Carrara, Italy, a small region northwest of Rome. The holy man Josetta was born in Venice. Carrara has long been known for its marble and it is still mined there today. Venice has historically been the city of romance with its winding waterways and canals. Rome is a tourist’s delight, a sightseer’s dream that includes St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Fountain of the Four Rivers, Castel Sant’ Angelo, Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum, Piazza del Campidoglio, the Catacombs of San Calisto, the Baths of Caracalla— the historical sites go on and on.

  Josetta has been one of the most popular Popes among the Catholic clergy and laity in recent centuries. As the Pope of the people, he has warmed the hearts of all Christians around the world. It was also Josetta’s divine directive that altered the traditional vow of celibacy among Roman Catholic priests. For the first time in centuries, priests who were so inclined can now marry and still celebrate the holy sacraments. The shortage of priests and vocations as well as the voice of the people fanned the historical debate of ordaining women priests or rescinding the vow of celibacy for the men of God. Such an edict was remarkable given the zealous affirmation of the vow of celibacy for priests that the then enlightened Ecumenical Council of the early-to-mid 1960’s espoused via the documents of Vatican II.

  Harrison and Josetta seldom argued matters of faith and dogma, not that the humble man could debate eloquently theological issues with the venerable man of God. Yet, these good men shared their faith and lineages in Italy. These elements sustained the driving forces in their lives and spiritually bounded their friendship.

  Harrison knelt by the bedside of Josetta. He sometimes looked away from the frail man. This was one of those times. Out of the corner of his eye, Harrison saw the flag of Vatican City in the corner of the ro
om. The Vatican flag has two vertical bands of yellow on the hoist side and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter. The papal miter was centered in the white band. The holy man was conscious and peering at Harrison as if to say, “Do not pity me.” Their eyes met as Josetta spoke in a barely audible voice: “Spia” [the Pope’s Italian term of endearment for his friend and literally translated as “spy” in reference to Harrison’s many covert operations for his President]. “Spia,” he said for a second time. “I am an old man and have lived a long life for God. I am ready…” Josetta took a long, deep breath and continued, “Ready to go home.” Harrison, who witnessed many deaths in his line of duty, was unable to hold back the tears swelling in his eyes. He grasped the holy man’s hand as the man of God continued in his weakening voice, “Remember me, remember God.”

  Josetta’s wry smile did not escape its translation to Harrison. His faith and the nature of his assignments conflicted many times. Harrison called upon “situational ethics” way too often. Yet, his devotion to duty and his President necessitated the delicate compromise.

  Harrison’s attention returned to the holy man as Josetta weakly spoke, “You are troubled, yes?” Harrison grinned, “I am troubled, always!” The comment brought a smile to the dying man’s face. Harrison brought the gift of a smile frequently to their relationship. It was a good time for the humble and holy man to smile. The inevitability of Josetta’s death weighed heavily on Harrison, perhaps more so than for the holy man himself.

  Josetta spoke, “Who is going to take care of you, Spia, guide you when I’m gone? You will be…” Josetta coughed vigorously for several minutes and then continued, “You will be lost without me.” Josetta managed a painful grin and said, “Who will absolve you of all your multitudinous sins?” Before Harrison could defend himself, the holy man anticipated his protest and interrupted quickly, “You, God and I know that you are a sinner. However, when I meet Him, I will put in a good word for you, Spia.” Harrison grinned widely and replied, “I think it will take more that a good word, even from you, Josetta.” The two friends managed a restrained laugh.

  In an effort to assure Josetta that he would be cared for, Harrison spoke, “I want you to know that I met someone, someone I’ve grown to care for very much in the past few months.” The news seemed to energize His Holiness and he asked excitedly, “A woman? You are taking time out to fall in love with a woman, Spia?” Harrison, pretending he was hurt at the pontiff’s remarks, said to his beloved friend, “You don’t think a woman could become interested in me?” The men smiled and Josetta said, “Interested? Yes, for you are indeed a captivating man.” The holy man chose his next words carefully and shook his index finger of his right hand, “Spia, does this woman know, shall we say, the details of your vocation?”

  Harrison raised his eyebrows momentarily as if to ask ‘My vocation?’ without stating the words. He thought to himself, ‘my vocation? Who would believe my vocation?’ Before Harrison formulated his response, the holy man said confidently, “I thought not.” Harrison spoke in a somewhat defensive voice, “Hannah is aware that I conduct special assignments for the President.” “And I’m the Pope,” said Josetta. “Hannah?” Josetta appeared delighted at the sound of her name. “Conduct?” the pontiff commented in his typically subtle manner, “Perhaps you mean to say ‘execute’?”

  Harrison chose not to argue the aesthetics of his livelihood, something they had deliberated on many occasions anyway with no productive resolution. “Besides,” said Harrison, “I have you to thank for meeting Hannah.” “Me, Spia? Cosa intende, io?” It was common for Josetta to lapse to his native tongue, a language quite familiar to Harrison. “Hannah is a journalist for a Washington newspaper. Like most journalists, she is here to cover your health,” said Harrison. “You mean my death,” the holy one corrected.

