Damascus Code

by Merri Christi Pemberton

  "Thank you for meeting with us,” said Avalon. "We appreciate you taking time out of your schedule."

  "It's my pleasure. From what Mr. McGee told me, you have quite a project on your hands."

  "We do Dr. Parker.”

  "Call me Mitchell, please!"

  "Mitchell, yes. Please call me Avalon.”

  “And Silas,” Silas followed. ”We believe your genetics research could really help us."

  Dr. Parker proudly nodded. “Well, I am a firm believer that science has so many keys to the mysteries of humankind.”

  "I believe so, but your research scared some in your field,” said Avalon.

  The suspicious scientist shifted his eyes to the side before speaking, “Scientific and medical breakthroughs are wonderful for most in our field—if you don’t upset certain financial interests.” Dr. Parker leaned forward. In a hushed tone, he remarked, “I believe your research could upset high-ranking members in the drug industry, drug policy, and others.”

  “Have you dealt with people like that directly?”

  "I received threats from a few. Beyond that, I’ve had private inquiries from government agencies in defense, science, and economics."

  Avalon was amused, "It's that deep, isn’t it?”

  Dr. Parker laughed, "You can say that."

  “We know we can get in trouble.” Silas admitted.

  “Let me be very clear. Whenever you mess about with the status quo of how a nation operates, then you will get backlash. That backlash can turn life-threatening quickly."

  Silas nodded his head. "We are beginning to understand that very—.”

  “No, you don't understand,” Parker hastily interrupted.

  “If you do find that blood sample and it shows that something did happen; then you will be threatening a global power structure.”

  The two junior detectives knew that this project could bring a monumental change. Hearing this confirmed by Dr. Parker, however, stole the breath from both of them. Silas turned his head towards Avalon. Avalon wouldn't do the same, but she felt his stare. Her face turned to granite.

  "We don't know what will happen. What I can tell you, and I feel Silas agrees, is that we have no other choice but to complete this work."

  "I'm afraid there is no turning back.”

  Silas nodded, "We know."

  Dr. Parker straightened up. "Now, I want to take both of you to my second office. I’ll give you the information you need there."

  The Second Office

  Dr. Parker’s second office suite was an old former hardware store located near the Potomac river. The dark brick building was unassuming and small. Dr. Parker and the building's owner had known each other for over 40 years. They made a good deal with the rental price. They also made a deal for the owner to keep to his own business regarding the scientist’s work in that building. The trio walked into a dim room with boxes stacked on top of one another. A small table sat in the corner on the left with books scattered about. On the right, there was a bookshelf with a few books on genetics and DNA. An HP desktop and printer were on the left side on a wooden desk with a swivel chair. A round table in the middle of the room had four chairs around it. Silas smiled. This room reminded him of his minimalist and gritty workroom. Dr. Parker motioned for them to sit at the round table.

  The cautious scientist went to his file cabinet, which had a special-made lock on the third drawer. He used his numeric code and unlocked it. When he opened the door, he pulled out a blue folder.

  After he slowly shut the door he paused. He looked down for a brief moment. Avalon and Silas noticed his hesitation. Dr. Parker slowly took a seat in front of them.

  "The folder has the information you need.”

  Avalon reached over to get it. Dr. Parker stopped her.

  "Before you read your copy. There’s something you must understand."

  Avalon pulled her hand back.

  Dr. Parker continued, “Editing the human’s molecular formation and DNA aren’t new. The science community has researched gene editing for many years. In fact, I became interested in this concept in the 60's.

  “Yes! I read a lot about your work. It’s quite impressive,” said Silas.

  Dr. Parker managed a hopeful smile, “I, and a growing number of scientists, have ongoing research into the effects of a non-human encounter on the human body. Meaning that if the spirit, the part of us that never dies is real—can that spirit change or edit the human genes for near perfect healing, especially if powered by an omnipotent energy i.e., God?"

  Silas understood. “If a person’s supernatural encounter heals them, will that encounter reveal a new gene editing technique that we can use to heal other diseases?”

