43. Chapter 43
Chapter forty-three
Alex
Every time Alex was in the boardroom, he felt his life crashing and burning around him. Sitting in the room gave him goosebumps, and his stomach churned like a blender destroying his intestines. Alex looked at Galen, who appeared on the surface to share his concerns.
“Ya right, Alex? Today is the day we finally catch a break,” said Galen.
“We deserve one,” said Alex.
Dr. Donalds and Dr. Bruno entered the room and disrupted Alex’s response as they sat on opposite sides of the table.
“Good morning, Alex and Galen,” said Dr. Donalds. “I’m glad you could be here on such short notice.”
Alex could tell she was nervous with Bruno in the room––he would not make the mistake of addressing her as Veronica, which would surely draw Bruno’s ire.
“Good morning, Dr. Donalds. Please tell me you have some good news for us?” Alex could see Dr. Donalds take a brief sigh of relief before continuing.
“I’m here to present the facts,” she said.
“Why is Bruno here?” said Galen.
“I asked him to be here to help explain our findings,” said Dr. Donalds.
At those words, the churning in Alex’s stomach worsened. “As long as he’s useful, I’ll allow him to stay,” said Alex.
“So, as we discussed,” explained Dr. Donalds, “PGC has cutting-edge equipment, which can produce findings far beyond the limits of mainstream medical technology.”
“OK,” said Alex.
“We ran Danyal’s blood work several times with no significant findings.”
“Please tell me that’s promising.”
“We now know a little more,” said Dr. Donalds. “Danyal’s symptom presentation is unusual. So, I took a risk––I asked Dr. Bruno to look at the findings, which led to identifying the potential origin of Danyal’s condition. If it’s OK with you, I’ll let Dr. Bruno explain the findings.”
Alex nodded.
“I know you don’t want me here, Alex. Still, I have the expertise to help Mr. Sarif…Danyal.” Dr. Bruno nodded to Dr. Donalds before saying their findings uncovered an unexpected and highly unusual result. The blood tests showed the presence of radioactive isotopes.
“Is that a result of Danyal being close to me?” asked Alex.
Bruno shook his head and said the radioactive isotopes in Danyal’s blood were in a degraded state. He explained that all radioactive isotopes emit radiation and result in cellular disintegration. The barely detectable levels in Danyal’s blood couldn’t have resulted from an exposure weeks ago. That length of exposure would have been lethal, said Bruno.
Alex leaned forward in his seat. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying, Alex, I believe Danyal was exposed to a degraded dose of ichor while he was in captivity, resulting in a case of ichor poisoning,” said Bruno.
“So let me get this straight––you’re saying the Sons of Enyaluis intentionally poisoned him?”
“Potentially,” said Dr. Donalds, “or they could have been experimenting on him.”
Alex’s heart raced faster, and he turned away from the table.
“Alex,” said Galen, “ya need a moment?”
Alex shook his head before saying he was trying to wrap his head around the fact that Danyal may have been experimented on by those bastards. “Why would they do this?”
“Dr. Bruno has a theory,” said Dr. Donalds.
Alex could see the look of concern on Dr. Bruno’s face.
“What are you not telling me?” asked Alex.
Dr. Bruno cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t have believed this myself, Alex. I ran the tests several times.”
“Spit it out, Bruno,” said Alex.
Bruno hesitated before saying, “Danyal has a dormant ‘god’ gene.”
Alex fell silent, trying to process the information.
“What did you say?” said Alex.
Dr. Bruno repeated himself. Galen moved over and placed his hand on Alex’s shoulder. The room sat in silence.
“What does that even mean?” said Alex.
“It means somewhere in his family line, he has a god as an ancestor,” said Bruno. “Probably in the past two hundred years.”
Alex put his hand over his mouth. “Ditta?”
Bruno shook his head. “I did the comparison myself several times. His god genes come from different sources.”
Alex took a deep sigh of relief. However, a daunting question then hit him. “Then which god is it?”
