TWENTY-SEVEN
Even from outside the entrance of Pine Gap, Tyler could easily see the depression caused by Kessler’s detonation of the xenobium. It had been an hour since the blast, and all non-essential personnel had been told to evacuate the premises. Only the emergency crews who had been pre-screened for security clearances were allowed into the facility to scour the rubble for survivors.
Grant was helping Morgan search for her partner while Tyler waited for Fay and Jess to arrive. He knew they wouldn’t be permitted inside, so he paced along the outer fence.
He recognized the Jeep as it sped toward him. He waved it over and saw that Jess was driving.
She threw the door open, jumped out, and launched herself at Tyler in a tight hug. “I’m so relieved you’re all right.”
Tyler savored the embrace for a moment, then extricated himself and saw that Fay had joined them. “Are you two okay?”
“Other than being psychologically scarred by finding five dead bodies in the warehouse, we’re fantastic.” Jess gestured at a passing emergency vehicle. “What the hell is going on here?”
“There was another explosion, this one inside Pine Gap. That’s all I’m allowed to say about it.”
“What happened at the warehouse?” Fay said. “We thought the worst when we found those bodies.”
“That’s a long story. I’ll have to tell you later.”
“We heard about the truck bomb,” Jess said. “Actually, we
“People in Adelaide would have heard the truck bomb.”
“What’s this all about anyway?”
“We think Fay may have stumbled onto a terror plot accidentally.”
“Because of the artifacts from Roswell?”
Tyler nodded.
“Well, we finally found out what the phrase that alien told me means,” Fay said. “‘Rapa Nui leads to zaynobium.’ We know that Rapa Nui is the Polynesian name for Easter Island, so we think the map on the wood engraving marks a particular spot on the island. But the other part of the phrase is still a mystery. Do you know what zaynobium is?”
Tyler ignored the question because even correcting her pronunciation would require breaking about twelve laws. He focused on Jess as he shook his head. She would understand that meant he
“Whatever it means,” Fay said, “we’re getting on the first flight we can find to Easter Island.”
“Nana, you’ve seen what’s happened here today. It’s too dangerous.”
“Dear, do you think I care about the danger? This is the greatest adventure I could have possibly imagined. I’m
Jess objected. “The hell you are. I’m not letting you go anywhere without me. We go together or you don’t go at all.”
Fay paused for a moment, searching Jess’s eyes, then smiled and patted her granddaughter’s hand. “That settles it.” She turned to Tyler. “Are you coming with us?”
Tyler looked from Fay to Jess. He wouldn’t be able to persuade them to change their minds, and Morgan Bell had no legal authority to keep them from going.
“I’m in,” he said. At least he knew what they were looking for.
Fay clapped her hands. “Excellent!”
“Where’s Grant?”
“He’s helping search the wreckage.”
As he spoke, an ambulance hurtled out of the front gate, followed by a car with Morgan driving. She pulled to a stop next to them and got out. Grant hopped out of the passenger side.
“Did you find Vince?” Tyler said.
Grant nodded. “He was in the stairwell when the bomb went off. A concrete archway kept him from being completely crushed, but he broke both his legs and punctured a lung.”
“Mr. Westfield heard him before anyone else did,” Morgan said. That looked like the closest she’d get to saying thanks.
“It’s not the first time I’ve seen this kind of damage, so I just knew where to look.”
“The medics said he could be back in action in a few months.”
“That’s good to hear,” Tyler said. He introduced Morgan to Fay and Jess.
“The government again,” Fay said. “I knew they were behind this.”
“It’s all right, Fay,” Tyler said. “The US had nothing to do with the attack in New Zealand. Rogue Russian agents are responsible for all this.”
“Russians?” Fay said with awe. “That explains why the alien spoke to me in Russian.”
Tyler told Morgan about the translation of Fay’s phrase.
“Rapa Nui as in Easter Island?” Morgan said.
“Yes. And these two are going whether we want them to or not.”
“When?”
“As soon as possible,” Fay said. “Tyler’s right. You can’t stop us.”
Morgan pursed her lips as she thought for a minute. Finally, she said to Tyler, “Do you think more xenobium could be there?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
“Is that how it’s pronounced?” Fay said. “What is xenobium?”
“That’s classified, ma’am. All I’m allowed to tell you is that the Secretary of the Air Force has received clearance from the President to declare this situation a national security matter. The information you have may be critical to keeping a dangerous item from being used as an instrument of terror.” Morgan took a breath. “I am authorized to use any and all means to bring this matter to a close, and since you are going anyway I’m requesting your help.”
“We don’t even know what all this is about,” Jess said.
“Dr. Locke does, but he’s bound by Executive Order 13292 from disclosing it, and I expect him to adhere to it. Therefore, I want him to accompany you.”
“Yeah, we’ve already decided on that. You know, we’re in Australia, so while we may choose to help you, we are under no obligation to.”
“Ms. McBride and Ms. Turia, I checked your status. You’re both dual citizens of New Zealand and the United States. I’d hope you’d have a sense of patriotism in the matter.”
Tyler put up his hand to stop Morgan. This kind of heavy-handed approach wouldn’t work, and she didn’t need to use it. “We’re all on board here, Agent Bell. Fay, Jess, I can tell you that whatever is on Rapa Nui may have global implications. If we don’t find out what’s there, millions of people may be at risk.”
Jess set her jaw, still miffed at being bossed around, but Fay nodded with satisfaction.
“If the US government wants to help me solve the Roswell mystery, then I’ll go along with it.”
“Okay,” Jess said to Tyler. “We’re trusting you.”
Tyler hoped he was doing the right thing including Fay and Jess and putting them in more danger, but he didn’t really have much choice. They were too involved to exclude now, and Fay could have information crucial to solving the riddle on the artifact.
“By the way,” Grant said, “I won’t be coming with you.”
“Why not?”
Grant tilted his head, a signal that he wanted to speak in private. He, Morgan, and Tyler took a few steps away from the Jeep.
“Morgan has a lead that the Killswitches may be in Sydney,” Grant said.
