Preservation

by Charles Lemoine

  “Wow,” Theresa said. “I wonder who the driver really was, then. I bet he wasn’t really a cab-driver.”

  “All I know is, he said that he’d delivered me safely to the hotel and his debt to Badger had been repaid.”

  Another couple of beats while Theresa processed the information. “Well, I don’t know quite what to say.”

  “There really isn’t anything to say, I guess.” Mariska sat back down on the edge of the bed. “I’m grateful Badger has been helping us. He really didn’t have to. Although, it makes me wonder what I’m going to owe him in return?”

  “That’s a good question, but if you didn’t ask him for the help, do you really owe him anything in return?”

  “You think it’s out of the kindness of his own heart?” Mariska asked with a sardonic laugh.

  “Maybe. Or, he really respects you,” Theresa said. “Anyway, I wouldn’t worry too much about all that right now.”

  “Nothing I can do about it right now I guess.”

  “I do have some information you’ll want to write down, or at least commit to memory.”

  Mariska quickly scanned the room but didn’t find a pen or paper. “Lay it on me.”

  “As you know, the contact at the University was a friend of mine—his name is Edgar. He will be meeting you around lunchtime. I wasn’t able to get a specific time because he will be between classes at that time.”

  “Okay, but what does he look like?” Who knows how many people would be named Edgar and that was all she knew about him.

  “That’s a tough one. I haven’t seen him in years…so.”

  Mariska laughed. “Give me your best guess.”

  “He’s a touch over six-foot tall, athletic build, nice smile.”

  “Oh, geez.” Mariska sensed Theresa’s unresolved feelings about this guy. “What color hair and is he brown, white, or green?”

  Theresa laughed. “Last time I saw him he had electric blue hair…I bet that’s changed. He was either Hispanic or Asian. Maybe a combination of the two? I’m not sure, I never asked. All I remember is his blue hair and blue eyes. Contacts, of course. You are to meet up in front of the University. There will be a statue out front, somewhere, and he’ll be waiting. Just remember, there are multiple buildings which are associated with the institution. You want the main one. It’ll be built of brown-stone and look really old. I’m told you’ll know which building it is when you see it.”

  “Great, thank you.” Mariska jotted down a few more notes. “When I meet up with him, is there anything you’d like me to tell him? It sounds to me like you two had a…thing.”

  “A thing?”

  “You know.” Mariska smiled. “A summertime romance.”

  Theresa coughed. “I just inhaled my coffee.”

  “Oh, sorry,” Mariska lied. “If there’s a message I can pass along, I’d be willing to do that for you.”

  Silence.

  “Hello?” Had Theresa hung up on her?

  Theresa cleared her throat. “Just tell him I send my regards.”

  “Your regards?” To each their own, she supposed. “Okay, will do.”

  “I’m sending you a driver to take you to the University. Don’t worry about money, the fare has been prepaid.”

  “Prepaid?”

  “Yeah, there’s a cool app I downloaded. I can hire a driver anywhere in the world. It’s easy and secure. The driver will arrive in twenty minutes. Driver’s name is Andus, and he’ll be driving a black Mercedes.”

  “Seems like everyone drives a black Mercedes in this city,” Mariska mumbled under her breath.

  “I didn’t catch that, I think you were breaking up.”

  “Oh, nothing. I’ll be ready. Thank you for all your help. I’ll text you as soon as I meet with the University.”

  “I hope it all goes as planned.”

  “Me, too.” Mariska disconnected the call and walked over to the window facing the street.

  Below was a bustling city. The street was filled with cars, bicyclists, and people walking here and there. Looking further up the street, there were vendors lining the streets as well as shops filled with wears. Couples holding hands, kids frolicking, Mariska could imagine the sounds of laughter and life. No matter how far from home she found herself, people were still people. The same things that drove Californians drove the Danish. Love, happiness, hate, fear, hunger…sex. Humans were humans. She closed her eyes and pictured the La Brea Woman. What kept her going? Was it the constant struggle of survival? Did she have to fight off Saber-Toothed Tigers? Had she and the short-faced bear crossed paths? Or, had she had a child of her own? Was it the innate need to keep her child safe that kept her going?

