The SONG of SHIVA Read Online Free Page A

a grim anxiety. She had grown more apprehensive, if that were possible, small and vulnerable, focused completely on the looming inevitable that now lay ahead. Accepting this assignment might not be her only option, but the alternatives were even less palatable.
    At the conference room doorway, Kosoy approved the final wording of the next day’s press release and, waving his secretary down the hall, closed the door. Turning back into the room, a wan smile scrawled across his face, he came across the room looking as though he didn’t want to cover this terrain any more than Nora wanted to be dragged over it.
    “I’m sorry if you think I’ve pulled a fast one on you, Nora, but I get my marching orders the same as you. The drill masters just have different names.”
    “I understand, Marty,” Nora replied. “We all answer to powers we either fear or are beholden to. I won’t say I’m happy about it, but I do understand. Presented with the same set of circumstances I would probably have done exactly the same thing. It just would have been nice if you’d discussed this with me before announcing it to the whole goddamn world.”
    “You were in Washington,” Kosoy tried to explain. “There wasn’t time. Wiznecki forced my hand. I didn’t have a choice.”
    “Bastard.”
    “You’re probably right. And it doesn’t matter if you’re hurling that epithet at the Madam Secretary or me. I know it sounds patronizing, but you’re the best candidate for this assignment. Surely, you understand that much.”
    “ Best candidate, Herr Direktor ? Or just plain convenient?” The sarcasm was all that remained of her earlier fire. “By your own admission, all I’ve got are a few unsupported suppositions.”
    “But you trust your instincts,” Kosoy pointed out. “Speaking up tonight proves that much. And if you think about it, your testimony on the Hill last week actually served two purposes. First, the subcommittee pack dogs were placated ― for now anyway. But more importantly, you managed to avoid exposure back here in the lab. The other four members of your team became quarantine targets the minute Cummings fell ill. You were left in the clear. Until we know more, every other potential exposure victim is far more subject to the whims of those powers you just mentioned than either of us.”
    “You have a family too, Marty,” Nora pleaded. “You must realize how disruptive this is going to be for everyone in mine. It’s not just myself I’m thinking about.”
    “I understand, but listen ― and feel free to accept or reject what I’m about to say.” Kosoy took a breath. “I don’t need to tell you about the risk posed by more infections. But, have you considered that you might be protecting your girls more by leaving them and leaping into the breach ― in fact, be protecting them by doing so ― than you ever would by tucking them in at night?”
    Nora didn’t answer immediately. She was thinking ahead. Who could she find to look after the girls on such short notice? And only a few hours left to locate that someone. “Any idea how long this little assignment is likely to last?”
    “The short answer? I don’t know. Until you learn something useful or run out of leads.”
    “Great. An indefinite sojourn ― in Hell.” Wasn’t the eighth circle reserved for alchemists? “How am I supposed to report my findings?” The enormity of the task ahead was only now fully dawning on her.
    “HHS promised to have everything ready by five tomorrow, before your flight ― contact information, milestone expectations, all of it. Since you’re facing twenty-some-odd hours of airtime, it might be a good idea to head home ― get a good night’s sleep. Start fresh in the morning. Take all of tomorrow to put your affairs in order. Don’t worry about any responsibilities here, I’ll handle those. And allow you first refusal for any decisions I make. Feel free to communicate with us ― as often as you want. Ten times a