Ashes of the Red Heifer Read online

Hassan started to push himself up. But Annie was afraid movement would draw Adi’s attention. Hidden in the shadow of the cliff face, Annie signaled Hassan to stay put. He looked at her and dropped to the ground again, doing a nice impression of a rock.

  Adi continued his walk but instead of going back to the shack he entered one of the other tents. Annie waved frantically at Hassan to hurry.

  When he made it to her small shadow Annie turned to look at the ravine wall. It loomed in front of her, steeper than she’d anticipated. Maybe it was foolish to try to scale it. Strewn with loose rock and yellow dust, it would be a son of a bitch to climb.

  She eyed it, searching for the best path and found a fairly level place to begin. She ran to the spot, Hassan behind her. Everything was moving along as well as she could have hoped. They only had the climb and they’d be on their way.

  Hassan whispered, “How are we going to climb this?”

  Annie pointed to the path she’d picked out. “Follow me Hurry.”

  She took a deep breath and dug the toes of her boots in the dirt. She boosted herself from the valley floor and let her momentum carry her a few more steps.

  Quiet voices floated to her and she turned to see Adi and David walking from a tent. She froze. Adi would open the shed to let David inside and he’d see she was gone. She and Hassan wouldn’t have the few hours head start she’d counted on. With a burst of fear she climbed, willing her hands to find deeply rooted plants or some bit of rock, for her feet to find some purchase.

  Almost immediately she heard Adi shout from camp. It shot through her heart, kicking it into high gear. A flashlight accompanied the yell and before she climbed more than a few feet, several flashlights swooped around the camp.

  This was happening unbelievably fast. They had to get to the top before they were discovered.

  Hassan stood at the base of the hill, staring at the camp as if caught in headlights. She gave a coarse whisper, “Come on!”

  He startled and looked up at her, then began to climb. She struggled through the next few feet, loosing her footing and slipping several times. She kept from tumbling back down the hill by grabbing at deep-rooted desert scrub. Sweat dribbled down her spine, yet she felt chilled, certain that any moment they’d be discovered and she’d know excruciating pain as bullets ripped through her back.

  Hassan climbed after her, slipping often in his loafers.

  The flashlights swung around camp and down the valley then started to venture out. It would be only minutes before someone shined the lights on the hill. Luckily, even with the moonlight shining on the wall, the rugged side created deep shadows. With any luck they wouldn’t be spotted.

  She reached for purchase. Her labored breathing sounded like a siren. She moved frantically, straining to see the top of the ravine. A few more feet. She was almost there. She’d be out of the danger of flashlights and guns.

  But Hassan was only halfway up. She called softly over her shoulder. “Hurry.”

  She scuttled to the top, crawling over the last steep ledge, her legs feeling mushy and weak. It took several seconds to regain her breath. She rolled over and looked to the north, away from camp. Darkness stretched before her. In the distance a glimmer of light winked.

  That’s where they’d head. She spun around, hoping to see Hassan nearing the top of the ridge. A flash of light slashed the hill below, right above Hassan’s head. They were scouting out the ravine wall.

  She called softly over the edge. “Hurry.”

  Again the light slid over the side of the ravine, missing Hassan. Two men started from the camp, sliding their flashlights along the ground and occasionally bumping them up the wall.

  Annie leaned over the side, reaching down to help him get to the top quicker. He was too far down.

  The two men came closer to the wall. Two more flashlights broke from other directions and headed out from camp toward the wall.

  Annie slipped down to get closer to Hassan. “Grab my hand.”

  Hassan reached and their hands met. Two beams of light cut across the hill below Hassan.

  Annie froze, holding her breath. They passed and she exhaled. “Okay, now.”

  Hassan’s hand closed on her like a vise. He looked into her eyes. “Go without me. I can’t make it.”

  Annie strained against him. “Come on, Hassan. Climb!”

  His eyes shone with tears. “Don’t blame yourself for this.”

  As if he called the flashlights to him, two beams of light sliced across his back. There was a chorus of excited shouting and then a gunshot.

