Daughter of Ra

by M. Sasinowski

  She put her head down and swallowed.

  “I’m sorry. I was out of line.” She looked from Kamal to her dad. “You’re right, the jetlag and lack of sleep are getting the better of me. I know you’re doing all you can.”

  Kamal gave her a small smile while Kade stared at her with raised eyebrows.

  “I think I need to cool off, splash some water on my face.” She moved to the door. “I’m going to find a restroom.”

  Kamal nodded. “We’ll wait in the hallway.”

  Alyssa stepped out and paced along the corridor to the restroom, gears spinning, forming her plan. Her idea could get her in serious trouble, but she didn’t have much choice. She needed to find out as much as she could while she was here, as long as she still had access to the evidence.

  She found a restroom, splashed some water on her face, and hurried back to Kade and Kamal. The men stood in the hallway, waiting.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” she said, rubbing her stomach. “I think some food and a nap might be just what I need right now. Does the cafeteria still have my favorite meal?”

  “The oatmeal with dates?” Kamal laughed. “Half the hospital staff would go on strike if they stopped serving it.” He checked his watch. “I have a few more minutes and could go for a bowl myself. And it will give us a chance to catch up.”

  They walked back to the elevator. As they stepped through the doors, Alyssa fumbled through her pockets.

  “Shoot!” She slipped her arm between the doors, barely stopping them from closing. “I must have left my phone in the restroom.” She rubbed her head. “All this news on top of the jetlag. My mind is all over the place. I’m really sorry…”

  Kamal gave her a reassuring smile. “No worries,” he said. “We’ll wait for you.”

  “No, no… please don’t. I feel really silly and already made you wait. I know you don’t have much time.”

  Alyssa hopped out of the elevator and rushed for the restroom. “I’ll catch up with you in the cafeteria,” she called out over her shoulder as the doors closed. “Get me a big bowl. Extra dates!”

  Her heart raced as she waited for the doors to close, then pivoted and made for the room. She checked the hallway then entered Kamal’s PIN into the pad. She had seen him enter the digits from across the hallway when they had first arrived.

  These new optics are coming in handy…

  The door unlocked with a click. She slipped through and closed it behind her. She donned the biosafety gear and opened the drawer. The purse was sealed inside a plastic bag. Despite the mask, Alyssa held her breath as she opened the bag and the purse. Her fingers tingled with anticipation when she spotted a mobile phone. She turned it on.

  Locked. Of course.

  Alyssa glanced through the window at the woman inside the sealed room then back to the phone.

  For half a second, she tried to convince herself to put the phone back and go down to the cafeteria. Her good judgment left as quickly as it had arrived.

  I won’t get another shot at this.

  She glanced over her shoulder into the corridor. It looked clear.

  This may not be the brightest idea I’ve ever had.

  Before she could change her mind, she crossed the room to the inner door.

  Let’s hope the same PIN works on the inside door.

  She entered the number, and the door opened with a whispered whoosh. Her hair stirred with the familiar sensation of air flowing into the negatively-pressurized environment to ensure that no airborne particles escaped the inner room.

  As the door automatically closed behind her, Alyssa approached the bed. It stood in the center of the room, surrounded by a clear plastic partition. Wires trailed from under the sheets to a bank of equipment, monitoring the woman’s vital signs. An intravenous line dripped a slurry of saline and medicines into her. Close up, the woman looked older and even more frail. Her skin was stretched paper-thin across the bones of her face. Each halting breath left a trail of condensation on the inside of her oxygen mask.

  Alyssa swallowed and brought the phone to the woman’s hand through the plastic. She guided the woman’s thumb to the home button on the phone.

  Alyssa cracked a smile when the phone unlocked.

  A new text message icon bounced on the home screen. She pressed it.

  “Valediction,” she whispered, reading the one-word message. What does that—?

