by Linda Mooney
“We’re in the process now of trying to figure out how the unguindene got here,” Dees added. “Once we can pin that down, we’ll be able to track down who brought it, and maybe why.”
“Who manufactures unguindene?” Lorne asked.
Agent Betts spoke up. “That wasn’t too difficult to find out,” he said. “There’s only one company who does.”
Lorne nearly took a step backwards in surprise. He already knew the answer before the man answered.
“Dobbling Enterprises.”
One of the agents got a call on his cell phone. The man excused himself and walked a few feet away to take it. Lorne gave him a hard stare.
Luke?
Already taken care of, bro, his brother reassured him.
Lorne relaxed. Although he could easily listen in on the agent’s call, it would take some practice before he could handle two or more conversations simultaneously. In the meantime, his brothers would provide what back-up they could.
“If you find any more of the substance, we need you to take it immediately to our disposal facilities,” Dees continued.
“And any other evidence here to the police station,” Agent Queens added.
Lorne nodded. “I’ll do the best I can, gentlemen. However, you realize there may be nothing left after those explosions.” From the corner of his eye, he saw the agent on the phone hang up and rejoin the group.
“We aren’t holding our breath,” Dees admitted. “Still, we figured you were our best shot. Your enhanced abilities may be the edge we need to solve this case.”
Enhanced abilities. The remark almost made him smile. Luke had said people wouldn’t start referring to what The Defender had as superpowers until they realized that normal people couldn’t perform the way he could, and never would, no matter what they did. Forget the fact that he could fly. He started to lift off from the sidewalk, but was stopped when the ATF agent waved for his attention.
“I got a heads up from headquarters,” Trail interjected. “Dobbling has just filed against their insurance for the explosions. They’re claiming the blasts were a result of sabotage. If they can prove it, Dobbling is off the hook for this fiasco, not to mention four hundred million dollars greener.”
Sabotage? “Where are they getting their information?” Lorne asked. “What makes them so sure it was sabotage?”
The agent grinned. “Because if it was an employee accident, the payout would be a paltry one hundred fifteen million. Terrorist threats pay out four times the contracted amount.”
“Doesn’t that seem odd that they would have that stipulation put in their policy? What are the odds such an event would occur?”
Dees shrugged. “At this point, all we can do is add that question to our already long list.”
Lorne frowned. “I wonder why they believed they would be subject to a terrorist attack? What was this lab manufacturing that we haven’t been told about?”
“We can send you all the details,” Agent Trail offered.
Ha ha, asshole. Nice try.
Lorne smiled at his brother’s remark. These guys weren’t here only to investigate the explosion. They must be chewing at the bit to find out what they could about The Defender. “Thanks,” he said, leaving it at that. “Any idea if they plan on rebuilding?”
“We haven’t heard anything definite yet,” Agent Betts said.
But we know someone who might, Luke said.
He didn’t have to say her name. They were on the same wavelength.
“Looking at what they’ve sunk financially into the place, Dobbling must have been banking on this lab to bring in some major income. But I find it highly suspicious they would insure themselves against sabotage.” Sighing, Lorne admitted, “You’re right. There’s too many unanswered questions. This whole thing smells funny.”
“We agree,” said Dees. “That’s why your help is so crucial if we want to get to the truth, and do it as quickly as possible. Because the longer we take, the longer the people responsible have to pile up more shit to hide behind.”
Lorne lifted further into the air as he mentally chewed over what he’d learned. “I’m heading over to the labs now, gentlemen. I’ll see you there.” Without waiting for a reply, he shot into the air. But instead of heading directly to the destroyed facilities, he made a quick detour first to try and get some answers.
Chapter 18
APB
She’s not there.
Lorne paused in midair. Luke had surmised he would head over to Brenda’s to ask her a few pertinent questions about Dobbling.
Concentrating, he began to scan the area, looking for her little car. He quickly discovered it far in the distance, heading away from the house. Heading north.
“Turn right on Sutherland,” he muttered. “Turn right…atta girl!”
She was aiming for the labs.
Lorne reversed direction and flew over to the destroyed facilities. Before he went unguindene hunting again, he wanted some honest answers from the one person who had to have a few of the missing puzzle pieces.
He waited for her near the mobile HAZMAT unit set up on the grounds near the debris field. Several men greeted him as they came and went. Lorne said hello back, shook a couple of hands, but didn’t instigate any conversation or answer any questions. The scientists and specialists quickly understood he was there for a reason, and left him alone.
Brenda came straight to the unit from the parking lot. She was still wearing the thin pullover sweater and jeans she’d had on earlier when he had been at her place as himself. The only difference was she’d scrubbed her face, added a little makeup, and put her hair up in a ponytail, which made her look so much like the young high school girl he’d agonized over when it came time for the prom. Fortunately, with Luke and Lee both urging him on, he had worked up the courage to ask her to go with him, and she had accepted. Unfortunately, the fantastic evening only ended with a kiss and nothing more.
Not even first base.
