The Tenth Cycle: A Thriller (A Rossler Foundation Mystery Book 1) (19 page)

It took Luke a while to get through the information David had shared, punctuated as it was with Sarah’s little cries of dismay. Both of them were thoroughly shaken when he told them that their actions had been observed by the CIA from the beginning. Daniel muttered something about Raj being right all along, who could have thought that?

They took the news even more badly that they were now possibly targets for some shadowy organization that apparently had all the resources and power they needed to get whatever they wanted. Simms’ murder took on a newly sinister cast, as if it hadn’t already been bad enough. Daniel was almost beside himself with rage when he put it together that his editor had put not only him but also Sarah in harm’s way by involving him with Prof. Barry, who then involved Sarah to keep an eye on him. Luke and Sarah calmed him with difficulty, Luke because he didn’t want to call attention to them in the restaurant, Sarah because she recognized the murderous intent in Daniel’s eyes from the policeman incident.

“What now?” Daniel demanded.

“I think you should meet with my contact, David, and listen to what he says,” Luke said calmly.

“Is he going to tell us to stop the research?”

“He may. Or, he may want you to turn it over to his department. Either way, I hope you’ll do what you must to remain safe, and especially to keep Sarah safe.”

Abashed, Daniel drew Sarah closer to him in the booth. “Of course. Sarah’s safety is the top priority.”

“But, Daniel,” she said. “We’re so close.”

“Maybe we can take it up later, sweetheart. This is too much to deal with. I can hardly take in how close we’ve already come to disaster. What if Martha had been at home when they came for Mark? What if you had been there? I can’t risk it.”

The stubborn set of her mouth told Daniel that Sarah hadn’t yet uttered her last word on the subject, but for now she was quiet.

“Luke, thank you for digging this up for us,” Daniel said. “We’ll take it from here.”

“All right, but give me your cell phone numbers so that David can get in touch with you.”

After exchanging cell phone numbers, the three finished their lunch and then Daniel and Sarah dropped Luke off at LaGuardia for his well-deserved trip back to Colorado and Sally’s arms. Since it was already Thursday afternoon, Sarah had come prepared to spend the weekend. They would see Raj, have a nice evening, and then Daniel wanted to finally show Sarah Black Rock. They planned a hike and picnic lunch for the next day.

By mutual consent, Daniel and Sarah avoided the subjects of pyramids, spy agencies, murder and mayhem for the rest of her visit. Until Luke’s friend David called, they would do nothing more on the pyramid research, although Raj continued his data entry and rendering tasks. Saturday morning dawned warm and sunny, a beautiful day for a hike. They picked up their usual picnic lunch at the corner deli. By nine a.m., they were on the road toward Cornwell, where he had last hiked with his friends almost a year ago. Daniel reflected on the events of the past six months as he drove.

Without a doubt, it had been the most intriguing, frustrating and yet the happiest few months of his life. No matter what else happened, even if he had to give up the quest to interpret the message of the pyramid, he had Sarah. Meeting and falling in love with Sarah was the most important thing that had ever happened to him, or ever would. A surge of adrenaline poured through him as he thought of the life they would make together, and he reached for her hand. Sarah looked over at him, then. He could feel her loving gaze on his face as he negotiated the curves in the road. With her by his side, he could be happy under any circumstances.

Later, the two would stand at the summit of Black Rock, taking in the grandeur of the valley below and the mountains further in the distance, and know that their love was perfect. There would never be another man for Sarah, nor another woman for Daniel. Yet, in the midst of their happiness, was the sorrow for Martha’s grief, and the knowledge that someday, hopefully far in the future, one would be without the other. All they could do was vow to make every day until then count.

That philosopher and poet of ancient China, Lao Tzu was right when he said, “If you are depressed, you live in the past. If you are anxious, you live in the future… If you are happy … You live in the present.”

Thoroughly shaken by everything that had happened and all they had learned in the two weeks since Mark’s death, Daniel took Sarah to Raj’s to talk about what they should do before she left. In his pocket was the small device, about the size of a cellphone that Ryan had given him for this type of meeting. Because it was classified, he said nothing to Raj, but he had it switched on before they knocked on Raj’s door.

To his surprise, both Raj and Sarah advocated continuing the research. Raj put his arguments forth with more passion than Daniel had ever seen him display.

“My friend, we must not let the forces of evil deter us. We are too close to learning the secrets that have been hidden for thousands of years. Don’t you realize what it would mean to my research? A final confirmation that we are not alone in this universe, that ancient visitors have helped us along!” Sarah nodded her head as he spoke, until he got to the part about extraterrestrials. She wouldn’t go that far.