  She yelped as the woman grasped her arm through the plastic. She tried to pull back, but the woman was much stronger than Alyssa had expected. She sat up in bed and locked her eyes on Alyssa’s, looking straight through her.

  Alyssa tugged again, finally yanking her arm free. The sudden movement unsettled her, and she toppled backward, flinging her arm over her head, losing grip on the phone. Wide-eyed, she followed the phone’s trajectory as it flew across the room and crashed at the door.

  Oh, f…

  Alyssa raced across the room and retrieved it. The screen was completely busted.

  This is bad…

  She scampered into the anteroom and threw everything back in place. She ripped off the safety gear and stuffed it into the biohazard container then dashed out into the corridor, cold sweat running down her back. In her rush, she didn’t see the elderly nurse watching her through narrowed eyes from the far end of the hallway before lifting a phone.

  Alyssa rested across from her dad, her breathing finally settling back to normal. She hoped she hadn’t looked too guilty when she met up with him and Kamal in the cafeteria. Kamal was called away shortly after she arrived, leaving her and Kade by themselves. She replayed the word in her mind. Valediction. What did that mean?

  Alyssa took a bite of the oatmeal, chewing the dates, the explosion of flavor temporarily derailing her contemplation. How can they make oatmeal taste this good?

  She shook off the thought and turned to her father as he picked at his own bowl.

  “Does the word Valediction mean anything to you?” she asked.

  Her father glanced up. “Valediction?” He thought for a few moments. “No, should it?”

  “I’m not sure,” Alyssa said with a shrug.

  “Why do you ask?”

  Alyssa swallowed a spoonful of oatmeal. “Uh… just wondering.” She quickly took another bite and chewed intently, suddenly discovering great interest in the exact number of dates in her bowl.

  Her dad cleared his throat. “You may have been able to fool Kamal, but I know that face.”

  Alyssa counted six more dates then raised her head. “Promise you won’t get upset?”

  A ghost of a smile appeared at the edge of Kade’s lips. “Asks the descendant of Ra?”

  “I’m serious,” she said. “I think I may have done something stupid.”

  Kade’s face darkened. “What is it?”

  Alyssa told him.

  Kade stared at her in silence for several moments then said, “Well, I give you props for creativity.”

  “I know the Society is involved.”

  He was quiet for several moments more. “That may be true, but it’s too dangerous for you to get involved… too.” His voice faded out, the last word barely audible.

  She placed her hand on top of his palm. “I understand how you feel, but after everything we’ve been through, you can’t expect me to just sit back and twiddle my thumbs.”

  He shook his head slowly, a grim twist to his mouth. “No, Ally, you don’t know how I feel,” he whispered. He turned his palm and took her hand in his. “I will not lose you as well. I want you to stay out of it.”

  “You can’t be serious!”

  Instead of answering, Kade reached into the brown shoulder bag that doubled as his briefcase and pulled out a small box.

  “I can’t have you getting involved because I need you to keep this safe.” He passed it to her.

  Alyssa’s fingers tingled as she opened the box and unwrapped an object from a soft cloth. She froze when she recognized the triangular shape.
<
br />   “I thought it was stolen!”

  “After what happened at the institute a couple weeks ago, I was worried they may strike the museum next, so I hid it.”

  Alyssa fixed Kade with a steady gaze, a new measure of respect in her eyes.

  “You took good care of it last time,” he said. He moved closer, lowering his voice. “Both break-ins had help from the inside. Nobody is above suspicion. It’s only a question of time before they come knocking at my door. I have a feeling it will be safer with you than with me.”

  “Does anybody else know?”

  “Just you and me.” He motioned with his head over her shoulder, and his face tightened. “Better put it away.”

  Alyssa glanced back. A group of people entered the cafeteria and eyed their table. A woman in the group, a nurse, pointed to them and leaned to a man in a suit. The pair approached the table, trailed by two uniformed officers.

  “Oh, no,” Alyssa said, slipping the box into her backpack just before the group stopped at their table. The nurse addressed the man in the suit.

