Smith - City Of Sand

CITY OF SAND

RICHARD SMITH

ONE

Cody Larson sat in front of an antique wooden desk in a stuffy office on the third floor of the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. The office space belonged to Valerie Case, the museums chief curator.

This was found where? Valerie asked, dropping her head slightly and looking at Cody over the top of her reading glasses.

The young engineer studied the stiff face of the curator and wondered if she had not read his letter. Death Valley, Professor, he said with a furrowed brow, I put that fact in the letter with the photographs.

Of course, Mr. Larson, the young woman said as she adjusted her glasses, I just wanted verbal confirmation. It evidently was planted by someone as a joke.

Cody thought the outspoken woman rather pretty, in a pristine and proper kind of way. To him, she looked very much like a librarian. Her dark hair was pulled back and she wore a black blazer over a white blouse. He had learned through a little research that Valerie Case was the youngest individual to ever hold the job of chief curator at the 105 year old museum.

As I also mentioned in my letter, professor, Cody said, drawing in a deep breath and trying his best to keep his composure, the object was found over 100 feet below the surface of the sand.

Planted, Mr. Larson, she said again as she turned the object over in her hand, obviously planted by someone on your crew to stir up a story.

The accusation was too much. Cody stood as he reached out and grabbed the object from the professors right hand. No one on my crew would plant an artifact in the sand for fun and games, Ms. Case, he said, raising his voice, that just wouldnt happen.

Are you an Archeologist, Mr. Larson? Valerie asked, raising her own voice, obviously becoming upset at her visitors attitude.

Im a Civil Engineer, Cody shot back, knowing that this smug lady could probably care less about his credentials.

Then you have no idea as to what youve found you have no idea, do you?

I thought that you could have helped with that, Cody answered bluntly as he held the strange object over her desk, but it appears that I came to the wrong curator at the wrong time at the wrong museum. Cody was angry. He reached down with his left hand and brought his briefcase up and sat it hard on the professors desk. He placed the object in the open leather case and turned toward the door. Nobody accuses my crew of screwing around on the job or being unprofessional, he said as he pointed a finger at the surprised curator; Nobody you got that, Ms. Case; Whatever this thing is, he added swinging the briefcase around toward the door, youll never see it again.

As Cody opened the door to leave, a voice behind him beckoned him back a different voice.

Mr. Larson, Valerie said in a much softer tone, Please hold on for a second. Now, she was mad at herself . Id like to apologize, and Im truly sorry for the way things started out. Her mother had told her for years that she needed to engage her brain before engaging her mouth, and she realized that she had just screwed up again. Maybe one day shed learn. We seemed to have gotten off on the wrong foot, Mr. Larson, she said with a grin, would you please come and sit back down please?

Cody was determined to leave, but as he turned he saw a new face, a smiling face one that seemed to be calm and sincere. Somehow the hard face had become pretty again.

Valerie held a thick book in her hands and placed it on her desk. She removed her glasses as she opened the book to a page close to the center. Could you please look at this, Mr. Larson?

Cody moved back into the room with his right hand holding tight to the briefcase. He walked over to the big book now opened on the curators desk and looked at it suspiciously.

This is it, isnt it, Valerie said, pointing to the photo on the page, her finger started to tremble, this is what you found two days ago at one hundred feet below the surface in Death Valley. Theyre one in the same arent they?

The photograph of the object in the book and the object in his briefcase were indeed identical.

What is that? Cody asked as he stepped closer to the opened book.

Its the Saqqara Bird, she answered quietly, but her voice was full of excitement, discovered in 1898 during excavation of a tomb in Saqqara, Egypt. It dates to 200 B.C. Its currently on display in Cairo, at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities.

Cody stared at the photo in the book. He opened the center of his briefcase and slowly brought out the mysterious object that resembled a bird in flight. The two birds were identical in every aspect except for their composition. The bird in the Cairo museum was carved from wood, and the bird from Death Valley appeared to be carved from turquoise. I guess Im at a loss here, Ms. Case, exactly what did my crew find?

If this Death Valley bird is real, and can be authenticated, she said as she stared at the polished sculpture resting on her desk, then you and your crew have found nothing less than a miracle, Mr. Larson.

TWO

Id like for you to take me there, Valerie said as she sat back down behind her desk. Her blue eyes sparked with enthusiasm and excitement, Id like to see exactly where your bird was recovered.

Cody also sat back down as he thought about an answer. He knew that the state would never accept the liability of bringing an outsider to the site, but he also started to realize just how important this stone bird might be. Not only that, Valerie Case had become even more attractive as the chill around her thawed a little. Ill need to check, Ms. Case, Cody answered, smiling Ill just need to check with a few higher ups.

Your card reads, Larson Engineering obviously youre the owner, Valerie said as she returned Codys smile, dont you call the shots?

Some of the bubbling attraction Cody had for the pretty curator suddenly ceased to bubble, and his smile faded away. He started to believe that Valerie Case could easily agitate a monk. My company is under contract from the state of California, Ms. Case, he said flatly, unfortunately Im under their thumb.

I also work for the state, Mr. Larson, so were on common ground, she said with a little sarcasm laced with overwhelming confidence; What department are you currently under contract with?

The Department of Natural Resources, Cody answered, knowing that this lady probably had connections.

A new, broader smile washed across Valeries face, Bob Sinclair, she said as she rose from her desk and pointed to a picture on her wall. The picture was a photo taken of her standing with the director of the DNR just a year earlier. Is this the man youre working for?

Cody raised his eyebrows and stood, focusing on the framed photo. Thats him all right, Cody answered, rubbing his short beard, the director of the DNR; you know him? he asked coyly, returning her smile and knowing the obvious answer.

His third grandchild was baptized last weekend and I was there.

So, Cody said, letting his breath out quickly and clearing his throat, I do believe I can probably get you cleared to visit the site, Ms. Case.

I never had any doubts, Mr. Larson, Valerie replied, holding her smile, I never had any doubts at all. She stared at Cody like he was her long lost friend; When can we go?

Cody put both hands in the air and shrugged; How about in the morning? I need to be at the site by 10:00 am.

Ill clear my calendar, she said with excitement; can you meet me in the cafeteria for breakfast?

Cody answered with a chuckle, Im afraid we wont have time for a formal breakfast, Ms. Case; Ill have bagels and coffee in the truck.

Bagels and coffee will work, Valerie replied, whatever youve got Im not a big breakfast person anyway.

Okay, so Ill just plan to pick you up at 8:30 if that works for you.