Chapter 6
The Wi-Fi at the B&B is terrible. His dad always complains about it. But Zack works with what he’s got. His assignment is to check the Internet for information about nuclear testing on Wardwell Island. Meanwhile, Nola and Lamar will try to find out what their families know.
Sitting on his bed in Room 4, he stares at the search results on his laptop screen.
The nuclear testing on Wardwell Island is not a government secret. A quick search brings up the basic information. The military did conduct a nuclear test here sixty years ago. It was called Project Pandora. A bomb did explode under Moray Hill. And apparently Hal was right about how normal this was. Similar tests happened in Alaska, in the deserts of the southeast, in the South Pacific islands. A few of those tests went horribly wrong. Radiation spread beyond the blast sites—damaged the environment, made people and animals sick. Cancer-level sick. Some people in the Pacific islands died from the effects of radiation.
But most tests were pretty low-key, pretty routine. An underground nuclear explosion is so hot that it melts the rock above it—turns that rock into glass. That layer of glass keeps the bomb’s radiation safely contained. No harm, no foul. Some websites claim that radioactive material actually has leaked in lots of locations. And that the US government just won’t admit it. Other websites say radiation can’t get past that glass shield for at least ten thousand years. Zack can’t find any debate about Wardwell Island specifically, though. Nobody seems to think anything was especially sketchy about Project Pandora.
Nobody mentions a curse.
Zack wonders if his dad knows about these nuclear tests. Behind the Curtain is always running stories about secret government programs. Or at least government programs that have been involved in shady stuff. Maybe he should ask his dad about it . . .
Someone knocks on Zack’s door. Ben calls, “Zack? We’re going to bed. Dad says to be ready for breakfast by seven tomorrow.”
“Okay, Ben. Night.”
Ben opens the door and slides his head in. “Hey, I’m glad you still do this stuff with us. It wouldn’t be that much fun with just Dad.”
A tiny black hole opens up in Zack’s chest. “Sure it would, buddy. Dad’s a cool guy.”
“Yeah, but we’re not cool enough for him.” The black hole deepens. “Anyway, thanks for not being like older brothers on TV.”
Zack forces a smile. “No problem. See you in the morning.”
After Ben closes the door, Zack stares up at the ceiling. If he stares long enough, he’ll start to see patterns in the plain white paint job.
Mostly, he sees those three-spoked wheels.
The breakfast buffet downstairs is as tasty as ever. Zack devours a muffin. He’s supposed to meet Nola and Lamar at the front desk by seven-thirty, before they head to school. Ben and Leah are studying an old-school fold-out map of the island. Dad’s bent over his phone, working.
They’re the only people in the room except for an older man sitting in a corner. Zack wonders about the friends of the lost tourist. Have they gone home? Or do they just have no appetite this morning? He takes out his phone and skims the headlines of the island’s local news site. The MIA tourist is the lead story. Jeff Aberthol, age 21. The Coast Guard is searching for the body, but if it’s been washed out to sea, they might never find it.
“Pretty awful about the missing guy.” Zack aims the comment in his dad’s direction.
“Yeah, it’s a real shame. And I’m sorry you had to deal with it up close—finding the boat.”
Sorry that you had to deal with it up close? “You’re always saying that we shouldn’t ignore tough realities.”
“Well, yeah. But I don’t want it to ruin our vacation for you. I mean, these things happen.”
Zack takes a closer look at his father. Everyone else on the island seems to sense that something’s seriously wrong. But Dad, Editor-in-Chief of conspiracy theories, has somehow missed the memo. To him, this just looks like an ordinary tragedy. Not that he’s looking very closely. He’s got way bigger stories to worry about.
Nola’s dad comes in, says good morning, and heads to the beverage table to check the coffee supply. The older man leaves his corner table and walks up to Mr. Halwin. This guy must be slightly deaf, because he talks loudly. His voice carries easily to Zack’s table.
“Excuse me. You’re the owner, right?”
“Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”
“I’m looking for my wife. She went out for a walk early this morning. She was supposed to meet me back here for breakfast. But I can’t find her. And she didn’t take her phone with her. Have you seen her? Tall, very fit, lovely woman. Short white hair, in her seventies—but don’t tell her I let that slip. Jeannie Dyson is her name.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” says Mr. Halwin. “I haven’t seen her. Have you checked with the front desk?”
“I’ll do that now . . .”
Zack doesn’t feel like eating anymore. That unsettling, spooky feeling is back.
He texts Nola and Lamar.
I think someone else is missing.