  She opened her eyes once again. The waterways across the street looked inviting. She saw people in the distance, rowing boats past the hotel, and it looked like fun. Her heart warmed at the idea of having fun. Playing, like she did as a child. She’d been too serious, for too long. The La Brea Woman becoming an obsession she’d been unable to shake, one she’d sacrificed for, one she’d nearly died for. Is it even worth it? A pit formed in her belly as she thought about giving up. No, she couldn’t stop now. She was too close. She owed it to herself, Jane, and even to the La Brea Woman to find out answers. To bring her home and deliver her to those with a rightful claim.

  Mariska patted the front of her pants. She’d forgotten to put the artifacts in the pocket. She checked the time; she had only a few minutes left. She hurried over to the dirty clothes and pulled out the tooth and bead. There hadn’t been time, but she wanted to make sure they were in good condition. They both appeared undamaged, but for the first time, she noticed that they were still speckled with tar deposits. In the holes that had been burrowed through them to make into a necklace, they had bits of tar clinging to the sides. Also, along the sides of the tooth at the top by the root, tar had remained. Tar would continue to seep out of the objects over the course of years, the very mechanism that preserved the tooth and bead in the first place. But this tar had been there for a while, she’d just been too preoccupied to notice it before now.

  She smiled. With the tar present, there was a significant possibility that DNA could be extracted. The very thing that entombed and killed so many creatures, the tar, would be the substance that preserved the root. And along with the root, any genetic information it contained. Once she got the objects back to the labs in the United States, she could carefully remove the tar and inspect for other clues. Possibly, find tiny evidence of insects, seeds, algae spores…anything that might give her an idea about the climate or habits of those living during that time period. With a renewed sense of purpose and excitement, Mariska put the objects in the woven pouch and back into her front pocket for safe keeping. On her way, out of the hotel room, she threw her purse into the backpack and put it on…nostalgic feelings of her college-years came flooding back. She couldn’t help but smile as she shut the door behind her.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Mariska stepped out of the cab after paying for her fare. The car drove away leaving her in front of the University of Copenhagen. She was used to the universities in the United States. Often, they were sprawling campuses with large swaths of open land—park-like and pristine. The institution of higher learning before her now was nothing like she was used too, although not any less impressive. Smack dab in the middle of a huge metropolis, what made the building stand out from the others was its age and grandeur. The oldest University and one of the oldest buildings in the city, it was founded in the fifteenth century. Despite housing and being utilized for hundreds of years, it had stood the test of time—surviving two world wars.

  The huge stone structure that stood before her was a testament to the impressive building standards that went into such a landmark. The University stood more than four floors tall and was topped in the center by a copper dome that had turned green with time and patina. As Mariska stood in front of the famed site of advanced genetic research and testing, she could feel the familiar
tingle in her stomach. It was usually a sign she was in the presence of something significant and meaningful. In this case, possible answers to the many questions that have plagued her for years.

  The metallic ring of a bicycle bell as it passed within a foot of her, brought Mariska back to the here and now. The large paved area in front of the university was filled with students on bicycles. Each of them with a backpack or messenger bag weighing them down. A sympathy pain in her low back ached as she remembered hauling around a bag filled with three in thick books, binders, and enough computer paper to make herself a tree.

  Suddenly, Mariska was shoved from behind. Hard enough to cause her head to snap backward and for her legs to give way as she fell forward. Adrenaline-fueled veins limited the pain of impact, but her mind immediately went to the worst-case scenario. She’d been found. Whoever had followed her after the airport, was on her.

