by Peach, Hanna
Edelman shifted Peter’s body slightly. He was checking Peter’s side for something. A glint of metal. Keys. Security pass. Edelman was checking that Peter still had his keys and pass. He suspected that this was a ploy to steal Peter’s security items.
“Look, I don’t know anything about some guy. This man just fell,” Alyx said firmly. “She’s a doctor. Let her help him.”
Edelman, appearing to have satisfied himself that the security of the Galleria was still intact, looked up at Dianne, who had started brushing nervously at her T-shirt. “You’re a doctor?”
Dianne froze. For a moment she didn’t move or speak. Come on, Dianne, Alyx urged in her head. She could see Edelman start to frown.
“Ye—” Dianne cleared her throat. “Yes. He’s breathing, but he’s unconscious. Do you know if he has any issues with blood pressure, low blood glucose or anything like that?”
“No,” Edelman’s shook his head. “Pete’s so fit, even for an older guy.”
Dianne appeared to have composed herself. She reached out her hands again for Peter but stopped inches from his skin.
“May I?” she directed the question at Edelman. After getting his nod of approval Dianne fussed at Peter’s wrists again. “His heart rate is returning to normal. I think the best we can do for him is to get him somewhere to lie down until he wakes.” Dianne looked up at Edelman. “Do you have a back room or staff room where we can take him while he recovers?”
Edelman nodded. He pulled at the radio on his belt and spoke briefly to someone on the other line. Within seconds a second security guard appeared through the thinning crowd. “Nothing to see here. Move it along.”
Alyx was jostled and she rose to her feet. If she stayed too close it would look suspicious.
“I should come with you just in case,” Alyx heard Dianne say as the two security guards hoisted the sleeping Peter up.
Alyx smiled internally. Smart woman. She had pulled herself together in the end. Alyx walked calmly towards the exit without looking back and headed to the cafe several blocks from the Galleria, their meeting point.
Jordan was seated at a corner booth of the Caffe di Mezzo. A few late-breakfasters were finishing up their pastries. The air smelled like roasting coffee beans and it made Alyx’s mouth water slightly. Jordan frowned a little when Alyx slid into the booth alone.
“There was a minor complication, but she handled it well. She’ll be here soon,” Alyx said.
Sure enough, within minutes Dianne walked into the cafe and slid into the space next to Jordan.
“I got it,” Dianne said quietly. “He was waking up just as I found it. But I think I got a copy out before he saw me. I removed Peter’s memory of you,” she said to Jordan, “and I planted the false memory of John Smoote as well.”
Jordan patted her arm. “You did good, Di.”
Alyx gave Dianne a half-smile. Yeah, she did good.
* * *
Back at Aradale, Mason remained in Tobias’s office for most of the day, where he hunched over the large table spread with materials he had sent Israel out to acquire. Plans of the security system and Mason’s notes were scratched over the pieces of paper that were strewn everywhere.
Tobias, Israel and Alyx had all been thrown out of his office after Mason scowled that he couldn’t work with the lot of them breathing down his neck.
Tobias was sitting patiently on a chair. Israel was leaning against the wall, hands tucked casually into his jeans. Alyx didn’t know how they could just relax like that. She was floating up and down the stretch of corridor, huffing as she went. They didn’t have time. They needed to get the security system installed during tonight’s shift if they wanted to carry out the plan the following night. The Darkened could strike at any time. They could be striking at this minute.
Finally Mason stuck his head out and held a black object in his hand, just smaller than the size of his palm. Alyx let out a breath of relief.
Mason placed the object into Israel’s hand. “Now you just have to get it installed.”
Alyx had argued against Israel being sent in, but she lost when they realized that Israel was the only one of them who had enough experience with security systems to guarantee that it was properly installed.
After Mason was convinced that Israel was competent with the device, he let them go. Alyx and Israel flew quickly to Florence to meet Jordan, who had already gone ahead to perform his part.
