JURASSIC WORLD:TAINTED

Chapter 35

One year after the i-rex incident the park reopened. The first day it was invited guests only. Hundreds of them, all either rich, famous, influential, family friends or business partners. Simon Masrani hosted the event like a pro. The media accompanied them, showed Jurassic World from its best side. They had been hand-picked, specially selected, and none of them were infamous investigative journalists.

Isla Nublar was swarming with tourists two days after that. Ticket sales had reached a high, selling out after just a few hours, and the park was booked solid for the next six months.

Owen Grady was there when the gates opened and Jurassic World was once more a first rate theme park. He was working behind the scenes, as before, as always.

He checked the T-Rex Kingdom, dropped in on Nancy between feeding shows, and he watched the children and adults with the babies at the Gentle Giants Petting Zoo.

All back to normal.

Security was tight.

As before.

There were cameras, there were the troopers, there were the keepers carrying comms. No visitors really saw them, but they were ever-present.

Owen nodded at Carter when he walked into the main control room.

"No major incidents," the chief of security said with an almost-smile. "Lost kids, stomach aches from too much food, sweets or otherwise, a few arguments leading to major verbal fights, and as always someone trying to smoke in a bathroom or in a hidden corner. Oh, and one guy trying to pick some flowers for his girlfriend."

Owen crossed his arms in front of his chest, eyes on the multitude of screens that gave him a good view of every corner of the park.

"Normal," he commented.

"Probably."

He shot Carter a grin. "That's normal, take my word for it. You might get some fights here or there, too. Or a guy trying to climb onto a baby dinosaur. A few years ago there was someone hiking toward the restricted area with some friends, out to have fun in the spooky old park."

Dan snorted. "How's your surveillance working out?"

"Looks good. I'll make a round in a few days, check locations and so on. Want to tag along?"

"Only if the hype dies down, which we both know won't." Carter shrugged. "Take a tracker with you. And a radio."

"Always do. There are no storm warnings. Season is over."

"With your luck..."

Owen chuckled. "I take that as my cue to leave again. Have fun, Dan. See you later."

And he walked out of the main control room, nodding at the guards outside.

Time to get back home and do some work.

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"Wow, what a first week, hm?"

Laurel looked flushed, still wearing her work clothes, hair a little wild. She had ahalf-eaten burrito in one hand.

Owen grinned at her.

"People are like crazy!" she added. "It's not like we just opened for the first time."

"Just reopened after a year," Owen reminded her as he handed the t-rex keeper a bottle of her favorite flavored water.

Laurel took it and unscrewed the cap. "Still not a sensation. They're not gawking at the park. It's the animals." She took a big gulp. "Feeding times were packed! Waiting hours for the gyrospheres are nearly an hour. And you could hardly walk in Main Street because of all the people."