The Bovine Connection

by Kimberly Thomas

  “I think you may be right.” Angelica smiled.

  “It’s the key to survival, in a sense… Basically the point is… we must learn to use our intuition. We have found ourselves at a benchmark, a time when change must occur on a large scale or it will be catastrophic for our planet. The old systems can no longer support the new paradigm. There are humans starving daily in spite of overwhelming quantities of food. And, as you well know, our resources are controlled by less than -- I’d say less than ten percent of our global population.” Dr. Bishop noticed Angelica shift in her seat and then look out the window.

  “Well, this is not in the best interest of the other ninety percent. I’ll finish with that.”

  Angelica looked back at Dr. Bishop. “I was sincerely interested. I find this conversation quite stimulating, sounds like a perfect article for the Liberator,” she said softly. “It’s just that I am a little distracted, over, you know.”

  Dr. Bishop lowered his eyes. “Well, there is plenty of time for conversations like these.”

  Angelica nodded in agreement. “Yes, very true, and I look forward to them, Marc.”

  Dr. Bishop smiled and glanced away to notice they were in front of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. “We have arrived,” he announced.

  The cab driver looked up with a sneaky grin. “You guys make a nice couple…”

  Dr. Bishop’s eyes grew wide and he appeared uncomfortable. Angelica abruptly blurted out. “No… We are just colleagues. We’re here on business.” Angelica looked at Dr. Bishop, lowered her eyes, visibly embarrassed.

  Dr. Bishop smiled noncommittally, and nodded in approval of Angelica’s response. “Yes, we’re business colleagues!”

  Angelica instinctively reached into her purse and grabbed her compact to freshen up her face. Dr. Bishop looked up in the rearview mirror to catch the driver peering at him with a look of pity. Dr. Bishop had only thought of Angelica professionally until that moment. He was a distinguished man. He had always put work before romance. He had not considered the idea of a romantic situation with Angelica… suddenly amused with himself for letting the thought enter his mind, he chuckled aloud.

  Angelica glanced up curiously and half smiled before looking back down and applying a pink tinted gloss to her lips. Watching Angelica out the corner of his eye, she certainly wasn’t his ideal, all-natural type. However, she was intelligent… he thought.

  Angelica caught Dr. Bishop observing her. She held the tube up before putting the cap back on… “A necessity, especially in the dry desert.”

  Dr. Bishop managed a nervous smile and quickly glanced away.

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  After a small line, the cab was finally in front of the valet at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. The hotel was situated between the Bellagio Hotel and the City Center. The gleaming structure of glass and steel was modern sophistication.

  “Just my style,” Dr. Bishop announced, self-assuredly, as he stepped out onto the curb and looked around.

  “Yes, mine too!” Angelica murmured.

  Dr. Bishop straightened his belt and looked over at Angelica. “Do you want to meet in the lobby for a quick drink? We are in Vegas, you know… maybe just to sleep better? Say around eleven fifteen or eleven twenty?”

  Angelica was grabbing her bags from the curb and placing the strap around her shoulder. “Yes, that would be nice -- I never sleep well -- actually dreading it lately,” she mumbled… “And it looks like everything is just getting started here in Vegas.” Angelica gestured for Dr. Bishop to look behind him. When he turned around, there was a group of twenty something’s walking out of the hotel. Two of the women were riding piggyback on two of the men’s backs. They were shouting and laughing, drawing attention from the other guests.

  Dr. Bishop shook his head. “The good ol’ days!”

  “Looks fun!” Angelica giggled.

  Dr. Bishop pressed his shoulders back. “Okay. See you in the lobby around eleven twenty. Oh, and Angelica, I’m very sorry about the loss of your friend… I sincerely mean that.”

  Angelica had forgotten about Gail for a few moments. Her stomach dropped as she remembered. “Thank you. I’ve lost two amazing people since I began this story.” Angelica looked down. “Let’s just meet in The Chandelier Bar,” she said as she walked into the lobby.

  Dr. Bishop lowered his face as he followed behind, regretting bringing up the subject again.

