The Bone Labyrinth by James Rollins Page B

about two hundred signs, whereas Koko the gorilla learned closer to a thousand.”
    Kowalski stared down at his own hands, remembering this was why Painter had sent him. “So why’s signing so important?” he asked.
    Maria gave him a small smile, which made his face heat up. She had the same bright blue eyes and the same dash of sun freckles across her cheeks as the photo he had seen earlier of her twin sister; only Maria’s white-blond hair had been cut into an asymmetrical bob, worn longer over her right ear. On that same side, a thumb-sized tattoo on her neck—of a double helix of DNA—peeked above the lab coat’s collar whenever she turned her head.
    “Language skills are a good barometer for intelligence and ingenuity,” she explained, drawing back his focus. “And after decades of ape language research, we have a ready-made baseline against which we can compare Baako’s intellectual development.”
    She placed her palm on the window. “But more important, we’re talking about the conception of a unique soul, unlike any on this planet. So of course we would want a method of communication, a way to better understand such a creation.” She faced them all again. “Come and meet him and you’ll understand.”
    Maria led them toward a door and waved a keycard over an electronic lock.
    Kowalski reluctantly trailed the others, knowing he had little choice.
    Seems this is my place in Sigma—to be the guy who talks to apes .
    As he passed through the door, he found himself standing in a tall cage. Maria unlatched the barred door ahead of them, but only after the outer door had sealed and relocked, plainly a safety feature. Kowalski kept to the back of the group as they crossed into the makeshift classroom. The enclosed space was too hot and humid for his tastes, and though it didn’t smell like a barn, as he had expected, there was still a distinctly musky odor.
    Maria moved ahead of the group, holding out an arm. “Baako, come over and say hello.”
    The young gorilla straightened, standing on his two legs, but he stayed put, still wary.
    Kowalski eyed him in turn. Standing upright, the gorilla rose only as high as Kowalski’s stomach, but he still looked powerful. Curious, Kowalski searched that furry body for any evidence of the creature’s hybrid nature, but he didn’t know all that much about gorillas to recognize any real difference.
    “It’s okay,” Maria encouraged softly.
    Baako hesitated for a moment. Then with a soft hoot, he dropped to the knuckles of one arm and bounded over to her and took her hand.
    “That’s a good boy.” She turned to the group. “Best you let him come to you.”
    Amy Wu lowered to a knee. “Hey, Baako, do you remember me? We use to play tickling games.”
    The gorilla half hid behind Maria’s legs.
    “It’s been over six months since you were last here,” Maria said, placing a palm atop the gorilla’s head. “I doubt he remembers.”
    Baako made another soft grunt, almost as if disagreeing. He let go of his caretaker’s hand and lifted both arms toward his ribs and wiggled his fingers. It didn’t take someone fluent in sign language to interpret this gesture.
    [ Tickle ]
    Amy laughed. “That’s right!”
    Baako came forward, his head and shoulders bowed shyly. He crossed to the scientist and gave her a one-armed hug. Amy proceeded to tickle him under the ribs, earning a brief chuffing that sounded like hoarse laughter. But even to Kowalski, it was like the guy was going through the motions, patronizing the scientist’s efforts. Especially as Baako’s gaze never left the two men in the room.
    Monk tried next. “How about a little love this way?” he asked, also dropping to one knee and holding out both arms.
    Baako grunted, looking ill at ease.
    “He’s a nice man,” Maria said, signing her assurance by sliding her right palm over her left.
    [ Nice ]
    “Say hello,” she encouraged.
    Baako came forward, plainly reluctant, but from the pinch of his