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know. Their mouths are similar, and the shape of their heads. But one is so muscular and the other one is like a normal lady. It’s like the same person on different days.”
    “Very good, Eva. The painting is called ‘Portrait of My Sister and Picasso Figure.’ The artist is Salvador Dalí. He painted things that he saw in dreams and his imagination.”
    “What’s it supposed to mean? That his sister was weak and strong?” Eva asked.
    “What’s it mean to you?”
    Eva frowned and studied the framed work. “This is a print?”
    “Oh, my heavens, yes. What I wouldn’t do to have an original Dalí. He is my favorite artist and his paintings are priceless. But, tell me, what does it mean to you?”
    “I like that he could tell you two true stories about the same person. Maybe the woman has two different personalities.”
    Coombs nodded approval and said, “Tea’s ready. I’ll get some pastries. Meantime, grab the stool and see if you can find a book on the second shelf from the top. It has a light green binding. It’s called
The Secret Garden.
    “Here it is,” Eva said. “What’s so good about it?”
    “The heroine, Mary Lennox. She reminds me of you. Mary finds a healing garden. I think you need your own secret garden. Please, take the book. There’ll come a time when it might make sense to you. Or if not that one, call me and I’ll find you another.”
    Eva examined the book and then replaced it. “Maybe some other time.”
    “Please? Humor me. Take the book and read it someday. When you do, call me and tell me I’m a fool. Or ask me for another. I see great things for you, Eva, but I see struggles, too. The better you know yourself, the better you’ll face your struggles.”
    “If I read it I’ll let you know.”
    At that, Coombs smiled so broadly that his eyes all but disappeared. “My dear Eva, I shall hold you to that promise. And I should be honored if you would consider me a friend.”

     
    Mama and Papa bade no farewell to Eva. Let this new land and its school have her. Mama had come to believe that her baby was a
hala,
the demon in Bulgarian lore who tries to consume the sun and moon and end the world.
    By her thirty-sixth birthday, Eva would fully justify Mama’s concerns.

       02
    ___________________________________________
    THE ROZEN PLAN
    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2038
4:00 PM
    E va stared at Jim, waiting for an answer. She heard dogs barking in the kennels. Haven Memorial personnel came and went. Each glanced at her and then looked again, as if to confirm what their eyes had seen. Eva was accustomed to stares and ignored the attention. Anyway, getting Marta and Jim to work with her at NMech was the priority.
    “I’ll listen to your proposal, but no promises—even for an old friend. If Marta agrees, where would you start?” Jim asked. “Do you have a project in mind? Where are you going to find the capital to do the research, the manufacturing, and the trials?”
    Eva waved away his questions. “All worked out. We can stay profitable and she can attack some of the issues that are important to her. I don’t run a charity, but if she gives me what I need, then she can go help poor people all she wants.”
    “Do you mean it, Eva?”
    “Ever known me to lie?”
    “Not to me. What do you want?”
    “Three things,” said Eva. “First,” she held up a stubby index finger. “Give me a control system for the nanomeds, something from a central source. Magnetism or magic, I don’t care. But I need control.”
    “Let’s say that’s possible. What else?”
    Eva held up a second finger, ticking off her list. “Help me introduce NMech’s first health product.”
    Jim looked puzzled. “Medicine is a long-term deal. You’ve got simulations and trials. That could take years.”
    “Trust me, it won’t,” Eva replied.
    “How can you be so sure?”
    “I have a plan.”
    Jim chuckled. “The famous Rozen Plan. What’s the third thing?”
    “I need your