  Both Angelica and Dr. Bishop were immediately taken with the stunning modern décor of the Cosmopolitan - A visual treat of quirky modern artist details. It was over-the-top dramatic, Angelica thought, as she glanced around. The atmosphere was cool, sleek, and creatively different from what she had expected.

  Angelica was in awe at the lobby’s columns, embedded with high-definition video screens playing images of brightly lit bubbles floating against dark blue. The hotel lobby was dark with soft white neon lighting.

  Angelica usually stayed at the Bellagio. However, something about the Cosmopolitan felt perfect for the occasion. Angelica felt camouflaged like a chameleon, hidden between the eye-distracting modern décor of the hotel.

  Dr. Bishop was in the line a few aisles over. He glanced at Angelica, accidently making eye contact with her as she was peering around before stepping up to check in at one of the many large, red, ornate front desks. Angelica noted his inquisitive expression before he quickly glanced away.

  As Angelica removed the electronic key and entered her room, she was immediately drawn to the dramatic view from the floor-to-ceiling windows. She walked over and opened the large curtains to see the lights of the Vegas strip and the Bellagio fountains. The exciting nightlife was in full swing… signs with flashy advertisements for shows and dance clubs lit up the desert sky, enticing everyone who saw it to come out and play. Leaning against the window, her thoughts turned to Matthew and Gail. She desperately tried to push the recent and horrible news of Gail’s death from her mind. She needed to freshen up before going downstairs and didn’t want to become an emotional mess. Angelica bit down on her bottom lip as she fought the tears trying to well up in her eyes.

  As Angelica blankly stared out past the Vegas lights into the dark, vast desert, her thoughts drifted to the underground facility somewhere out there, well hidden. Her heart suddenly became heavy and she felt an enormous sense of loneliness, as if the desert were pressing down on her very soul.

  Angelica opened her duffle bag and pulled out the only evening wear she had packed: a sleeveless, black, cotton-wrap dress. She slid off her skirt and blouse, and slipped the dress over her dark grey, nude, lace lingerie, tying it around the waist. She then found her tan sandals with straps. She just wanted to be comfortable. Her feet were still swollen and red from the air travel.

  After she finished wrapping the straps to her sandal up her ankles, she brushed her hair and dabbed a red lip color on her full peach lips. She grabbed her small black Chanel purse and headed downstairs in hopes of beating Dr. Bishop to the bar so that she could enjoy a quick single malt Scotch alone for a few minutes.

  Angelica left her room and took the elevator back down to the lobby, where she found The Chandelier Bar. It was an enormously sophisticated architectural wonder consisting of beaded curtains of light hanging from the ceiling. It had three levels and she had overheard someone checking in say that level 1.5 was the most laid back and had great bartenders, so she made her way there.

  She walked up to the bar and found an empty chair, while glancing around to notice there were several people in the chic lounge as she placed her small black purse up on the bar. When she looked up, the bartender was coming her way. He had shoulder length dark hair pulled back into a ponytail and appeared to be in his early thirties. “What’s your poison?” he asked. Angelica smiled and then looked back down at the bar as if to think about it, although she already knew what she wanted. “Macallen 18, neat, thank you,” she stated confidently, without blinking.

  Angelica quickly turned and searched around the room for Dr. Bishop, ne
ver making eye contact with the bartender. Surprised by her choice, the bartender stood there for a moment peering at her with an amused smile on his face. “I was expecting you to say a martini or wine,” he laughed flirtatiously. “The young lady is a Scotch drinker,” he said softy, almost in a whisper.

  Angelica was distracted and continued scanning the room for Dr. Bishop or anyone who may be tailing her. Most of the crowd was somewhere between their early twenties and late forties. Everyone appeared to be engaged in conversation and her intuition told her there was nothing going on that was out of the ordinary. Everything appeared copasetic, at least for now, she thought.

  Angelica turned back around to the bartender as he was setting the cocktail napkin down. “I apologize… Did you say something?” Angelica’s thoughts were a million miles away.

  The bartender smiled sincerely. “Rough week?”

