Vatican Conspiracy: A Carrie Chronicles Spy Thriller: Carrie Chronicles, #6

By Ethan Jones

What if your closest friend was going to kill you?

CIS elite operative Carrie O'Connor dives headfirst into the underground to uncover Italian mafia ties to a recent Islamic terrorist bombing of a passenger airplane from Rome. But when her asset within the mob is exposed, she realizes that nothing is as it seems and things are far worse than she could have ever imagined.

 

As she digs deeper, Carrie discovers a potential connection between the mafia and one of the highest religious figures in Italy. Working around dangerous loyalties, she must unmask the real conspirator to avoid a devastating clash between two worldwide religions.

 

How will Carrie discover the most sinister conspiracy to ever threaten The Vatican?

 

Find out in Vatican Conspiracy, Ethan's latest, heart-pounding, white-knuckled spy thriller.

 

Reviews

★★★★★ "A full-blown, action-packed conspiracy read in the first degree."

★★★★★ "This story will leave you almost breathless with the non-stop action. This is a thriller in the true sense of the word. Even if you are not a big thriller/action stories, try this one anyway, it is brilliantly written and the characters are so well defined, that you may believe that you have met them somewhere." 

★★★★★ "Ethan Jones has the ability to put the reader in the room, in the midst of action, and delighted to be there."

★★★★★ "Another excellent book by Mr. Ethan Jones that keeps you on the edge of your seat with some wicked twists that makes me crave more."

★★★★★ "Author Ethan Jones continues to amaze his readers with bold, delicious characters, thrilling plots and plenty of fast paced action." 

★★★★★ "Espionage at its finest."

 

The Carrie Chronicles Spy Thriller Series

With hundreds of five-star reviews and thousands of sales and downloads. Each book is a clean, self-contained story without cliffhangers and can be enjoyed on its own. Vatican Conspiracy includes the finale novella Last Op as a bonus. 

 

Highly recommended for fans of Vince Flynn, Mark Greaney, and Lee Child.

Scroll up, click, and enjoy your pulse-pounding new adventure with agent O'Connor now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Knightsville Books
• Release date: Mar 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201321277

Ethan Jones

Ethan Jones is an international bestselling author of over thirty-five spy thriller and suspense novels. His books have sold over one hundred thousand copies in over seventy countries. Ethan has lived in Europe and Canada. He has worked for the American Embassy and did missionary work in Albania. He’s a lawyer by trade, and his research has taken him to many parts of the world. His goal is to provide clean, clever, and white-knuckle entertainment for his valued readers. Ethan’s thrillers are fast-paced, action-packed, and full of unsuspecting twists and turns. When he’s not writing or researching, you can find Ethan hiking, snorkeling, hanging out with family/friends, or traveling the world. Check out Ethan's website ethanjonesbooks.com to learn more and to sign up to Ethan's Exclusives which includes updates, deals, and a free starter pack.

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The Story

What if your closest friend was going to kill you?

CIS elite operative Carrie O’Connor dives headfirst into the underground to uncover Italian mafia ties to a recent Islamic terrorist bombing of a passenger airplane from Rome. But when her asset within the mob is exposed, she realizes that nothing is as it seems and things are far worse than she could have ever imagined.

As she digs deeper, Carrie discovers a potential connection between the mafia and one of the highest religious figures in Italy. Working around dangerous loyalties, she must unmask the real conspirator to avoid a devastating clash between two worldwide religions.

How will Carrie discover the most sinister conspiracy to ever threaten The Vatican?

VATICAN CONSPIRACY

THE CARRIE CHRONICLES

BOOK SIX

ETHAN JONES

Table of Contents

Front Page

Title Page

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Epilogue

Bonus - Short Story Distraction

Bonus novella - Last Op

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Epilogue

Bonus - The Extractor - Prologue

Bonus - The Extractor - Chapter One

Bonus - The Extractor - Chapter Two

Bonus - The Extractor - Chapter Three

Acknowledgements

Copyright

Ecclesiastes 12:12 -

The writing of many books is endless,

and excessive study is wearying to the body.

