Trapezoid (The Base)

Chapter 27

The first day off her employer had ever given her. Well at least that's how Thomas put it. She'd have been thrilled—if his brother wasn't around. She was being moved out of the way and she knew it—and didn't like it. But what else could she do? She couldn't hang around and not get caught. If that happened, she was done. What else was there to do but own it?

But never.

That night with Stevens had brought up so much. That sound of an explosion in the dungeon had an origin. Through the walls of the route they'd taken, a rumbling hum sounded. There was something that was going on there, but they just didn't have the time. Surfacing into the orchard, the surrounding area proved business had been happening. But what business?

And what about the address she'd found last night? She figured she'd try and hit two birds with one stone by using her morning to search the place out. The thought had crept into her mind several times that she could be walking into a hornet's nest. But how else was she going to get anywhere? Maybe Stevens could help her.

No.

She wasn't thinking that! She didn't even consider him a friend! Yes, she'd learned to trust him—maybe too much until it was changing into other disturbing feelings. And maybe it was best not to assess them. But she couldn't deny that some tiny spot in her heart was opening for him. She genuinely cared about him. And with God's help, it'll stay that way—meaning she wouldn't pull him into any potentially dangerous situations.

She had no doubt he'd object to that.

...........................................

Chris double-checked the address she'd written on the sleeve of her arm and pulled her loose hair out of her face. This was the place? She gazed up at the colossal building. What did a museum have to do with this whole mess? She walked in through the revolving glass doors, perplexed but insisting to keep herself open-minded. There was absolutely nothing that seemed out of place. It was just a normal day at the museum.

But the fact that she'd found this address in one of Richard's books gave her reasons for suspicion. The book had nothing to do with music! No, this place was tied in somehow. And she had to find out how. Could this place be headquarters? She counted the chances of that out.

But then again ...

Like I regular visitor interested in music, she explored the area and even settled for snack at the café. But unlike a regular visitor, she put every person she saw under a mental scanner. Things seemed okay. She walked out of there not feeling enlightened, but discouraged. She passed the info desk.

"Come visit us again!" said the friendly-faced young brunette.

Chris gave a polite smile. It was unlikely.

"Ooh!" she bubbled, her blue eyes lighting up. She handed her a pamphlet. "You surely wouldn't want to miss out on the concert that would be held here! If you truly love class in your music of course, this would be something to die for."

Chris eyes brushed over the pamphlet, politely. The price to attend would wipe her savings account clean! "I'm sorry," she declined, "It's way past my budget."

The brunette laughed airily, and leaned forward over the desk in the most informal manner. "It is also said," she imparted, near a whisper, "that the royal family and the prime minister will be attending. The price it totally worth it if you ask me." She straightened once more, smile brighter than ever. "Think about it."

Chris shook her head. "You'd make a wonderful saleswoman. People would buy air if they ran into you."

The woman curtseyed behind the desk.