  Annie screamed and threw her weight backward, trying to pull Hassan over the ridge. “Climb!”

  Hassan’s grip loosened. “Let go, Annie. Run!”

  She snatched at some brush with her free hand. “Don’t quit me!”

  Another shot echoed and Hassan’s body jerked. He yelled in surprise and pain. “Hassan!” she screamed. She let go of the bush and grabbed his wrist throwing all her weight against the ridge.

  He was dead weight and pulled her down. She couldn’t get any traction; every cell of her body scrambled to keep them on the side of the ravine, but there was nothing she could do.

  She slipped from her place, scraping her belly and chin on rock and tumbled into Hassan. He’d been shot but where had it hit? Was he alive? Would this fall kill him?

  They’d almost made it.

  But almost wouldn’t save either of them now.

  FIFTEEN

  The office chairs butted against the back wall of the stall area to keep them from wheeling. It also made it easier to keep David and her in the aim Adi’s gun. His face looked drawn and angry, his jaw working beyond clenched teeth.

  Annie squirmed and stretched her back, hoping some blood would circulate and restore a bit of feeling to her butt. Her shoulders ached and her hands were cold, lifeless blocks from being duct taped behind her back.

  When she and Hassan hit the valley floor they’d been immediately whisked in separate directions. Hassan was alive but could barely walk. Blood flowed from his calf but he told Annie it was only grazed. Two gunmen hoisted him between them and dragged him away.

  Annie had been manhandled to the lab and a few minutes later Adi appeared with David. Adi forced them both into the office chairs and bound their hands behind them. According to the clock in the lab they’d been sitting there for over two hours. If the Corporation wanted to maintain their schedule of sending Annie and company to Nebraska, they’d have to let her go soon.

  She’d spent most of the time in a stare-down with Adi. She wanted him to feel her hatred. Her mouth tasted as sour as silage and her eyes had to contain buckets of sand. All she could think about was Hassan. Was he still alive or had her failed escape attempt nailed his coffin?

  Adi retreated a few steps to lean against a wall. He was far enough away he couldn’t hear their whispers but so close his bullets could tear them to shreds.

  “How’re doing?” David asked, his voice quiet.

  She had no answer. If not for his affiliation with Annie, Hassan would probably be working in a cushy job as a computer programmer, married with a passel of dark-haired kids. That he’d chosen to be in her life long before they’d ever met didn’t matter to Annie now. Responsibility for his life suffocated her.

  “How did you get away? When did you plan it?” David whispered. He looked hurt, as if she’d purposely kept the escape plan from him.

  “I didn’t want to go without you but Adi came and took you. There was no time.”

  His eyes held a pain of abandonment. She couldn’t tell him about the little boys. He’d be outraged and it would put him in more danger. He was already at too much risk because of her.

  The door opened and Alanberg hurried in. He paced in front of them, his hands behind his back, his shoes tapping on the concrete. “You have created some problems.” White stubble frosted his chin and dark circles formed under his red eyes. At least he wasn’t enjoying himself any more than was Annie.

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nbsp; Annie wanted to spit at him. “We were happily working on a cure for a disease that would save lives and help Israel. We were solving problems. And suddenly we’re abducted and held captive in a nightmare camp dedicated to religious flimflam. And you say we are creating problems?”

  He rubbed his eyes. “Why couldn’t you just do as we asked?”

  She narrowed her eyes, sending as much contempt as possible. “Any why couldn’t you take a flying—”

  The door banged open and the barn filled with more people. Two guards, men Annie had seen in the mess tent, walked Moshe in, holding him firmly by each arm.

  Annie’s breath caught in her throat. Did they know Moshe helped her? What would they do?

  Moshe’s youthful face revealed nothing. He didn’t make eye contact with her or David but stared straight ahead. If he was afraid he didn’t show it.

  Without any warning, Adi strode to Moshe, lifted his gun and butted him in the face.

  Annie screamed. “Stop it!”

  Moshe’s guards let go and he fell to the floor. He pulled one arm up to hold his face but other than that, he didn’t move or make a sound.

