The Reincarnationist by M. J. Rose Page A

under the ground!”
    â€œGo outside, look for something, some sign, a name, a building. Anything.”
    â€œI’ll have to leave him.”
    â€œYes, but you have no choice.”
    He leaned down to the professor. “I’m going outside for a minute.”
    Rudolfo opened his eyes and Josh thought he’d heard the question and was going to tell him where they were, but he wasn’t focused on Josh. Searching the room frantically, his eyes settled on the body of the woman who had died here so many years ago. Then he slipped back into unconsciousness.
    Josh looked over at her, too. “Keep him safe,” he whispered, oblivious of how strange a thing that was for him to do.
    Even though he climbed up the ladder as quickly as he could, he didn’t think he was moving fast enough. Reaching the surface, he scanned the area.
    â€œI’m in a damn field. I see…there are cypress trees…oak trees…” He turned. “A hill behind me. About five hundred yards away there’s a piece of a gate or a building, very old….”
    â€œThat doesn’t help. No signs?”
    â€œIf there was a sign, goddamn it—” His voice was strained and loud.
    â€œThere is probably a road, sir. Find the road if you can,” she interrupted.
    â€œRight. Stay with me. I’ll find something.”
    Josh jogged down the slight hill. Looked left, right. It was just a stretch of two-lane highway. To his right there was a bend blocking the view. To the left, more of the same vista: cypress tress, lush verdant fields with terracotta rooftops far in the background. Nothing specific to help him tell her where they were.
    Someone must know where the hell this place was. Someone other than the man who lay dying in the crypt.
    â€œTell me your name,” Josh said to the woman on the phone. “There’s someone I can call to get the address. I’ll call you right back.”
    â€œMy name is Rosa Montanari, but I can stay on the line and connect you. Give me the number, sir.”
    Ninety seconds later, Malachai Samuels answered his cell phone on the second ring. “Hello?”
    â€œI don’t have any time to explain this to you, but quick, I need you to find Gabriella Chase and get me the exact address of the dig.”
    â€œI just this minute sat down with Gabriella Chase. For breakfast. Aren’t you coming?”
    â€œPut her on the phone.”
    â€œWhy don’t you tell me what—”
    â€œI can’t now,” he interrupted. “This is an emergency.”
    There was a brief pause during which Josh heard Malachai repeating what he’d said. Then he heard a woman’s voice, deep, silvery and anxious.
    â€œHello, this is Gabriella Chase. Is something wrong?”
    Josh stayed on the line while Gabriella dictated the address and then while the operator ordered the ambulance. He didn’t understand what was being said, but it was reassuring to know that help was on its way.
    When she finished talking to the paramedics, Rosa told Josh she’d stay on the phone with him until they got there and suggested he check on the professor so she could keep the ambulance drivers updated.
    Rudolfo’s breathing was even shallower and he had less color than minutes before.
    â€œProfessor Rudolfo? Professor?”
    His lips parted and he whispered a few unintelligible syllables.
    â€œMr. Ryder? Are you there?”
    Josh almost forgot he was still holding the phone to his ear. “Yes?”
    â€œHow is the professore? ” Rosa asked.
    â€œVery bad. He’s unconscious.”
    â€œThe ambulance should arrive in eight to ten minutes.”
    â€œI don’t know if he can make it that long. He’s still bleeding. I thought it had stopped. Is there anything I can do until they get here?”
    â€œI have a doctor standing by.”
    This wondrous woman had an emergency room doctor on another line, and for the next