The Aesinas Codex

By Linda Arditto

Inspector Martinelli is summoned to the Vatican two days after he returns from Bavaria. The pontiff is concerned that the Aesinas Codex, an ancient text sought after by Himmler and the Gestapo during world war two, has been high jacked from an armoured truck while being transported a short distance from Rome to the Vatican City. Someone desperately wants the original even though it had been translated over the years and copies were freely available.
Martinelli is told that the satchel containing the codex included a separate single page that had never been translated. An oversight by all that had examined the original book.
On the request of the Brotherhood of the Sword the Inspector finds himself back in Germany as the newly formed fourth Reich is suspected of the theft. He finds himself kidnapped by the fourth Reich and is surprised at what he finds.
His interest is sparked when he discovers a vampire connection; once again Martinelli may be able to satisfy his obsession and kill more vampires.
Will Martinelli eventually find the codex? Will he discover why it was stolen? And will he be able to work out why the extra page is so important.
Join Inspector Martinelli as he seeks the most terrifying vampires yet.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Arditto
• Release date: Jul 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310886416

Linda Arditto

I am a mystery woman. Older and therefore wiser I hope.

Book preview

THE AESINAS CODEX

Book 3

Books in this series

Book 1 A Vampire in the Vatican

Book 2 Nun with a Gun

Book 3 The Aesinas Codex

BY

LINDA ARDITTO

Copyright 2013 LindaArditto

Published by

Clover Digital Media

Cover by

Clover Digital Media

SMASHWORDS EDITION

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only; please go and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Once again no offence was intended against the Roman Catholic Church and any of its associates. No offence was intended against the German people and all historical reference is used fictitiously.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Forward

Due to these books being part of a series ‘The Unusual Cases of Inspector Martinelli’ it is advisable to start at Book1. Each story is independent of each other but there are references included throughout that refer to incidents in previous investigations. The reader may find it confusing from time to time without any background.

Linda Arditto

*Chapter 1*

Martinelli woke at 6am. He jumped out of bed and headed for the shower. His first day back at work and he was going to be late. Basile and Santini had been returned to Martinellis’ charge; everything had returned to normal.

He dressed before walking out the door and headed to his car. Martinelli stopped at the bistro on his way; a salad sandwich would do for breakfast he thought, he’d get a coffee at the office and have his sandwich there.

Martinelli reached the office at 7.30am, his men had already arrived; their cars lined up in the carpark. He walked in the doors and headed straight to the coffee room.

Good morning Inspector he heard as he started to pour himself a cup of coffee. Martinelli turned his head to see Santini walk in.

Good morning he replied with a smile as he took a seat at the table.

Where’s Franco? Martinelli asked as he unwrapped his sandwich.

He’s on the phone. Did you enjoy your holiday? Santini asked as he poured himself a coffee.

It was ok I guess Martinelli replied, but I’m glad to be back.

You may regret saying that, Franco said as he walked in the room.

Martinelli looked up at Franco as he took a sip of coffee.

I’ve just been speaking to the Rome police special branch. They’re at the Vatican and want me to send you over as soon as you arrived at work this morning. Franco explained.

What the hell are they still doing here? Martinelli asked as he finished his sandwich. This isn’t their jurisdiction.

All I know is they’ve been meeting with the Holy Father over the last week, but I haven’t been told anything Franco explained.

Martinelli screwed up the sandwich wrapper and threw it across the room to the bin. It found its mark.

He stood up before walking to the door. You’re coming with me, he said to Franco before he walked to his car.

What do you think’s happening? Franco asked as they exited the carpark.

It won’t be much Martinelli replied. If it was something important then I would have been summoned the minute I arrived home; I’ve been back for two days.

Martinelli arrived at the Vatican, he looked at his watch; it was 8.30am.

He parked his car before they walked across the square and up the steps into the front doors. Martinelli looked at the Papal Swiss guards stood at the entrance, he didn’t recognise them.

Martinelli walked in first and looked around, he didn’t recognise any of the clergy that moved to and fro across the basilica. He heard a voice to his right and turned.

Inspector, an aging cardinal said with a smile.

Good morning Martinelli replied with a nod.

The Holy Father is waiting for you the cardinal added before turning and walking to a door on the right side of the basilica. Martinelli was about to enter the room where he first met Paulo.

Franco stopped as the door opened.

Come on, Martinelli said as he looked back at him.

When they entered the room they could see the Holy Father stood behind his desk. Two of Romes’ finest were sat in seats several feet away. It was Russo and Balini; Martinelli recognised them both from news reports on television. Interviews they’d given when investigating crimes that had sparked the publics’ interest.

Martinelli noticed there was no other clergy in the room, very unusual he thought as there was always a cardinal or two with the pontiff.

It is good to see you have returned to us safely Luciano, the pontiff said as Martinelli approached the desk.

You’re Holiness, Martinelli said with a bow.

There is no need for such formalities at the moment the pontiff replied as he sat down. We have a very serious problem.

Martinelli looked at the two detectives as he introduced Franco to the pontiff. This is my right-hand man Detective Sergeant Franco Caputo, Martinelli said.

The pontiff just nodded and gestured Martinelli and Franco to take a seat. He clasped his hands together and placed them on the desk as he leaned forward.

"Have you heard of the ‘Tacitus' Germania’? The pontiff asked as he looked directly at Martinelli.

No I haven’t Martinelli replied. He could see a smile on the detectives faces as they looked at each other.

It was a forty-six page document written almost two thousand ago the pontiff explained.

Was? Martinelli asked.

A copy was made over one thousand years ago and then the original disappeared. The copy is known as the Aesinas Codex the pontiff said. It had been housed in the Biblioteca Nazionale in Rome since its purchase in 1994.