  "Exactly Silas!” Dr. Parker answered. “Science is a tool and a language, which explains how our world and physical bodies work.”

  Avalon cleared her throat. "If someone like the Apostle Paul had a direct encounter with the pure healing energy of God, then his genetic makeup would absorb a supernatural power.”

  “That’s just the beginning! If your mission pans out, that blood from the Apostle may contain secrets of perfect healing and iron-clad disease eradication.”

  Avalon continued, “Impenetrable healing.”

  A delirious Dr. Parker whispered, "An affect that goes way beyond any human power."

  Silas rubbed his chin—thoughts are spinning a million miles per minute. He asked, “So, where do we go from here?”

  Dr. Parker reached in the folder and took out a piece of folded white paper. He handed it to Avalon. "This is the name and address of a woman who my colleague interviewed for our research. She is Evelyn Majors, and said she had a similar experience to the Apostle Paul. She isn't a Christian, as far as baptism or professing her Salvation, but says she is now on a spiritual journey."

  Silas inquired “What medical or examination records do you have on her so far?"

  Dr. Parker hesitated. "Well—we don't have that information."

  “Pardon? What good is her story if there is no evidence,” Silas protested.

  "There is evidence,” Dr. Parker hissed in a rebuttal. “It was stolen—before Ezra disappeared.”

  Avalon sunk back in her seat. Silas buried his head in his hands while groaning, “Oh no!”

  No one said this was going to be easy.

  Avalon finally spoke up. "Who do you think stole it?”

  "Ezra would know for sure, but Evelyn may know something.”

  “Okay. We’ll talk to her,” said Avalon.

  “She lives in San Diego in an apartment downtown near Gaslamp Quarter."

  A grin creeped onto Silas’ angular face. He always wanted to visit Southern California.

  Dr. Parker pulls out his cell phone from his pocket. "I'll let her know you're coming."

  Silas agreed, “Good. We’ll change tomorrow’s flight back to Aberdeen to go to San Diego.”

  While Dr. Parker calls Evelyn and a cab for Avalon and Silas. The two students spoke in hushed tones.

  They expected more tangible evidence, like a medical report or something documented. Did they do a thorough examination? How did the genetic structure change? What did it look like through a microscopic view? There were so many questions. Instead, they have theories and the name of a person who said had a similar Paul experience.

  Silas couldn’t hide his disappointment. "Hey, I'm sorry. This was a wasted trip."

  "No it wasn’t." Avalon gave Silas a side hug. "We got a name. That means a lot.”

  Dr. Parker finished his call. "It's all set up. She can see you immediately."

  Next Day In San Diego

  A people-watching delight, Gaslamp Quarter buzzed with students on summer break and vacationers. Eighty-two degrees Fahrenheit, a refreshing breeze, and the delicious smells of local cafes filled the air. The clothing boutiques were overflowing with shoppers, sleek convertibles profiled up and down the street beeping at friends, and the clubs were preparing for the real action later that night. If y
ou pay attention, you might see one or two reality show celebrities out and about.

  Even with all of this temptation, Avalon and Silas were there for business. Strolling along and making the mad dash to the beaches were not in the plan. The duo booked a hotel at the downtown Westin and immediately walked a few blocks to Evelyn Majors’ apartment complex next to Broadway Street.

  They entered the glass exterior building into a crisp minimalist interior. Silas, of course, loved it. The lobby boasted a sleek silver floor and a white half moon desk on the right side. Left side had a row of abstract paintings of grey and rust colored blocks and squares.

  Avalon and Silas made their way to the elevator and up to floor 500. They found Evelyn Major's room 502 almost immediately. Avalon knocked on the door. A remarkably cheerful voice answered.

  "Come in Avalon and Silas!"

  They looked at each other.

  "Here goes,” said Avalon.

  When they entered into the apartment, the first thing they noticed was a shrine. In the back of her cream-colored living room was a colorful array of Christian souvenirs on a small table. Avalon made a step forward, but Silas placed his hand gently on her arm. He went into the room first, just in case anything weird goes down.

