Feldman's office was bigger than Dinnie's flat. She paused just inside the doorway, letting Randy cross the carpeted expanse to Feldman's desk by himself. It disturbed her that he seemed to shrink as he moved farther from her.
The office wasn't that big.
Feldman stayed in his chair as Randy approached, the bank of windows behind him providing enough glare to force a visitor's eyes downward. Perhaps he didn't like people looking him in the eye.
Dinnie took in the gold-lined, plush furniture, the Rembrandts lining the walls—she'd heard rumors they were originals—elegant vases and statues placed strategically around the room. As she took her first step toward the desk, she noted that the only exit was behind her, although it wouldn't surprise her if there was a secret hallway behind the bookcase. Or the private loo, which appeared to be off to the left.
Feldman didn't give them time for pleasantries. “There have been two more detections in the last twenty-four hours in the Belfast area alone. I need to know what’s happening in the rest of the world. What's our status?” Randy had reached the desk, but Feldman spoke to both of them. Dinnie hastened her steps.
“Detectors have been deployed around the world, sir,” Randy said as she arrived at his side. “We'll be operational by morning.”
“Where have you placed them?”
Randy raised an eyebrow in Dinnie's direction.
She took half a breath. “We started with locations that already have modern neutrino detectors in place, so they could get on it immediately. Super-K, Sudbury, CERN, Oxford, all the others, are all alert and ready to measure any increase in neutrinos. So far, no one has reported any unusual activity.”
She paused to take another breath, managing a complete one this time. Feldman's expression had not changed. Unsure if that boded good or ill, she continued with her report. “Detectors are on their way to other areas. We're concentrating on places similar to Cave Hill: remote, but near a population source. I've sent the list to your Pad, with asterisks indicating those areas already working. The others will start going online by about five p.m. GMT. All should be operational by ten this evening.”
She stopped talking, but there was still no change in Feldman's expression. Desperate, she let words tumble out. “I've increased staff to triple numbers. Remote detectors are reporting to us in real time, with our own analysts looking them over. Any increase over zero-point-five percent is flagged for duplicate analysis. If they come through, we'll know before they get here.”
She was sure about that, but she couldn't imagine what good it would do them. They couldn't have troops available at all those locations, could they?
If they could, she didn't want to know.
Feldman nodded, as if in eerie answer to her unasked question, and finally spoke.
“Stay on top of it. This increased activity means they’re coming through soon. I want to know if it’s an invasion or just a scouting mission. Mr. Carmichael, I’m placing Ms. Warner in charge of this one. She can report directly to me.”
Dinnie’s body jerked in surprise at his words. She started to ask for clarification, or to protest that she wasn’t qualified, but he waved a hand toward the door.
“Dismissed.”
Feldman turned back to his work and Dinnie followed Randy out with her panic caught in her throat. When they passed into the corridor, she grabbed Randy’s arm.
“I can’t do this.” She spoke low, her face near his ear. “You know I’m not qualified to lead this mission.” The most important mission in Sun’s history.
Randy guided her to the lift, a bead of sweat appearing on his forehead. “He knows what he’s doing.” His eyes were troubled.
A chill raced down Dinnie’s spine. “I’m the fall guy. If something goes wrong.”
He stared at the floor numbers on the lift display, blinking. Then he straightened, and patted her hand. “Don’t be silly.” His voice was normal, and loud enough for the sensors to easily pick it up. “You’re a smart woman, Dinnie. You’re better at things than you think you are, and you’re good at holding a team together. Feldman can see these things about a person. It’s an opportunity for you. Hell, I’m jealous. In a few months, you’ll be my boss.”
She swallowed hard and turned her gaze to the lift doors. She nodded. “Sure. I’ll wow everybody.” She couldn’t quite sound confident, but she came close. Randy nodded.
They said nothing else.
~~~
As soon as his office door closed behind them, Feldman stabbed a button on his desk, and spoke to the air. “You heard all that? We’re ready for them.”
“As ready as we can be.” The air answered in a low, grating voice, as if it had laryngitis. “What about the other?”
It was an effort to remain still, but Feldman managed it. “Plans are proceeding as directed, for now. I won’t make any changes there unless forced to by Altair’s people.”
“The timing couldn’t be worse.” The voice gave the impression of a knife on rough steel.
“True,” Feldman said in a soothing tone. “But even a delay of our plans is not insurmountable. The pieces remain in place until we pull the string.”
“Send your beta team up to the station on schedule, Feldman,” the voice ordered. “They won’t be needed down here, no matter what Altair is up to.”
Feldman forced himself to fold his hands on top of his desk. “I’ll see to it, sir.”
The voice went away. But Feldman knew there was never any certainty that the ears were gone, as well.