The Jar of Nephren-Ka

The Hot Date

New Orleans, Louisiana: 8:17 AM, Friday, June 15th, 1984

I popped the last bite of my sausage biscuit into my gob and went to work brushing crumbs off myself. Julia street was alive with commuters, all making their way into work.

I was sitting in a paid parking lot about a block away from the Cultural Preservation Society's intake center. From where I sat, I had a straight shot into the rear windows of Coventry's office, and a clear view of the loading zone out front where Barnes always seemed to park the Rolls.

So far, Coventry hadn't shown, but he would be in soon. The Jar had a hot date with some medical equipment this morning.

I sat and read, working my way through a tattered copy of The Old Man and the Sea for about the fiftieth time as I did so. I glanced up at the building at the start of each page, alert for any change.

A few minutes before nine, Coventry's Rolls pulled into the loading zone and parked. Barnes opened the driver's door and got out, moving to open the rear door. Coventry exited the vehicle, briefcase in hand, and began walking towards the entrance. Neither man paid any attention to me, with my cruiser huddled in a cluster of other random vehicles one hundred and fifty yards away.

The windows on the second floor gave me small glimpses of Coventry as he greeted Sherelle and then strolled down the hall to his office, Barnes in tow. He entered the office and went to his desk, dropping into his chair and immediately picking up his phone.

A short conversation later, and Coventry replaced the receiver on the cradle and stood up, walking over to stare out the windows that overlooked the factory floor, hands clasped behind his back.

A few minutes later, Ms. Sani entered the office. She had a short, animated conversation with Coventry, then turned and exited. Coventry retrieved his hat and briefcase, then followed.

I lost sight of them both as they descended to the first floor, but a moment later I could see Barnes's arm pushing the front door open from the inside and holding it open.

Coventry exited, strolling leisurely towards the Rolls. Barnes rushed over and opened the rear passenger door, and Coventry seated himself.

As Barnes was closing the car door, Ms. Sani exited the office, pushing the front door open with her back. In her hands was the Jar's wooden shipping container. She walked around towards the trunk of the Rolls, and Barnes followed.

The trunk opened, and Barnes and Sani both disappeared behind it for a bit. When it closed again, Sani moved back towards the office while Barnes went around to the driver's door. 

Neither of them had the crate. I started the cruiser.

***

Ten minutes later, a security guard waved the Rolls into a spot blocked off by orange cones in front of the Tulane University School of Medicine. The school was an unassuming building, built in the blocky style of early American commercial high-rises. It took up most of the block and was connected by a skyway to the Tulane University Medical Center, a much larger structure across the street.

I passed by, circling the next block and coming back from the opposite direction. I picked a vacant spot to park in a hundred yards away, facing the Rolls.

As I pulled in, a dark-skinned man in a white lab coat over khaki slacks and a polo shirt burst out of the School of Medicine, coattails flapping in his wake. A younger man in jeans and a t-shirt followed behind him.

Barnes was already out of the vehicle, opening Coventry's door. Coventry rose to his feet and extended a hand towards lab coat. They greeted each other, then everyone moved around to the trunk of the Rolls.