"New York is a huge city with millions of residents and visitors. The odds of finding someone who remembers one face among millions are astronomical." He reached for her hand. "I know this is frustrating. I know that you want to feel like you're doingsomething, but you need to be patient. The investigator has resources and connections. Let him do his work."
Eluheed was right. Charging off to New York with no leads and no plan would accomplish nothing except draining her energy and her hope. Besides, she had no money, and Eluheed had none either.
She slumped against the pillows. "The vision you had about me walking with Darien in Times Square is the only thing preventing me from falling into despair."
"It will happen." He squeezed her hand. "Your reunion with Darien is written, but all we can do to prepare for it is wait."
Waiting. She was so tired of waiting.
Tamira reached for her phone and typed out a response to Kalugal.Thank you for letting me know. Can we meet? I have some questions.
Instead of a return message, her phone began to ring, and Kalugal's name flashed up on the screen.
"Hello?"
"I'm on my way to my office in the city right now, but I can meet you this evening when I return. Is there anything I can help with before then?"
"I'm sorry for bothering you. I'm just frustrated. I feel so helpless. Is there anything else the hacker can find? More information about Darien that will help us find where he lives or where he works? Maybe he flew out to Singapore for business? Perhaps someone at the airport over there was waiting for him and can be tracked?"
"Roni is very good at what he does, but he's also very busy." Kalugal paused. "That said, if you asked for his help in person, he would have a harder time saying no to you. He might also have the photo from the airport."
Hope flickered in Tamira's chest. "Where can I find Roni?"
"He works in the tech lab underneath the village. The same facility where William works."
"Should I call or text him first? Let him know I'm coming?"
Kalugal laughed. "I wouldn't recommend it. Roni would tell you not to come because he's too busy. It's better to surprise him—show up unannounced and don't give him the chance to turn you away. If he seems offensive, it's not because he doesn't like you. It's just the way he is. Don't take it personally."
The guy sounded like a character, but it wasn't enough to deter her.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for the help, Kalugal."
"Of course. Good luck with Roni."
As he ended the call, Tamira turned to Eluheed. "Do you want to come with me to see Roni?"
"Of course, I'll come with you." He pushed back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "I have a meeting with Kian at eleven-thirty, so if you're not finished with Roni by then, I'll have to leave you there." He looked at her with concern. "Will you be able to find your way back home?"
She smiled. "I'm not entirely helpless. I know how to navigate by the map on my phone, and if I get turned around, I'll ask for directions. I'm sure someone will be kind enough to escort me."
After they showered, Eluheed put on a pair of tailored slacks and a crisp button-down shirt.
"You look very handsome," she said, adjusting his collar. "Is that for Kian's benefit?"
"He's always well dressed, so I assume it matters to him. I want to show my respect by dressing appropriately." He smoothed down the front of his shirt. "This meeting is important."
She nodded. "Perhaps I should follow your example and put on something nice as well?" She pulled out a long-sleeved blue dress that was made from a soft fabric. "This looks elegant without being too dressy."
As they left the house and walked through the village toward the glass pavilion, Tamira enjoyed the gentle morning sun that was warm instead of scorching. It still felt strange to enjoy so much freedom. There were no guards and no listening devices, or at least none that she and Eluheed could spot.
The glass pavilion gleamed in the sunlight, Kalugal's archaeological collection visible through the transparent walls, and if she weren't on a mission to corner the hacker, she would have stopped to see if the displays had been rotated and there was something new for her to admire.
They took the elevator down to the lab level and exited to a wide corridor that was well-lit and led to a large communal room with many workstations.
"Excuse me," Tamira said, stopping a young woman who was hurrying past them. "Can you tell us where we can find Roni?"
The woman turned and pointed down the corridor. "Follow the main aisle to the back and look for the Batman chair—you can't miss it."