  She rolled to her back, kicking up with both legs at once. Whoever it was suffered a direct blow to the chest and fell away from her. Rolling back onto all fours, she pushed herself up to stand. Fists clenched and raised in front of her she took a step toward the man on the ground. Her heart pounded, and she fought the urge to run away. A second more of hesitation, she kicked the man as hard as she could in the back. He cried out in pain, arching his back and putting his hands up to protect his face.

  “Wait,” the man said. “I’m sorry I knocked you over. I didn’t see you.”

  Who was this guy?

  Mariska took another step closer to get a better look at the man’s face. Since she’d stopped kicking him, the man slowly lowered his hand to his side. She didn’t recognize him. He wasn’t the goon who’d attacked her back in Los Angeles. Shit, had she assaulted a student? Mariska offered the man a hand. He didn’t take it at first, looking at her like she was a crazy person…and maybe he was right.

  “I’m sorry I kicked you,” she said. “Take my hand. I’ll help you up.”

  “Oh, you’re American,” he said. Taking her hand in his, he pulled up and stood from the ground.

  Mariska looked up at the young man and smiled. He was rather easy on the eyes. He looked a little bit Asian and a little bit African. But his eyes. His eyes were the lightest shade of brown she’d ever seen…with a hint of green. He stood a solid six foot four inches and had broad shoulders and deep chest.

  “Yes, I’m from the United States. I don’t recognize your accent?” Mariska said.

  “That’s because I’ve lived in so many places.” His smile was soft, and his teeth were surprisingly white and straight. Perfect, actually.

  “Are you American?”

  “Yes, but I have dual citizenship. I’m Canadian and American.” He looked around a few of the students that had stopped and watched after the initial collision. “I think we’re being observed.”

  Mariska looked toward the left and waved. Smiling and waving, until they all got the idea she was fine, and so was the other guy.

  He offered his hand, “My name is Eddie.”

  The Edgar she was here to meet? What were the chances?

  “Eddie? Do you happen to know, Theresa?” Mariska asked.

  “Theresa?” A quizzical look crossed his face. “Do you mean Theresa Krieger?”

  Mariska smiled, “The one and only.”

  Eddie’s eyes lit up with sheer happiness. A smile and laugh followed. He clapped his hands together. “You must be Theresa’s friend, Mariska?”

  “That’s, me.”

  “What are the chances?” he said. “I was hurrying here to meet but didn’t see you. I’m sorry I ran you over.”

  “And, I’m sorry I kicked you…multiple times. I’ve had a rough couple of days.”

  “Not to worry. Theresa didn’t tell me too much, just asked me to meet you here and introduce you to the department of genetic mapping’s lead researcher.” He shook his head with disbelief. “How is Theresa doing? Is she well? I’ve…really missed her.”

  This guy had it bad for her friend Theresa. The forced chipper tone to his voice and the rapid-fire questions told the tale. Had Theresa broken this man’s heart? What had happened between them?

  “She’s doing very well. As I’m sure you know, she is an intern at the Page Museum in Los Angeles.” Mariska wasn’t going to go through her friend’s entire history but wanted to give the poor guy some information.

  “Aw, man. That’s fantastic. She’s such a great student. Beautiful…as she is smart.” Eddie’s voice trailed off a bit. “You know we used to call her a badger in class.”

  “Badger?” Mariska couldn’t help but think about the man who had been helping her when she least expected it. “Why, Badger?”

  “It was just a nickname…mostly, it was just me who called her that. She could do anything she set her mind to. Tenacious.” He shook his head. “I swear there wasn’t a problem too big for her to solve.”

  The look in his eyes and the way he seemed to glow, made Mariska wish she’d not pushed every man who ever tried to get close to her, away. Work wasn’t everything. Right? Mariska could have delved into this guy’s story over coffee and been perfectly happy, but she was on a time-crunch. She looked over her shoulder and scanned the sea of people rushing this way and that, making their way to classes or work. No sign of anyone watching them. Maybe she hadn’t been followed here, but who really knows.