“Honey, we’ve already had this conversation, right after Mark’s funeral. We agreed then that it’s more dangerous not to know than it is to know. At least we’ll understand what they’re after,” she said. “And what’s more they still don’t have the data which they were looking to get from Mark so the only place they can get it is from us.”

“But, we don’t have a linguist,” Daniel protested.

“I have an idea about that, if you agree. There’s no reason to believe anyone would suspect your grandfather of conspiring with us. What if we asked him if he knows of anyone, or could find someone through his cronies?” Sarah was only a little concerned about danger to Nicholas and Bess. Not at all, really. A retired archaeologist shouldn’t be a threat to anyone, and maybe he even knew of a linguist without having to ask around.

“All right, suppose for the sake of argument that he did know of someone, and that they agreed to help us, even though the last guy that saw a translation of only part of the message got murdered,” Daniel said, pausing for effect. “What would we do with it once we had the whole thing? Who can we trust not to kill us for it? Sarah, Raj, it’s too dangerous.”

“I disagree,” said Raj. “Before, you were not taking me seriously and did not take adequate precautions. Now you must be even more clever.” Daniel thought about the device in his pocket. With it, he could communicate in person without fear of being overheard. Maybe this would work after all.

“We need to see Grandpa in person, then, Sarah. We can let him in on the email ruse when we do, but we can’t risk any talk over the phone. My grandparents are old and vulnerable. I can’t risk them, either.”

Sarah said, “I understand. Hey, I don’t have a class until Tuesday afternoon, do you want me to go with you? We can make it a day trip this time, and I’ll spend the night back here with you, then get an early start for Providence Tuesday morning.”

“I guess that would work.”

On Monday morning, Daniel and Sarah set out for Little Egg Harbor, arriving mid-morning. Bess answered the door, and gave a little scream of surprise and pleasure to find her grandson and his girlfriend on her front porch. With rain threatening, she drew them inside and called for Nicholas.

“Hi, Grandpa,” Daniel said, as the old man came out of his study.

“Well, I’ll be damned, look who’s here!” Looking from Daniel to Sarah, his analytical mind, keen as ever, took in their tense posture. “What’s happened?”

“A lot, Grandpa, and we need your help. Can we sit down and talk?”

Bess immediately offered coffee and cookies, and Sarah went to help her in the kitchen while Daniel settled his grandpa in his favorite chair. “If you don’t mind, let’s wait for Sarah, and I guess this concerns Grandma, too,” Daniel said.

As soon as the women were back with the tray of refreshments, Daniel brought his grandparents up to speed on recent developments, absorbing Bess’s cry of dismay when he got to Mark’s death. A white-faced Bess pressed her lips together and listened grimly along with her husband as Daniel explained what they’d learned since. He fell silent after stating that he and Sarah felt it was best to go on.

Nicholas observed them keenly from under his bushy eyebrows. “You need a linguist,” he stated, simply. Daniel wasn’t surprised that Grandpa had cut to the chase. He knew that quick mind as well as he knew his own.

“Yes, Grandpa, and we’re hoping you know one. Here’s the thing. We can’t ask around, because we don’t know what they’re doing to watch us. For all we know, it could be just our phones, computers and houses, but we have reason to believe it’s more sophisticated. I don’t want you to have to ask around much, either. Rossler isn’t that common a name, and I don’t want you or Grandma in danger. But we thought you might know someone off the top of your head. We couldn’t call to ask you, so that’s why we’re here.” Daniel added, “Although I’m always glad for a chance to see you and Grandma.”

“Good save, boy,” Grandpa growled, amused. “As a matter of fact, I do know one, and a brilliant one at that. Do you think it’s safe for me to call him?”

“Grandpa, I don’t have a clue. For all I know they’re tracking all the linguists in the country. I guess it would be safer if you didn’t.”

“Then we’ll do it the old-fashioned way. Can you and Sarah stay for lunch? While Bess gets it ready, I’ll write a letter of introduction for you. You can drop in on him, he’s usually at home. Retired, like me.”

“That’s perfect! Sarah, do you mind…” Daniel began.

“Of course not, darling. I’m going to visit with your grandma and help her in the kitchen. You and your grandpa can handle this one on your own.”

Daniel was so happy to see the conspiratorial twinkle in Sarah’s eye that he didn’t even question what mischief she and Grandma might get up to if they were alone together.