“We don’t know,” said Dr. Donalds. “There used to be many gods, according to what Ms. Dea told Bruno. What do you know about Danyal’s history?”
“Not much,” said Alex. “He was born in Turkey and adopted shortly after birth.”
Alex dared not say what he feared deep inside his heart. But he mustered the courage to say the words out loud. “Is it Thanatos? Ditta told me the night she disappeared, Danyal’s core was surrounded by darkness. I was too afraid to look for myself.”
Dr. Bruno shuffled his papers and looked down. Alex’s fear grew with each passing second until his vision blurred, and his hands tingled. He knew these signs; a panic attack was coming. He stood and turned to look out the window while focusing on his breath work for several moments.
Without turning around, he said, “There is no way to know, is there?”
“No,” said Dr. Bruno. “If Ditta is to be believed, Thanatos is the only other remaining god.”
Alex turned and looked directly at Bruno. “So, what does a dormant gene mean?”
Bruno shook his head. “We don’t know, Alex. We’re in uncharted territory.”
Galen leaned forward and asked, “Were they trying to activate the god gene?”
“Good question, Mr. Tucker. We don’t know,” said Bruno. “The ichor was degraded, so whatever their plans, it didn't work. His god gene likely kept him alive.”
Alex turned to face the group with his face red and eyes glistening. “He has one god gene. What would have happened to him if the ichor sample had not been degraded?”
Bruno shook his head again and shrugged his shoulders. “It’s an untested theory with one god gene. He could have ascended to some level, or it could have killed him.”
“So, he could become a demigod or die?” said Alex.
Bruno nodded.
“Makes no sense,” said Galen. “How did the Sons know about the god gene?”
Dr. Donalds shook her head. “Somehow, they must have had a DNA sample.”
Alex ran his fingers through his hair before responding, “I gave him a DNA kit for Christmas for fun, to see if he had any relatives in the DNA databases.”
“That could explain how they learned about his DNA,” said Dr. Donalds, “but that suggests they are much more insidious and organized than we’d thought.”
“Where do we go from here?” said Alex. “Can it be treated? Would dialysis or a blood transfusion help?”
“The isotopes, unfortunately, are in his brain tissue and organs,” said Dr. Bruno.
Alex shook his head slowly, trying to hold back tears. “So what’s the prognosis? Can anything be done?”
Dr. Donalds paused before responding and swallowed softly. “Without a way to purge the isotopes from Danyal’s system, his condition will continue to worsen and become fatal.”
Alex couldn't speak. Galen placed his hand on Alex’s shoulder once more.
“In a perfect world, if you could do anything, doctors, what would you do to save him?” asked Alex.
Dr. Donalds said it was more Dr. Bruno’s area, but if they had a sample of ichor, they might be able to retro-engineer a compound capable of purging the ichor from Danyal’s system.
“An antidote?” said Galen.
“It’s not that simple, but yes,” said Dr. Bruno.
“How would this impact Danyal’s god DNA?” asked Alex.
“No way of knowing,” said Bruno.
Alex returned to face the table again. “If we had a viable sample, would this be an option?”
Both Dr. Bruno and Dr. Donalds nodded. “The problem is,” said Dr. Bruno, “Ditta never shared the source of ichor. The other concern is how pure ichor would affect his god DNA. There are too many unknown variables to predict what would happen.”
“So, how long does he have?” asked Alex, holding his breath.
The room fell silent at Alex’s question. With tears in her eyes, Dr. Donalds responded, “At his current rate of disintegration, no more than a week.”
Alex fell back in his chair as he held his hands to his face. No one dared break the silence. Alex, in a wavering voice, thanked the doctors for their help. Looking up, he asked Dr. Donalds if she could accompany him to the penthouse to discuss the plan for keeping Danyal comfortable. Dr. Donalds nodded. Alex walked to the other end of the conference table and extended his hand to Bruno, who reluctantly shook it.
