by Curtis, Gene
“I wanted you to know that these flowers near the end—they represent you.”
In the center, she put Anti-Empath. From there LeOmi labeled four of the spokes–two major and two minor:
Infancy.
Mother’s six woes… journal… mother desired contrasting freedom.
Ruby Knife… fog of war…danger...father and Mark…betrayal and death.
Youth...David’s Copper mines…you are wise, The Eternal deals justly.
“Lydia also said, ‘In the end, invasion is unavoidable. Success isn’t sure, in fact failure is likely.’ In any case, time is running out.”
“I have to go to India.”
* * *
Bekka had been only to certain parts of India before so there would be a bit of travel time involved, and they would need money, and the papers that her mother had left for her. A letter to her father wouldn’t be enough for this.
“We’ll plan to go to Calcutta on Saturday, the beginning of Christmas vacation. We could just make it a short visit to Virginia after school tomorrow if you think your dad is going to be home.”
The next day, there were just a few things to do after school, and they reached the Naval Base just about the same time her father finished at his office. They met at his door.
LeOmi was explaining, “We need the receipt and the other papers.”
“Sure, they are at the office, anytime…”
The sound from the kitchen made everyone stop in their steps. She held her hand up and pointed around the corner, and for Bekka to go around the other way. Her father was given the stay put sign. He nodded.
LeOmi took her sword from Aaron’s Grasp and went around to the dining room and saw…her mother preparing coffee, her long curls hanging freely down her back.
“Mom?”
The woman sharply stopped her action, not turning.
Her father yelled, “No!” He then put his hand on LeOmi’s shoulder and went around her to open the porch door for Bekka.
Jacob Jones said to the woman, “It has been a long time since she has seen you.”
The woman slowly turned, “Yes, it has been a long time. Hello baby sister, seen any ghosts lately?”
* * *
When the coffee was finished, and they all had recovered from the shock, they sat down around the kitchen table.
LeOmi’s father said, “I think I owe you a pizza night. Can you all stay?”
Everyone agreed with nods of their head and he went off to call the local pizza delivery company.
“I got both of your letters. I am sorry for not getting in touch with you right away but I have had something—well let’s just say it was all consuming.” She turned to Bekka. “You know what I mean Bekka.”
“Oh yes, of course.”
“Is all forgiven little sister?”
“Of course. I can hardly believe that you are here.”
After dinner, LeOmi pulled out the information she had collected regarding the Sumerian Journal.
“I have been searching for clues to help us understand what happened to mother. Who and why someone would kill her. The Sumerian Journal is the only tangible clue that may lead to the answers.”
“Let me think, I have been to India–lots.” Ruby began pacing back and forth. “I can get us very close, if you don’t mind me helping.”
“This does concern you too.”
“I worked at The Oasis for a short time and you know there are always orders for chicken curry.”
“Great. This Journal was important to our mother, but I don’t know why. The original Journal was written in Cuneiform. It was transcribed and only partially translated to a second document. They didn’t have the entire work transcribed because it was considered a simple family chronicle.”
“I guess that could take a long time to do.”
“Some people have spent their entire lives searching for the proper translation of cuneiform documents, due to differences in dialect and jargon.”
“Well, where is the Journal?”
“Mother left the original in the care of the Library of India, which agreed to continue to lodge it at its current location.”
LeOmi produced a printed picture from the auction catalogue. There were two books, front and back, a big book and a smaller book. They were both made of leather and hinged with banded metal latches. The metal inserts of each book were indented with an eight point star lock. The books’ metal bands had etching designs that looked like women in ceremonial robes carrying statues and water urns. The caption explained that they were both locked and the key’s whereabouts were unknown.
As evening approached everyone said their goodbyes with plans of meeting again on Saturday at the beginning of Christmas vacation.
As they walked outside into the evening breeze, LeOmi said, “Bekka, what does Interactions between Earth, Wood, Fire, Metal and Water have to do with the Journal?”
“What?” Bekka said with a giggle.
“That night in my Grand-Mère’s library, you set two books out for me, the first was titled Interactions between Earth and the second was A Study in Sumerian Cuneiform.”
“LeOmi, I only set one book on the table that night. I thought that you chose the other book yourself.”
“No, I didn’t choose it. Was there already a book on the table?”
“Nope.”
“Who...Perhaps another Magi?”
“I should have been informed if there was another Magi sent to your grandmother’s house.”
So what does that leave? Someone else in the house?”
“Hannah or Grand-Mère could have set it out before they went to the market.”
“Perhaps. But why Interactions between Earth, Wood, Fire, Metal and Water?”
* * *
Christmas vacation came and the three girls met outside near the front steps of The Seventh Mountain, in the appropriate dress for India.
Ruby manifested just down the street from the National Library of India in a quaint little shack that sold teas and spices. The smell was incredible. Their plan was that Ruby would produce next of kin documents, and receive the Sumerian Journal.
When they arrived at the library the receipt was produced by Ruby along with proper identification. Everything was finalized and the curator, Shriman Mishra, released the Journal into Ruby’s possession with two guards to make sure the Journal made it to the airport and out of his jurisdiction.