You can’t make this stuff up... but good thing in my case,

I’m not there yet.

To all the spy thriller lovers out there...

Chapter One

Via della Navicella

Rome, Italy

Carrie O’Connor cocked her Sig Sauer P229 9mm pistol and looked through the windshield of her 2012 battered Fiat sedan. She saw the silhouette of a man strolling toward her car. She didn’t know who he was or what he wanted. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t supposed to be here.

The tall, skinny, black-haired man dressed in a light blue jacket and dark pants moved with purpose along the sidewalk. Every few seconds, he glanced over his shoulders. It was nearly midnight, and the street was faintly lit. Carrie had parked on the left side in front of the square of Basilica di Santa Maria in Domnica alla Navicella. No other vehicles or people were around her.

She was waiting for a woman to come to their rendezvous. A woman with intelligence about a member of the local mafia. The arrival of a man could mean only one thing: trouble.

Carrie sighed and opened the door while making as little noise as possible. Her breathing quickened, and she felt her thumping heartbeat threatening to burst out of her chest. She slid out and crouched next to the door. She looked at all sides, trying to assess the danger level of the situation. The man was walking with purpose. He didn’t seem like a passerby who just happened to be going down the street. Could he be a messenger? What if Gabriella sent him? Or did the mobsters clue in to what’s going on?

The man crossed the street in front of La Fontana della Navicella, the water fountain built around a marble replica of a Roman galley in front of the basilica. Both his hands were deep in his jacket’s side pockets. He turned his head one more time and looked to his left. Then he headed toward the parking lot.

Carrie remained low behind the Fiat. A knot was forming in her gut. She listened carefully for car noises or other footsteps. She heard nothing but the clack-clack-clack of the man’s shoes over the cobblestone parking lot. All right. He’s alone. What does he want?

She swung to her right and looked upward in that direction. Nathan Smyth, her partner in this operation and their agency, Canadian Intelligence Service, or CIS, was covering her back. He was stretched atop the second floor of a nearby building, behind his sniper rifle. Nathan would be able to observe everything through his rifle’s scope and intervene at a moment’s notice, if that became necessary.

Carrie reached underneath her purple scarf and whispered into her throat mic. Nate, do you see him?

Roger that, love. If he breathes the wrong way, I’m blowing his head off.

Carrie smiled. She loved that she could rely on Nathan. He had never let her down, and he wasn’t about to start now. Good. I’m going to meet him.

She stood up and held the pistol low and to her side. She hadn’t cocked the gun, but she could do so in less than a second. The man’s hands were still in his pockets. Maybe he’s cold, she thought. The evening had turned icy, but she wore a black wool sweater and matching fingerless gloves. Or maybe he has a gun in there.

The man had noticed her but didn’t seem surprised. He peered at her and seemed to offer a slight nod. He hurried his pace when he was about twenty meters away from her.

Carrie raised a hand. Stop, stop, she called at him in a firm voice. "Show me your hands. Le tue mani!" Your hands.

The man stopped and seemed to give her a puzzled look. Carrie couldn’t be sure since the streetlight was behind the man. He cocked his head to the left and glanced at Carrie’s right hand. She turned the pistol slightly toward him. The steel glinted as it caught the faint streetlight.

"Le mani, Carrie repeated and gestured with her pistol. Me li faccia vedere!" Show them to me!

The man removed his hands from his pockets very reluctantly and very methodically as he groaned loudly. His hands were empty. He shook his head and took a few steps toward her. Relax, my friend, relax. I come in peace. I have news, some news from Gabriella. He spoke in a rapid voice with a thick Italian accent.

Carrie kept her pistol low but still pointed in his general direction. What’s your name? How do you know Gabriella?

The man drew closer. She could now make out his facial features. He had wavy, black hair and a small forehead that was sweaty, most likely because of his assignment as a courier. His piercing brown eyes clearly expressed his angst. They were flitting between Carrie’s gun and her face as if the man was trying to determine her intention. The man had high cheekbones and a thick nose. A three-day stubble covered his oval face. He waved his hands toward Carrie and said, My name is Riccardo, and I’m her boyfriend.

