The Last Odyssey (Sigma Force #15) - James Rollins Page 0,151

come to some balance, likely better than him.

“Oh,” she said and scooted over to Jack. “Watch this.”

She picked up their son, interrupting his ongoing battle to reach his toes, and carried him a few steps away. She then turned, set Jack on his pudding legs, and held him up by his armpits. She waited for him to get his sea legs—then let go.

Jack wobbled like a drunken sailor.

Gray sat up, amazed.

No, she didn’t . . .

Jack took one step, waving his arms, swinging a happy rope of drool. Then another step.

Gray opened his arms. “Here, Jack.”

His son took another wildly uncontrolled step. Gray caught him before he face-planted into the blanket. He rolled the boy into his arms. Seichan joined them, a very self-satisfied smirk on her face.

“Screw those maternity books,” she said.

He grinned at her, placed Jack back on his pillow, and scooped Seichan closer. “Still a tiger mom, I see.”

She leaned closer. “Oh, I can be a tiger in other ways, too.”

He grinned wider and met her lips.

Now that’s what I call balance.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

January 25, 5:32 P.M. WAT

Virunga National Park, Republic of Congo

Back here again . . .

Kowalski swatted a large fly that tried to take a chunk out of his arm. He stared across the grassland meadow toward the dark fringe of forest in a remote corner of Virunga National Park, a gorilla sanctuary in the heart of the Congo. He sat in a camp chair with a sweating bottle of beer on a small table.

The sun had nearly set on this winter day.

He had spent most of his time here or back at a row of tent cabins behind him. As the hot afternoon wore on, he had watched the shadows stretch steadily across the grass. This was their third day here.

Near the edge of the forest, Maria consulted with Dr. Joseph Kyenge, the sanctuary’s chief zoologist. Kowalski watched the Congolese man shake his head and point toward the forest. The guy was plainly giving up for the day. There was still no sign of Baako, the western lowland gorilla whom Maria had released into this jungle two years ago.

Maria’s shoulders sagged.

Kowalski frowned and shook his head. It seemed like young gorillas were like teenagers. Always disappointing their parents. Wanting to spend more time running around with their friends than at home.

Maria started back toward Kowalski.

He stood up with a groan, ready to console her as he had the prior two nights. Since events half a year ago, they had grown even closer. He couldn’t say why, only that something seemed to have broken between them, a barrier he hadn’t even known was there.

Before Maria could cross the meadow, Kyenge called to her. “Dr. Crandall, wait!” The zoologist pointed back at the forest. “Come see!”

She looked at Kowalski, hope brightening her face. As she turned toward the jungle, Kowalski hurried across. If this was a false alarm, she’d be crushed. He intended to be there for her.

He reached her side, and they returned to Kyenge together. The zoologist stepped back, a huge smile on his face, and waved an arm as if introducing a debutante.

From the leafy fringe of the forest, a frond was pushed aside by a leathery palm. A muscular shape bulled into view, leaning on the knuckles of one arm. Dark eyes stared at them. Almost shyly, the large gorilla left the forest and stepped into the sunlight. He sank to his haunches, his bullet of a head down, as if ashamed, a teenager who had missed his curfew.

“Baako,” Maria said, “you’re here.”

The young gorilla lifted his face enough to show his eyes. He raised his hands and signed to her.

[Mama]

Baako’s furry black brows remained pinched with worry. His lips were stretched taut, almost a wince, showing a hint of his white teeth.

“Oh, Baako, it’s okay.”

Maria rushed over and hugged him. She did her best to console him, but she had difficulty getting her arms around him. Baako had nearly doubled in size. She tickled him, teased him, scratched him where she knew he liked it best.

Kowalski frowned.

Wait, she does that to me, too.

Baako relaxed, his shoulders dropping, letting out a series of short wheezes, the gorilla version of laughter. Finally, Maria leaned back and held out an arm toward Kowalski.

“Hey, kiddo,” Kowalski said, lifting a hand.

Baako’s greeting was more exuberant.

The only warning was a quick sign.

[Papa]

Then Baako bolted forward and tackled him. Kowalski felt like he’d been hit by an NFL lineman. Still, he took it happily. They rolled across the