intended to send her. The one place she couldn’t go.
Grant Red Angus. The bloodlines she’d designed so long ago.
Annie faced a dark mask but instead saw the grass-covered hills of her Nebraska home. As always, longing and anger split her in two.
Trying to get something from her father would be like trying to rope the wind. “I gotta hand it to you, the timing is perfect. Dad ought to start calving in about three weeks, just in time for your perfect Red Heifer. But you’ve overlooked one detail, boys. I haven’t spoken to my father in sixteen years.”
The CEO spoke. “For your information, we didn’t plan the timing. Again, it is no coincidence. Further evidence that the Lord is at work in this.”
In her dreams, she always returned to the ranch in victory. But this wouldn’t be that idyllic homecoming. “There’s no way he’d sell me cattle. He doesn’t like me very much. Did you know he’s anti-Semitic? He hates Jews.”
The CEO sighed. “These are really not our concerns.”
Her voice carried a note of desperation even she could detect. “You aren’t listening to me. My father won’t cooperate. We can try other Red Angus breeders. I could contact some in Europe or Australia.”
The CEO sounded worn out. “Please forgive my straightforward manner. We believe the Lord chose you to supply the Red Heifer. Your job has been outlined. You are free to decline our offer.”
The ski mask drew in and out with Annie’s breathing. A trickle of sweat seeped down her temple and stung her eye. A soft whirring noise filled the room along with the creak of wooden chairs and the rustle of clothing from the men at the table. Odor of cigar smoke filtered through the mask. No one spoke.
How far back had the Corporation been pulling strings? Did they have some part in prompting David to hire her? Did they have a mole in PharmCo who’d shifted her application to the top of the pile?
“No, Dr. Grant. It is not a coincidence,” the CEO said. “To have the descendents of Dama ben Natina blessed for all time to be raising the one breed of cattle, with the perfect bloodlines necessary for our return to God, no, this is not a coincidence.”
His words made her feel as if they shoved that knife between her shoulder blades. The CEO didn’t wait for Annie’s reaction. “Dr. Grant, you will acquire the cattle and conclude your research. When that is achieved, you will be free to go.”
“And Hassan?”
“Yes, yes of course,” he said dismissively. “He will be freed, also.”
She didn’t believe him. But as long as Hassan was alive, there might be a chance to escape. She swallowed, trying not to let her knees buckle. “I don’t have much choice, do I?”
Voice wavering slightly, as if he was nothing but a tired old man, the CEO said, “If you try to escape or fail in any way, not only will we find you, but those you love will suffer. I promise you that. Death is not the worst that can happen to a person.”
Though spoken lightly, Annie knew these weren’t idle threats. She tossed her head, determined not to break down. “Nice guys. Bet your mothers are real proud.”
The CEO went on. “Your job is simple. You will complete your research for the cure, go to your father’s ranch and vaccinate the cows, bring them back here and deliver the perfect Red Heifer for Israel’s redemption.”
David’s voice reached out to her. “Annie, I’m sorry.”
She felt for his hand. “Sorry for what? For being Jewish?”
Alanberg took hold of her elbow and pulled her to her feet, guiding her toward the door. She jerked her arm from his grasp and held her hands in front of her, taking a few faltering steps before locating the door and then the knob. Black emotions boiled inside her. How was she going to get them out of this? How would she save Hassan?
Annie opened the door and felt her way into the hall. David and Alanberg walked beside her. She slammed the door behind her, surprised at the small flash of
Grant Red Angus. The bloodlines she’d designed so long ago.
Annie faced a dark mask but instead saw the grass-covered hills of her Nebraska home. As always, longing and anger split her in two.
Trying to get something from her father would be like trying to rope the wind. “I gotta hand it to you, the timing is perfect. Dad ought to start calving in about three weeks, just in time for your perfect Red Heifer. But you’ve overlooked one detail, boys. I haven’t spoken to my father in sixteen years.”
The CEO spoke. “For your information, we didn’t plan the timing. Again, it is no coincidence. Further evidence that the Lord is at work in this.”
In her dreams, she always returned to the ranch in victory. But this wouldn’t be that idyllic homecoming. “There’s no way he’d sell me cattle. He doesn’t like me very much. Did you know he’s anti-Semitic? He hates Jews.”
The CEO sighed. “These are really not our concerns.”
Her voice carried a note of desperation even she could detect. “You aren’t listening to me. My father won’t cooperate. We can try other Red Angus breeders. I could contact some in Europe or Australia.”
The CEO sounded worn out. “Please forgive my straightforward manner. We believe the Lord chose you to supply the Red Heifer. Your job has been outlined. You are free to decline our offer.”
The ski mask drew in and out with Annie’s breathing. A trickle of sweat seeped down her temple and stung her eye. A soft whirring noise filled the room along with the creak of wooden chairs and the rustle of clothing from the men at the table. Odor of cigar smoke filtered through the mask. No one spoke.
How far back had the Corporation been pulling strings? Did they have some part in prompting David to hire her? Did they have a mole in PharmCo who’d shifted her application to the top of the pile?
“No, Dr. Grant. It is not a coincidence,” the CEO said. “To have the descendents of Dama ben Natina blessed for all time to be raising the one breed of cattle, with the perfect bloodlines necessary for our return to God, no, this is not a coincidence.”
His words made her feel as if they shoved that knife between her shoulder blades. The CEO didn’t wait for Annie’s reaction. “Dr. Grant, you will acquire the cattle and conclude your research. When that is achieved, you will be free to go.”
“And Hassan?”
“Yes, yes of course,” he said dismissively. “He will be freed, also.”
She didn’t believe him. But as long as Hassan was alive, there might be a chance to escape. She swallowed, trying not to let her knees buckle. “I don’t have much choice, do I?”
Voice wavering slightly, as if he was nothing but a tired old man, the CEO said, “If you try to escape or fail in any way, not only will we find you, but those you love will suffer. I promise you that. Death is not the worst that can happen to a person.”
Though spoken lightly, Annie knew these weren’t idle threats. She tossed her head, determined not to break down. “Nice guys. Bet your mothers are real proud.”
The CEO went on. “Your job is simple. You will complete your research for the cure, go to your father’s ranch and vaccinate the cows, bring them back here and deliver the perfect Red Heifer for Israel’s redemption.”
David’s voice reached out to her. “Annie, I’m sorry.”
She felt for his hand. “Sorry for what? For being Jewish?”
Alanberg took hold of her elbow and pulled her to her feet, guiding her toward the door. She jerked her arm from his grasp and held her hands in front of her, taking a few faltering steps before locating the door and then the knob. Black emotions boiled inside her. How was she going to get them out of this? How would she save Hassan?
Annie opened the door and felt her way into the hall. David and Alanberg walked beside her. She slammed the door behind her, surprised at the small flash of
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