“That the tree represented God’s reward for a life lived in obedience to the covenant with God.”

I thought for a few moments, then accessed the time on the Grid. I turned to Abby. “Well, that’s a start. Why don’t we stop there? I’d better go to campus and get a few things done.”

“Do you think the tree of life gives any clue to what Poppy was talking about?”

“Not necessarily. But it does tell me several things.”

“What?”

“First, in the context of the story, the tree of life represented a choice being presented to humanity—one of two options leading to death or to life. Second, the life offered clearly seems distinct from merely biological life.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because in the story Adam and Eve already had biological life. They were being offered something else. And, third, whatever was being offered to them—whatever this tree of life was—was something external to themselves.”

“Because…they didn’t already have it.”

“Correct. It had to be acquired.”

“So…where does that leave us?”

I stood and smiled. “It leaves us with the rest of the Bible. Hopefully, we won’t have to read the whole thing.”

That night we stayed up late to tap Kate. The workday had finally begun in Papua New Guinea. I wanted to learn what she had discovered about the source of the nanites. And Abby, who hadn’t spoken to her in a week, was worried about her friend.

We tapped Kate’s personal office at the hospital. Another woman, a native New Guinean, answered. “Meridian Hospital. May I direct you?”

Abby straightened up on the couch. “Hello. I was trying to reach Dr. Kate Sampson.”

The woman’s countenance changed; she appeared troubled. “Let me connect you to our chief administrator, Dr. Dobunaba. May I say who is tapping?”

“My name is Abby Caldwell.”

The visiscreen went blank. Abby waited a full two minutes before a man’s face appeared. “Hello, Ms. Caldwell. I’m Dr. Afa Dobunaba. I understand you are trying to contact Dr. Sampson?”

“Yes. Is she out today?”

“No, Ms. Caldwell.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “I regret to inform you that Dr. Sampson is no longer with us.”

“She left the hospital?”

“No. She…she died.”

Abby stared at the screen, speechless.

“I’m sorry. Were you a friend of hers?”

“Yes…I.” Her words became lost in tears.

“I’m so very sorry. Please take your time.”

Abby tried to continue the conversation. “How…did…she die?”

“Dr. Sampson apparently contracted a rare jungle disease.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

He turned to me. “The lab hasn’t yet confirmed it, but that’s what it appears to be.”

“How long ago?”

“How long ago did she die? A week. Memorial services were held for her on Tuesday. Had you known each other a long time?”