Rasmus lets out a mild whoop. “This looks genuine. It’s definitely the way in. I can’t guarantee it will work, but it’s come from there, and if current and not some old system they used, it’s probably good.” He types some more. “But give me a bit longer to check this. This opens up all sorts of possibilities. I can see how to do things like mine their systems for data, once you get in.”
“So, we might not need to take photos?” I ask.
“It depends on what they store digitally.”
Well now. I glance at Esau. “I plan to do this today, before they figure out we’re coming. Once they’re open for employees to enter, it’s on.” I lock eyes with him. “Esau, lethal force is likely going to be used if they see us. Are you still in?”
“Today? Sure. I’ll close my shop. I know where to steal some uniforms too. The local laundromat. We’ll need those.”
“Doing this fast will increase the chance of mistakes, decrease the chance of a leak. Let’s discuss everything we will take with us and do, very carefully, Esau.”
“Sounds good.”
This seems so normal, even if we are planning mayhem. It’s like a bunch of guys discussing where to go for breakfast. “How come you two aren’t freaking out more about, you know, other worlds?”
“That? It’s going to hit the science peeps like an atom bomb, once they find out. Me? I’m screaming inside, don’t you worry.” Rasmus says, still staring at the screen while typing.
“Ditto.” Esau rocks forward and clasps his big hands between his knees. “But what you want to do suits me. I’ve been itching to do more. I don’t care if anything happens to me. I need this.” His expression, his eyes, go dark with introspection. “There needs to be a reckoning for things people have done. And you, you’re in love with Hailey yet doing this?”
“I’m doing it to save her from having to. I didn’t tell her anything. Again, this is likely to be fucking dangerous, and knowing her, she’d want to come.”
“So, you’re doing it for her. Just count me in, freaky man. I need this. I’m doing it for Niamh.” He sniffs, shakes his head. “She should be here, alive.”
“We won’t be getting much sleep, if any.”
He only shrugs. “Sleep?Pfft.”
“Hey. Just so you know.” Rasmus eyes me, looks worried,goes back to his screen staring. “I sent Hailey and the McCluskers a link to my conclusions about your phone.”
Motherfucker.
Esau interjects. “Also, if this goes okay, there is no way me and Rasmus are letting you leave Revenant.”
“You don’t understand.”
“We will, once you tell us why. We’re still not letting you go. Right, Rasmus? You’re a good man, no matter what stupid idea you’ve arrived at.”
Motherfucker, again.
43
THE REVENANT INSTITUTE
Getting past the outer gate proves easy since they use a code scanner and a fingerprint, both of which Rasmus created from the code Dawid gave us. Dressed in the green Revenant-badged uniform the cleaning staff wear, Esau and I exit the van in the underground garage and get into the nearest elevator with both of us carrying a rectangular plastic caddy stocked with cleaning gear, spray cans, brushes, and cloths. This place is swarming, and two more people seems to raise no suspicions.
To me, Esau is out of place, like a tattooed giant among humans, though perhaps tattoos are fine when you’re merely the underlings. My facial scars are disguised with makeup, and I’ve pulled the shirt collar high. The rest of my scars are invisible due to the long-sleeved green shirt and long pants. Still, as planned, I keep my head low, my ugly face difficult to see, and avoid meeting anyone’s gaze.
Five people crowd in with us. They get off at various upperfloors, chatting with each other, checking phones. None appear to look at us more than once.
“Level Twelve.” I raise my eyebrow to Esau. Finally, we have the lift to ourselves.
Below Level One are three floors marked,B1, B2, B3,but all are blocked from access by the average employee. These are the floors Dawid thought were of interest to us. The above-ground floors host well-known, public research projects.
“Let’s do it,” he says gruffly. With one smooth motion, from directly underneath he reaches up and sticks a circular label to the overhead camera lens.
I take out the second coded card and swipe, then press for the third level down.B3. The advantage of Rasmus being able to understand what Dawid gave us is that we know this is the only floor with no access to anyone except Clay Skinner and a small grouping of others, including key scientists and security.
“Cross your fingers.” I murmur. It’s possible they have audio bugs we haven’t found.