Sarah trailed Bess into the kitchen and stood out of the way while Bess puttered around, deciding what to serve. Once she settled on chicken salad and biscuits, Sarah offered to cut up onions and celery for the salad. Bess handed her a sharp knife and cutting board and started mixing up the biscuit dough. “So, what did you want to talk about, Sarah? Has that boy been good to you?”

Sarah laughed. “I should have known you were just as sharp as Nicholas. Yes, Grandma Bess, he’s been good to me. I love him so much, and he says he loves me…”

“But?” Bess questioned.

“But, he hasn’t said anything about marriage. I don’t know where this is going,” Sarah said, a small frown marring her lovely face and soft expression.

“I told you before that I’d help if I could,” Bess said. “Do you want me to put a bug in his ear?”

Sarah laughed again at the old-fashioned slang. “Maybe later, Grandma Bess. For now, I just wanted to get it off my chest.”

After lunch, the pair left amongst admonitions to hurry back for a longer visit. The letter of introduction was safely tucked into Daniel’s laptop case. They planned to visit the man, Sinclair O’Reilly, that very afternoon if they could make good time back to New York. Before they arrived in the city, though, Daniel took a call on his cell phone that forced a change of plans.

“Am I speaking with Daniel Rossler?” the voice asked. Daniel didn’t recognize it.

“Who’s calling?” Daniel answered cautiously. His tone made Sarah look at him with concern.

“I’m a friend,” said the unknown voice. “Luke Clarke should have been in touch about me.”

“Oh,” said Daniel, relieved. “You must be David. Sorry, we’re a little paranoid. Yes, this is Daniel.”

“Can’t say that I blame you, and yes, I’m David. Now that we have the introductions out of the way, I’d like to set up a time to meet with you and Dr. Clarke. Is she with you right now?”

“She is. We’re on our way back to the city. She has to leave for Providence early in the morning, though. What did you have in mind?”

“I thought we could have a quiet dinner, and I could fill you in on some things that may be significant to you. In turn, maybe you can give me some help.”

“Dinner sounds fine. I’ll take the rest under advisement until we’ve heard what you have to say. Where shall we meet?”

David named a restaurant in Manhattan and provided the address, which Sarah wrote down as Daniel repeated it. “Seven o’clock okay? I know it’s early, but I’ve got to catch the last shuttle back to Washington afterwards.

“Seven’s fine. We’ll see you there.” Sarah was questioning him with her eyes when he disconnected the call. “I hope you don’t mind I didn’t check with you. I figured you were as anxious to meet with the guy as I am, right?”

She answered, “Yes, of course. So, we’re meeting him for dinner? Will we have time to get back to your apartment so I can change first?”

“I’m sure we will.”

Seven o’clock found them in the restaurant’s waiting area, where David spotted them when he walked in a moment later. He introduced himself and offered his hand to Sarah, who shook it warmly. Daniel didn’t much care for the way the man’s eyes took in Sarah’s charms, but he shook the guy’s hand anyway. He should be used to the effect that Sarah had on men by now. In fact, he was. He just didn’t like it much. Once again he reflected on his need to put his ring on her finger and claim her as his. Soon, he hoped. But not while all this stress and tension was in their lives. He wanted her to be nothing but happy afterward.

David had made a reservation, so they were shown directly to their table, a small four-top set in a private alcove. It was the perfect place to talk, though Daniel made sure his cone of silence device was in his pocket and turned on before David got there. He knew from Luke’s report that the CIA or NSA were watching them, but if any other bad guys could listen, he wanted to keep his meeting with the CIA agent on the down-low.

The three perused their menus and ordered, after which David brought up his reason for wanting to meet with them face-to-face. “Luke and I go way back, did he tell you?”

Sarah smiled at him and said that her uncle had spoken highly of him.

“I told him some things in confidence that concern you, and unless I miss my guess, he would have told you all of it, even the classified parts. Am I right?”

Daniel and Sarah looked at each other, deciding whether telling the truth would get Luke in trouble.

“Never mind,” David said. “It doesn’t matter, because I’m going to tell you myself. You guys are in danger.” David proceeded to tell them exactly what Luke had said, including the fact that David thought there may be a mole in the CIA department that was watching them.

“I’ve got two objectives, and frankly the first is the most important to me. But because I think you can help and because Luke is an old friend, the second is important enough.”

Seeing their confusion, Luke went on. “It’s my job to find that mole. I need some way to flush him out, and the fact that Luke came to me for help to protect you guys gives me a perfect way to do it. If you’re game, I need you to continue your research.”