Boyfriend, Carrie thought. She never mentioned a boyfriend. Where is Gabriella? she asked in a low voice.

A distance of a few steps stood between them, but the sounds echoed in the square.

Riccardo shrugged. She has a problem, so she sent me.

Carrie studied Riccardo’s face, then looked at his waistband. His jacket was unzipped, and she didn’t notice any weapons. Nathan was covering her back, but she still needed to follow protocol. Do you have any guns on you?

What? No, no. I come peaceful.

Turn around and lift your jacket.

Why? Riccardo asked in an almost offended voice. You do not believe me?

Just turn around and do it.

Riccardo hesitated for a moment and gave Carrie a wounded look. Then he sighed and pirouetted while pulling up his jacket. There were no pistols or knives in his waistband or the small of his back. When he faced her again, Riccardo’s face twisted into a frown. Good, yes?

Carrie walked closer to him. Very good. Now, what’s the problem? she asked when they were just a couple of steps apart.

Bella, I mean Gabriella, suspects they know about her brother wanting to leave the family, he answered in a slow, saddened tone as he looked over his shoulder.

Carrie’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. She searched Riccardo’s face for any clue as to whether he was telling the truth or simply testing her. He had winced when he had finished speaking, and there was an empty stare in his eyes. Now, his brow was wrinkled, and he was biting his lip. He seemed truly worried about the fate of Gabriella’s brother. If the mobsters learned about what her brother was preparing to do, they wouldn’t hesitate to kill him and Gabriella. No one betrayed the family’s cause. No one left the family alive.

What does that mean? She pretended she had no idea about Riccardo’s words. If he was looking for confirmation from her, Carrie wasn’t going to give him anything.

That’s all the information she gave me.

And why would she tell me that? I just want to purchase the diamond. Carrie mentioned the pass-phrase she had entrusted to Gabriella. If they were ever in a suspicious situation, like this, the pass-phrase would ensure only the right people knew about the operation. They would need to reply with the correct answer.

The diamond ring is no longer for sale, Riccardo gave Carrie the correct response in a slow, clear voice. His left lip curled up in a bitter smile. Look, I understand you have suspicions, but I’m not trying to trick you. I love Bella, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to her. I want to help her; that’s why I’m here.

Carrie nodded. She still hadn’t decided how much she could trust Riccardo, but she was going to take him up on the offer. Okay, I trust you, she said in a relaxed voice, loosening the tension in her shoulders and torso. She returned her gun to her shoulder holster underneath her gray windbreaker and nodded at Riccardo. Did anyone follow you?

No, no. I don’t think so, he said slowly.

But you’re not sure…

I checked and checked again. I didn’t see anyone.

Okay, let’s assume someone is actually watching you, and now us. Where is Gabriella?

She’s home. Back at her apartment.

Take me there.

What? Now? Riccardo asked in a surprised tone.

Yes. Is that a problem?

Uh, no, but why?

I want to see her; talk to her.

Why now?

It’s none of your business, Carrie wanted to say. Instead, she bit her lip and offered Riccardo a fake smile. We both want to help her, right?

Of course.

So, let’s go.

He hesitated for another moment. But what will you do?

You ask too many questions. Let’s go and see what she really knows and what she needs.

Riccardo didn’t move a muscle for a few seconds, then something changed inside him. He smiled at Carrie and said, Okay, okay, let’s go.

Carrie nodded. She didn’t like the sudden change, although she was expecting it. Another knot began to form at the pit of her stomach. Watch him closely, she thought.

She ran her hand through her auburn hair, which she had cut into a blunt, angled bob. She preferred a ponytail, but Nathan had insisted she try a different style. She didn’t exactly love it, but she also didn’t hate it. In a matter of months, she’d try something else. But she’d do anything for Nathan, the man she loved. It had only been a few weeks since they had started dating, but Carrie felt like he had always been a part of her life.

