4:17 p.m. Passion Ministry

In the studio, Chet Sparrow leaned forward. “Miracle? What sort of miracle?” Andrew slouched in his leather armchair, eyeing the TV.

“Before I get to that,” Virginia replied. “A little background. You’ve heard of the Shroud of Turin, haven’t you?”

“No, Virginia, can’t say I have.”

Andrew shot forward. “Hell and damnation!”

“Supposedly it’s the cloth that Jesus Christ was buried in. It’s been safeguarded since the Resurrection, and for the last four hundred and twenty-one years, it’s been kept in a special case under lock and key in the Italian city of Turin.”

“That’s a long time. How do they know it’s real?”

Virginia smiled. “Good question, Chet. There’s still a lot of debate abou—”

“You miserable creature, Scott!” Andrew howled. “You broke your promise!”

He quickly dialed John’s extension and waited. Damn! Andrew’s fingers fumbled on the buttons, but a moment later, Phil’s voice entered his ear. “Phil! Thank God I’ve caught you. Turn on the news, quick!”

“What? Andy, what’re yo—”

Andrew dropped the phone. Hurried toward John’s private quarters.