Alyx and Israel turned up at a Florence residence near the Santa Maria Novella train station. It was the home of Derrick Kline, a single man who lived alone and was a cleaner for the Galleria dell’ Belle Arti. He was supposed to start his nightshift in less than an hour. When Alyx knocked on the door of the third level walk-up apartment, Jordan opened the door.
“How’s our host?” asked Alyx, walking in past Jordan. Israel followed her in.
“Sleeping off his sudden ‘fever’,” said Jordan. “He should be out cold ‘til the morning.”
The living room was small, a threadbare couch and a boxy TV taking up most of the room. Over the couch was a set of clothes which Israel went over to pick up.
“This for me?” Israel asked, fingering what appeared to be a blue jumpsuit that had seen better days.
“Yup,” said Jordan. “Just make sure you put that ID badge on your waist. The second one is Derrick’s access pass.”
Jordan nodded at two small rectangles of plastic hanging from a clip sitting on the bench that separated the living room from the small untidy kitchen. Alyx stared at the ID badge, trying not to notice Israel changing into the jumpsuit right next to her.
The badge showed Israel’s face and the name John Smoote complete with holographic image of a building, but when she touched the ID badge, it faded into a plain white plastic. It was a mirage.
“Courtesy of Moloko,” Jordan said as Alyx handed the badge over to Israel, who had just finished up buttoning himself in. Moloko was the Aradale MirageWeaver. Alyx had only met her briefly.
Israel studied the badge. “Cool,” he said, before clipping it onto one of the belt loops at his waist. “Let’s do this.”
Half an hour later, Alyx watched from a dark corner of the street across from Galleria dell’ Belle Arti where she waited with Jordan. Her stomach did flip flops and an inner voice protested as she watched Israel disappear into the staff entrance at the rear of the building.
* * *
Israel felt a rush go through him as he closed the staff entrance door behind him. Finally, he was getting to do something. He knew from experience that he shouldn’t dawdle in this dimly lit back passageway. He headed left − no, right − towards where he knew the janitor’s closet was from Peter’s memories of the Galleria’s layout which Dianne had copied into Israel’s mind. Israel had to keep reminding himself that these memories were mirror-imaged.
After retrieving the cleaner’s cart from the janitor’s closet, Israel made his way through the back passageway towards the public exhibition halls.
It was quiet as he moved through the darkened halls. His shoes echoed off the black and white marbled floor and the high ceilings. He stopped at the other end of the hall and pushed his mind out towards Alyx. Her face appeared like a ghost in front of him.
“I’m in,” he whispered. “Give me five minutes until you work the distraction.”
“Okay,” Alyx said, her face pinched with worry. “Be careful.” And she faded out.
“Hold it right there,” a voice boomed out towards him. Israel spun around. A squat but mean looking security guard was glaring at him, looking at him up and down, fingers drifting close to his belt where a revolver was holstered. “I don’t recognize you.”
Israel smiled and slouched casually where he stood. Easy does it. Look like you belong here. His heart rate started to climb a little, not from fear but from the adrenaline. He had to get rid of this guard.
“Name’s John. Filling in for Derrick while he’s sick. Mr. Schwartz didn’t tell you?”
The
guard seemed to relax a little at the name of the Security Head. His hand dropped from his belt. Keep playing it cool, Israel. You almost have him convinced.
“No, he didn’t say anything ‘bout that.”
Israel shrugged. “Bosses. They’re busy. They forget stuff.” Israel gave the guard a conspiratorial look. Getting the employees into an “us versus them” mode always worked in gaining their trust.
“Yeah, I guess.” The guard’s eyes narrowed and Israel thought that he must have overdone it. Israel’s smile faltered for just a moment.
“Anyway, I best be getting to it,” Israel turned to start pushing the cart away. “Toilets aren’t going to restock themselves.”
“If it’s all the same,” the guard said, “I’ll check your ID before I let you go.”
Israel grimaced. He had less than four minutes to get rid of this guard and get into position. He turned with a casual smile. “Sure.” Israel unclipped the ID card at his waist and held it out with the tips of his fingers. The guard stepped closer, studying the card. Then he reached out to grab the ID from Israel.
