Avalon confirmed. "Now, tell me more about yourself."
Silas told stories of his awkward childhood growing up as the son of a factory worker and librarian. He was always the brainy middle child. His older athletic brother taught him soccer (football) while his younger brother became fascinated with fixing old cars. Silas was either reading or playing soccer with his brother and his buddies.
They teased Silas relentlessly about him being a mess with the ladies. Avalon listened intently while he talked. He loved having this beautiful and smart woman pay this much attention to him.
The two began to discuss their love for nature as hikers; the conversation then turned very introspective
Silas continued with this introspective statement. "I am not deeply religious, but I feel a spiritual presence."
"How do you feel about this mission, since it involves the supernatural?”
"I am open-minded and anxious to see how science explains it.”
"Some things are too big or complicated for science to explain."
Silas shrugged. "Scientists don’t always have the answers. We’re imperfect like everyone else. So, our breakthrough findings and medical treatments are imperfect.
As the duo turned around to walk back, Silas moved closer to Avalon. She smelled his cologne, a fresh earthy tone. A little distracted, she snapped back into reality as Silas reminded her of what’s at stake.
"This could disrupt the medical and pharmaceutical industry—a billion dollar industry,” said Silas.
"It could also be used to only serve the elite and ultra-wealthy.”
Silas returned to that steely persona. “The shock alone could cause a protectionist backlash.”
She smiled at a passerby while finishing, “Some will do whatever to discredit the research or silence those who experienced the miracle."
"Which is why we need to get this right. No room for mistakes.”
Avalon and Silas spotted their driver standing beside his car. As they got into the sedan, Silas pulled out his phone to check messages.
"Pinning down Dr. Ezra is a worry,” Silas murmured.
"Dr. Benjamin Ezra?", the driver called out.
"Yes. You know him?" Avalon asked in a rush.
"I've driven him a few times. He spends his Thursdays at the Klementinum Library,” recalled the driver.
"That's tomorrow,” Avalon responded.
"Can you take us there tomorrow?" asked Silas.
The driver immediately obliged, “Sure. He's normally there at 11am. I can pick you up at 10:30.”
"Thank you so much, Mr. Charvat,” said Avalon.
"Please, call me Jozka."
Shortly, the car approached the Hotel Residence Agnes. The pink stately hotel was set along a narrow cobblestone street close by the Charles Bridge.
After paying the driver, Silas and Avalon entered inside the charming hotel. The white interior was quite beautiful. The simple curve of the archways, on each side, led to hallways and other rooms.
You could see the upper floors and room doors behind the wooden rails. The rails doubled as a display bed for plants—adorned with a horizontal frame of fuchsia flowers. The floors were cobblestone and led Silas and Avalon to the front desk.
Before they went to their separate rooms, they agreed to meet downstairs in 15 minutes for dinner. An hour later, the two were sitting in a local Czech establishment less than a mile from the hotel. They were digging into their hearty meals of roast pork, pork neck, cabbage, bread dumplings, and potato dumplings. Both were so hungry and too busy eating to say anything but, "Mmmm" and "This is SO GOOD!"
After they finished their meals and washed them down with beer and soda, the young detectives got down to business.
Silas began, "I was able to reach a friend of mine—a research assistant at the university here."
"He knows Dr. Ezra,” Avalon asked with a peaked interest.
"He sees him around at the library,” Silas nodded, "He doesn't socialize—keeps a low profile.”
"That makes our job much easier.”
"There’s more. He told me that Ezra was attacked behind one of the cafes."
Avalon almost knocked over her soda, “Attacked?”
"He left the next day for New York City."
Avalon smacked the table in frustration, "We missed him.”
A few people looked at their table. Avalon smiled to deflect attention.
"It gets more interesting. Ezra called the library last month to inquire about a book.”"Okay?"
Silas lowered his voice to barely a whisper. "Secret Society Assassins."
"Let's get out of here.”
Avalon paid the bill.
As they left the restaurant, she asked, "Let’s arrange a meeting with your friend—.”
GUNSHOTS!
Silas dove on top of Avalon. More gunshots rang, missing them overhead. Chaos surrounded them. People scattered and ran in every direction. Where did these shots come from?
Silas got up and pulled up Avalon. They ran back to the hotel. The police ran in the opposite direction towards the shots. As they made it inside the hotel, Silas got hold to one of the hotel workers. He warned them of the shooting outside. The worker ran to warn the desk attendants and hotel manager.
Avalon and Silas, not wasting any time, rushed upstairs. As they reached the doors to their neighboring rooms, Silas grabbed Avalon's arm before she could get in.
"We need to stay in the same room. You take the bed, I’ll make a place on the floor."
They go into Avalon's room. Both ransacked the drawers grabbing all of Avalon's clothes and belongings. They stuffed them into her luggage. They moved her to Silas' room and shut the door.
Silas packed his things, while Avalon booked a NYC flight. She called her bank to move more money from her savings to her secure checking account.
"We need to call Jozka to cancel,” Silas demanded.
"No. No one needs to know our next move, except for a few people I'm about to call."
Chapter 5
New York City - Doubletree Hotel Lobby - Times Square - Three days later.
