Lemuria by Burt Clinchandhill (most popular novels of all time .txt) 📗

Jennifer felt a sincere response but didn’t react to the question. “Can you at least get me a working phone?”

The doctor took a deep breath. “I don’t think I can do that. There are only two satellite phones on-site. The site executive has one, and the other one is in Mulder’s possession. They’re both closely monitored, and every call is registered. Daily reports are checked for strange calls. I know they are sticklers about that. I’m not sure what they’re afraid of. I will help you where I can, but not with phones.”

“Then what do you suggest I do? “Jenifer asked.

“You said it yourself. Everybody is friendly, you’re treated well and you can walk the site freely. Why not ride it out? There’s nothing you can do, and in a short while, this will all be over.”

Jennifer tilted her head. “And then what happens?”

“I’m not sure, but I trust no harm will come to you.”

“Except maybe for being locked up and serve as a lab experiment.”

“How’s it going here?” asked Mulder, stepping inside the tent.

“Oh, um, we’re fine,” Dr. Ahlström answered. “We just finished the Wedekind experiment with amazing results. I’ll write a report and get it to you later today.”

“That’s great. You can tell me later on the plane. I came by to tell you to pack up your things. We’re leaving tonight.”

“Where are we going?” Jennifer asked.

“You’ll see,” Mulder replied. “We have a long flight ahead of us, so plenty of time to catch up on test results.” He looked at his watch. “You have two hours before the helicopter picks us up,” he said as he walked out.

“Do you know where we’re going?” Jennifer asked Dr. Ahlström.

“I have no idea. There are plenty of sites around the world left to visit.”

Jennifer thought for a long moment. “Can you do me a favor?”

“What is it?”

“I want to go for a walk, alone, one more time and visit the Arca Domas and take some pictures. Do you mind vouching for me, should anyone ask? I’ll be back soon.”

“Not a problem. Take your time. I’ll see you in a while.”

“Thank you.” Jennifer looked left and right as she stepped out of the tent, and when she was sure no one saw her, she disappeared into the woods.

Chapter 25 – Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD

New Haven, CT, The Present

At the corner of Prospect and Edwards Streets, tucked away deep in the Farnam Memorial Gardens, was Yale’s Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium.

The oldest observatory in the U.S. now has two permanently mounted telescopes. The oldest, mounted in the east dome, was purchased by Yale in 1882 to study Venus’s journey across the face of the sun that year. Today, the refurbished telescope is used for observing planets and stars. The west dome houses a more modern computer-controlled, reflecting telescope.

The permanent exposition in the main building houses a display of Yale’s rich history of astronomy. It was here that Stiles and Loomis watched the return of Haley’s Comet in 1835, looking through their five-inch Dollond refractor—an instrument now on display in the exposition.

On the park bench in front of the building, Bishop looked at his watch, waiting for Father Lamberto De Cremonese, who asked to meet him there. He was already ten minutes late.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” De Cremonese, dressed in jeans and sweater, called out as he approached Bishop from the main building.

Bishop frowned, expecting a man dressed in a cassock or soutane.

“I get that a lot.” De Cremonese shook Bishop’s hand. “But today I’m a scientist and a little less of a Jesuit priest. Lamberto De Cremonese,” he introduced himself.

“Matthew Bishop.”

“Matthew, may I call you Matthew?”

“Of course.”

“Matthew, a pleasure to meet you. Please call me Lamberto. Great place here, isn’t it?”

Bishop looked around and nodded. “It sure is.”

“Did you know this observatory dates back to 1828, when a man named Sheldon Clark donated twelve hundred U.S. dollars to buy a Dollond refracting telescope? It may not sound like a lot of money but adjusted for inflation, it would be $24,418 today. And, no, I don’t have a built-in calculator.” He smiled, sitting down next to Bishop. “I just gave a guest lecture to a group of first-year astronomy students on the history of astronomy in the U.S., and the combination of religion and science.”

“You should have told me. I would have attended,” Bishop said sincerely.

“Maybe next time. On the plane here, I read your work on the philosophical implications of proving evolution. On another day, I would love to discuss some of the finer points.”

“No problem,” Bishop responded. “You wanted to meet in person to discuss the picture I sent to your office?”

“Indeed, I did. But first, would you mind telling me who the young woman is to you? I looked her up and saw she recently obtained her doctorate here at Yale. Was she a student of yours?”

“She attended some of my classes but was never an official student of mine. I did help her with her dissertation, and a few years back with a more personal matter regarding her family. We became close in the father-daughter sense, and I’m very worried about her disappearance. I talked to her mother this morning, who’s also worried sick. We are used to her disappearing for a while, but she always contacted her mother after a few days from some God-forsaken country far away. No offense.”

“None taken,” De Cremonese assured Bishop. “But this time, not a word, I understand?”

“Not for over four months. She hasn’t called or responded to calls. It seems her phone has been off all this time, which I don’t have to tell you is quite extraordinary for a young person these days.”

De Cremonese smiled. “It sure is.”

“But you called me. Do you know Jennifer?”

“Well, not really. A colleague of mine showed me the picture, and it took me a while, but then it hit me where I recognized the young lady from.”

Bishop shifted to the edge of the park bench.

“I met her only