Crap. If he touched the card, the mirage would be broken and the game would be up. The guard’s stubby fingers were almost touching the card. Think quick.
Aaachoo! Israel broke out into a loud fake sneeze which made his stomach clench and his hand recoil the card. “Oh. Sorry,” he said, sniffing loudly and wiping his nose with the back of the hand that held the card. “Damn cold still hanging around. Must be catching if Derrick’s got it, too.” Israel held out the card again and smiled inwardly as the guard drew back slightly from it.
The guard stared at the card for a few more seconds then waved at him dismissively. “Yeah, alright, move it along.”
Israel turned back to the cart and let out a quiet breath of relief. And not a second too soon. The distraction should only be minutes away now. He had to get into position.
Israel had only just pushed the cart into the women’s bathroom closest to the security room when he heard the sounds of the security door opening and footsteps running past, echoing off the high ceiling of the hall. The distraction must be underway. Israel activated the Miragecharm he had on the end of a chain around his neck, rendering him invisible.
Israel peeked out from the bathroom. He could see the security camera positioned right above the security room. Thankfully, the camera angled out towards the rest of the hall so that they couldn’t see whether the doors of the security room and the bathroom were open. They could only see someone coming in or going out.
He waited. Twenty seconds later, the security door opened and the second guard ran out across the hall. Israel slipped out from the bathroom and moved swiftly to the closing door, catching it just before it clicked shut. Israel waited until the guards footsteps had faded before he slipped inside and closed the door behind him.
Israel felt a sweep of familiarity as he glanced around the fully enclosed room, a dozen or so screens covering the far wall behind a large panel and several chairs. The familiarity was from Peter’s memory, not his.
In two of the screens he could see the two guards investigating two separate sections of the Galleria, their guns drawn. Israel didn’t have long until they realized the “fires” that they thought they could see in two separate windows of the Galleria weren’t really fires.
Israel slid under the panel, pulled a screwdriver from a small pouch at his belt and got to work.
It had been a while since he had done anything like this. His hands were shaking a little too much. He was taking too long. His fingers slipped as he positioned the last wire and the red light on the device turned on.
“Israel.” From under the panel, Israel couldn’t see Alyx’s ghostly face, but he could hear her. “He’s coming back. Are you out of there?”
“Alyx,” Israel said through gritted teeth. “I can’t talk right now.”
He heard Alyx curse then it was silent.
Israel finally got Mason’s device secured. He scooted out from the panel and glanced at the televisions. Dammit. The guard was already crossing the hall towards the security room. Damn, damn, damn. Israel glanced around the room. There was nowhere to hide. His only hope was to stand near the door and slip out as the guard stepped in. He couldn’t touch the guard, otherwise the guard would feel him, the mirage would be broken and their plans would be ruined.
Israel stood near the door, his eye on the screen watching as the guard reached for the handle. Israel held his breath as the door opened. It was the stockier guard, the one who had checked his ID. The guard stepped in. Israel moved forward, ready to spring. But the guard turned at the last minute and closed the door with his arm, blocking Israel’s way out. Crap.
Israel barely breathed as the guard walked over to the panel and sat down in the furthest chair. He played with some buttons and leaned over to grab a small pastry from a box sitting on the side of the panel. Soon the screen showed the second guard moving towards the security room. Last chance. Israel prepared himself as the second guard opened the door.
“Found firecrackers outside the Galleria. Damned kids. You?” the second guard said as he strode across the small room to take his seat, narrowly missing Israel pressed against the wall. The door was closing. This was his chance.
He launched for the door, holding his breath to make himself slimmer, focusing on making himself weightless so that he wouldn’t make a sound as he landed. The door caught his shoulder for a split second as he pulled himself through. Israel didn’t wait around to see whether either guard noticed the door hitching before it shut. He moved into the bathroom and waited until his breathing slowed before turning the mirage off. He pushed his consciousness out to Alyx to let her know he was okay. Then he began to restock the toilets.