Had been? Martinelli then asked.

Yes, the pontiff replied.

Martinelli noticed the Holy Father looked extremely worried.

There had been a few attempts to steal it over the last few months and the Italian government decided that the safest place to house it would be in the Vatican archives. It was being transported here by armoured truck when it was high jacked. Its transportation was kept secret; no one knew it was being moved except a handful of people. When it was stolen this was also kept out of the newspapers.

Martinelli was starting to feel this was a trivial matter; some old texts had gone missing and everyone was over reacting.

Weren’t copies made over the years? he asked.

Yes, copies were made Russo replied. Copies in Latin like the original text and translations to several languages.

But you want the original copy found, Martinelli said as he looked at the Holy Father.

The pontiff signalled for the two detectives from special branch to leave the room. They stood up and excused themselves before bowing to the Holy Father.

Luciano, the pontiff said. There is more to this than anyone was told.

I’m listening, Martinelli said.

The Codex was housed in a leather satchel for centuries. This is where it was always kept when stored at the Biblioteca Nazionale. The pages were bound together with string but….there was always a single page; separate from the main body.

Go on, Martinelli said.

The single page was never translated. Everyone that studied the Codex only removed the book; no one bothered with the extra page, the pontiff explained.

It may have been his laundry list, Martinelli said.

You may be right the pontiff replied as he stood up and walked around the desk. But what if it’s not?

I can’t believe these experts didn’t study everything in the satchel, Martinelli said.

I think they were so caught up in studying the Codex itself everyone overlooked it. We were happy to take possession of it so that we could read the extra page, the pontiff said.

But the Vatican would have access to it all this time! Martinelli said.

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

We had relied on reports from other experts, but there is nothing in the Codex of biblical reference the pontiff explained. So it was of no interest to us.

Why is it so important now? Martinelli asked.

Because of this, the pontiff said before returning to his desk and opening a drawer.

He removed a small stack of papers and showed them to Martinelli. Martinelli got up from his seat and walked to the desk.

This is the Italian translation of the Codex, the pontiff said as he placed the papers down and turned to the last page. Read the footnote at the bottom he added as he turned it for Martinelli to see.

‘What further accounts we have are fabulous; as that the Hellusians and Oxiones have the countenances and aspects of men, with the bodies and limbs of savage beasts. This, as a thing about which I have no certain information, I shall leave untouched.’

OK, Martinelli said. What do you make of it?

"I think Bracciolini found out more at a later date and wrote it down.

Who? Martinelli asked.

Poggio Bracciolini; the one who copied the Tacitus Germania the pontiff replied before continuing. We believe the single page may answer this and……. He looked at Franco before looking back at Martinelli.

You can speak freely in front of my sergeant, Martinelli said.

And the Brotherhood have been looking for the Hellusians for centuries. It is critical that the Codex be found and brought here.

What about these Oxiones? Martinelli asked as he pointed at the footnote.

They were destroyed over three centuries ago the pontiff replied. But the Hellusians have eluded the Brotherhood.

Do we have any leads on the high jacking? Martinelli asked.

The two detectives you just met are gathering information for you the pontiff explained.

I don’t have jurisdiction in Rome Martinelli replied.

You do now, the pontiff said as he gathered up the papers. The Rome police believe they are only looking for an ancient document that Himmler had a great interest in. A document he used to justify the Nazi atrocities. They think it as something of great monitory value…nothing more.

May I take that with me? Martinelli asked as he pointed to the translated copy of the Aesinas Codex in the pontiffs’ hand.

Of course the pontiff replied as he gave it to Martinelli.

He took the papers before bowing and headed for the door.

I’ll keep in touch every step of the investigation, Martinelli said as he looked at the Holy Father before exiting the room.

Franco remained silent as they hurried down the steps of the basilica and to Martinellis’ car.

What the hell was that about? Franco asked as they drove back to the office.

I’m not sure Martinelli replied. It’s either about vampires or fucking Nazis. Give me vampires any day.

Back at the office Martinellis’ men had gone out on the streets to work. Watching for petty crimes against the tourists. Martinelli entered the coffee room and placed the Codex on the table; signalling Franco to sit down.

Coffee? he asked.

Please, Franco said as he sat at the table.

Martinelli poured two cups of coffee before sitting with Franco.

Did you see the way those two detectives looked at us? Franco asked.

Who cares about them Martinelli replied. We have an important job to do for the church, the Holy Father is worried.

Who is this ‘Brotherhood’ he spoke about? Franco asked.

Martinelli hoped that Franco hadn’t heard that part of the conversation, but the pontiff had hesitated before mentioning this to Martinelli.

They’re a group of highly trained people called The Brotherhood of the Sword. They protect the Roman Catholic Church. Martinelli replied. They’re part of an ancient charter going back about seven hundred years Martinelli explained.

Franco raised his eyebrows and nodded, accepting what Martinelli had just told him.

Who do you think would steal something like this? Franco asked as he pointed to the copy. It would be too well known for them to sell it.

Have you heard of this document? Martinelli asked.

Yeh. I saw a documentary on television about Himmler and the Gestapo. It got a few mentions Franco explained. Himmler had a copy but wanted the original, he used the war to search the owners many homes here in Italy but never found it.

Who did own it? Martinelli asked.

Some Count; it had been in his family for generations Franco replied.

Well, whoever stole it wants one of two things Martinelli started as he sipped more of his coffee. They either want the Codex or the single page.

There would be no need for anyone to want the Codex. Translated copies are freely available Franco said.

You just said Himmler wanted it and he had a copy! Martinelli said as he finished his coffee.

After drinking German coffee, Martinelli had a new appreciation for the Italian blends.

"Yeh Himmler wanted it, but the third Reich was everything to him. He wanted to keep