“Oh, no thank you, that won’t be necessary.”
“Oh but yes, I am afraid I must insist. Once the Journal and its owner are safely on the plane, it will no longer be our responsibility.”
Ruby shrugged at LeOmi.
Bekka said, “It would seem that Sergeant Polaris has made some additional inquiries.”
LeOmi said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the Sergeant.”
Ruby whispered to LeOmi, “We need to go to a back-up plan.”
Outside, one of the guards bowed and held the car door for Ruby “I have to make one stop, a short good-bye to a friend.”
She gave the driver an address of a two-story brick villa.
Ruby winked at LeOmi when they arrived. Ruby led them and they entered a gated inner court that lead to the villa. A galley branched off from the reception rooms. She made herself at home and offered tea to the guards.
“My friends seem to still be out. LeOmi come and help me prepare some tea.”
“Good thinking, a visit to a friend is a good way to lose these guys.”
As they prepared the tea pot and arranged cups Ruby said, “LeOmi, what is your heart’s desire?”
“What?”
“What are you looking for now-a-days?”
“You know, ever since I was a little girl. To be the best Magi I can be.”
“Is that your only heart’s desire?”
“Well, I do miss being a family. I never realized how much until just recently.”
“Well what if I told you that we could be a family again, even better
than before?”
“How? Mother is gone.”
“Well she was never really there anyway; no I mean you and me, and dad and Jesse too, if you want.” LeOmi’s gaping mouth and shaking head made Ruby pause, “It can be done, but there would be a price to pay. Of course you have paid a high price already. Basically alienated by the entire family, and for what, to be the best Magi?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Do you remember that mother used to talk about being a native of New Orleans?”
“Yeah, but what does that have to do with our family?”
“Listen, I can fix this. No, you can fix this. If you want to—Do you want to?”
The water kettle started whistling. “We’ll talk later.”
They hurriedly went back in to the sitting area where Bekka sat with the Journal wrapped in a parcel paper, waiting with the guards. Just as Ruby and LeOmi entered the sitting area with the tea, there was a noise at the front door. Ruby said, “Ah, Coleen must be home.”
Before she could get to the door, it burst open. Three men armed with pistols entered through the busted door. The lead man grabbed Ruby and he put a gun to her head. The other two stood just inside the door.
The tallest of the three said, “Give me that parcel.” His head was covered by his scarf which was wrapped to cover everything but his eyes. He had a long white robe covering his street cloths; his expensive sport shoes betrayed his disguise.
“Ruby, don’t…” Bekka said, “Everything will be just fine if no one panics.”
The museum guards’ eyes watched the package as Bekka handed it to LeOmi and LeOmi handed it to Ruby.
As soon as it was in Ruby’s hands, the tall man yanked her backwards through the door; the other two followed and closed the door.
“No!” LeOmi was the first out the door. Quickly she removed her sword from Aaron’s Grasp and followed the wall into the light of the courtyard. Bekka was just behind and LeOmi heard her sword ring as it came out of its scabbard.
The guards were right behind them with pistols drawn. “I know this neighborhood. They have gone behind and will be traveling the path to the service road.” The two men rounded the building and came to a small dirt path that leads behind the elegant villas. LeOmi and Bekka were close behind.
The first shot came as the lead guard started to jump over a fence wall.
LeOmi saw blood coming from his leg and he fired three shots.
“No, don’t. My sister.” LeOmi jumped up to grab the man, but he continued firing until LeOmi heard the gun hammer hitting spent rounds and she was sure that the abductors did too.
“Ruby! Ruby!”
Bekka came up from behind, “LeOmi, they are already gone, with Ruby and the Journal.”
Chapter 14
Do Not Be Reckless
“It must have been Compton’s men. Sergeant Polaris can help us find the Neo-Phylum, and Ruby.”
To LeOmi, Bekka’s remanifesting always felt like they had stopped quickly in a fast elevator, but the elevator went vertical and horizontal. Maybe it was because she didn’t know where she was going or what to expect.
Bekka brought them to Grand-Mère’s house, out back at the stables.
LeOmi’s speed dial tones sounded, “Sergeant Polaris, call me back as soon as you can. My sister has been kidnapped.”
Hannah’s silhouette appeared at the back door. “Well, you might as well come in since we hear you both hanging around in the back yard.”
“Hannah, Ruby has been kidnapped.”
“No child, I am sure that she is fine. You always try to make so much out of everything.”
LeOmi grabbed Hannah’s arm and pulled her around to face her.
“No Hannah, I am serious…”
LeOmi looked into Hannah’s eyes. “Hannah, you already knew. Didn’t you?”
Hannah wrenched her arm away.
“Who have you brought here? Your Grand-Mère sees that, and you’re in deep trouble.”
LeOmi marched inside into her Grand-Mère’s parlor. As she walked, she was peeling off the Indian saree until she was down to her own clothes. Bekka was right behind her, but she stood outside of the parlor, not going in.
“I need help Grand-Mère. You and your spies.”
Grand-Mère was reading and in disgust, she closed her book and dropped it on the floor with a huge thud. Folding her elegant hands in her lap.
