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

without furniture. The few smaller spaces they passed were equipped with what looked to be lab equipment, but no one was operating any of it.

“It looks like they are still moving in,” De Cremonese said.

“Or Mulder values his privacy very much.”

“Here.” De Cremonese pointed to a sign on a closed door that read, ‘Ms. Amie Coleman – Executive Assistant.’ He looked through the glass panel beside the door. “Empty.”

Bishop followed De Cremonese’s example. “And dark.”

“That means that the next room’s probably....” De Cremonese pointed ahead.

“Be my guest,” Bishop whispered and waved an arm ahead.

De Cremonese headed to the next door. ‘Eldin Mulder – CEO,’ it read. He looked back at Bishop and nodded. De Cremonese looked through the glass panel. “Also empty and dark,” he said softly.

Bishop looked at the door. “There’s no doorknob.”

De Cremonese pointed to a small LED screen hanging eye level next to the door. Below the screen, one single stainless-steel button was incorporated in the screen’s frame.

“Why not,” Bishop said, and De Cremonese pushed the button.

“Can I help you?” a female voice asked, and the dark-haired Lean appeared on the screen.

“Lea.” De Cremonese said, surprised, and quickly took a step back.

“No, I am a Lean, the Logynous security avatar,” the digital woman replied.

Not sure what to do, De Cremonese eyed Bishop, who hesitated for a second and then stepped in front of the screen. “Hi, Lean. We have an appointment with Mr. Mulder and would like to wait in his office. Would you please open the door?”

The avatar blinked two times. “I am sorry, but I am not allowed to let you in without permission or unaccompanied by a member of the executive staff. If you like, I can point you to the nearest playground.”

“No, thank you,” Bishop said. “We’ll find our way.”

The screen went blank again.

“What do we do now?” he asked De Cremonese.

“Break in?” De Cremonese stroked his beard.

“Father?”

“It’s for a good cause, and we’re not here to steal anything, just have a look.”

Bishop nodded. “I like your style, Father. But how do you suggest we do that? I can pick a traditional lock but this....” He pointed to the screen.

De Cremonese took a small pocketknife from his jeans and opened it.

“You came prepared,” Bishop said.

De Cremonese showed him the knife. “It’s a 1960s metal-plated pocketknife, with an engraving of Vatican City. It’s been handed from one director of the Vatican Observatory to the next since then.”

Bishop laughed. “And you probably always wondered why.”

“And now we know.” De Cremonese pried the knife between the wall and the screen. With little force, the screen came off.

“Can I help you?” Lean appeared on the screen, now dangling from the wall on a bundle of wires.

“No, thank you,” Bishop answered promptly, putting a hand over the screen.

“I cannot see you,” Lean said while De Cremonese took the bundle of wires in his hand.

“There must be twenty colors,” Bishop said. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”

De Cremonese shrugged while prying his knife between the end of a few stripped wires. With a sharp crackling sound, sparks flew from the tip of the metal knife, running a current through it into De Cremonese’s hand. He cried out, pulled back, and dropped the knife.

“That went well,” Bishop said. “I’m not sure that’s the right way to get in.”

“I cannot let you in without proper authorization,” Lean said. “Will you please stop doing what it is you’re doing? This is dangerous, and you could be seriously hurt.”

De Cremonese picked up the knife, and Bishop pulled him away from the door. “She can hear us,” he whispered. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”

De Cremonese didn’t respond. For a long moment he stared at the dangling screen, then back at his knife again. “Maybe,” he frowned. “But it could be a bit dangerous.”

“What do you mean?

De Cremonese looked at Bishop’s shoes. “Can I get one of your laces?”

“What? Why?” Bishop uttered.

“Because I wear loafers and don’t have any.”

“Great.” Bishop shook his head. He bent over, took a lace from his shoe and gave it to De Cremonese. “I’m going to need that back.”

“I figure you do,” De Cremonese looked at Bishop’s laceless shoe and smiled. “Now help me. I need you to tie the knife into my hand as firm as you can. I must not be able to let it go.” He gave the shoelace back.

“I have a bad feeling about this. But, okay, it’s your funeral.” De Cremonese took the knife in his hand, and Bishop wrapped the lace firmly around it, tying it off with a double knot. “Try it.”

De Cremonese used every muscle in his hand to open it but couldn’t. “That should do it.” He went back to the screen. “Whatever happens, don’t interfere and don’t touch me,” he warned Bishop.

Bishop shook his head.

“Ready?” De Cremonese asked.

“I have no idea for what, but....” he waved both hands.

De Cremonese held the screen in front of him and looked at the end of the wires, to where they disappeared into the wall. He took a deep breath and released it slowly. Then he pushed the button.

Lean returned to the screen. “Can I help you?”

De Cremonese pushed the knife into the wall where the wires met. A strong current ran through the blade into his hand and through his body. His hand tightened around the knife and started shaking, followed by his arm. His face contorted.

“What are you doing?” Lean asked.

Bishop took a step toward De Cremonese and stretched out his arm, but remembered what he’d said.

“Please stop what you’re doing,” Lean said. “This is very dangerous.”

Bishop turned sideways, getting ready to jump at De Cremonese and throw him onto the ground, away from the current, while not getting electrified himself. Just as he was about to leap forward, the current stopped.

De Cremonese fell to his knees, exhaled, inhaled deeply, and again exhaled slowly and softly.

“Are you okay?” Bishop took him by the shoulder, unwrapped the lace, and removed the knife from his hand.

“Give me a few