Carrie tipped her head toward the Fiat. You drive, she told Riccardo.

The Italian gave her a puzzled look. Before he could express any objections, Carrie asked, You know how to drive, right?

Yes, not a very good driver, but—

"Who is a good driver?" she quipped.

She waited until Riccardo slid into the driver’s seat, then walked around the back. As she did so, she waved at Nathan and gave him the thumbs-up signal. Of course, he would have heard her exchange with the Italian and would have noticed if something had gone sideways. Still, it was their little gesture of comfort.

She sat next to Riccardo but didn’t buckle the seatbelt. She turned her body slightly to the left, so she could observe his movements. If he tried something, she would be ready.

Riccardo put the Fiat into gear and drove out of the parking lot. He turned right on Via della Navicella, picking up speed as the vehicle descended the hill. The street was mostly empty, and they passed by only two vehicles going in the opposite direction until they came to Piazza di Porta Metronia. Riccardo continued north on Via della Ferratella in Laterano.

Carrie quickly glanced over her shoulder, half expecting to see Nathan’s silver Audi following them. But there was no need for his presence to be so obvious. She had installed a GPS tracker in the car, so Nathan would be able to follow at all times.

What are you looking for? Riccardo asked.

Carrie shrugged. Not sure. Nothing, I guess. But we’ve got to keep our eyes open. Someone might be following us.

Riccardo frowned but didn’t say anything. He looked into the rearview mirror and adjusted it.

Carrie asked, Tell me about Gabriella’s suspicions.

I told you I don’t know much about that.

But you’re her boyfriend. She trusts you, confides in you.

A sorrowful look fell on Riccardo’s face. His shoulders hung low. Not as much as I’d like, he said in a flat, monotone voice.

Tell me exactly what she said, Carrie insisted.

Like I told you, she suspects Don Pasquale knows about her brother’s desire to leave the family.

Leave and go where?

I don’t know.

What did she say?

She doesn’t know.

Carrie sighed. This was going nowhere. Okay, how does she know that the Don knows?

I don’t know; she didn’t tell me.

Think about it. She must have a reason. Maybe she saw or heard something.

Riccardo shrugged. I don’t remember.

Work with me here, Carrie said with a certain amount of frustration in her voice. Try to remember. What were her exact words?

He thought about it for a few moments as the Fiat rounded a corner. He passed a slow-moving taxi and a white van and turned toward Carrie. She said something about people following her brother around. He hasn’t talked to her, but she overheard him express his fears.

Carrie nodded at him and offered a look of encouragement. Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.

She had met two days ago with Gabriella Rossi. She was still trying to convince her brother to cooperate with the Italian Internal Intelligence and Security Agency, or AISI, and assist them in securing solid evidence about the mob’s involvement in international espionage and terrorism. Six Canadian citizens had been killed in a plane that crashed over the Mediterranean Sea shortly after leaving Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. The AISI and the CIS believed that Don Pasquale’s crime family was involved, but they still hadn’t a shred of evidence. Gabriella’s brother wasn’t ready yet, but she was convinced that she could persuade him. The recent turn of events had stressed the urgency of that operation. The mobsters were known to act on a whim, especially when they suspected betrayal from within their own ranks.

Carrie looked at Riccardo, but he didn’t say anything. She sighed. Getting information out of him is like pulling teeth. Let’s hope Gabriella can tell me more. And get her brother on our side before it’s too late.

Chapter Two

Via Tiburtina

Rome, Italy

Riccardo stopped the Fiat in front of a supermarket and a real estate agency. Across from them, there was a five-story apartment building painted light pink. The narrow street was littered with trash, mostly plastic bottles and other pieces of plastic waste. A couple of vagrants were sleeping in a makeshift shelter of cardboard and blankets by a few parked cars and SUVs, their backs against the pink wall.

Carrie looked around. She had never been to Gabriella’s apartment, although she had told Carrie that she lived in this part of town. So the agent leaned closer to Riccardo and asked, Is this her apartment? She tipped her head toward the building.