It's 4am. Avalon waited in the lobby patiently. She sat in a chocolate leather chair—sipping a latte. She was quite nervous, but not totally about the mission itself. Silas was upstairs asleep in his room. He can’t be involved in the meeting she was about to have.
I really hope he stays asleep for another hour or so. She glanced at the time on her smartphone. It's 4:10am on the dot.
"Avalon,” said an authoritative voice.
Avalon looked up. It was Jordan Ashby, professor at West Aberdeen—and former intel agent. A stately woman of 6’1, blond, and dressed smart in a tailored navy suit. She provided assistance to the rescue crew who snuck Morgan out of the Czech Republic.
"I’m so glad that you’re here.”
"I got on the first flight out London.”
They both sat down, side-by-side.
"Can I get you something from the cafe? Coffee, soda, or wine?”
"No dear. I’m fine. We can't be too long."
"Yes, of course. Silas is asleep for now,” Avalon reported.
Ashby took hold of Avalon’s hand. “Both of you are at a terrible risk.”
"Tai told you everything?”
Ashby glanced to the side. A man and a woman sat chatting at a table across from them. Both were in gym clothes and chatting. The woman smiled at Ashby—she wore a cobalt ring with an F insignia. Ashby was familiar with that Ring.
She turned back to Avalon and began playing the game.
“Yes! They are so proud of your internship work in the medical field.”
Avalon knew they were being watched. She began playing her role—as a perfectly normal intern.
The game was a coded language strategy to give them cover as they got down to business. Avalon was familiar with using coded talking to transmit secret tactical messages—that’s part of her heritage. Although the Navajo were code talkers in World War 2, the Che
rokee helped pioneer this technique in World War 1. Avalon’s great great grandfather was one of those World War 1 code talkers.
Before we go further, more background on Avalon, The Squad, and Ashby must be given to understand how this mission will continue.
The students involved in the Prague rescue with Avalon were like a second family to her. All of them had their special skills, which helped them to track down and smuggle Morgan out. The Forked Tongue members thought Avalon and the others were just troublemakers. Ashby, being a former agent with Scotland Yard, was instrumental in helping the student rescuers go undetected.
To most of the world, Avalon and Squad friends were above average and gung-ho student researchers in the sciences and humanities. Their secret occupation was as an outsourced arm of intel and resource protection organizations. They operated inside, and outside, the law to protect people and archaeological treasures from the most secretive and dangerous terrorist groups in existence. Dr. Carrington created the archaeological portion of this elite group. Ashby led the human protection part of it.
The Morgan rescue was so sensitive that Dr. Carrington could not even know about it, as this mission branched into classified scientific research. The Ezra mission, however, had greater risks. In fact, Ashby told Dr. Carrington the story that Morgan left Prague after a failed research project with Magellan. This information alarmed Carrington, as he had a personal stake in looking after Morgan’s well being. He shook his head in disappointment when he learned that she was helping that reckless Dr. Magellan.
Return To The Ashby Meeting
Avalon followed the game. "I really miss my friends. This project is my dream and of great help to the local hospitals in Aberdeen."
"Well, what can I, and my staff, do to help your success?"
"We can’t reach Dr. Ezra. We were told by the hospital that he was on travels. So, we're looking for another specialist to help us confirm any groundbreaking research regarding blood diseases. Nothing too involved, just a quick interview with him or her for our final paper."
"Hmmm. I do know of a young physician who often works with students like yourself to provide information on approved studies."
Here is the translation of the coded-language conversation thus far. Avalon said she missed her friends, which meant she and Silas were in serious trouble. "Really miss" meant that there was a direct threat on her and Silas’ lives. When she spoke of this project being “her dream” and “great for the local hospitals”, that meant this project was turning out to be a much bigger deal than previously believed. On the subject of Dr. Ezra, Avalon said that he can't be reached and was traveling. That was code for saying Dr. Ezra was likely on the run and in hiding. His life was in danger. The request for another specialist was to say they needed to find another specialist who has worked or shared information with Ezra and would speak with Avalon and Silas. Ashby responded that she knew of someone who could help.
Let's continue.
A very pleased Avalon went on. "We met a great researcher from the same hospital, Mark Sheldon. He didn't know much about Ezra, although he said he was familiar with some of his work."
Dr. Ashby said slowly, "Ahhh, I see. I’m familiar with the research team there, but Sheldon wasn't in the circle. Not at all.”
Avalon looked a bit stunned. "Really?"
"Of course, he would know some things about Dr. Ezra's work, but Ezra made sure he followed instructions to keep a few things under wraps."
"I see,” Avalon said. "Silas and I went to Prague for a little background research. We left in a rush from Prague, then we heard about Ezra.”
“I see.”
“Too bad he’s on travels. We would have loved to have met him here."
Now for the translation. Avalon said that they met Ezra's assistant Sheldon who said he knew about Ezra's work. Avalon, however, didn't really know if he was as forthcoming as he represented himself to be. Ashby responded that she researched Sheldon, but he wasn't in that circle of those who were really in the know. Ezra had to keep a lot of his work secret, or his risk would go sky high. Well, too late!