  “That’s her.”

  Kade sat up. “What is this about?”

  The man glanced at Alyssa before turning to Kade.

  “My name is Captain Ghassan. I’m in charge of security at this hospital. Is this your daughter?”

  “Yes, it is,” Kade said, his voice guarded. “What seems to be the problem, Captain Ghassan?”

  “Nurse Fathi claims that she saw your daughter gain unauthorized entry into one of the restricted rooms,” Ghassan said.

  “There must be a mistake,” Kade said.

  “No, I’m certain,” the nurse said. “It was her.”

  “She will come with us for questioning,” Ghassan said. “Now.”

  Kade rose from the chair. “Like hell she will.”

  Ghassan tensed, and the guards tightened around them. The bustling cafeteria hushed as heads turned to their table. Ghassan held up his palm.

  “Please, sir. Your daughter is accused of tampering with evidence in an active investigation. It is regrettable, but due to the increased security precautions, we must detain her for questioning.”

  “I can explain,” Alyssa started.

  “Please come with us now,” Ghassan said.

  The two officers took Alyssa by her arms.

  “Don’t touch me!” she said, squirming.

  “Get your hands off my daughter!” Kade yelled and shoved a guard off Alyssa.

  Caught by surprise, the man stumbled backward, tripped over his feet, and fell.

  A second of stunned silence was followed by an eruption of shouts and startled cries through the hall. The other guard released Alyssa’s arm and rushed her father. Kade stepped aside and pushed the guard past him, using the other man’s momentum to propel him into a food tray on the neighboring table.

  “Go!” Kade yelled to Alyssa. Ghassan reached for her then grunted as Kade tackled him from behind.

  “Daddy, no!” she yelled.

  “Go, now!” Kade shouted as the scene disintegrated into chaos. Both guards gained their feet and rushed to help Ghassan. Alyssa clutched the backpack and leaped up, her heart in her throat.

  “Stop!” Ghassan bellowed, struggling to work himself free of Kade, who used both arms and legs to keep all three men occupied.

  Alyssa sprinted for the exit, weaving between tables. She threw a glance back. The guards pinned Kade down, twisting his arms behind his back. A metallic flash glinted. Handcuffs. Alyssa stifled a sob as she flew into the lobby, drawing bewildered stares from physicians and patients alike. She barely avoided barreling into a young physician. He glared at her, baffled, as she sped past him and bolted through the tall revolving glass door into the street.

  She ran for another half minute then slowed to a fast walk. Her heart worked to tear through her rib cage, and her entire body shook. The dull ache in her chest threatened to melt into sobbing tears. She held it back. She stepped into an alcove and took out her phone. She somehow managed to hit the speed-dial button.

  “Alyssa?” a familiar voice answered.

  “Paul!” she sobbed.

  “What’s wrong?” The concern in Paul’s voice was immediate.

  “They arrested my dad!” She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. “And it’s all my fault.”

  “Alyssa, slow down. Where are you? What are you talking about?”

  Alyssa took a deep breath. She told him what had happened.

  Paul absorbed everything in silence. After she finished, he thought for several moments then said, “You need to get out of there, ASAP. Get a cab and head to the airport right away. Call me from the car.”

  “But my dad—” she started.

  “Your dad can take care of himself. And he has Kamal.”

  “Okay,” Alyssa said. “I’ll call you back.”

  Two minutes later, Alyssa sank into the back seat of a cab. She dialed her dad. Voicemail. Sighing, she disconnected. She contemplated for a few moments, then dialed Kamal.

  “Alyssa!” he called out as soon as he answered. “Where are you? I just heard what happened. What was all of that about?”

  “I can’t explain right now,” she said. “How is my dad?”

  “He was taken into custody for interfering with police officers.”

  “You have to help him. Please!”

  “You have to come back now,” he replied. “You’re making things worse by running away, for both of you.”