  Annie yelled at Adi. “You son of a bitch! What are you doing?”

  Adi didn’t look at her or respond. He moved back to stand by Alanberg.

  “You bastard,” David said, his voice hoarse with emotion. “You didn’t need to do that.”

  “How would you reward soldiers who aren’t vigilant?” Alanberg’s voice gained strength. “He was sworn to defend God and yet somehow let you escape.”

  Annie pulled her head up. She wanted to defend Moshe, to shout that it had been Adi’s watch she’d escaped under. But that might lead to more questions. “I’ll bet God loves it when you use his name for violence.”

  Alanberg’s face was a mask of strain and he breathed hard. Adi wore the same angry expression as before. It would be impossible to tell from his expression that he’d punished Moshe for something that had happened on his own shift.

  Agitation made Alanberg’s voice even higher pitched than normal. “As you were told at the meeting, your opinion is unimportant. You will do what your destiny demands.”

  The dry tears on her cheeks felt stiff. “Stop with the bullshit, Alanberg. I’m done working for you.”

  He stared at her for a while. “I don’t think so.”

  She took a deep breath. “Kill me. Go ahead.”

  David strained against the ties. “Annie. No. Don’t do this.”

  Alanberg puffed up like a bully. “You will finish the job.”

  Adi backed to the door. Keeping his eyes and gun on Annie and David, he found the latch and pushed against the door, holding it open. There was a scuffle outside and then someone stumbled into the barn as if shoved from behind.

  Hassan’s hands were tied behind his back. His wounded leg buckled and he went down on the concrete on his knees. Not able to stop himself he flopped onto his face. He rolled to his side and squinted at Annie. His smile was apologetic.

  Annie fought the tape at her hands and struggled against the tie that held her in her chair. She pleaded with Alanberg. “Don’t kill him. Please.”

  Alanberg folded his arms over his chest and studied Hassan as he would a stray dog. She had to do something. Her restraints barely loosened with all her fighting. “Please. It wasn’t his fault. I made him go.”

  David sounded frightened. “You’ve done enough for him, Annie. Think about yourself.”

  This calm man in front of her couldn’t be the same one panicked at the bomb siren just days ago. Hassan’s voice cracked. “It’s okay, Annie. Allah won’t abandon me.”

  Adi drew back his leg and planted a hard kick in Hassan’s kidney.

  Annie screamed. “Stop it! Please.” She started to cry. “Okay. I’ll finish the vaccine. I’ll get the cows. Anything. Just stop it.”

  Hassan pulled his head back and gazed at her with his dark eyes. “Don’t. It’s wrong.”

  Alanberg stepped in front of her. “I’m glad you’ve changed your mind. However, we are worried you haven’t learned your lesson, yet.”

  She shook her head. “I won’t try to escape again. Just please don’t kill Hassan.”

  “Oh, we won’t kill him.” Alanberg walked over to stand above Hassan. “Yet.”

  Adi grabbed Hassan’s arm and jerked him to his feet. He shoved Hassan around like a rag doll to a position directly in front of Annie and forced him to kneel on the ground.

  Tears streaked down Annie’s face, sending a flood of salt onto her lips. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have tried it.”

  Hassan seemed almost serene. “It’s okay. I am reconciled.” He shifted his gaze to David, a hard glint coming to his eyes. “I beg of you, don’t hurt her.”

  David drew his head back as if stung. “Hurt her? I am doing everything I can to protect her. You put her in danger. You and your Silim.”

  Hassan shook his head. “Get her away from here. Save her.”

  David sounded frustrated. “I can’t get her out.”

  Hassan’s eyes burned into David. “If you love her, save her.”

  There was a slight pause then David’s agonized whisper. “I do love her.”

  Alanberg staggered toward them carrying a large cinder block. He lowered it almost to the ground in front of Hassan and dropped it, the crash echoing in the barn.

  Adi opened an enormous switchblade knife, the “schwing” loud in the silence. He stepped behind Hassan and slashed at the tape holding Hassan’s wrists. Fighting Hassan, Adi forced his hand onto the block.

