secretly voiced our suspicions to Mr. Shoeshiner. Dr. Barker gave us a quick demonstration of his abilities. He made us look like fools in front of both the vice president and King Midas, and the public relations director had been logged on the tower's control room computer between one and two while Bufford was making his speech to us here."
"A quick demonstration?"
"Yes, sir."
"Was it perhaps a procedure that could have been prepared for Dr. Barker and then practiced by him?"
"I suppose," Dorky allowed, "but I told you, he was logged in – "
Mick shook his head decisively before cutting Dweeb off, "You guys should raise your gazes from those computer screens occasionally and become more aware of the real world."
"What are you talking about, Mr. Loneshark?" Geek asked anxiously.
"Time zones, Geek! Chicago's central time is one hour ahead of Pinewhittle's mountain time. When your Dr. Barker was logged on there in Illinois, Bufford's speech here in Colorado had not yet begun." Dweeb stared at the detective in complete consternation. Geek's eyes momentarily flashed a triumphant gleam. "All right," Mick sighed. He herded the executives toward the door. Loneshark paused, looked at Dweeb, and then pointed at the cart. Dorky obediently trotted back to fetch it."
In the Midas Tower's control room, Brad felt the separate cell phone vibrating in his left trouser pocket. Barker whipped out the phone and viciously spewed to Sir Spiritus, "You're not supposed to call me during work hours unless it's an emergency!"
"That's right!"
The doctor paused. He quietly asked in a more civil tone, "What is it?"
"We have a problem."