  Avalon shook her head, "Okay now, Champ."

  The two entered the small one-bedroom apartment. Emerging from the kitchenette on the right was a petite woman with wavy long red hair tied in a ponytail. She wore a long blue maxi dress. Her hands and bare feet had an impeccable mani-pedi. She carried a tray of tea and lunch—turkey avocado wraps and black bean-mango wraps.

  “Welcome to San Diego and to my humble abode!”

  Evelyn's gracious and super positive greeting was infectious. Avalon greeted Evelyn with an almost cooing version of that mood. "Ms. Evelyn Majors! Thank you so much for inviting us to your lovely apartment. We do appreciate your time."

  Silas was amused at this particular jovial version of Avalon.

  "Please sit down at my community table,” Evelyn pointed at a low-sitting table on their left, “Yes, that short table there.”

  Avalon choked down a giggle at the sight of the mini-coffee table with a glass top.

  “You don't mind sitting on the floor do you?"

  Silas spoke up to cover up Avalon's giggling. "Of course not! I've always enjoyed dining in this fashion and especially during my travels."

  Evelyn shrieked! She loved fellow travelers. “We must chat. Where have you been?"

  This was going to be easier than the junior detectives thought. As the three sat down for their refreshments, Silas proudly shared where he's been."All over Asia!"

  Evelyn clasped her hands over her heart."Oh, I love Japan and adore Thailand!"

  Silas, who’s very amused now, continued. “And all over Europe, of course."

  "You have a Scottish accent,” Evelyn said in a sing-song tone and wagging her forefinger.

  Now Avalon was getting a bit tired of the mushy gushy formalities.

  Silas was laying it on thick. "And of course, my favorites were Morocco and the Sahara."

  "Eeeeeee!", Evelyn squealed. "I so loved Morocco! I did a camel trek in the Sahara.

  For the next 30 minutes Evelyn and Silas raved about their travels while munching on the wraps. Avalon felt a little left out. Her international travels were confined to the United Kingdom and Prague. Prague. Her mind raced with the nightmarish memories-heart thumped in her chest. The nightmares were close by. Avalon's stomach interrupted her thoughts with a noticeable Gurrlllgle.

  Evelyn giggled, "You need to put some food on your stomach."

  Oh, they heard it. Silas snickered. Avalon did not notice that she wasn’t eating.

  Avalon smiled sheepishly, "Right, good idea." She joined them in their feast.

  "I had a feeling that you two would be hungry. Travel can work up a big appetite.”

  Silas placed his hand over his food-filled mouth. "You were right on the dot with that. We didn't have time to really eat today."

  The trio dined for three hours. After the first sound of wraps, Evelyn brought out another bamboo tray of free-range chicken teriyaki and roasted eggplant wraps. Then another tray, this time it was desert. The petite sprightly woman presented them with a glorious non-dairy double chocolate cake squares, strawberries, and raspberry tarts. The tarts had a ground almond and walnut crust—drizzled in a lightly sweet raspberry sauce. Finally, the coffee and citrus fruit platter arrived. Needless to say, Avalon and Silas were very relaxed and pleasantly stuffed.

  “Thank you for this wonderful lunch", said a very full Avalon. "This was a feast."

  "You are very welcome dear. Food was meant to be enjoyed and shared."

  Evelyn’s words of wisdom reminded Avalon of the times she missed going to lunch with her college mates. After that incident in Prague, she wasn’t very social.

  "That's very important,” Avalon admitted. “I’ve been so busy that I haven't spent much time with my friends."

  Evelyn tilted her head to the side with a genuine concern. "Gosh, you're young. Both of you should be out having the time of your lives."

  Silas couldn't help but laugh. "I think this project of ours will give us more excitement than we can handle.”

  Evelyn sucked in a deep breath. Her sweet and super positive attitude became serious. "It's time for me to give you what you came for."

  No more reclining. Avalon and Silas sat up at attention. Evelyn stood up and went to her bedroom in the back. Seconds later, she reappeared with a plain wooden box. She took her seat in front of the two students and placed the box on the table. There was a lock on the box, which she opened with a small silver key. She slowly pulled out a document with a note attached.

