The Moses Virus
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Tom replied, “I’m impressed.”
“So,” said Crystal, “were his management team. Bailitz immediately revised his game plan, from wiping out the agriculture to killing the politicians and a good number of the populace, as well as much of the livestock. It was then I realized that Bailitz was on an unstoppable high—and he had ceased taking his medicines.”
“But why use the virus in Nairobi?”
“Bailitz’s choice. He wanted to demonstrate the power of the virus, and then to deliver an antidote. He chose Nairobi, known for its corruption and crime as well as its agricultural base. Using the virus that had come down from Moses, with the echoes of a Hebrew god taking vengeance—Bailitz believed that this virus would have devastating results in its power as well as its presence psychologically.”
“And he might have succeeded,” Tom said.
“Beyond his wildest dreams, since the virus, once started, might become the world’s worst pandemic ever.”
Tom then asked, “Is that why you helped me?”
“I couldn’t be part of his mad plan, and I couldn’t resign and then be effective in stopping him,” Crystal said.
“Well, you gave me—and us—a critical assist. The world owes you thanks—but this is only known to a handful of people.”
“It’s better that way, wouldn’t you agree?” she said breezily.
Tom whistled under his breath. “That, Crystal, is one amazing story.”
“An amazing and true story,” she corrected Tom. “I must be going. I hope we’ll keep in touch,” she added.
Later that evening, Tom reported to Alex on his conversation with Crystal. Alex wanted to know every detail, and asked Tom more than once to repeat himself. “Do you believe what she told you? About Bailitz and his being bipolar? About herself trying to stop Bailitz from acting? And how, exactly, did she maneuver to be CEO of Belagri?”
Tom laughed. “I can’t answer any of the questions you’ve just asked. Crystal is the most incomprehensible person I’ve ever met.”
“More than me?” Alex asked.
“Thank God, more than you. I believe you when you make a statement. You are honest, direct—a perfect partner.”
“Well, that’s better,” Alex said, and she moved closer to Tom until they were sitting next to each other on the sofa. Tom put his arm around Alex and hugged her. Then he said, “Okay, ask your next and final question.”
Alex pulled away slightly from Tom and said, “Mr. Forensic Archaeologist, tell me exactly what was in Crystal’s small leather case when she drove away from Kronberg Castle.”
Tom said, “I have no bloody idea. And, perhaps it’s better that neither of us know. Furthermore, it will be some time before I join in an excavation in the Roman Forum again.”
“Fine by me,” Alex said.
And that is the way things stood for quite a while. But in exactly one year and three months, Tom would have the exact answer to Alex’s question.