CHAPTER 22

Claudia was the first to exit the laboratory. Elated by what the magic of what had taken place in the lab, she inhaled deeply, stopping to view the snow-capped peaks that crowned the distant mountains. The moon shone bright, giving her a majestic view of the surrounding mountains. Professor Blackstone followed her out of the laboratory building. He turned and pulled the door tight, making sure the electronic locking device was triggered and the alarm set. Blackstone and Claudia laughed as he tested the lock, overjoyed by the prospects of what they had just witnessed.

Neither could stop talking.

And neither noticed the silent observer above them. A vision of Claudia and Blackstone came into focus, squarely in the outline of the figure-eight framed sights, a neatly boxed orange-tinted picture, an image produced by state-of-the-art night-vision goggles.

The hidden observer adjusted the focus, watching the Professor lock the laboratory. Shifting to the right, the goggles captured Todd walking up to Claudia and the Professor.

“There you are,” said Todd. “I was looking all over the place for you. They told me you had finished dinner. Where have you been?”

Claudia looked at Blackstone. “Oh, we –”

“I took Claudia on a short tour,” said Blackstone. “She wanted to see our facilities.”

Todd was curious. “Did you find anything of interest?”

Blackstone was silent as he tipped his head sideways and gave Claudia a knowing glance.

Claudia shrugged. “Oh, you know, typical college lab setup. Mostly theoretical work is done here.” She looked at Blackstone. “Although, they do need to update their equipment. No disrespect, Uncle Rodney.”

“None taken. We are constantly looking for more dollars to improve the facilities.”

He looked at Todd. “Do you have any rich uncles?”

Todd laughed, and approached the laboratory door, pushing on the locked handle.

“Can I see it?”

Blackstone put his arm around Claudia and started walking towards the main estate house. “I don’t know about you, Miss C, but at this time of night, I normally have a drink. It settles the nerves.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she said.

Claudia and Blackstone began their stroll, arm in arm, away from Todd. He took a final look at the locked facility and scurried to catch up.

Protected by the shadows, hidden in an alcove uphill from the lab, John put away the night vision goggles. He reached into a side pocket and retrieved his cell phone, dialing a number he knew by heart.

“Yes,” he said, shaking his head affirmatively. “Blackstone took her into the lab. They’re leaving now. …I don’t know. Okay, will do.” He quietly clicked off the phone and slipped away, unnoticed by anyone.

Several hours later, Todd and Claudia were in bed, snuggled under the covers. Both were silent. Claudia was distant, lost in thought. Todd decided to break the ice, curious about her pensive demeanor.

“Something on your mind?”

She turned and slipped her arm around him.

“I’m fine,” she said.

“You don’t look fine. What’s the matter?”

“Nothing,” she said.

“Baloney.”

“It’s my work,” she said.

“What about it?”

“I’m worried.”

“About what?” he said.

“The significance of what we are doing,” said Claudia. “…I think I now know how Oppenheimer felt.”

“Oppenheimer?”

“The Manhattan Project,” she said. “He ran it. They developed the atomic bomb during World War II.”

“You’re making bombs?”

Claudia rolled over and cuddled him.

“No, silly rabbit.”

She kissed him passionately, but Todd would not let her answer stand.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m making Star Trek motors.”

Claudia pulled at him, wanting her lover to respond to her advances. She was aggressive, and nibbled at him.

“Come here…”

“No, really,” he said. “What are you doing?”

“Kiss me.”

Todd stopped her advances. “Why can’t we discuss this?”

Claudia pulled away from him. “Look, I have a great deal on my mind and I don’t want to talk about it. You’re not exactly helping the situation.”

Todd was frustrated. “I’m sorry. I think this happens anytime skiers get away from the slopes.”

She perked up. “Skiing… Now that would clear out the cobwebs.

Todd shared her enthusiasm. “John said there was a room full of ski equipment.”

Claudia was enthused. “You think?”

Todd smiled. “Maybe.”

She sat up in bed. “There are no lifts, but we could skin up some of the local peaks. My foster parents had a cabin, not too far from here. Great for backcountry skiing.”

Todd hesitated. “I don’t know. There’s all this security.”

“Nobody has to know,” she said, purring.

“I don’t want to get in trouble.”

“You won’t get in any trouble. …Don’t tease me,” she said, forming a pout with her lips. “Really, I need to get out and make some turns.”

Todd hesitated, considering what the consequences might be. “Let me see if I can get John to help.”

“Now you’re talking,” said Claudia.

Tossing away the covers, she pulled him closer. “Get over here Mr. Ski Instructor,” she said, smiling as she felt his bare skin against her, his naked body arousing,

“…I think I need a lesson.”