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“According to my research, you’re the CEO of the governmentcontractor that is responsible for securing the old Bluestone labs,” Luke said.
There was another startled pause before Victor spoke again. This time he sounded more cautious. He was paying attention.
“I’m the head of the Foundation,” he said. “Tell me about this rumor you say you picked up on your blog.”
“The story is that about a year ago someone using the name Nathan Gill found one of the Bluestone labs on Night Island in the San Juans. He managed to get it open. For the past six months it’s been used for some off-the-books experiments designed to create assassins with psychic talents.”
There was another long silence.
“That’s a pretty wild story,” Victor said.
“It is, isn’t it? Are you going to hang up?”
“No.”
Luke tightened his grip on the phone. For better or worse, Arganbright was hooked.
“The project on Night Island operated under the cover of a retreat,” Luke continued. “The Unplugged Experience.”
“Keep talking,” Victor Arganbright said.
Luke kept talking.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
The Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada...
Lucas Pine watchedhis husband end the call. Victor looked annoyed, impatient, and tense. It was his default mode. Lucas, uncharacteristically, was feeling much the same way. He had heard the entire conversation because Victor had put the phone on speaker. Any mention of Bluestone got their attention. The possibility that another one of the lost labs had been discovered was a major event.
“Ever heard ofThe Anomalies Report?” Victor asked.
“Nope.” Lucas glanced down at his phone. “But I pulled up the blog while you were talking to Mr.Anonymous. Looks like just another small-time online site that claims to report on incidents of paranormal phenomena. For the most part it focuses on sensational claims and junk science. It’s clearly aimed at the tinfoil helmet crowd. But I found a couple of interesting articles on the history of parapsychology that look well-researched.”
Victor grunted. “So our anonymous tipster is trying to build a brand as a paranormal investigator.”
“Lot of those out there. These days everyone thinks they can playdetective using the online search engines. But the Bluestone tip sounds solid.”
“Yes, it does.” Victor got to his feet behind his desk. His eyes heated with anticipation. “Which is why we’re going to take it seriously. Contact our people on the ground in Seattle. I want a team on the island claiming it as government property immediately. Then call the airport and get the jet readied. You and I are going to fly to Seattle today.”
“Right.” Lucas headed toward the door.
“Don’t forget to warn the Seattle people that there may be a deranged scientist running around the island armed with possibly lethal herbicide. Oh, and they’ll need camping gear, because evidently there was a major fire that destroyed much of whatever infrastructure was there.”
Lucas wrapped his hand around the door handle and looked back over his shoulder. “We’re in a strange business, Victor.”
Victor contemplated the vast collection of paintings that lined the walls of his office. The pictures dated from various eras. The quality of the artwork ranged from the mediocre to the transcendent. Some were framed. Some were not. They all had one theme in common: each pictured the artist’s vision of the Oracle of Delphi.
“Maybe we’re in a strange business because we are not exactly normal ourselves,” Victor said quietly.
“The older I get the broader my definition ofnormalbecomes,” Lucas said.
He went next door to his office, got on the phone, and started making the calls that would put the Foundation in charge of Night Island.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
Talia watched Lukeout of the corner of her eye while she sipped coffee and chatted with Bev Thompson and the others inside the yacht’s main cabin. She had not been able to hear the phone conversation going on outside but it was clear Luke had been intensely focused on the call. Now he was leaning on the rail, watching the orca ballet.
“I can’t believe the Unplugged Experience management people left the four of you behind.” Bev shook her head. “Talk about unprofessional. I mean, I see a potential lawsuit here.”