  "Since I was a little girl, I always had this curiosity of the spiritual world.”

  Evelyn’s expressive eyes went into a gaze.

  “I knew that there was so much more out there than just people, animals, or plants. I always knew there was something unexplained, some being, who lives all around us.”

  Her gaze fell on the two students-engrossed in her story.

  “A few years ago, I came face-to-face with that Being."

  “What did He or She look like?", said Avalon gently.

  Evelyn corrected her, "God is He, but that's not a reference to a physical sex or gender. He is what IS."

  Avalon had a flashback of reading a Biblical scripture…when Moses went to the burning bush. There God said "I AM that I AM."

  What Evelyn shared next yanked Avalon back to the present.

  "I felt this sensation—a wind sweep me off my feet. It was like I stood on a small tornado and it whipped me up in a spin. I felt a sensation of gliding down like a feather carried by a soft breeze.”

  The stunned Silas didn’t move a muscle. He held his breath.

  “I saw a light, and then a force knocked me down. The next thing I knew, I was flat on the ground.”

  Avalon could barely find her voice. She whispered, "Did He speak to you?"

  Evelyn was in a trance again—she was back in that point and time. She spoke, "I couldn't hear an audible voice, but I could hear. It was a strong voice. He said ‘Who are you?’ and ‘Know me.’”

  Did He tell you to convert?" said Silas.

  Evelyn came back to the present."It's so much more. Yes, Jesus was in it, but the scale and depth of what I saw and experienced at that exact time—it was almost unspeakable." Evelyn looked down. She was overwhelmed.

  Avalon reached for her hand and grabbed it. "Listen, let's take a break. We'll sit back for a few minutes."

  Evelyn nodded her head, "Thank you. I'm going to get another pot of tea ready. I'll be right back."

  "Sure, take your time,” Silas agreed.

  Evelyn went into the kitchenette and busied herself with the tea. Silas and Avalon were in full sight of their hostess, but they had enough distance to speak with some privacy.

  "What do you think, Avalon?"

  Avalon shook her he
ad. "Evelyn is definitely telling the truth or believes that she is."

  Silas was growing concerned. “Is there a way we can get the information we need without putting her through any more emotional upheaval?"

  "She has to go through every detail of that day for us to understand what we’re dealing with."

  "I doubt she knows anything about Ezra’s disappearance,” Silas replied, “The best we can do is to get her blood test and medical records—to see if anything has changed."

  “Do you really think we’ll see something abnormal instead of the blood of a perfectly healthy woman,” Avalon asked with reservation.

  Silas shook his head. "Something that big must have left a mark. Her physical body went through an abnormal transformation."

  They agreed to press for more answers, but to take it easy. Evelyn was in a highly sensitive state…very fragile. Pushing her too far would be counter productive, and they couldn’t afford for her to clam up.

  Evelyn returned with the bamboo tray with a fresh pot of tea and three mugs. After she served the tea, the group resumed their talk. Silas took the lead this time.

  "Did you see a doctor after your experience?"

  "Yes, Michael Conrad"

  "Your usual physician?" Avalon responded.

  “Yes.”

  “What did he do?"

  "He ran some tests—.”

  "Blood?" Avalon hastily interrupted.

  "Yes, he drew blood, but—.”

  “What did he find?”

  Evelyn quietly said, “I had sickle cell anemia."

  Had sickle cell.

  Avalon continued with her questioning,“Please tell us about any treatments you had before the event."

  Evelyn answered, "Well, I've had hydroxyurea to help with my symptoms like the severe pain.” Her face grew disgusted, “The side effects of the medication were horrid.”

  Avalon followed up, "Did you consider a bone marrow transplant?"

  “Having a successful transplant would have been a long shot for me.”

  Avalon gently nudged on, "So you have discussed the option of a bone marrow transplant with your doctor.”

  "Yes, I have inquired several times. The transplant is usually considered for children.”

  Avalon nodded. She remembered her family doctor saying the same years ago regarding he brother.