Yes, second floor. He gestured with his hand to his right. Above the boutique.

Carrie looked at the dark windows. Is she in?

She should be. I’ll call her. He reached for his cellphone inside his jacket.

No, I’ll do it, Carrie said. Drive around the block.

Why? No one has followed us.

True, but we can’t be too careful.

She didn’t want to mention her doubts because she didn’t want to insult and antagonize Riccardo. The truth was she didn’t trust him. Don Pasquale or his henchmen could have ordered him to drive Carrie to the apartment. Admittedly, she had come up with the idea, but that course of action was obvious. On the other hand, someone could have placed a tracking device inside Riccardo’s phone—with or without his knowledge. And if he used the phone to contact Gabriella, Carrie wouldn’t know who answered on the other side, or if Riccardo spoke in code.

He gave her a curious glance, nodded, and did as he was told. He drove slowly past the vagrants, who didn’t even open their eyes. Carrie found her phone in the front pocket of her blue jeans and made the call. No one picked up for the first few seconds, then a firm man’s voice replied in Italian, "Pronto, chi parla?" Hello, who is speaking?

I want to talk to Gabriella, Carrie said matter-of-factly.

Oh, and who is this?

Just Go Travel Agency. I have info about her reservation.

At midnight?

Oh, is it midnight there? It’s only afternoon in the States, Carrie gave her voice a surprised tone.

Riccardo looked at her and grinned, but she ignored him.

The man, whom Carrie suspected was Tommaso, Gabriella’s brother, didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then she thought she heard muffled sounds, like quiet voices, and the slam of a closing door. Two seconds later, a female voice asked, Is this Carrie O’Connor?

Gabriella? Carrie recognized her voice. Is everything okay?

Yes, yes, for now. You talked to Tommaso. He’s ready.

Ready for what?

To give you the information about the plane attack.

Carrie nodded. Excellent. So you two are coming out?

Yes, through the front door.

We’ll be there. She tapped Riccardo on his arm and gestured for him to turn around.

Riccardo bit his lip and shook his head. We should have stayed back there, he complained in a bitter voice and waved his hand. They’d have to make an illegal U-turn in a narrow street.

You can do it and quickly.

She moved her hand to her ear and tapped her throat mic, turning it on. N, cover the front door.

Got it, love, Nathan’s voice came into her earpiece.

Riccardo jerked his head toward Carrie and gave her a strange look of confusion. Whom are you talking to?

Watch the Alfa Romeo. Carrie motioned with her hand. Don’t scrape it.

I’m two feet away. Riccardo glared at her as he made the tight turn. You have backup, don’t you?

Carrie ignored his question. Let’s go. Hurry!

Riccardo drove the Fiat in the opposite direction. They rounded the curve and returned to the apartment building. Nathan had already parked the silver Audi as close to the entrance as possible, near a white delivery van. He was standing outside the driver’s door.

That’s your partner, right? Riccardo asked.

He is. Now, let’s get Gabriella and her brother.

Carrie cocked her pistol.

Riccardo gave her a disappointed headshake. I don’t have a gun.

Stay here and keep the car running.

She had just stepped out of the Fiat when a man popped up across the street. He was about thirty meters away, behind Nathan and near a faint streetlight. A submachine gun glinted in the man’s hands as he turned it toward Nathan.

Carrie aimed her pistol and fired two quick rounds. Her bullets struck the armed man in the chest. He collapsed against the streetlight before firing his weapon.

Nathan spun on his heel. He looked at the downed man, then glanced at a black SUV parked about five meters away. The doors were thrown open, and two men stepped out. They were both carrying submachine guns. I’ve got this! Nathan said and stepped back, dropping behind the Audi. Just get them out!

Before Carrie could say anything, Nathan tapped his trigger. Sparks appeared from the SUV’s grille. She knew Nathan wouldn’t miss at such a close distance. He was not trying to kill them but forcing them to stay down long enough for the extraction.

The gunmen fell back behind the open doors but didn’t return fire.

