CHAPTER 10

Claudia’s mind was reeling, astonished by what had taken place. She was desperate to reach Professor Blackstone and warn him. Men with guns had tried to kidnap her! She was coming to the realization that her treatise had transformed her into a Holy Grail of sorts, the ultimate prize for virile men who sought power and domination over their fellow humans. The treatise was only a beginning; that much she knew. Without her input, any development would be difficult, if not impossible, based upon the recent changes she had made since sending her original findings to Professor Blackstone.

My God, where was he, she wondered? Blackstone had to be careful. She had to let him know what happened.

Claudia and Todd continued their flight in the colorful vehicle, speeding through Denver, until finally arriving at the small commuter airport. The flashy car blew loudly through an open gate and into the airport complex, traveling in a semi-circle past several administrative buildings and onto the runway tarmac. A row of small aircraft, shrouded with canvas to protect them from the winter weather, bordered one side of the runway. There was no tower complex to give any aircraft directions, only scattered landing lights that stretched entire length of the runway.

“There,” said Todd, pointing at a Gulfstream jet several hundred yards from the airport center. John and his four men were next to the jet unloading equipment from a dark panel van. The jet’s side cargo door was open. John raised his head when he saw the vehicle approach. He and his men wore .45 caliber pistols on their hips. Two held HK MP-7 submachine guns, the type favored by Navy SEALS, slung over their shoulders.

Claudia and Todd rumbled up next to the van and hopped out. They reached for their jackets. The air was cool, though not as frigid as the mountain temperatures they were accustomed to.

Claudia was upset. She pointed at John’s pistol. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”

“Nice car,” said John. Claudia’s friend had reverted back to his old cavalier self. He gestured to Todd, who nodded back.

“Looks like you two have morphed into a couple of city folks… although I’m not sure I agree with your choice of transportation.”

Claudia slammed her hand on the car.

“What the hell is going on? Who do you work for? And why didn’t you tell me?”

John resumed his serious manner. “You know a man named Rodney Blackstone?”

“Professor Blackstone? Of course. He’s been like a father to me. I’ve known him ever since I was a little girl. My foster parents and he were the best of friends.”

“Dr. Blackstone is part of the group I work for, and report to.”

“Report to? Who are you?”

“I was supposed to be your guardian angel, but I don’t think I did a very good job this evening.” John pointed to a metal box, and directed one of his men to place it in the cargo hold.

“There,” he said.

“Are you with some government agency?”

“No. I am ex-military, as you’ve probably figured out. I do work for private organizations, generally for the good guys who need discrete security. I work for ‘The Committee’ – that’s what Blackstone and his friends call themselves. …A bunch of scientists doing God knows what.”

Todd walked over to Claudia and put his arm around her, a welcome gesture. She pulled him close.

“Why the ski school?” she said.

“To watch you,” said John. “I was told they needed someone who could ski and blend in with the locals.”

“All because of my research?” she said.

“Yes,” said John. “Right now, according to Dr. Blackstone and his friends, you are probably the most valuable person on this planet. And based upon the interest shown in you tonight, I’d have to agree with them.”

Claudia, bewildered by John’s disclosures, closed her eyes and shook her head, clinging tight to Todd. Her mind raced, knowing what John had said was true. Life as the young physicist knew it was about to change dramatically. Because of her discovery, the private existence she had known, living and working in the remote mountains of Colorado with her dog Kaiser, seemed like a distant past, a life that would be lost forever.

For someone fearless in her attitude toward her life and her work, it was a thought that petrified her.