73 Chapter 73

In bright daylight, the morning of the grand opening at the museum buzzed with life. Our cab pulled in front of the building and I almost did not recognize the decked-up facade. Spectators, journalists and security guards crowded the staircase leading up to the front entrance where a long line had begun to form already. Isamu paid the cab driver, took my hand and quickly led me up the stairs. He cut in front of the line and showed the frowning security guard a badge.

"What about her?" the guard asked skeptically.

"She's with me," Isamu replied impatiently.

The guard spoke into a walkie-talkie for a minute and finally motioned me to get closer to a security camera. I hoped for the love of God that it wouldn't be Edith on the other end. Just the thought blazed up my cheeks. The walkie-talkie buzzed back to life and the guard finally motioned for us to walk in.

"They are taking this very seriously," I commented, after another security guard stopped us in front of a metal detector.