  “Thank you so much for being willing to meet me here. I am desperate for help.”

  “Absolutely, Theresa is quite…convincing.” He took a deep breath. “What exactly are you needing here that you can’t get back in Los Angeles?”

  “I need to have DNA testing done.”

  “On, yourself?” he asked.

  “Not exactly. I’ve found some interesting and very old objects that may contain DNA, and I need the results fast.” She looked behind him at a couple men in suits quickly approaching. “Friends of yours?”

  Eddie turned and looked behind him. He shook his head, “Nah,” he turned back to her. “It’s finals week, and there are so many students presenting their doctoral thesis over the next couple days. You’ll start to recognize them. Dressed up in suits, panic on their faces, and usually hurrying from one place to the other mumbling to themselves.”

  “Ah, yes. I remember those days.” There wasn’t time for a trip down memory lane. “Anyway, after the incredible work this university did pertaining to the Kennewick Man a few years back, you can hardly blame a gal for coming.”

  He nodded and shrugged in agreement.

  “Would you be kind enough to take me to see the head of the genetics department?”

  “Absolutely,” he said. “Would you like a tour of the school on the way?”

  Mariska smiled, “That’d be great. Thank you.”

  He offered his arm, and she gladly accepted the gesture. They hurried arm in arm, to the front entrance and inside. As soon as they entered, Mariska felt like she’d been teleported back in time. Sure, the university had been updated since the fifteenth century, but probably not in the past hundred or so years.

  “Wow, this is a trip back in time,” Mariska said.

  “Yeah, you get used to it after a while. I hardly even notice anymore.”

  “It’s hard to imagine the cutting edge technological advances in genetic testing and research happen in this place.” Mariska kept walking but looked every which way, but the direction they were headed.

  “The oldest, least updated areas are the entrance and the library. And, according to some of my classmates, the dorms aren’t anything to envy.” He flashed that award-winning smile.

  It was clear to Mariska why Theresa liked this guy so much. He could snatch the knickers off a nun.

  “What can you tell me about the university? Anything I need to be aware of?”

  “It’s one of the oldest universities in the country. Well, known for its genetic research. But you already know that. Otherwise, it’s just like any other one I’ve been in.” He shrugged. “I think there’s around twenty
-five thousand students here at any given time of the year, except for breaks, of course.”

  “This is a pretty grandiose building, but I’m surprised it can hold that many students.”

  “Well, there are actually four separate buildings associated with the university. They aren’t connected to one another, or even on the same property. Spread over the city, taking over areas as expansion became necessary. This is the main building with general education classes and the library.”

  “Where is the genetics lab?” Mariska asked.

  “That’s behind this building and across the street. We could have walked around, but it’s shorter to cut through and then exit out the back.” He kept walking and pointing out different little historical pieces of art or plaques of famous people that attended the university. “Once you’ve been here a while, you get to know all the shortcuts. It’s important if you have back-to-back classes in different parts of campus.”

  “I can imagine it would be,” Mariska said. “So, you’ve mentioned the library a few times. Can you show it to me? I’m thinking that while the lab is running my genetics results, I can hang out in the library and do some research or maybe some pleasure reading.”

  “Of course, right this way.” He dropped her arm, but then slid his arm around her back and led her through a set of huge wooden doors.

  Mariska stepped into another world. The University of Copenhagen’s library was something to behold. Beyond anything she’d ever seen in person. It was like she was on the set of a Harry Potter movie. From floor to ceiling, there were shelves for books. Two floors, each with twelve-foot ceilings. Row after endless row of books, ladders attached to the selves by rollers for easy access to top shelves.

  “This is absolutely, unreal. It’s…amazing.”

  “I knew you’d like it.” Eddie smiled and looked around the expansive room. “I’ve spent so many long nights here, researching, studying, and trying to get over…someone.” He didn’t elaborate, but Mariska suspected he meant, Theresa.