Scene excerpt from the book...

Kevin and Francis left the Marconi at 1:15 P.M. and walked two blocks to the Piazza Esquilino,then crossed Via Cavour to Via Depretis and walked one block to Via Urbanna. The aged church sat onthe corner. They entered through an old Romanesque doorway. Sunlight poured through the stainedglass windows turning the interior of the church into a palette of colors. Kevin marveled at the beautifularchitecture of the church as they walked up the aisle and took seats in a pew near the altar. At exactly2:00 P.M., a priest entered the altar from the Sacristy, genuflected, then joined them at their pew"Gentlemen," he said, nodding his head at them, "I am Adrian Moretti.""I'm Kevin Fitzgerald, Father, and this is Francis MaGuire."They shook hands then Moretti took a seat in the pew in front of them and turned so he couldsee them while talking.The church suddenly filled with light as the door opened. MaGuire turned and looked, noticingMoretti glance up. An old woman in tattered clothes, carrying a bag, entered. She slowly walked up theaisle, taking a seat in a pew about a dozen rows back."So, gentlemen, tell me about your problem."Fr. Fitz recounted the events that had occurred. He told him of all the murders and their fearsthat a war would break out between the Church and the Mafia. As he talked, a man entered the Churchkneeling in a pew across from them. MaGuire noticed a bulge under the thin jacket he wore. As Kevincontinued, MaGuire noticed the shadow of a man standing hidden in the Sacristy doorway.When Kevin fell silent, Moretti spoke, "But why are you two involved in this investigation? Idon’t understand. What do you get out of it?""Father," said Kevin, "at home people are afraid to come to church. The turn out for Mass hasfallen off to practically nothing. I want the people to come back unafraid.""Ah, Father, so your purpose is an altruistic one.""Okay, Moretti," said MaGuire, "lets cut the crap. You know what’s going on in New York.Wykoff has been keeping you and your Committee informed. He sent us here to see you. Now you

going to help us or what?""Mr. MaGuire, the impatient American. We move a little slower here. We have to be sure whowe talk to""Sure my ass. You’ve got us surrounded. The old lady behind us, the guy with the bulge in his jacket over there, and who’s the guy hiding behind the door in the Sacristy. You got us in a triangular field of fire. You know we are unarmed. How sure do you have to be, Moretti?""You’re right, Mr. MaGuire, they are our people. You’re good, maybe even better than I heardyou were."Moretti waved his hand and the man in the Sacristy stepped out and sat on the bench at the sideof the altar."I don’t think you realize what a dangerous situation you are in. When Cardinal Wykoff firstinformed us that Archbishop Centorii was in New York, we knew where the next assault would come.""Assault?" said Kevin."Yes, assault," said Moretti. "I'm afraid, gentlemen, you've stumbled into a war, and your city isthe next battleground. Do you know anything about the Corsican Clan?""We know they existed a hundred years ago," said MaGuire, "and they had a feud with the Cosa Nostra.""You're right as far as you go," said Moretti. "They surfaced again in the eighties. They wereinvolved in the killing of a well known banker.""We heard about it," said MaGuire, "but I thought they were only suspected of involvement.""The Italian police suspected them, but we knew they were involved. Their affiliation with theChurch has been known for some time now. They have grown stronger. But you will be filled in on allof this when you meet the Committee.""So, we will meet the Committee?" asked Fr. Fitz."Yes, they will brief you and answer your questions. They will also decide what help we can be