Ryan stepped from the SUV, stretched, straightened himself out a bit, and headed toward the entrance of the Quantum Building. “Excuse me, do you know where I can find Professor Jarrod Conrad?” he asked a group of three students walking toward the entrance, each toting a large pack of books.
“Yeah, his lab’s on the fifth floor,” answered the lanky boy in the group. “But it’s too early, if you expect to find him up there. He works late, so he usually comes in around noon. His teaching assistant should be there, though; she can probably tell you more.”
“Okay, thanks. I appreciate your help,” Ryan replied.
“Hey, mister, are you investigating the break-in at Dr. Conrad’s office?” asked the frail black-haired girl, who looked barely able to support the large knapsack she was carrying.
“Yes, I guess you could say that. I’m a friend of his,” he said, guarding his anonymity. “I heard he had a problem and came to see if there was anything I could do. Thanks again for the help.”
His answer seemed to satisfy the students, as they moved toward the entrance without further comment. He followed them into the Quantum Building, and the boy turned abruptly.
“Check the directory,” he said, pointing toward the wall, which contained an alphabetical list of all the professors and administrators in the building. There was a large photo of the founder of Quantum Corporation prominently displayed adjacent to the directory. The man looked scholarly in his white lab coat, and the oversized black rimmed glasses that dominated his face further conveyed this appearance.
Ryan quickly scanned the directory and located his cousin’s office in room 539. He proceeded to the elevators, determined to speak to someone who might know how to locate Jarrod. Without delay, he arrived at room 539 and noted that the office was connected to a large lab that also carried the same number. He entered the room without knocking.
“Can I help you?” asked a prim-looking young woman dressed in a white lab coat, her strawberry-blond hair severely pulled back into a ponytail. Ryan noticed that she was very plain-looking, and would do herself better by changing the green horn-rimmed glasses that gave her such a straitlaced look. “I’m Millicent Ormsby, Dr. Conrad’s teaching assistant,” she said, extending her hand.
“Pleased to meet you, Millicent. I’m Richard Mason. I’m trying to locate Dr. Conrad. Can you tell me when he’ll be in today…or how I can contact him?” he innocently asked.
Millicent looked closely at Ryan as if studying his sincerity. “Dr. Conrad hasn’t told me his plans. His lectures have been cancelled for the remainder of the week. I’m just here to keep the lab open for investigators who might need access. Otherwise, everything’s secured because of the break-in the night before last. Can you show me your credentials?” she asked, assuming he must be a detective with the Palo Alto police.
“Oh, my goodness, no. I’m not with the authorities, Millicent,” Ryan replied, grateful that she didn’t appear overly concerned by his presence. “I’m a friend of Jarrod’s and stopped by to see if there was anything I could do. I heard he might be missing some research information. Are there any clues about who might’ve done this?”
“The authorities believe his cousin had something to do with the break-in and Dr. Conrad was pretty upset when he found out. He’s been unavailable ever since. Can I ask how you know Jarrod?” she asked, her eyebrows pinching together with a slight look of uncertainty. Her demeanor was growing more suspicious by the minute.
“Not at all,” Ryan answered. “I’ve known Dr. Conrad for several years. I’m an industrial engineer. I’ve followed his research publications on the potential for practical application of the grand unified theorem. I heard him speak in San Francisco several years ago and we struck up an acquaintance. He’s a fascinating physicist with an incredible imagination. Everyone’s pulling for him to somehow harness gravity.”
“Well, ‘fascinating’ isn’t the word I’d choose to describe him, Mr. Mason,” she said, frowning and quickly averting her eyes. Ryan sensed that the young woman had experienced some trouble with Jarrod but was trying to conceal her true feelings. “But I’ll grant you, he’s clearly on to something that could change the world. He’s not easy to work for, but I’ve learned a great deal as his graduate assistant.”
“Well, he can be a bit cantankerous…no doubt,” Ryan replied with cynical smile. “But aren’t most geniuses usually idiosyncratic?”
“Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Mason,” she hastily added. “I’m proud to be Dr. Conrad’s assistant. But he has a lot on his mind…he’s very gifted. I don’t know where I’d be had he not agreed to mentor me. But enough about me. How can I help you?”
“If you don’t expect him in today, can you tell me where he lives?” Ryan blurted out, flashing his best smile. He wanted it to sound spontaneous, and not alert Millicent to any reason she shouldn’t provide this information.
“Well, I’m not sure I should give you his address. He may not appreciate you showing up unannounced. Will you promise not to let him know you got it from me?” she asked, returning his smile with a mischievous look in her eye.
“Scout’s honor,” Ryan replied, holding up his hand like a Boy Scout reciting a pledge. Thinking quickly, he added, “He’ll never suspect you gave me the information if you don’t tell him I visited here first. We’ll protect each other, agreed?” he asked, giving her a playful wink.
There was a pause, as if she was considering the propriety of keeping Ryan’s presence secret from her boss. “Okay…agreed,” Millicent finally answered. “Dr. Conrad lives on campus, in housing that’s reserved for visiting fellows and tenured professors,” she divulged. “He’s at 265 Lomita Lane. It’s a pretty green house with lots of roses in the front yard. You can’t miss it. It’s about a mile from here on the other end of the campus. The professor likes to ride his bike to work…so chances are, if he’s home, the bike will be on the front porch. He also has a black BMW that’s usually in the garage. That’s all I can tell you, Mr. Mason.”
“Thanks, Millicent, you’ve been invaluable. And don’t worry about our little secret. Jarrod will never know I spoke to you,” he said, moving toward the door. “Have a good day, and good luck finding the people who broke in.”
“Oh, I’m sure the police will get the information back. Besides… Dr. Conrad always backed up his research on a private computer. We’ll be up and running again in no time. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Mason,” Millicent said, closing the door behind Ryan as he moved into the hallway.
Ryan was amazed by his own resourcefulness. He had no idea that finding his cousin’s house would be so easy. Sure, he could have asked Sarah or Jeremiah for the address, but this would have divulged his strategy, and possibly alerted Jarrod to his plan. One thing was certain: When they came face-to-face, there was going to be a fight. The trick would be to subdue him without causing too much harm.
What if Jarrod has a weapon? he mused. This thought was cause for alarm and further consideration. He couldn’t take anything for granted.
The house at 265 Lomita Lane was easily identified by a beautiful rose garden that adorned the forest-green house. A professional gardener was obviously responsible for maintaining the roses, as everything was perfectly manicured along the entire block. Each home had a different character, with the theme of each residence enhanced by a unique landscape feature; some had fountains, others statuary, but each had an abundance of vibrant flowers that were resplendent with color.
Ryan drove by the house at a normal pace, careful not to draw any attention to his presence. He noted with interest that the ten-speed bike that Millicent Ormsby described was on the porch, and, according to her information, if there was a black BMW in the garage, there was a good chance that Jarrod was home. The garage was closed, so he couldn’t confirm the presence of the BMW.