Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1)(79)

—How many voices did you hear?

—Four or five. I don’t know. I’m not even sure I didn’t dream the whole thing.

—What were they saying?

—I couldn’t tell. I don’t know what language they were speaking. It sounded like…I don’t know what it sounded like. Maybe Swedish, Lakota with a heavy German accent. I really don’t know. Something I’ve never heard before.

—How do you know what Lakota sounds like?

—I don’t really. Dances with Wolves? It’s the only Native American language I can think of. I was born in South Dakota. There are a few reservations around. Actually, the whole area where we lived used to be Lakota territory.

—You have no papers, no identification of any kind. Is that correct?

—I told you. I was completely naked when I woke up. I don’t know what happened to my bag.

—You should know that the doctors who examined you found no signs of sexual activity.

—Thank you. That’s a relief.

—Can you think of anything that would help us confirm your identity?

—No, not in Ireland. That’s not a crime, is it? If you get me home, you can talk to my friends, people I work with.

—I would like to show you some photos.

—Go ahead.

—Do you recognize the woman in this picture?

—No, I don’t know who that is. She’s pretty.

—How about this man?

—I don’t know him either. Who is he?

—A linguist from Canada.

—A lin…Do you think these are the people who abducted me?

—I do not. In fact, I can tell you without hesitation that they are not.

—Then why show me their pictures?

—To see whether or not you recognized them.

—Is there a reason I should? I can tell you I don’t have amnesia. Aside from the few hours I was unconscious, I remember everything very clearly.

—Can I ask you one more personal question? How old are you?

—I’m twenty-seven.

—For the record, could you please state your name and occupation one more time?

—My name is Rose Franklin. I’m a researcher at the University of Chicago.

—Your DNA profile is indeed a match to that of Dr. Franklin.

—You seem surprised. I know who I am. Can I please go home now? I haven’t fed my cat since I left for work yesterday.

—…Ms. Franklin, from what I understand, that was more than four years ago.

—Wh…That makes no sense. I was kidnapped. I wasn’t in a coma. It’s not like I slept for four years.

—I believe you. Strange as it may seem, there is no accurate scientific method for determining the age of a living person. However, the results of your physical examination and dental X-rays are consistent with your being twenty-seven.

—I know, I told you my age.

—What I meant is that you are missing recent scars and some dental work that was done to Dr. Franklin after the age of twenty-seven.

—I…I don’t understand.

—Dr. Rose Franklin would be thirty-one years old by now.

—What exactly do you mean by “would be”?

—Please come with me, there is much we need to discuss…