The memory of her in his lap sent a resurgence of desire shooting through him. Even though he was upwind of her, he could still smell her rich, womanly scent, which dove straight into his crotch. He shifted his stance, hoping it would ease the tightness in his pants. The movement must have alerted her of his presence. Seeing him standing near the sterilization tent, Brenda stopped and stared at him in surprise. Lorne wasted no time for niceties.
“Miss McKay, I need to ask you a few questions,” he bluntly greeted her.
She nodded. “Okay. Now?”
Lorne held out a hand, suggesting they simply move a few yards beyond the setup where they could talk in relative privacy. He noticed how she kept sweeping her eyes over him, probably remembering fragments of her dream from last night. Smiling slightly, he made a note to be his most gracious and enigmatic self, knowing how much Brenda enjoyed mysteries.
Once he figured they were out of earshot, he turned to face her. “Miss McKay, tell me what you know of unguindene.”
Her face paled slightly, but she didn’t seem upset that he knew about it. Meanwhile, Lorne knew Luke would be monitoring everything about the woman to check for any sign of deception. He crossed his arms over his chest to await her response.
“It’s a highly top secret experimental explosive,” she answered without hesitation.
He had to give her credit for not trying to evade the issue.
“Tell me all about it.”
“Dobbling holds the patent. It’s unique in that a very tiny amount is needed to create an explosion big enough…” Her voice trailed off and her eyes widened. “Is that what destroyed the lab?”
“We’ve found traces of it, yes. Who funded unguindene?”
“Dobbling Enterprises, as far as I know. I was told it was initially created for mining use, and for companies who specialize in blowing up old buildings. That sort of thing. But I wasn’t surprised to hear rumors that the government had handed over a large wad of cash to use it for military purposes.”
“A la
rge wad of cash? How large? Did rumor say?”
“At least a billion dollars.”
Damn!
Luke’s shocked exclamation echoed his own.
“Okay. Now tell me the real purpose of this lab.”
“It’s actually one of three labs. You see, there are three components needed to create unguindene. Each factory manufactures one of the components, then ships it off to a specially designed bunker our company has located in New Mexico where the three parts are mixed to make the explosive.”
Which was the exact story the city had been told when Dobbling first arrived and broke ground. The same story Luke related to him when he was investigating the cause of the explosion, right when the second blast occurred.
“The only problem with your story, Miss McKay, is that all three components were here at this lab. Those two blasts were caused by unguindene.”
“That’s not possible,” she quickly argued, then paused. “The other day, when I saw you flying away with something in your hands, was that—”
“Yes. It was unguindene. I had to take it to the bomb disposal facility outside the city limits so they could test it.”
He saw her nod slowly as she softly muttered, “So that’s where¼”
“You said one of those components were to be manufactured here?” he asked.
“Umm, yes. Bicamphorate sulfide. Please don’t ask me what it is, what it does, or how it’s made. I had a hard enough time learning how to pronounce all of it.”
She tried to smile, but failed. It was clear she was worried.
“Would you happen to know what forms those components are in?”
“It’s easy. They’re the three states of matter. Liquid, solid, or in this case, a powder, and a gel.”
The unguindene has the consistency of a gel. Take liquid and a powder, and they become a paste. Add a gel, and you have something that’ll stick to whatever you slather it on. No container needed. Now all we have to figure out is how the other two substances got here. Find out that out, Lorne, and we’ll have several more pieces of our puzzle in place.
“Miss McKay, where are the other two labs located where these other two substances are manufactured?”
“Bisentrope, North Dakota, and Flemming Town, Utah.”
“And the components to make these substances, how are they delivered to the labs?”
“Usually by truck. Special haulers specializing in hazardous materials, hired by the company. Of course, the components alone aren’t hazardous, but Dobbling doesn’t take chances.”
“Of course not,” Lorne replied sans sarcasm. “Do these special haulers also transport the finished products, like the bicamphorate sulfide, to the bunker in New Mexico?”
“Yes.” Brenda nodded. “In tankers. All three compounds. Each truck is also specifically rigged with a satellite GPS location tracker, so that at all times we know where each shipment is en route.”
In tankers? “Let’s say there are no tankers available. Let’s say I personally have to take the sulfide to New Mexico. Let’s say I have to fly it there. What sort of containment unit would I be needing?”
Her eyes narrowed as she thought. “You mean, to carry a small amount? Like a couple of pounds or so?”
“Exactly.”
Brenda shrugged as she slowly shook her head. “I have no idea.”
She’s being one hundred percent truthful, Lo.
I already knew that.
He started to ask her another question when he caught sight of Agent Dees and his men, plus the other Fed officials, exiting their vehicles and making their way over to the tent. Seeing where his gaze was directed, Brenda turned around to await their arrival.
“Miss McKay, is it?” Dees asked, bypassing the tent and striding up to them, along with the others.
“Yes.”
Dees produced his credentials even though he wore his shield. “I’m with the Fullerton Police Department. Miss McKay, we just got a phone call from Dobbling Enterprises, letting us know that several ounces of two highly dangerous substances have been discovered missing from their containment center in Ocean City. Would you happen to know anything about that?”