Nathan’s plan seemed to be working for the moment.

Carrie bolted toward the apartment building’s entrance. She was about halfway across the sidewalk when the entrance door was thrown wide open. Tommaso was the first one to run out. He was dressed in a brown jacket and black pants. Gabriella followed closely, wearing a black blouse and blue jeans.

Quick, quick, hurry, Carrie encouraged them and gestured toward the Fiat.

Tommaso nodded but stopped for a moment and looked at Gabriella. He reached for her hand, but before they could lock fingers, a volley came from the right, the direction Nathan wasn’t covering. A couple of rounds struck the wall behind Tommaso. A round or more must have hit him in the back because he struggled to remain on his feet as blood trickled out of his mouth. He tried to lean against the wall, but his legs failed him. He folded over and fell a few steps away from the entrance.

Gabriella’s cries of pain lifted the hair at the nape of Carrie’s head. Her racing heartbeat was pumping adrenaline through her veins. She crouched down and swung around, looking for the shooter. She found him standing near a white sedan about twenty meters away. Before the gunman could open up again, she planted two bullets in his chest. He tumbled against the sedan and fell to the sidewalk.

Carrie peered in that direction, then her eyes went to the sedan. She noticed no other people, armed or otherwise. She glanced at the vagrants’ shelter. They were both gone. This side’s clear, she reported into her throat mic.

Roger, Nathan replied.

A couple of rounds erupted from his side, but Carrie couldn’t be sure if Nathan was opening fire or the two gunmen. It didn’t matter, as long as he could keep them at bay for a few more seconds. That would give them enough time to escape.

Carrie glanced at Gabriella kneeling over her brother. He wasn’t moving and didn’t seem to be responding to her words or touches. Tears were flowing down her cheeks, and her small-statured body had begun to tremble.

We’ve got to go, Carrie said.

Gabriella shook her head. She touched her brother’s face again. His eyes were closed, and his neck was turned slightly to the left.

More gunfire erupted from behind them. Carrie looked over her shoulder. Muzzle flashes appeared near the black SUV. At least one of the gunmen was firing. No bullets zipped over their heads, but she didn’t want to stay out in the open a second longer than they had to.

She reached and grabbed Gabriella’s arm. We must leave. Now!

No, my brother, my little Tommasino—

He’s dead. We can’t help him, Carrie tried not to sound heartless but to highlight the urgency of the situation. If we don’t leave, we’ll be killed too.

The last words seem to make Gabriella realize the danger. She sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She caressed her brother’s face one last time and got up to a crouch.

This way. Carrie tipped her head toward the Fiat. Riccardo’s waiting there.

Is he okay?

He should be fine, she replied in a low but confident voice. Then she looked toward Nathan. We’re getting out.

Roger. I’ll cover.

Carrie walked next to Gabriella, covering the woman with her body. She was expecting more shooters, so she kept her pistol ready. The weapon had become an extension of her body, and Carrie was focused entirely on the mission: getting Gabriella and everyone else out of this situation alive.

When they approached the Fiat, Riccardo opened the front passenger door. Bella, Bella, get in, quickly, he shouted.

A couple of rounds whizzed overhead. Carrie turned but didn’t see the shooter or shooters. Considering the direction, it had to be the gunmen from the

Reviews for Vatican Conspiracy

[Chris · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Carrie O’Connor returns with a mission to discover the identity of terrorists responsible for blowing up a plane. Right from the beginning Carrie’s mission takes a turn for the worst as it appears the Italian mafia is somehow involved. Things only get more complicated from there as Ethan Jones takes his character on an action-filled ride across Europe that leads right to the heart of one of the world's largest religions. This story hits all the extremely high standards that I’ve come to expect of its author. Fast paced well written story, compelling plot, interesting characters and those all important action scenes he delivers so well. We’re given great characters in some high stakes situations often fighting for their lives. How he keeps it all ‘clean’ is, I’d say, testament to his talent. This is a great action spy thriller with a plot worthy of the best of the genre.