  Angelica took a deep breath. “You don’t even know.”

  The bartender topped off the high-end Scotch with a little extra pour. “Well, you’re in the right place… By tomorrow you’ll be a new woman! That’s what Vegas does… if you let it. It’s the perfect distraction.”

  Angelica widened her eyes in agreement as she took a slow sip of her golden colored sleep aid.

  “Angelica!” Angelica heard Dr. Bishop’s voice and shot around. “Hi there! Scotch?” he asked inquisitively as he quickly glanced down to her hand hugging the elixir. Angelica smiled. Dr. Bishop’s face lightened as he looked at the bartender. “I’ll have the same.”

  Angelica moved her purse out of his way, “Good choice. I ordered Macallen 18.”

  Dr. Bishop nodded. “Wow, I see you changed… You look great!” he mused.

  Angelica feigned an agreeable smile but couldn’t hide her emotions over Gail’s death, which was finally starting to sink in. Her face was tired and her eyes heavy and red.

  “How are you holding up?” Dr. Bishop asked patiently but his question brought on a confusing array of emotions to Angelica.

  “In shock… Numb… I suppose.” Angelica lifted her fingers over her mouth and appeared to drift away for a moment.

  Dr. Bishop observed her tenderly and decided to change the subject. “So, our game-plan for tomorrow… I’m eager to meet this scientist. I feel a bit like 007.” He smirked. “Although, I’m sure I don’t resemble him.” He pushed his chest out amused at himself.

  The bartender brought over two glasses of ice for the Scotch while looking at Dr. Bishop, entertained by his body language. Angelica took a single ice cube and dropped it into her glass.

  “After we meet with the scientist, as we discussed… we go take a look at the facility.”

  Dr. Bishop nodded with a flat expression. “We’ll get as close as we can,” he stated confidently.

  “Maybe we could just show up and ask for a tour,” Angelica said as she looked him directly in the eyes with a seemly serious expression, and then laughed sarcastically.

  Dr. Bishop inhaled and then laughed nervously as his muscles clinched. “No, you’re serious,” he mumbled as he did a double take.

  “Yes, I want to go inside,” Angelica said. “I’m waiting for Carl to let me know if they have agreed to an interview. If not, well, new game plan.” Angelica looked up to contemplate.

  It took a second before it fully registered for Dr. Bishop. “Now that is 007 dangerous.” He leaned back hard in his chair and took a deep gulp of Scotch. “Well, fingers crossed.”

  “They know I’m here, Marc, and they aren’t going to let me just walk in. Think about it… They are letting me get this far because they know I will show up only to realize I can’t go any further. They think I’ll hit a dead end, and then I’ll go back to D.C. with my tail between my legs and write my story… with no conclusive evidence to back it up. Then -- and I’m sure I am not telling you anything you don’t already know -- they will put out disinformation to contradict my claims and make me look like just another crazy conspiracy theorist. Welcome to reality,” she said sarcastically as she took a small sip of her Scotch.

  Dr. Bishop sat his glass down and turned toward Angelica, shocked at her blunt pessimism. “Then why did you come?” Dr. Bishop asked, frowning.

  Angelica glanced down and shook her head. “Because despite what I think will happen, I’m cautiously optimistic… and maybe a fool.” She laughed nervously. “I only hope that Dr. Howell’s scientist friend isn’t a waste of our time.” Angelica raised her brows.

  “So tell me more about what you know about the aliens and Egypt.” Angelica leaned back.

  “What I know… huh… Well, there have been sightings of UFOs through the ages. You know, it was around the time the Russians first opened ‘The Chamber of the Visitor’ that abduction reports were starting to surface… in the 1960’s. Claims of examinations and artificial inseminations were being reported. Women came forward believing they had been impregnated to give birth to alien hybrids.

  It seemed to me that the Egyptians’ stories of genetic colonization programs had resumed. I wondered if perhaps they were cloning themselves by combining their DNA with ours. Are they changing humans into a genetically engineered species? The ancient Egyptians always believed that our DNA came from the heavens and our creators would someday return.”