Lorne immediately felt her go on the defensive.
“No, I don’t,” Brenda told them in a strong voice.
Truth, Luke whispered in his head.
Agent Queens pointed back toward the parking lot. “Miss McKay, I’m Agent Queens with the ATF. Is that your little blue car parked over there?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Mind if we take a look inside it?”
“Whoa.” Lorne stepped forward to intervene. “For what purpose?”
It was Dees who said, “We were told the last person to check out of the containment area right before the substances were discovered missing was Brenda McKay. The OCPD has put out an APB listing her as a person of interest.” Giving Brenda a small smile, he repeated, “May we take a look inside your car?”
“Okay,” she relented. She dug inside her small purse she’d slung diagonally across her neck and shoulder, and pulled out her keys to unlock the doors.
“The trunk and hood, too, please,” the Agent named Trail requested.
Lorne watched as all four men snapped on latex gloves.
Brenda moved closer to him, and for the first time he sensed her nervousness. “I don’t like this,” she whispered to him.
“If you’re innocent, you have nothing to worry about.” It was an old cliché, but it was true.
“Well, I’m innocent, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying.”
I’m with her, Luke admitted. She’s been honest with you, but my sixth sense is telling me something’s not adding up here.
I agree with you, bro, Lorne agreed. But what can we do, other than watch and see what happens?
He didn’t get an answer. He hadn’t expected one. As the government agents and Dees brought out their cases to examine the car, all he and Brenda could do was stand by and watch what developed.
Chapter 19
Evidence
With four of them searching, it didn’t take long to do a relatively thorough search of the interior of her car. At Trail’s request, Brenda popped the trunk, and Agent Queen opened the hood to finish the bumper-to-bumper investigation. Almost immediately, Betts pulled a small silver case from the trunk. Handling it gingerly, he took it over to the curb and set it on the grass.
“Can you tell us what this is?” Dees asked her.
“It’s my makeup kit.”
“Your makeup kit?” Lorne repeated. “Why is it still in the car?”
“Because I’d forgotten I had packed a small makeup bag and left it in my suitcase,” she explained. “I wasn’t thinking straight when I left my apartment to come back here, and I threw the case in the back.”
He could understand. He wasn’t sure he would be thinking straight, either, when he’d just learned his parent had died suddenly, and he had to hurry out of town to make funeral arrangements.
Betts carefully unlatched the two fasteners and lifted the top. It opened on a hinge, bringing an upper tray along with it. The inside of the case was lined in black velveteen. He reached inside and slowly extracted a cylinder approximately eight inches long and a couple of inches in diameter. The cylinder was semiopaque, but there was no mistaking the blueish fluid inside it.
“Miss McKay, can you tell us what this is?”
Brenda stood staring at the cylinder in open-mouthed astonishment. “I…I…I think that’s biphuromethanene. But that’s impossible!”
Methinks the lady is correct, Luke corroborated.
Dees pulled out his handcuffs as he approached her. “Miss McKay, I’m afraid I’m going to have to take you into custody.” He gestured for her to turn around.
Brenda glanced up at Lorne, who stood watching with equal surprise. “I don’t know how the gel got there. I swear, Defender!”
And the lady is correct again.
Lorne frowned. “Let me look further in
to this. There could be a very good reason why the substance is in her possession.”
“Whatever,” Agent Queens replied. “We’re impounding the case and her car, and having them sent over to the lab for further analysis.”
“Listen, Defender.” Agent Trail walked up as he removed his gloves. “We’re thankful for all your help. Have you had a chance to go back over the blast area?”
“No, not yet. I was about to question Miss McKay when you showed up.” It was a white lie, but Lorne was hesitant to tell the agent he had already been grilling her for answers. “I’ll go now and see what I can find.”
He lifted from the ground as the agent yelled back, “Thanks again! If you find something, bring it right over to the station!”
Racing over to the site, Lorne continued to watch as Dees left the parking lot with Brenda in the backseat. Betts left with the makeup case and cylinder, and the other two agents waited around the car for the tow truck to show up.
Luke, she was set up to take the fall.
Damn right she was. It’s the who and the why that has me stumped.
And this blast is tied to it, Lorne added as he stared down at the rubble that used to be a building.
Luke gave him a mental raspberry. You think?
Lorne landed in an area he hadn’t gone over yet. Hunkering down, he ran a gloved hand through some of the bits and pieces. Nothing about it was discernable or identifiable. There’s not a lot of charring. The explosions pulverized it all. It’s more dust and slivers than anything else.
Keep your eye open for anything that may look like a piece of another cylinder, Luke said.
That gel came in a cylinder, but what about the other stuff? The liquid?
The acetal-diphilate prorestilyme?
Lorne grinned. Show off. Yeah. That stuff. Would it be transported in a cylinder, too?
It might. But then again, common sense would preclude it would be shipped in a different sort of container, so that people wouldn’t mistake the contents at first glance.
In other words, no.
That’s what I said.
Lorne chuckled. Luke had a dry sense of humor, but sometimes his astounding thought processes prevented him from showing it.