Dawn in Eclipse Bay

chapter 18

The following morning Arizona held her security briefing from her dimly lit hospital room. She certainly looked the part of the heroically wounded warrior, Lillian thought. The bandages around A.Z.’s head gave her a dashing air. It was clear from the glittering determination in her eyes that she was recovering rapidly.

Lillian was quite relieved to see Arizona looking so much better this morning. She and Gabe had received the phone call summoning them to A.Z.’s bedside half an hour ago, just as they were finishing breakfast.

The only other attendee present today was Photon from the Incandescent Body bakery. He stood in the corner, serene and silent in his strange robes and jewelry. His shaved head gleamed green in the light of a nearby monitor. Could have passed for a space alien, Lillian thought.

“Way I figure it,” Arizona said, “the institute spy followed me home because he spotted me taking my routine sector surveillance photos. I cover the whole town right out to the boundaries three mornings a week, you know. Check up on the institute daily, of course. I must have caught something on film that they didn’t want anyone to see. When he saw his chance he knocked me out and stole my VPX 5000.”

“Don’t worry about it, A.Z.,” Gabe said. “You can replace the camera and get back to your daily recon work in no time.”

“Forget the camera,” Arizona said. “Now that we know for sure that we’re on to something, we’ve got to get inside.”

That sounded ominous, Lillian thought.

“Inside?” she repeated cautiously. “Inside what?”

“The new wing, of course. Listen up here.” Arizona’s voice lowered. “Got no choice now. We need to get a firsthand look at whatever is going on in there. My guess is they’ve made the big move.”

Dread settled on Lillian. “Oh, I really don’t think they’ve had time-”

“Probably brought ’em in with the HVAC equipment,” Arizona said.

“If that’s the case,” Photon murmured, “whoever goes inside will have to search for a large freezer compartment somewhere in the new wing.”

“Right.” Arizona adjusted her position on the pillows, checked the door and then lowered her voice again, this time to a raspy whisper. She motioned with one hand. “Move in as close as you can. The institute probably has spies out there in the hall. Be easy enough to disguise them as orderlies or janitors.”

Lillian suppressed a sigh and obediently leaned over the bed. Gabe and Photon followed suit.

“We all know that they’ll never let me or one of the Heralds step foot inside the institute.” Arizona gave Lillian and Gabe a meaningful look. “That leaves you two.”

Lillian gripped the bed rails. “Wait a second here, A.Z. We’re not, uh, trained in this kind of work.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll give you a few pointers before you go in.”

“How do you plan to get us inside?” Gabe asked, looking interested.

Lillian frantically tried to get his attention but he pretended not to see her.

“I figure the Leaders of Tomorrow open-house event will give you both the perfect opportunity,” Arizona said. “Easy for you to get invites because one of you is a Harte and the other is a Madison. Perry Decatur and the folks who run the institute will fall all over themselves to get you there. You’re both potential donors.”

Phonton nodded somberly. “An excellent plan.”

“Just might work, A.Z.,” Gabe said.

“But the new wing won’t be open yet.” Lillian struggled to bring some common sense to the situation. “We won’t be able to get in there.”

“Shouldn’t be too hard,” Gabe said. “Everyone will be busy with the reception. Don’t see why we can’t slip out at some point and take a look at the area under construction.”

“It’s settled then.” Arizona gave them a thumbs-up. “You two will go in the night of the open house.”

“What about a camera?” Lillian said quickly. “I don’t have one and I doubt if Gabe has one either.”

“Could always get one of those little throwaway cameras they sell at the pier,” Gabe said helpfully.

“One of those gadgets won’t do it,” Arizona said. “I’ll give you my old VPX 4000. Fine piece of equipment. Lacks a few of the features of the 5000 but it’ll get the job done. Remember, we need hard proof that they’ve stashed those frozen extraterrestrials in that new wing.”