  The bartender returned. “Another?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Dr. Bishop said before he smiled playfully at Angelica.

  Angelica had her jaws clenched. “Crazy,” she murmured as she tilted her head and closed her eyes for a split second.

  “So… not married?” Dr. Bishop asked.

  Angelica was at a loss for words. She looked down at the bar, and then looked back up “Husband? … No.” She shook her head while looking to her side in a distracted stare. “A boyfriend… sort of,” she said, as she looked up to meet Dr. Bishop’s eye.

  “Oh…” Dr. Bishop seemed a little taken aback. “What does he think of all this?”

  Angelica wasn’t prepared to talk about Michael. Hearing herself say he was her boyfriend was strange. It had been a while since she used that word.

  “He didn’t want me to come to Vegas,” she replied. “He has been encouraging me to give up the story.”

  “I see.” Dr. Bishop’s eyes narrowed. “What does he do?

  “He’s a venture capitalist. He lives in Manhattan. He also has a home in Montana. That’s where we met… Montana,” she answered quick and flat.

  “Oh, interesting… So you met him just recently in Montana while you were covering the story?” Dr. Bishop had lifted his chin, observing Angelica’s expression curiously.

  With straight lips, Angelica raised her eyebrows and nodded. “Yes, while I was there covering the mutilations. His father’s ranch was the location of the first reported incident in Elberton. That one happened about ten years ago. Well, anyway, we became quite close rather fast.”

  Aware of how it must have sounded, moving so quickly from just meeting a few days prior to calling him her boyfriend, Angelica shifted uncomfortably. “That is unusual for me… I mean I don’t usually move that quickly with someone. However… I can’t explain it – we just knew.”

  Dr. Bishop was watching the movement of Angelica’s eyes as she spoke. “No need to explain. That is wonderful. Will you be leaving D.C. and relocating to the Big Apple?”

  Angelica put her glass down once she noticed she had been tightly clutching it. Self-conscious, she looked away, appearing concerned as she thought for a moment.

  “No. I don’t plan to leave the D.C. I have the magazine.”

  Dr. Bishop nodded approvingly. “Well, he is very fortunate to have met you.”

  Dr. Bishop’s words caused Angelica to purse her lips. “Thank you. How about you… No wife or kids?”

  “Not yet. So, how about we get some rest? I’m exhausted.”

  “Sounds good,” Angelica didn’t hesitate, “I’m with you.” She smiled in agreement.

  They were silent as they walked to the elevator. Once the door ope
ned, they both stepped inside and remained quiet, reflective of the day and thinking about the day to follow. Dr. Bishop was also on the thirty-third floor; however his room was closer to the elevator. “Well, this is me! See you in the lobby at nine o’clock?”

  “Yes. Goodnight, Marc.”

  Angelica continued past him and to her room. Dr. Bishop watched her as she walked down the hallway and stopped in front of her door. Angelica turned and with a quick wave of her hand, she mouthed the word “goodnight” before going in her room. Dr. Bishop pressed his lips tight and gave her a slight nod, signifying he was watching out for her safety.

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  Angelica had forgotten to close the curtains before going to bed and woke before the alarm went off. She glanced over at the clock and saw that it was seven thirty-three. Now she was feeling irritated at the coincidence. Angelica rose from the bed and walked over to the large windows. Standing in front of the window, she noticed her reflection. Her eyes were puffy and tired, she looked different to herself as she glared vacantly at her more slender reflection eerily staring back at her. This new persona was entirely unfamiliar.

  The sun was rising over the desert hills, creating a blood-orange glow as the light pushed through the darkness. As if it were painted with watercolours in shades of orange, red and brown between shadows of dark grey, and illuminated with yellow streaks of sunlight.

  Angelica raised her arm to cover her eyes. The sun had shone over the horizon. Wearing only her dark grey bra and panties with nude lace, she sat in one of the two upholstered chairs in front of the window and lifted both legs up under her chin, wrapping her arms around them. Angelica sat peacefully, and somewhat lost, watching the bright yellow ball of heat rise up over the desert turning the sky bright red.