“As always, your manners are above standard. Above the standard of ridiculous. What are you talking about?”
LeOmi kneeled by her Grand-Mère’s chair. She put her hands on the arm rest but didn’t dare touch Grand-Mère.
She thinks I am a lunatic.
“Please, listen. Ruby, she is in danger.”
“Even if this were true, what do you wish me to do about it?”
“Find her for me. I know that you can. I’ll do the rest. I have friends that can help.”
“Friends. You ridiculous child, what are you talking about?”
“It’s my fault Grand-Mère. She is in danger because of me. She was helping me and now…I have to find her. They kill people, so your spies need to be very cautious, but I know that they can be.”
LeOmi could see the softening of Grand-Mère eyes. She almost put her hand on LeOmi’s hand and then the cell phone rang.
Grand-Mère stood abruptly. The old eyes back to their normal glare.
The cell phone rang again, and again.
Like the dream, LeOmi witnessed the same curve as that of her mother’s back walking away and up the staircase with Hannah close behind.
“LeOmi?” Bekka touched her arm.
Sadly she answered the phone, “Oh, Sergeant. You got my message.”
LeOmi looked up to see Hannah as she hurried back down.
“Your Grand-Mère says, The Celtic Wheel.”
“Sergeant, yes meet us there.” She closed the phone. “Thank you Hannah, and thank her for me.”
* * *
Bekka had been to The Celtic Wheel before so they remanifested to the side of the building with their swords ready.
There were cars parked all along the street as if there was some kind of convention and most of them were limousines that had drivers standing by with the engines revving. The sirens were coming and the whole building seemed to have burst its seams. The door had been flung open and two dozen men with covered faces piled out and climbed into cars that were zooming down the street, racing away before the police could get there.
No one approached LeOmi or Bekka, and when the police cars came they put their swords back into Aaron’s Grasp.
Ruby was lying on the floor not far from where her mom had laid. She was bleeding, but she was still alive.
The Journal was gone and there was no sign of Compton.
* * *
The ambulance was full enough with Ruby, Bekka, LeOmi and the medic but when Sergeant Polaris stepped into the rear, the ambulance suddenly seemed no bigger than a tiny closet.
He said, “I’ll meet ya at the hospital. When you finish at the hospital, come down to the station.” He winked at her.
She winked back.
“We need to talk.” He quickly withdrew from the ambulance and closed the door.
The ambulance quickly proceeded down the street with its red lights flashing all around the outside of the cab.
Bekka said, “What happened?”
“Like I told Sergeant Polaris, those three men grabbed me in Calcutta. They knocked me out and the next thing I knew I was back here.”
Bekka asked, “How did you get back so quickly?”
“I don’t know.” Ruby rubbed her head where a blood stain had appeared on the bandage the medic had wound around her head.
The medic had given Ruby an IV and he tried to get her to lay back and rest. As soon as she put her head down she went to sleep.
“Sleep is the best thing for her, Miss. She has lost a bit of blood. There’s a three inch gash in her hairline. They’ll probably g
ive her about twenty stitches.”
* * *
There was a guard posted outside of Ruby’s door.
Bekka left LeOmi and Ruby long enough to get their father, Jacob Jones and bring him to the hospital.
When he entered the room he said, “This obviously didn’t go as planned.”
LeOmi said, “I know, and I am sorry, it is all my fault.”
“What? You’re always so quick to put the blame on yourself. Why is it your fault?”
Bekka chimed in, “It is not her fault. Ruby is a well trained Magi, if it is anyone’s fault, it is her own.”
“Is she under sedation?”
“Yes, they wanted her to rest since she had lost so much blood and the x-rays show a slight concussion.”
“If that guard wasn’t there, we would take her to the mountain and she would be well in a jiffy.”
Sergeant Polaris’ voice reverberated down the hall. “I know that she is trying to rest, but I need to talk to her.”
Sergeant Polaris and an older lady in a white nurse’s uniform came into the room.
The nurse spoke in low tones, “See Sergeant, I told you she was asleep and if you wake her I will have you thrown out of here. You are rude and inconsiderate of others around you. I am surprised that she didn’t wake up when you were still at the other end of the hall.” The nurse checked Ruby’s IV and the monitor. She pointed to Sergeant Polaris and put her index finger to her lips and said, “Shhh!” Then she exited the room and pulled the door closed behind her.
Sergeant Polaris said, “Old biddy.”
LeOmi, her dad and Bekka looked at the Sergeant with scowls.
“I know. Shhh.” Sergeant Polaris put his finger to his lips and mocked the nurse. Then he leaned on Ruby’s hospital bed actually shaking it a bit, hoping she would wake.
Jacob Jones said, “Sergeant!”
“I know. I’m leaving.”
Then he said to LeOmi, “I’ll see you later.”
* * *
Later that evening, LeOmi and Bekka walked into the police station’s detective division.
“Well, it seems that you have been knocking on some doors since you’ve been gone,” Sergeant Polaris said.
LeOmi collapsed into a chair, as if it was expected of her. Bekka sat beside her.