  Harrison gave his old friend a look of indifference and continued, “You are not going to die.” However, the words sounded hollow even to Harrison given the state of His Holiness’ health. This time Harrison spoke before Josetta formulated his thoughts, “Hannah has a great deal of respect for you. She considers you ‘progressive’ you know.” “Progressive?” queried Josetta. The holy man heard the descriptive adjective before, but dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “Progressive?” said Josetta with some disdain. He protested, “I’m only the servant of the Lord and His word.” Harrison was acutely aware of Josetta’s longstanding humility in his papacy, but his impressive list of accomplishments as servant of his church and his dogmatic encyclicals belied his modesty.

  In dismissing the cosmopolitan label, Josetta said with a noticeable twinkle in his eye, “Tell me about this Hannah, Spia. Cosa è piace? What is she like?” Harrison observed that his holy friend sparkled a bit over the idea that not only could he have a girl friend, but also that somebody might actually marry him. Perhaps even take care of him.

  “As I said,” Harrison noted, “she’s a journalist for the Washington Sun out of Washington, D.C. She has the most beautiful eyes…” “It’s always the physical with you first,” interjected Josetta. ‘“The lust of the eye’ the Bible speaks” added the holy man. Harrison raised his eyebrows giving him that boyish charm and resumed, “Hannah has the most beautiful hazel eyes and the most angelic face…” “Oh, fratello!” mused the holy man placing his right hand to his right cheek. “Oh, brother yourself,” echoed Harrison while mimicking his friend’s hand movement. “I’ll spare you Hannah’s other incarnate qualifications,” said Harrison. Josetta only smiled as Harrison continued, “She’s a bright woman, very smart, but doesn’t flaunt it. Hannah is dedicated to journalism, ‘truth from the pen’ as she puts it. She has your sense of humor…” Josetta again smiled, but then coughed uncontrollably for a minute or so. “Can I get you anything, Josetta?” The holy man waved his hand ‘no’ and coughed once again. “Is it my description of Hannah or that she loves me that you can’t take?” smirked Harrison. He continued, “You need your rest. I have to get back to work while you lay here with all your servants waiting after you!” Josetta smiled once again although weakly this time. “Good evening, your excellency.” At that, Harrison bowed his head, as he was accustomed for Josetta’s blessing: “Maggio che Dio benedice Lei nel nome del Padre, e del Figlio e del Spirt Santo.” “Amen,” responded Harrison. With that, he placed his hand on Josetta’s, squeezed lightly. “Don’t worry,” Harrison said, “You are not going to leave this world of ours until after you meet Hannah.” The Pope managed a smile and a nod of his head as Harrison left the room.

  Harrison stood in the corridor outside of Josetta’s room. He took a deep breath in an attempt to compose himself. Harrison drew strength from his holy friend and it hurt deeply to watch him slip away. He vowed to keep his promise that Josetta would meet Hannah while he remained conscious and alert. With that certainty, Harrison worked his way out of the Vatican and the multitude of Swiss Papal Guards who protected the Holy See.

  Chapter 2

  Remembrance

  Hannah twisted and turned for almost an hour as her wedding dress was tailored to the curves and lines of her elongated, beautiful body. She bit slightly and pulled down her upper lip as she addressed her seamstress: “Rosella, are we about finished?” The seamstress nodded and smiled, “Uno minuto.” Hannah has waited through numerous “uno minutos.” ‘After all, my wedding day will only happen once’ she prayed as she crossed her wedding ring finger of her left hand. As she did so, Hannah admired the diamond engagement ring given to her by her betrothed Harrison. She extended her ring toward Rosella and asked for a second time that day, “Isn’t this the most beautiful engagement ring you ever saw?” Rosella eyed the ring for a second time and responded politely as she did before, “Si, bello.” Hannah turned her hand toward herself and cherished the ring that she believed would be on her finger forever.

  Rosella was a family friend of Harrison’s and it was in her home in Carrara that Hannah’s wedding dress was being tailored. The home was nestled in the side
of a small mountain. It was a two-story structure set in white stone and red brick. The home was set between two large verandas. The main front porch was screened and contained a variety of comfortable outdoor furniture utilized for chat, cards and other table games. The rear porch was rectangular and the wide base lent itself to an extended dinner table. The traditional Italian grapevine draped the perimeter of the porch causing the sun’s reflection to appear as moving dots on the table.

  “Finito,” Rosella said finally. The seamstress stepped back to admire her work and again repeated, “Bello.” She helped Hannah out of her wedding dress and remarked that she would have the alterations completed in two weeks. Hannah thanked Rosella for her exquisite tailoring and apologized for her impatience during the fitting.

  Hannah stepped out of Rosella’s home into the hot summer day. Like most homes in Carrara, air conditioning was rare. Yet, the humming of many fans kept the home sufficiently cool so that Hannah gasped slightly from the sudden intake of outdoor heat. She was off to the train station and headed for Rome to meet Harrison for dinner. It would take several hours on the Italian railway before arriving at Rome’s Saint Peter station.

  The train ride to Rome was mundane leaving Hannah to her quiet thoughts and the anticipation of being with her beloved. She thought about their first meeting in Rome and how the Pontiff, Joseph Josetta, intersected their lives. Hannah was covering the failing health of the Pope as a journalist while Harrison was comforting his old friend Josetta. The man of God was their bond, the cornerstone of their first meeting.

  Hannah smiled to herself as she recalled her first glimpse of her handsome Harrison. He was a lean, tall man, ‘four inches above six feet’ he always informed her. His hair was dark brown with some distinguished graying at the temples. Harrison was a muscular man, but not grotesquely so. He often trained to sustain the physical demands of his employment.