  Alyssa looked at her backpack, the crystal inside it. “I can’t do that,” she said. “Promise me you’ll take care of my dad.”

  “Alyssa—”

  “You owe me. Promise me you’ll take care of him!”

  Kamal sighed. “I will contact the minister and call in a favor.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “One more thing,” Kamal said.

  “Yes?”

  “The woman we saw earlier today. Her condition deteriorated.” He swallowed. “We were unable to save her.”

  “She died?”

  “Yes,” he said glumly. “I’m afraid it’s only a question of time before the news gets out about the virus—and the lack of a cure.”

  “I’m really sorry,” she said. “I know you did your best.”

  “I know you will, as well,” he replied.

  Alyssa hung up. She took a deep breath and dialed Paul.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I think so,” she replied.

  “Where are you?”

  “On my way to the airport.”

  “Good,” he said. “You need to get out of the country.”

  “What if… Will they be looking for me at the airport?”

  “I have an idea,” Paul said, “but I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

  “I think my options are a bit limited at this point,” she replied.

  “George Renley,” he said.

  Alyssa’s skin prickled. “Absolutely not. After what he did?”

  “He has connections. If anybody can get you out, it’s him.”

  “Paul, I swore to myself never to speak to him again.”

  “And that is completely understandable,” he said. “I’m not asking you to trust him. And I know he will be eager to help you, to make up for what he did.”

  Alyssa was quiet for several long moments. She swallowed. “Okay, I’ll call him.”

  Lord George Renley watched the distant rain clouds from the terrace outside his study. They churned across the sky, casting dark shadows over the woods on his three-hundred-acre estate. It would be pouring by mid-morning.

  He leaned onto the marble railing, his body giving a small shiver at the chill of the stone against his skin. He frowned, lifted his hands and then balled them into fists. He brought them up. Still strong. Yet he could no longer deny the passage of time. It seemed only yesterday that he would charge to the docks at the first sign of a storm, casting off in his thirty-foot cutter to single-hand it through the white cap
s and measure his prowess and skills against the elements. Now—

  His phone rang, snapping him back into the present.

  “Yes,” he answered. He waited several seconds for an answer. “Hello?” he said again, sharper.

  “Lord Renley?”

  He tensed at the sound of the voice. “Miss Morgan?”

  “Yes,” Alyssa said, her voice cold and measured.

  “What can I do for you?”

  “I need your help.”

  “I assumed as much. I imagine calling me must not have been an easy decision.”

  “I’m in Cairo. I need a way out.”

  Renley considered. “Could you elaborate?”

  “My father has been arrested,” Alyssa said. “And the police may be looking for me.”

  “I see,” Renley said. “Is there anything else I should know?”

  “People are getting sick,” she continued. “The virus, it’s been released again.”

  “What? Are they able to administer the cure?”

  “It doesn’t work.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean it doesn’t work! And the woman, the last one who died, she had traces of Hybrid DNA,” Alyssa continued, now seemingly unable to stop. “She shouldn’t even have been sick in the first place, but—”

  “Miss Morgan,” Renley interrupted, trying to stay calm and ignore the heavy feeling settling in the pit of his stomach, “please slow down.”

  Alyssa continued as if she hadn’t heard him. “She… she just died. We think the Society was involved. Her phone, it said something about ‘Valediction’—?”

  Renley froze. “Miss Morgan,” he cut in.

  Alyssa kept going.

  “Miss Morgan,” he said, louder.

  Alyssa stopped.

  “Have you shared this with anybody else?”

  Alyssa took a deep breath. “No. Wait. Yes. My father. And Paul. But that’s it.”

  “Good.” Renley exhaled. “I will make arrangements for your travel out of the country. Go to the private terminal at the airport. Somebody will meet you and escort you from there. And, Miss Morgan?”

  “Yes?”

  “It is of utmost importance that you do not share this information with anybody until you get here. I shall make arrangements for you once you arrive in England.”