  “No!” Annie screamed and bucked in her chair, rolling it forward slightly.

  Hassan struggled to pull away but was no match for Adi. Adi raised his knife and it shot quickly down, slicing Hassan’s forefinger.

  Hassan shrieked.

  Straining and twisting, Annie lunged at her ties and felt them start to give way.

  Adi’s arm muscles flexed with the pressure and he sawed a few times back and forth.

  Hassan jerked and screamed.

  Annie broke free. Hassan’s head dropped as he passed out.

  Adi straightened and held Hassan’s finger aloft.

  SIXTEEN

  Through the layovers in New York and St. Louis, and on the flights in between, Annie studied the printouts of the experiments. She calculated, hypothesized, and figured different quantities and levels of chemicals for the injections. So much hinged on her estimates. She needed time for more experimenting.

  Every couple of hours, she opened her case and rechecked the vaccine she’d packed with such care when they’d left the desert lab. Had she guessed right? Even if she’d used the exact formula she had with Esther she wasn’t sure it was the right one. The calf might not have lived. So much uncertainty and no more chances.

  Normally, the work would absorb her so completely she’d forget the outside world. Now a dull ache in the pit of her stomach reminded her of Hassan. Pale and unconscious, his finger wrapped in a dirty rag, two guards had dragged him from the barn. He’d been breathing normally, which surprised her. He’d often have an asthmatic episode triggered by very little trauma. She felt The Corporation was stealing him from her bit by bit. The beatings alone weakened him. God, he’d been shot. But the finger. Her stomach flipped at the thought of his pain. How much more could he survive?

  Though he held up better than she felt she was doing, David wasn’t his usual suave self. He hardly slept on the plane and seemed to watch everyone. He had the sense to keep her from panicking and getting herself killed when she’d wanted to make a run for it in Ben Gurion Airport. When she was ready to bolt at Kennedy Airport, he calmed her also.

  Moshe didn’t sit with them at airports or on the plane. He didn’t appear to be traveling with them but never let them out of his sight.

  She followed David and Moshe to the airport locker in Omaha to pick up keys, and then out to the parking lot. She didn’t argue when David climbed behind the wheel of the white Ford 250
Supercab pickup. She took her place in the passenger side, thinking that the sporty pickup with its air conditioning, plush seats and CD player, would have irritated her father who thought of luxury as a sin. Moshe climbed into the back bench-seat.

  Each leg of their journey twisted Annie’s gut a little more. The closer she got to the Sandhills the more her mind conjured up images of her father. In her memory, he was always red-faced with righteous anger, sweat glinting on his skin, blue eyes bulging. He shouted scriptures, pointed to heaven, and spit words with violent force. Such replays ended with the last fight. His open palm falling in slow motion. She remembered with excruciating detail when it made contact with her temple. Blackness splintered by static flashes of multicolored lights, like sparklers on the Fourth of July.

  After that had come her mother’s tears, her father’s silence, and her sister’s tortured begging as Annie packed a bag and stomped down the porch steps and out of the circle formed by the porch light, until her boots crunched the gravel on the county road.

  David’s fingers brushed the back of her hand. The shock brought her out of memory and into the pickup speeding through miles of gently rolling hills. She forced a smile but her lips felt bloodless and cold.

  David let his long, tapered fingers surround her hand. His warmth penetrated her skin. “You look scared.”

  Annie stayed rigid in her seat, afraid to move for fear of crumbling the fragile armor around herself. She looked at the hills, the dry grass displaying colors from dull, brown death, to vibrant yellow glow, to deep reds. As familiar as her own face in the mirror, the land beyond the pickup tore at her heart. Leaving it again would bring renewed pain and longing.

  It felt to Annie as if the pickup were a torpedo hurling toward her family. If she didn’t succeed in getting the heifers The Corporation’s misguided mystical regulations required they’d get them from her father any way they could. She brought danger to her family but she was the only one who might be able to save them.

  David’s hand moved to her face, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. “What is it?”