Chapter 8
(copyright 2017. all rights reserved)
“Tina, have you a moment?”
“Sure, ‘ladio. ‘Sup?”
Tina sounded distracted. “I have another task for you. Can you find Elana Sokolov?”
“Did you ping for her?”
“I did. The result was confusing. The system could not locate her.”
“Huh? That can’t be right. Just a sec…. Weird…. Yeah, I don’t find her either. Is there a system problem or something?”
“Not so far as I have been informed. Might you see if you can locate her?”
“Sure. I’ll check diagnostics, too. Something’s not right if she’s not showing.”
“Thank you. And, I confess, I feel some urgency about this. I am hoping this forebodes no other….”
“Yeah, I get you. Granger, now Lanie? Kinda creepy. I’ll get right on it and let you know what I find.”
“Please do.”
Eladio closed the connection. Before he could begin worrying about Elana, his comm chimed.
“Yes?”
“Director, I would like a word,” said Baisho Etsuko. “I have Dr. Dumoulin and Dr. Grant with me.”
The heads of the Japanese, French, and British teams. Dios, more evil comes. “Certainly, Dr. Baisho. What may I do for you?”
“We have heard that Mr. Granger has perished. Is that correct?”
“Sadly, it is so.”
“And my understanding is that the circumstances are suspicious. Is that true as well?”
“To say suspicious? I would be only speculating.”
“I see. Dr. Sussman seemed less unsure. It seems the most likely possibility is murder.”
“Still, I think it is too soon. Concluding murder is premature. Many things must we learn before we say it is so.”
“Excuse me, Director,” broke in Enzo Dumoulin, “but I think that is not your decision. I believe this is a matter for the Station Council. We should all be involved in these choices, not just you.”
Always ready for the fight, Enzo? “I see. Well, if you believe we need to have a session about this, I am amenable. I will schedule one for the morning. Was there anything else?”
“If I may, Director,” began Dr. Grant, “I cannot speak for the others, but I should like to review what materials you have regarding this before the meeting. Would you be so kind as to send a precis this evening?”
“Certainly, Dr. Grant. I will work one up to accompany the meeting notice.”
“Thank you, Director,” said Grant.
“Yes, thank you for your time, Director,” added Dr. Baisho.
A surly, “D’accord,” was Dr. Dumoulin’s response.
“In the morning, then,” said Eladio, closing the call. Madre. What a mess.
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