07.30.08
Chapter 13
Becky and Faber drove up to the laboratory compound’s subtle, nearly hidden entrance, out in the dessert.
“Where’s Graber?” Faber asked.
Becky had long ago ceased being surprised by Faber’s extraordinary memory. The last time Faber saw the security guard, Graber, was five years previous. Graber had mentioned that he enjoyed working weekends and evenings since it left him free to day trade stocks during market hours. Faber not only remembered the guard, but remembered his preferences and made an educated guess that he would be on duty this day. Or perhaps it was more than an educated guess.
“We don’t man the guard station out here anymore. We have an automatic entrance now.” She pulled the secure remote control out of her purse, activated it, and they drove into the sally port, a fenced rectangle with locked gates in front of them and behind them. Once the gates closed behind them she entered another code into the remote control device and the front gates opened.
Faber drove through the gates, got out of the car, and started walking toward the guard station.
“Sweetie, why are you looking for Graber? I don’t even know if he’s working today. I didn’t see him earlier.”
“He’s here,” he said, walking slowly toward the guard post building. He kept his eyes on the door, but she could tell that every sense he had was on the alert, his eyes half focused on the door, but his peripheral vision fully activated.
He took her hand and they kept walking. “I don’t think you’re going to like this.” She slowed down a little, but he gently led her on. “I’d have you wait in the car, Mom, but I you’ll be safer if we stay together.”
“How do you know Graber is here.”
He paused for a moment, and looked around, unconsciously, out of habit, making sure no one could overhear them, the way he always did before saying one of the things he’d been taught from childhood never to say.
“It’s okay, Faber, something is going on. Maybe it’s time to put aside all the inhibitions I’ve taught you. Say what you need to say.”
Flies were buzzing in the hot desert air. One alighted on Faber’s forehead. He forgot to flinch and brush it away as he’d been taught.
“Mom, Graber is in there, and he’s dead. I can smell him.”
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