At the end of his shift, “John Smoote” returned his janitor’s cart to the closet and let himself out into the early morning Florentine air.
Chapter 30
“Okay, so the device is in position,” Tobias said. “Well done, Israel,” he added, nodding to Israel, who was standing next to Alyx at the back of Tobias’s office.
It was crowded in Tobias’s office this afternoon, so Alyx, Israel, Jordan, Lukas and Marin were standing to let their guests sit. The FireTwirler named Omniya sat close to Tobias. She was slim and her skin was a silky caramel. Her large dark eyes were alert as she scanned the room. Next to her sat two male FreeThinkers from the Cajatambo community located near Lima in Peru. Both of them had thick coal hair, long and tied off their strong-lined faces.
Vix spoke up, “I still don’t understand why I am not coming with you.” Her face was close to sulking.
“Vix, this is a dangerous mission we’re undertaking,” Tobias said. “I feel that it’s necessary to risk the safety of as few Seraphim as we need to.”
Vix scuffed her toe on the carpet. “It’s ‘cause I’m not gifted, isn’t it?”
Tobias smiled patiently at her. “Vix, this doesn’t reflect on your ability as a warrior, you know that. You did your part in securing the Black Stone in China.”
Vix mumbled something under her breath, but she seemed to acquiesce.
“Any other issues?” Tobias took a deep breath and glanced around the room at everyone. “We leave in a few hours. Let’s go through the plan once more.”
After the plans were finalized, Tobias dismissed everyone with the suggestion that they all rest before it was time to leave. As everyone shuffled around to file out of the room, Alyx noticed Vix and Israel leaving together, heads tilted together as if in deep conversation. She felt a twinge of annoyance. Then tried to push it away. She huffed impatiently as she got stuck behind the two Cajatambo FreeThinkers leaving the room. By the time she stepped out into the corridor, Alyx could just make out Vix and Israel turning the corner.
She knew she shouldn’t, but she followed them.
They walked out into the back gardens and towards the edge of the property. What could they be talking about that would cause them to come out here?
From behind a set of bushes, Alyx could see that Vix and Israel had stopped walking. They were talking but in such low tones that Alyx couldn’t hear them. Alyx glanced around the area. How could she get closer without them noticing? If only she had that Miragecharm.
“You can come out, Alyx,” Israel called.
Alyx froze. She was so busted. Alyx slowly stepped around the foliage she was hiding behind. Israel indicated with a wave of his hand for her to join them. Neither of them looked angry, which gave Alyx a little comfort.
“How did you know I was there?” she asked as she stepped up to join them.
“You forget we’re bonded. It goes both ways, you know.” Israel’s eyes seared into hers, his voice low, “I could… feel you.” Israel raised his fingers to his chest. “I can feel it right here when you’re near me.”
“Oh.” She couldn’t think of anything more intelligent to say. His admission caused tingles across her own chest and her mind went numb.
“It’s probably a good thing that you’re here,” Israel continued. “We have something to tell you.”
Alyx stared between Vix and Israel. The look on Vix’s face worried Alyx. “What is it?”
“Vix and I are going to go back to the Darkened den that we discovered while you guys are out stealing the Black Stone. We’re going to see whether there is any trace of Adere or any other thing that may help us.”
“No,” said Alyx as her insides twisted. What a stupid, stupid, suicidal idea. Not to mention stupid. “Absolutely not. No way.”
“Alyx, I’m not asking your permission. As far as I’m aware, I’m not being kept prisoner here.” His voice became softer and he stepped closer to her. “I’m telling you because I don’t want to keep anything from you. Not anymore.” He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I’m serious about wanting us to be together, Alyx. But before that can happen, there are still things we both have to resolve with ourselves, with each other, and there are other, more pressing issues to deal with. You know, with the end of the world and all.” His mouth tilted up in a half smile. “But if we have any chance of making us work in the future, we have to start now. And it has to start from a place of complete honesty.”