When Avalon said they were in DC, San Diego, and Prague; that was code for they were chased out of Prague due to the danger. They had to come to New York City, since that was where the trail now leads.
Avalon went on to say that they were hoping they can find Ezra in New York City, but not sure if he was still here. Ashby tapped her navy blue Coach purse that was on her lap. When Avalon finished her update, Ashby delivered an update of her own.
"Oh dear, I forgot to tell you about this new GPS I have in my car. It's cutting-edge and much more powerful than the last one."
"Very good,” Avalon responded excitedly. "What are its online reviews?"
"I haven't seen any reviews yet. It's very new, but I can forward you some information.”
“Brilliant.”
“It will take care of everything. You'll be able to predict any road hazards.”
“You know I love gadgets,” confirmed Avalon.
"Well in that case, you must check out the support team about the GPS logistics and concierge app plug-in."
"How big is this team?" Avalon inquired.
"It's a very sizable group. You may find a friendly face or two.”
“I’m sold.”
“Great! I took the liberty of signing you up for a freebie. Just let them know your daily needs, personalized travel data, medical assistance, or whatever. They'll take care of you."
Avalon’s smile grew even wider. "That is exactly what I need.”
Translation:
The GPS system Ashby mentioned was a tracking device created by Ashby’s shadow intel team—the support team—to find out who was after Avalon and Silas. It would help track down the people intimidating Dr. Ezra. The members of this support team are the security network. The team’s mission now was to track and protect Avalon and Silas during their research.
The network would provide Avalon with all information, tools, and weapons needed to survive and achieve their objectives. The “familiar faces” that Ashby mentioned were friends of Avalon who were also involved in the Morgan rescue. There will also be some unidentified members. In other words, Avalon and Silas will have a solid back up team.
“If you need anything, you know how to reach me.”
“You’re on my speed dial”
“Good. Don't worry. You'll have whatever you need to do a brilliant job on your student work.”
The meeting was officially finished, and they parted ways.
Finding Ezra
Later that morning, Avalon and Silas had breakfast at a local bakery cafe minutes from the hotel. Avalon told him she bumped into an old friend of hers who was there for a seminar. Silas inquired if this friend knew about the mission. Avalon told him that her friend received the information from Dr. Darius, but wasn't knowledgeable about all that it entailed. Technically, Dr. Ashby didn't really know everything about who was after them and the answers they needed about the blood mystery or Ezra’s whereabouts. She does, however, know much more than Silas and more than Avalon.
A guy, in his mid-twenties, came up to their table. He introduced himself.
"Hi! My name is Tom, and I am with a local band here. We would like to invite you to hear our new music online on iTunes."
Tom gave Avalon a red flyer with the name of the band and a brief description of the music.
"Sure! We'll check it out, thank you,” Avalon agreed.
"Hey, be careful going towards Broadway. There's some work being done and traffic is a messy.”
“Thanks man. We'll be careful,” Silas said with appreciation.
"We’ll skip Broadway." said Avalon.
Tom excused himself back to his seat.
While Silas finished his breakfast. Avalon read the flyer that Tom gave them. Her eyes immediately noticed that the band’s featured song was called "Secrets Of The Books". As she read further, it said that the band used to perform a-cappella outsi
de of the library around 11am every Tuesday. The flyer also thanked a woman by the name of Carol Lewis. She’s one of the library’s front desk attendants. Tomorrow is Tuesday.
Next Day, Tuesday 11am
Avalon and Silas climbed up the stairs to the gothic stone library. They stopped by the desk where an attendant was finishing up assisting a visitor.
"What can I help you with today,” said the cheerful petite attendant.
"I called earlier to inquire about a book on blood diseases. I was told that a Carol Lewis could help us."
The grandmotherly-looking woman said. "I am Carol Lewis. You must be Avalon and Silas."
"Yes, thank you for your help,” responded Silas.
"That is what I’m here for,” beamed Carol. "Just follow me up those stairs. We have it ready for you."
The three go up these heavy stone steps to the second floor. They entered into a large dusty room. Carol Lewis led then to a long table with a green leather-covered book sitting by itself. This book was a journal with some background on blood diseases, previous and current research, and special notes that Carol selected just for Avalon and Silas.
"The book, and notes included, should very helpful to your student project,” Carol said with great confidence.
Avalon reached to shake her head. Carol took both of Avalon's hands into hers.
"Thank you for everything Ms. Lewis. We will never forget this,” Avalon promised.
Carol went on her way to help more visitors. Avalon and Silas took a seat and shared the book for reading. What they found in it would shine a shocking light to the kind of hunt they were actually on.
Dr. John Amahl
The book was written by Dr. John Amahl. He passed recently and mysteriously, but was both a scientist and a spiritual man. The forward was written by two people he mentored—Dr. Benjamin Ezra and Dr. Francisco Magellan!
Notes from the book shared that Ezra was a rising star in blood diseases and genetics research. He believed God had hidden secrets of a higher reality in the blood, which ran within the veins of every human being. Silas was stunned at this forward and Ezra's connection to Amahl. When Silas asked about the Magellan involvement, Avalon wouldn’t answer.
Damascus Code Page 7