Romance, righteousness, and reality have one thing in common: secrets.
When a miraculous discovery fuels international tension, Michealene Macario, the newly appointed first female president of the Vatican Bank, finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy involving the Church’s high court and the world’s most influential leaders.
After Michealene uncovers a dark mystery about the Church’s finances, she doesn’t know who to trust—including her romantic interest, the Vatican’s chief of police. Her only hope lies in building an alliance with an ancient, sinister adversary who wants something in exchange. To save herself and humanity, she will have to face her painful past, let go of her fear, and not be distracted by reality.
Romance, righteousness, and reality have one thing in common: secrets.
When a miraculous discovery fuels international tension, Michealene Macario, the newly appointed first female president of the Vatican Bank, finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy involving the Church’s high court and the world’s most influential leaders.
After Michealene uncovers a dark mystery about the Church’s finances, she doesn’t know who to trust—including her romantic interest, the Vatican’s chief of police. Her only hope lies in building an alliance with an ancient, sinister adversary who wants something in exchange. To save herself and humanity, she will have to face her painful past, let go of her fear, and not be distracted by reality.
It’s morning in Israel, and the sun blazes above Metzitzim Beach in Tel Aviv-Yafo. Gulls fly high in the powder blue sky, searching the sea for fish and the nearby parking lots for bite-size scraps. Below, the beach is a colorful array of umbrellas, towels and people. Abandoned seashells catch the sea-scented breeze caressing the shoreline. The tide retreated and left behind in the sand an assortment of buried treasures. Waves paw their way up the coastline, grabbing at objects and pulling them into the sea, making it the ideal setting for a miracle or a drowning.
A youthful family of three surveys the beach, looking for a spot near the water’s edge. Abigail points to a row of sandcastles in the distance. She grabs an overfilled beach bag, a neon umbrella and a wicker picnic basket and hurries off. Her husband, Levi, cautiously rolls the wheelchair of their son, Eli, to the end of the boardwalk. Levi locks the wheels in place and lifts Eli into his arms. Eli’s legs freely dangle as his father carries him. Sand granules act like tiny embers scorching the bottom of Levi’s feet as he dances across the beach. Eli cries out in laughter at his father’s ChaCha moves.
Eli has curly black hair, dark sapphire eyes, bronze skin and an angelic smile. Even though a wheelchair is his gateway to physical independence, Eli—like boys his age— fantasizes about tomb raiding, race cars and growing up to be a professional soccer player. His immobile legs don’t stand in the way of his dreams. He’s too young to realize all the difficulties lying ahead for a person with his handicap in a fast-paced, unforgiving world. As children do, he lives in the now, worry-free about the alignment of his future.
They set up camp several meters beyond the sea’s reach. A gentle breeze flows in from above the calm water, slightly cooling the sun’s heat. Eli isn’t wasting time lounging with his parents onshore; he’s on a mission. He locates his new toy submarine in their bag, a birthday gift from his grandfather, a retired Israeli naval commander. Today, Eli intends to launch the vessel on its maiden voyage at sea. Until now, there were trial dives in the bathtub. His excitement peaks. Eli nags his father to carry him to the water.
Levi scoops up Eli, playfully tossing him over his shoulder, jogs into the shallow water and places his son in what is close to 45 centimeters of water. Eli, mesmerized with his submarine’s maiden voyage, daydreams of being a Navy Commander-in-Chief like his grandfather. His platoon of sailors prepares to submerge below the wavy surface. Eli spouts off orders to the crew in preparation for the dive. The soldiers finish battening down the hatches and confirm both starboard and port sides are secured. The commander gives the final command, and the sub gradually submerges below the water’s rough surface. The commander barks more orders to his crew. The submarine dives deep into the sea, occasionally colliding with the sandy bottom. After a few angry commands, the seamen thrust the propellers to top speed and the submarine rockets back to the sea’s surface.
Levi playfully splashes his son with cold seawater. Eli throws his torso forward and pushes his shoulders back, halting the crew’s voyage. Levi catches a glimpse of the sun burning Eli’s shoulders. He needs to get the sunblock from their bag. Levi waves his arms, trying to get Abigail’s attention. She doesn’t see him. As Levi takes a step toward the beach he looks back at Eli, reaching out his hands to pick him up. Eli begs his father to let him stay in the water. Levi pretty much grew up at Metzitzim Beach. Like Eli, Levi also played in the shallow water for hours—often unattended. Levi canvasses left, right, left; there’s no danger in sight. Levi agrees to his son’s request, assuring him he’ll be right back. Eli, heavily engaged in another mission, misses his father’s words. Levi gallops his long, thin pale legs in and out of the water and heads back to base camp, where his unsuspecting wife, Abigail, is lying on her stomach, sunbathing topless.
