The Plot

Part 2

       It was still the school holidays and Grace and Shannon had ridden in with Tracy that morning to the research facility to spend another day working with Professor O'Brien on his astrophysics project.

After her phone call with Doug Watson Tracy sat at her desk thinking about the best way to handle what could be a delicate situation. She had noticed over breakfast that morning that Shannon had been quieter than usual while Grace had been bubbling with excitement over the progress they had been making in the lab.

Tracy needed to talk to Shannon away from Grace. That could be difficult. The two of them were almost always together. Since Shannon's father had died in a tragic accident a few months earlier she had been living with Tracy and Grace. The two girls were best friends.
Something had happened to Shannon last night and Tracy had to find out what it was, but she might not open up to Tracy with Grace listening in.

She left her office and walked up the stairs to O'Brien's lab. The two girls were each sitting in front of computer terminals working on holographic images. 

"Oh hi, Mum," Grace said without looking up, "Can you hang around for ten minutes, then I have a spacecraft to show you which I have designed to travel at two thirds the speed of light."

This was Tracy's opportunity, "Sure sweetheart," she answered. She tapped Shannon on the shoulder and motioned in the direction of a disused office adjoining the main lab. "Can I have a quick word with you?" she asked quietly.

Shannon, who was looking a bit pale, nodded and the two of them stepped into the office. Grace was focussing so intently on her work that she didn't notice them leave.

"What's up, Mrs Hammond?" Shannon asked, looking nervous.

Tracy put on her warmest smile. "I've told you before, please call me Tracy."

The girl nodded.

"I'll get right to the point. I had a phone call from a security guard this morning who saw you outside Exit door Eight last night with three men. He was worried because you seemed upset. Did something happen with those men? Were they bothering you?"

Shannon paused, then said, "No, nothing like that. I had been for a jog and I tripped over just outside the door. Those men helped me up and were just about to open the door for me when the guard opened it. I was out of breath from the jog, that's all."

"Are you sure that's all? You can tell me, Shannon, if those men were bothering you."

"No, that's all it was, Mrs, I mean Tracy."

Tracy looked closely into the girl's eyes but she abruptly turned away. "Can I go back to work?" she asked.

She knows, Tracy thought. Clever girl, she's worked it out, she knows. Aloud she said, "Sure, but remember you can talk to me about anything anytime. I know you've only been staying with us a few weeks, but you know Grace and I love having you with us. You're like one of the family, and if you ever have a problem I'm here for you. I'm good at solving problems." 

"Thanks," Shannon replied, and scuttled back to her work station.

As Shannon sat at her computer terminal she felt at a total loss. Tracy had been so nice to her, she should have told her what had happened last night, but she couldn't. Only half an hour earlier when she had opened her work email address, there it was, an email from "Charlie". She didn't know anyone by that name, but when she opened it she had gazed at the message in disbelief.

Sorry we couldn't chat with you longer last night. Remember to keep our little secret or you know what will happen. I'm not bluffing.

Shannon read it again, then before her eyes it vanished. She couldn't get it back. It had been set to delete fifteen seconds after opening so there would be no evidence. 'I'm not bluffing' the sender had written. She couldn't risk her friend's life, but if she said nothing many more would probably die. What could she do? She tried to operate the keyboard but her hands were trembling and tears came to her eyes. 

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Grace looking at her with a concerned expression. "Hey," Grace said gently, "Something's wrong isn't it? I've been so wrapped up in my design project lately that I didn't even notice my best friend is really upset. Whatever it is, Shannon, you can tell me. Maybe I can help." 

It was then Shannon realised she couldn't hold it in any longer. She had to tell her friend no matter what the danger. She glanced over at the office she had been in a few minutes earlier. It was empty. Tracy was talking with O'Brien in his office. "Let's go in there," she said, "We need privacy."

Five minutes later Grace sat back in her chair and exhaled. "Wow," she exclaimed, "This is serious stuff. You poor thing, Shannon. You must have been terrified."

"I still am," Shannon said quietly, "and now I may have put you in danger."

Grace paused for a few seconds. "We can beat these guys. We can find out who they are and put a stop to their plan. They'll end up in jail and no one will be in danger."

"But how? I didn't see them in the dark, and I only heard the voice of the guy who threatened me. I was so terrified I'm not sure if I could recognise it again." 

"We have to get Mum in on this," Grace said, "She knows most of the staff in this entire place."

She opened the office door and beckoned to her mother who was walking back into the lab from O'Brien's office.

Tracy listened in amazement as Shannon repeated her account of the previous night. She put her hand on Shannon's shoulder. "Try not to worry," she said gently. These men won't get to carry out their plan and they won't know you told us about it." She thought for a moment, then continued, "Our first priority is to identify them. I'm going to get our investigations officer Brad Sullivan to work with me on this. He's very good at finding out this sort of thing and he can be extremely discrete. I'll invite him around for dinner tonight. Better to discuss this away from the facility since we don't know yet who is involved."