“Thank you, Dr. Bruno. I appreciate your help.” Alex could see Bruno was speechless as he finally nodded in reply.
The doors to the elevator were barely closed before Veronica turned to hug Alex.
“I’m so sorry; I wish I’d better news, darlin’. I’m not giving up on Danyal,” said Veronica.
“I believe you,” said Alex. “Let’s not talk until the penthouse.”
“Walls might have ears,” said Galen.
Alex could tell by Dr. Donalds’ face she was confused, but followed his request. After stepping out of the elevator, Alex and Veronica watched Galen walk down the hallway to close the door to the bedroom where Nurse Ringwood was sitting with Danyal. Galen closed the door and returned to the living room.
“Clear, Alex,” said Galen. “Do yur thing.”
Alex closed his eyes and opened them.
“Do what?” asked Veronica.
Alex said he’d turned off the sound in the area by manipulating the sound waves. No one outside of the room would hear their conversation.
“Why are we here, Alex?” she asked. “I know you don’t want to discuss end-of-life care for Danyal. There’s no way in hell you’re giving up.”
“You’re very astute, Veronica; I’m here to ask for your help.”
“Ask away, darlin’; I’ll do anything I can.”
“First, I need your assurance you won’t discuss this conversation with anyone else, especially Bruno.”
Veronica nodded. “I swear. But you’re starting to scare me with all the cloak and dagger requirements.”
“Not our intention,” said Galen as he handed Alex a small metal box. Alex opened it and showed Veronica the contents.
“Is that what I think it is, Alex?” said Veronica.
“Yes, this is the only piece of ichor chocolate remaining that Ditta gave me on my birthday. Please tell me if you can do something with it.”
“If I can isolate the ichor, and it’s not too degraded, I might find a way to purge the isotopes from Danyal’s system.”
“Can you do the work here in the penthouse?” asked Alex.
“Unfortunately, no. The equipment I need is in the lab.”
“We will have to increase the security in yur lab to keep the sample safe,” said Galen.
“I understand,” said Veronica, “but it will draw unwanted attention if you want to keep my work a secret. Bruno knows everything that is happening in his labs.”
“What if I could get you a lab outside the building, with Ryo’s permission?” said Alex.
“That could work, but I’d need special equipment requiring time to procure.”
“Would Mass General have it?” asked Alex.
“Yes, I have a girlfriend who works there. But how would you make that happen?”
“Dr. Anderson, the head of surgery, is a fan of PGC and would help if further donations for the hospital would be forthcoming.”
“How would I explain my absence to Bruno?” asked Veronica.
“Does he know about Charlotte and her treatments?”
Veronica nodded yes.
“What treatments?” asked Galen.
“My wife Charlotte is being treated for breast cancer.”
“So sorry, mate,” said Galen.
“I have a crazy idea. Would Charlotte be willing to help us with our ruse?”
“I think I see where you’re going,” said Veronica. “A ‘setback’ would require her to seek treatment, and I’d need to take a brief absence to be with her.”
“I’m desperate, Veronica––I’ll do anything to make this happen. Please help us.”
Veronica smiled and said Charlotte was adventurous so it wouldn’t take much to rope her into their plan. “But how will we get the sample to Mass General?” she asked.
“Leave it to me,” said Galen. “Shouldn’t raise any eyebrows for me to go for mah post-operative follow-up.”
“Can we make this happen tonight?” asked Alex.
Veronica nodded.
“Galen will go speak with Ryo, and I’ll reach out to Dr. Anderson,” said Alex.
Alex thanked Veronica for helping as he hugged her before she stepped toward the elevator. Galen went to follow, but Alex stopped him by placing his hand on Galen’s chest.
“Ya right, Alex?”
“I’m not sure. I have this growing tingling in my chest, and it’s getting harder to breathe.”
“It’s OK. Sounds like hope. Been so long since ya experienced it. Feels strange, I bet. Hold onto that feeling.”