Levi tiptoes up to his bride and tickle-attacks her sides. Abigail jumps up, struggling to cover her bare breasts. She’s relieved to see it’s her husband and playfully curses him. She’s acquired patience for Levi’s infantile shenanigans. Boyishly, he seeks forgiveness for his mischievous prank, lovingly kissing up and down her neck. Once again, she buys into Levi’s affectionate surrender. Abigail retreats to sunbathing as Levi shuffles through the bag for the sunblock. He turns to his wife for help. She’s resting with her eyes shut. He starts to ask for help, then tightly seals his lips, deciding not to push his luck. Levi looks toward the family van parked in a lot a short sprint away. Looking back at Eli, who is playing in the water, Levi figures he can make it to the truck and back in less than ten minutes. One, two, three… and he’s off.
Dropped food attracts a squadron of birds circling above. Like fighter jets, birds beeline from the air targeting their ground and sea targets. It turns into a frenzy as more birds squawk over the same scrap. There’s only one winner in every fight. The losers fly off, hungry yet determined, circling in a flight pattern above the sea, anxiously waiting to prey on the unluckiest of fish.
Unaware of the chaos in the air, Eli focuses on his maritime activities. Off in the distance, his father has made it to the van, only to discover it’s locked. To his disappointment, he didn’t think to bring the keys. Levi rounds the vehicle, trying each door handle twice. Peering through the tinted glass, he canvasses the interior for signs of the sunblock but has no luck finding the lotion. And even if Levi had, it would’ve been a wasted trip. He starts the retreat to the beach across the hot cement. Abigail remains asleep, unaware of Levi’s frustrations.
Commander Eli Cohen shouts an order: “Submerge, submerge, submerge. Enemy warship approaching.” Under full propulsion, the vessel shoots to the bottom. Water pressure builds against the vessel’s plastic walls. Eli stares down into the water, gripping the buoyant toy as it struggles to free itself from the sandy bottom and shoot to the surface. The enemy aircraft carrier maneuvers recklessly above the hidden submarine. The captain yells to his crew, “Fire the Torpedoes!” Eli releases his grip. Like a fish breaking free from the water’s surface, the submarine shoots into the air, striking Eli in the forehead. He falls helplessly backward, hitting the crown of his head against the water as he plunges beneath the surface. Eyes and mouth wide open, saltwater fills his airways. Tossing frantically, Eli struggles to raise himself upright. His legs are useless while he feverously tries to gain stability, arms and hands flailing. Lying underwater on his back, palms downward, Eli uses his core muscles and might to raise his upper body. His triceps and forearms tensely hoist his head upward. He musters the strength to upright himself. Gasping for air, he chokes on the salty water droplets. Eli rubs his eyes, trying to regain his vision, the salt burning his pupils. With his sight and hearing impaired, he struggles to make out his surroundings.
A monstrous gull floats nearby, vigorously pecking at its catch. With his eyes burning, Eli strains to get a better view of the bird’s victim, hoping it’s not his submarine. Eli frantically twists his neck right, then left, throwing water droplets from his hair into the air. Commander Eli’s crew is nowhere in sight. He taps his hands against the seabed, surveying the sandy bottom for remnants of the wreckage, repeatedly circling back and forth. There’s hope. Eli’s right index finger discovers something. He digs, pushing the wet sand away. The find is hard and smooth, like the belly of the plastic sub. The chaotic attack must have buried the submarine beneath the sand. Eli digs and digs, pushing back the wet sand as it fights to keep the vessel in its clutches. His struggles pay off; the submarine is freed. Eli releases a heavy sigh. From below the surface of the sea, his fingers report that the periscope is missing. He scrambles to uncover enough wreckage to get a solid hold and shake it free from the land’s grip. The once smooth vessel is now jagged and rough. It’s damaged more severely than the initial touch analyses represented. Still, he needs to rescue the sub and its crew. His crafty mother will put it back together if he recovers enough of the pieces. He grips the conning tower tight and gives it a solid tug. It pulls free. Commander Cohen saves his platoon and the ship’s remnants. Or not.
His eyelids retreat and his chin drops. Eli’s crew remains lost at sea. He’s failed the mission. Eli holds a small, stemmed cup corroded by years of environmental aging. He forgoes his rescue operation, eager to share his new treasure with his parents, who are preoccupied searching for sunblock back on the beach. A firm hand grasps his right shoulder, startling him and taking his attention away from his discovery. Holding the cup up high above his head like a prized trophy, Eli looks for his father’s approval, turning his head eager to share his story. But no one is there. He shrugs and returns his focus to the cup. A swift undertow lifts him from the earth’s surface, cradling him briefly with its force. Eli’s legs flutter in the current as his bum returns to the sand. Something brushes against Eli’s back below the waterline. He throws his torso forward, turning to see what’s in the water with him. Twisting his neck to get a look, he feels a sharp pinch in his big toe. Eli jerks his knee up out of the water, startling his attacker, who swims away quickly. His foot sinks to the sand, where it rests motionless. Eli remains stone still, staring at his leg. His toe tingles in pain. Eli smiles big. He raises his leg, pushing his foot up out of the water. Eli lowers it and repeats the movement with his other leg. Eli laughs. Like a chopper cutting through the water, he pulsates his legs up and down repeatedly until his muscles tire. Rolling on his side, Eli pulls his knees toward his waistline and kneels, kneecaps and toes buried in the sand; his upper body towers over the water. He grasps his treasure in one hand and steadies himself with the other. Eli uses the strength in his legs to push him skyward. Now upright, he’s wobbly. His legs grow rock solid and support him as he enthusiastically waves to his parents, who watch from onshore in disbelief. Cup in hand, Eli runs to them. Abigail rubs her eyes and slowly opens them, proclaiming, “Impossible.” Keeping sight of her son, she reaches over and smacks her husband’s torso. Levi drops his water bottle from his lips to his lap and says, “God.”
