“We live simple lives here, but we are happy.”
Robert said casually, “I noticed television antennas on many of the roofs here.”
“Oh, yes, indeed. We are quite up-to-date in that respect.”
“One can see that. How many television channels does the town receive?”
“Only one.”
“I suppose you get a good many American shows?”
“No, no. This is a government channel. Here we receive only shows made in Italy.”
Bingo! “Thank you.”
Robert placed a call to Admiral Whittaker. A secretary answered the phone. “Admiral Whittaker’s office.”
Robert could visualize the office. It would be the kind of anonymous cubbyhole they kept for non-persons the government no longer had any use for.
“Could I speak to the Admiral, please? Commander Robert Bellamy calling.”
“Just a moment, Commander.”
Robert wondered whether anybody bothered to keep in touch with the Admiral now that the once powerful figure was part of the mothball fleet. Probably not.
“Robert, it’s very good to hear from you.” The old man’s voice sounded tired. “Where are you?”
“I can’t say, sir.”
There was a pause. “I understand. Is there something I can do for you?”
“Yes, sir. This is rather awkward because I’ve been ordered not to communicate with anyone. But I need some outside help. I wonder if you could check on something for me?”
“I can certainly try. What would you like to know?”
“I need to know whether there’s a ranch anywhere in Texas called The Ponderosa.”
“As in Bonanza!”
“Yes, sir.”
“I can find out. How will I reach you?”
“I think it would be better if I called you, Admiral.”
“Right. Give me an hour or two. I’ll keep this just between ourselves.”
“Thank you.”
It seemed to Robert that the tiredness had gone out of the old man’s voice. He had, at last, been asked to do something, even if it was as trivial as locating a ranch.
Two hours later, Robert telephoned Admiral Whittaker again.
“I’ve been waiting for your call,” the Admiral said. There was a satisfied note in his voice. “I have the information you wanted.”
“And?” Robert held his breath.
“There is a Ponderosa ranch in Texas. It’s located just outside of Waco. It’s owned by a Dan Wayne.”
Robert heaved a deep sigh of relief. “Thank you very much, Admiral,” he said. “I owe you a dinner when I get back.”
“I’ll be looking forward to that, Robert.”
Robert’s next call was to General Milliard. “I located another witness in Italy. Father Patrini.”
“A priest?”
“Yes. In Orvieto. He’s in the hospital, very ill. I’m afraid the Italian authorities won’t be able to communicate with him.”
“I’ll pass that on. Thank you, Commander.”
Two minutes later, General Hilliard was on the line to Janus.
“I’ve heard from Commander Bellamy again. The latest witness is a priest. A Father Patrini in Orvieto.”
“Take care of it.”
FLASH MESSAGE
TOP SECRET ULTRA
NSA TO DEPUTY DIRECTORY SIFAR
EYES ONLY
COPY ONE OF (ONE) COPIES
SUBJECT: OPERATION DOOMSDAY
5. FATHER PATRINI – ORVIETO
END OF MESSAGE
The headquarters of SIFAR is on Via della Pineta, on the southernmost outskirts of Rome, in an area surrounded by farmhouses. The only thing that would cause a passer-by to give a second glance at the innocent, industrial-looking stone buildings occupying two square blocks would be the high wall surrounding the complex, topped by barbed wire, with security posts at each corner. Hidden in a military compound, it is one of the most secretive security agencies in the world, and one of the least known. There are signs outside the compound reading: Vietare passare oltre i limiti.
Inside a spartan office on the first floor of the main building, Colonel Francesco Cesar was studying the flash message he had just received. The Colonel was a man in his early fifties with a muscular body, topped by a pitted, bulldog face. He read the message for the third time.