Blake Schwendiman's Blog and Blook

Chapter 5

Wednesday, 09 March 2022 – 10:45 a.m. MST

Ramesh inhaled slowly and deeply as he splashed warm water on his face in the lavatory of the charter jet. He was just about to arrive in Phoenix. He exhaled. In the mirror, his reflection forced him to pause.

Deep inside he was Dr. Ramesh Kapoor, the brilliant South African biochemist, member of the executive management team of the International Genomics Consortium and the driven scientist with a conservative ethical position that had earned him worldwide accolades. Outside he was a little worn. He had managed to maintain his generally sharp looks and still maintained a very professional appearance, but something was missing. He was empty. His countenance reflected his disconnectedness, a façade he had nurtured to protect himself from pain. Or perhaps I nurture the pain to protect the façade, he considered as he stared in contempt at the face he sometimes barely recognized.

Ramesh stepped out of the jet into the bright Scottsdale sun. It was considerably warmer than he had planned. He had packed for a day trip, only bringing a small bag with a few personal items. He pushed his sleeves up a bit and wished that he had packed something a bit lighter for the day.

“Mr. Kapoor?” called a man as Ramesh entered the air terminal.

Ramesh nodded.

“Mr. Sorensen is in the car,” the driver said as he led Ramesh outside. Ramesh stepped into the car. The door closed behind him. It was a very luxurious limousine, but dimly lit inside. It took Ramesh a moment before he could clearly see Quinn Sorensen sitting directly across from him, beaming from ear to ear.

“Ramesh, old friend, how long has it been?” Quinn asked as he reached across and firmly grabbed Ramesh by the hand.

“Since we last saw each other, or since I’ve held the hand of another human being?” Ramesh thought to himself as he struggled to be nonchalant about the overbearing handshake. “Four years I believe, perhaps four and a half.”

Quinn continued to hold his hand. Ramesh struggled to maintain eye contact. He was sure that Quinn was reading his discomfort. He forced a smile that he was sure looked more like a grimace and tried to tighten his own grip a bit.

“Long time,” Quinn said as he relaxed his grip and sat back. He looked exactly the same as he had four years ago, perhaps even better. He was wearing his signature style, a relaxed black jacket over a dark collarless shirt and black pants. His shoes were naturally the best available. He wore no jewelry other than a platinum wristwatch and a wedding band. He had the skin and physique of a man in his twenties, all of his hair, and a perfect tan. He was the epitome of the successful American male. He, in fact, was the standard by which all other successful American men were measured, having become the wealthiest man in the world in 2016. Since that time, more articles were written about his style and personal taste than about his companies, his technologies or his vision.

“I’ve set up a nice suite for you and you’re welcome to go there right away if you’d like to make some calls or rest a bit, but if you’re up to it, I’d like to take you over to my office and get started,” Quinn commented as the car pulled into traffic.

“No, I am fine. I would like to see what you have that is so urgent,” Ramesh offered as he settled back in his seat. Though he had grown disconnected from most of life, Ramesh still had the curiosity of a scientist.

“Perfect,” Quinn smiled. “Did you bring the list of numbers I sent?”

“Yes, I have them here.” Ramesh fumbled through his pocket and withdrew a crinkled page. He unfolded it and pressed it on his leg, attempting to remove the wrinkles.

“Recognize them?” Quinn asked with a hint of a challenge in his eye. He loved puzzles. Quinn was masterful at finding numeric patterns, solving word puzzles and he loved challenging friends and family to the same.

“I have not had much time to consider them, truthfully,” Ramesh replied. It was a lie. He had spent the better part of the flight looking at the numbers trying to ascertain any meaning. He had been unable to find any answers, having no basis from which to consider the problem. There was nothing else on the page to indicate any reference point from which to work.

“I didn’t give you enough information, but I think you’ll be astounded when you understand what you have in your hands,” Quinn said as he glanced at his watch, “I’m sure you’ve never seen anything like it.”

Quinn looked up at Ramesh, still smiling. But there was something slightly different in his eyes. Concern or fear or sadness exposed itself in the deep green of Quinn’s eyes. Ramesh saw it. He was sure.