When is it anyone realizes their limitations from the perception of not having any to settling for one's plot in life based on their circumstances: These characters challenge that and push beyond those boundaries.
Brilliant writing, concise with strong use of imagery. It moves seamlessly Â
between the establishment of ancient Rome, the Vatican, and modern devices like a global satellite system monitoring activity in Israel from the US, calling on Alexa, and texting intermittently in the narrative. These measures of change are fraught with scandals, political and inter-governmental agendas spanning the Vatican, Israel, and the U.S. and their allies and threats. When an intelligence agency probe into the NY archdiocese Cardinal Tocco says,
“The key to success isn’t in choosing the right friends. The secret is knowing how to use the ones you have to get what you want.” Amidst Russia vying for the church's presence the tensions are clear. Pope Leo's collapse at the papal almost seems like reality is blurred with the activities of tactical maneuvers of secret service, the Russian security officer's offensive stance, the disappearance of the Cohen's and the Vatican Internet Security.Â
The reader begins to question progress as the author describes the collapse of the Roman Empire, various European supremacies claimed final approval rights in deciding who would be the Bishop of Rome. The Vatican Bank's history of financial fraud, and male-dominated control by the church. It is not until the debut of the European banking community controversial figure, Michealene, a victim of embezzlement herself has made her mark as an economic force to be reckoned with who relentlessly pursues and exposes corrupt executives. However, success and shrewdness do not mean popularity - when offhanded remarks such as, 'Medusa, you’re smarter than us single-brained folk' highlight.
A turning point is when leaders bestow trust, a lesson in their perseverance in fulfilling their mission. Pope Leo Convinced a guardian angel blessed his medallion, he requested Mic wear it after his death.
The book is ridden with complexity and storied layers of histories and inter-agency dealings and is filled with profound wisdom throughout remarks and observations:
Depictions seem to represent the value of embracing your enemies with forgiveness and understanding to gain everlasting riches
Challenges bless us all. And, a shoe store's window hangs two permanent signs: All souls need shoes and Out heeling, closed toe-day.
Vatican perseverance from global terrorism and two world wars is noted.
But his funeral surrounding an international summit to discuss Russia and Iran’s recent alliance - all reminiscent of real-world scenarios to be believable as if lines between fact and fiction are blurred.
While Lucifer delivers Mic some harsh blows of truth, their conversation leaves the reader contemplating the significance - how convenient to think one entirely pure or evil is more akin to fairy tales.Â
The desire of political figures to avenge the death of Pope Leo and use God's protection and forgiveness as a means to control allegiances along with the CIA exonerating any involvement in scandals and crimes of the church all erode the trustworthiness of the characters and entities they represent.  It evokes confusion and doubt that are later reprimanded as a weakness.
When Lucifer's wisdom is a compelling commentary about people wasting significant portions of their life in fruitless pursuits but having a strong will to live. In asking for Mic's trust he challenges her to think beyond who she thinks he is. He poses the ultimate paradox of her purpose in freeing herself from emotional paralysis and seeking empathy and joy versus the mission she was called on to support as a global financial figure fighting fraud and advancing equality.
The devil knows you can't have it both ways, which is the cause for suffering.
Lucifer's testimonial is compelling enough to examine whether his wrongful portrayal is accurate or more in line with 'morality's sliding scale'.
“Doubt is enormously influential in manipulating one’s perception and altering his judgment. The Devil preys on skeptics.”
Mic's freeing of Lucifer from a hydrogen capsule after several thousand years shows how thin the line between good and evil or at least in interpretation.
They are called on,
"People aren’t blind to the world’s problems, but complacent.”
Recalling Pope Leo's message, “This key protects two things that humans are quick to surrender: free will and judgment. Each of us has the power to change the world, but fall short on trying."
As she stares at the empty Spanish Stairs. Mic haphazardly packs a bag. “Governments and religions use fear to manipulate us.Â
The book is brilliant in highlighting humanity's often paradoxical conundrums when it comes to truth and power and how easily moral relativism seeps into noble pursuits. Like any stellar work, it leaves the reader asking deeper questions.