Free Code of Siman by Dayna Rubin Page B

echoing back at them.
    “The truth.”
    “They won’t like it.”
    “People usually don’t.”
    Dauphine looked back over her shoulder before she hurried back to the lab, her brow furrowed as she reflected on everything she had come to know about this man. A man that somewhere between the introduction and the action of removing the most valuable paintings of the nation from the walls, she had unknowingly pledged her allegiance.
    “Mr. Panetiere’?” A small voice was breaking through the intensity of his thoughts. The weight and size of the picture he was currently wrestling with won its right to continue to occupy its space on the wall, as it was far too large for him to remove by himself.
    Stopping for a moment to wipe the beads of sweat that had formed on his brow, Warren turned to the uniformed individual quietly waiting at his side who spoke up again.
    “You all right sir? Mr. Pei, he was my grandfather who designed part of this museum. The part that you and I are standing in. I am working here so that I can become an architect just like him, and design something equally as grand.”
    Warren looked at the young woman standing before him, small and diminutive, but speaking with pride and courage.
    “Please continue. I apologize for not having heard you…this is…occupying me.” Warren indicated the picture on the wall, which was too large for him to remove.
    Stepping back from the picture, Warren said, “You are Tsun Jai Pei. I apologize, I never made the connection.” Warren indicated they should sit down at the bench in front of the wall of pictures. “Please, sit with me.”
    Once seated, Tsun Jai continued, “My grandfather says every man must meet his greatest challenge one day, and at that time he will either fold under the weight, or he will rise and fly into the wind.”
    Warren’s hands were folded in his lap as he looked down at his shoes resting on the pink Tennessee marble floor.
    “We want to help you fly Mr. Pan.” Tsun Jai touched his shoulder, caught his questioning look and then inclined her head to show him he needed to look behind him.
    Warren turned around to find the entire group of Gallery employees, some in uniforms, some in professional attire, standing en masse, silently waiting.
    “Why? Why would all of you want to do this for me?” He addressed the crowd.
    “You see us as people. You remember our names, and you make us feel like this is our museum.”
    “Okay, as you can see, I need help. I accept.” Warren stood and ceremoniously bowed to the large group.
    Tsun Jai also stood, then put her forefinger and her pinky finger between her lips and whistled loudly. “Group one…gather here. Group two….you are in next room. Group three come with me.” Her voice carried within the empty walls of the space, leaving no questions as to who was in charge.
    Warren walked away, grateful for the help, but also so that he could start making the necessary calls.

Chapter Thirteen
Colored Webs of Lines
     
    “What exactly are you seeing when you are looking at these photographs?” Philippe asked.
    “Well, I can’t see what I need to see without a special device, a type of loop which was made especially for this purpose…if I could somehow magnify these, the images within would be clearer,” said Natanya.
    “Okay, let me rephrase the question. What will you see within these photographs once you have this…device?”
    “The embedded symbols. I’ll be able to see some of them without it, but…from what I remember reading in my Great Aunt’s notes…I’m going to need it to see everything.”
    Philippe reached into Natanya’s purse and found the desired objects. Wiping his cheek after dabbing the Starbuck’s napkins in the bottled water, he was able to clean himself up.
    Natanya pulled out onto the road while Philippe addressed his multiple wounds in the mirror on the visor.
    Natanya gasped, and took her foot off the accelerator.
    “What? What is it?” Philippe flipped