Shout in the Dark
Authors: Christopher Wright
Tags: #relics, #fascists, #vatican involved, #neonazi plot, #fascist italy, #vatican secret service, #catholic church fiction, #relic hunters
New Edition
A thrilling chase through Europe as the Vatican and a neo-Nazi
faction hunt down an ancient relic with a value greater than human
life -- a relic that threatens the traditions of the Christian
Church. Sturmbannführer Kessel killed to get his hands on the relic
in wartime Rome. An elderly Jew risked his life to return it to a
religion that was not his own. And today, Kessel's son wants it
back -- to destroy the Christian Church and change the face of
Europe. Someone is needed to probe the darkened web of evil. Into
this explosive situation steps young priest Marco Sartini, once
married, and still suffering the trauma of bereavement. The Vatican
Security Services have found the perfect bait...
Shout In
the Dark
Chris
topher Wright
First published in
the USA in 2005 by
Hard Shell Publishing ©Christopher Wright 2005
This new North View Publishing edition
©Christopher Wright 2015
ISBN:
978-1310422829
Shout in the Dark
is a work of
fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product
of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
Statements
made by characters in this book
may not always reflect historical fact, just what the characters
choose to believe to be true. Racist statements are those of the
fictional characters making them, and are essential to the plot.
They do not in any way reflect the views of the author.
All rights reserved. Without limiting the
rights under copyright reserved above, 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 prior written permission of
the copyright owner of this book.
The Bible
verses used in this book are from the HOLY BIBLE NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION® (the NIV). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by
permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
email:
[email protected]
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Author
's note
This book was
written in 2000 (although not published in
the USA until 2005), and reflects the political, religious and
international situation at that time. The story has not been
updated, and therefore still takes place in 2000 ("The Present").
The only changes I have made in this North View Publishing 2015
edition are minor edits and small additions that make some things
clearer, but do not change the plot or update the technology in any
way. It is important to realize that it wasn't until
later that websites like Facebook (2004) and
Twitter (2006) became available to subscribers throughout the
world, allowing users
to spread information quickly and
widely.
Although low resolution digital
cameras were available in 2000, c
ell phones (also known as mobile phones)
had no cameras, and were purchased for making phone calls -- when
there was a phone signal. Frustratingly, for many of us today with
our smartphones, getting a reliable signal when we need it can
still be a problem!
The quotations in
"Observations", by
Hermann Göring and Josef Goebbels from 1935 and
1936
, are
genuine, translated here from the German, as are the teachings of
Adolf Hitler referred to later in the book. The quotations from the
writings of Eusebius (260-340 AD) are taken from
Eusebius of
Caesarea Church History Book VII, Chapter 18
-- a genuine historical
document..
Christopher Wright
2015
Observation
s
"
My Führer, we
are unable to display our loyalty and affection to you through
words. Our people, our whole nation, feel strong and happy because
in you there has risen up not only the Führer of the Nation, but
also the Savior of the Nation."
Hermann Göring, Reichstag President,
Nuremburg 1935
"
The Führer appealed to the good instincts of the masses,
not to the bad. His speech was like a magnet, drawing the blood and
iron that still existed in the people."
Josef Goebbels, Reichsminister for
Propaganda, 1936
"
Untold millions throughout the world know deep down that
there is an intriguing and compelling personality behind the face
of Adolf Hitler. Germans and non-Germans alike have been won over
by the greatness that shines out from this man."
Josef Goebbels, Reichsminister for
Propaganda, 1936
The soldiers twisted together a crown of
thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe
and went up to him again and again, saying,
"Hail, O king of the Jews!" And they
struck him in the face.
St John
's Gospel, chapter 19, verses
2-3
"
I believe there is a plan for revenge that will ensnare the
innocent as well as the guilty. A darkened web of evil. I beg you,
Holiness, pray for the innocent."
Josef Reinhardt, Vatican Security
Services
Chapter
1
Rome
THE DARKNESS SEEMED heavy, oppressive in the
summer heat that filled the city that night. Marco held Anna
tightly, as though afraid of losing her.
"
Marco Sartini," she scolded with a giggle, "it's late and
we have to get to the Metro."
Three men had been following them in the
dark as they walked along the Via Sistina, towards the long flight
of stone steps down to the Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the
hill. Anna jumped in fright as one of the men threw a beer can
noisily across the street. The group began to jeer at the embrace.
Their language sounded like German.
"
Ignore them," Marco said. "We're nearly at the
station."
One of the men came closer and called out
something that Marco did not understand. Then, "
Sprechen sie
Deutsch?
"
Marco pretended not to hear.
The man raised his voice.
"
Lauter
sprechen!
All right,
d
o ... you ... speak ...
English?" he demanded.
"
A little," Marco volunteered warily.
"
This woman is Italian?"
"
Yes."
"
That is good. Italian women all want one thing." He laughed
loudly as he lurched forward and grabbed hold of Anna's arm,
smirking. "How would you fancy the three of us tonight, pretty
woman?"
As Marco tried to wrench the man off, the
two men watching hurried forward and pinned him by the arms,
holding him back.
Suddenly Anna kicked out, taking her captor
by surprise. She ran quickly across the street, reaching the top of
the Spanish Steps and the long descent to the piazza far below.
Marco heard her fall, the sudden stop of
clattering shoes on the stone steps, the yell of enjoyment from her
pursuer. He twisted violently in the hands of the two men holding
him and they threw him to the ground. He lay there stunned, slowly
becoming aware of the sound of a vehicle coming along the Via
Sistina. It was a late night
carabinieri
patrol, but the vehicle drove past before Marco could stand
up or even call out.