“Correct. At least they were before.”
“Wimps.” Zane lowered the monocular. “I can’t see a thing.”
“Before, I was further down and at a better angle. But even if we were in that spot, I doubt you’d be able to see them unless they were right up against the glass. The snow is just too heavy now.”
Zane looked up in the air. “Yeah, I can’t figure out if this is good or bad. My mind says it’s never a good thing to operate in these kinds of conditions, but on the other hand, my gut tells me it might actually work in our favor.” He looked through the monocular again. “What kind of weaponry?”
“Semi-automatic rifles. Likely AR-15, although I can’t say for sure.”
“Obviously not standard security personnel for a physics lab," said Zane. "Have you seen anyone else?”
“No, but my guess is they’re covering all the entrances and have men scattered throughout the interior.”
“What about perimeter patrols?”
“Always a possibility,” Skinner admitted. “But strangely, I haven’t seen anyone out and around.”
“It may confirm my theory that they’re not expecting any visitors,” Zane said, his breath forming into clouds. “That, or their men just aren’t interested in getting out in this mess. Anyway, I think we need to assume there are armed patrols out here. From everything we’ve seen, Mironov is a man who values security, and it wouldn’t be like him to let his guard down completely. He has to know that there is at least the small chance we figured out where he was taking VanGelder.”
“Unless we're the beneficiaries of some false assumptions he’s making,” Skinner said.
“Maybe. We can't count on that, though. What can you tell me about the buildings? Do we know how many there are?”
“I counted four from the satellite view. The one here in front of us is connected to a second building by an enclosed corridor that runs across an open space. Together they form an H-shape. And beyond the second building, there are two others: a very large building that appears to house a number of offices, and a final one on the far end.”
“So if I’m hearing you right, if we can get into this building in front of us, that will give us access to all four. Correct?”
“Correct,” Skinner said.
“Do we know where the control room is?”
“I believe it’s in the building on the far end, the fourth one.”
“You don’t sound certain,” Zane said.
“Actually, I am reasonably certain. I found an article in which a group of physics students were touring the room, and there was a picture of them standing outside the building before entering. The picture matches the tilted satellite view of the one I was referring to. It has an odd exterior of ribbed gray metal. There's a parking deck beyond that.”
“Have you done any reconnaissance of the deck?”
“Not yet. It’s new and doesn’t show up on the overhead satellite view. I just happened to find it right before you arrived using the street view, which has more current imagery.”
Zane didn’t speak for about a minute, the snow continuing to cover him.
“What are you thinking?” Skinner finally asked.
“I think I just figured out how we’re going to get in there.”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Amanda dialed Carmen’s number three times, but each time it rolled into voice mail. The Italian gave the greeting, but used another name. Amanda assumed it was some sort of false identity.
“She’s still not picking up,” she said to Philippe, ending the call. “Do you see anything?”
The two were both crouched behind the Peugeot in the field across from CERN. Philippe still believed the vehicle they had just seen was connected to all that was going on, but it had disappeared to parts unknown. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“Were you able to see where that car went?”
“No, but I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of it or the people inside.”
“Who do you suppose it is?” Amanda already knew the answer. Neither she nor Philippe had any way of knowing who it might be. It could be Renaissance security officers patrolling the perimeter, or it could be Carmen. For all she knew, it could just be a group of teens cruising around looking for a good place to smoke pot or make out.
“I have no idea.” The pastor frowned as his mind sifted through all the possibilities. “But we must begin to pray. God will take care of us, and He will let us know if danger is close by.”
When Amanda kept staring at the road, he said, “Don’t worry, my dear. God is going to take care of everything.”
“I know He is.” She looked over at Philippe and then down at the ground.
“What’s wrong? I can tell something is bothering you.”
She looked back up at him again, afraid and confused. “Nothing is wrong… per se. I’m just concerned about something I feel led to do.”
“And what is that?” asked Philippe.
“I’ve been doing some praying.” Amanda could see concern in his gentle eyes, which made what she was about to say even harder. “I prayed at the cathedral, and I prayed in the car… and well, I feel as though I’m supposed to do something.”
“Amanda, I need you to be more specific.”
“I don’t know… but I do feel like I’m supposed to go there.”
“As you probably guessed, that concerns me. Did you receive this from the Lord?”
Amanda looked over at him. “I honestly don’t know. I’d be lying if I said I felt some special revelation or divine calling. All I know is this — I feel drawn to those buildings, the ones that are right through those trees. Whether that’s God or whether it’s just me being concerned for my friends, I can’t really say.”
“I appreciate your honesty… And while I can’t stop you, I must say that I believe your place is here… our place is here. Your friends are professionals who know how to deal with the criminal element. You and I are children of God, and our battle is a spiritual one.”
“Our battles are typically spiritual. But then again, we’re also sometimes called to action. Do you wonder why you felt led to come out here and pray, and to bring me along? We could’ve just as easily prayed from the safety of St. Pierre.”
“I did wonder about that, but I have also felt strongly that I should pray. In the end, I decided that God wanted us to pray in close proximity, for purposes he chose not to reveal.”
“Exactly. You felt strongly that you should pray. Notice you weren’t given any instructions for me, specifically.” Amanda reached over and put her hand on his shoulder. “Look, if it makes you feel any better, I don’t want to go in there. I really don’t.”
“Then don’t.”
“But at the same time, I can’t stay here. That would violate my conscience. Is it God? I have no way of knowing. You're a godly man, and I know if you felt this way, you’d do the same.”
“Je comprends. I understand there is nothing I can do to dissuade you. Whatever is moving you must be the Spirit. At least, I hope it is.” Philippe reached out and patted her on the back, sending a cloud of snowy mist into the air.
Amanda’s mouth turned up into a slight smile, realizing it must have taken a lot for Philippe to get on board with what she was about to do.
“Oh, just one more thing,” he said, opening the door of his car. After searching for something between the seats, he finally handed her a flashlight. “At least take this with you. And please only use it if you have to.”
Amanda smiled at his thoughtfulness. The two stared at each other for a few more seconds before she finally let out a sigh and looked toward the road. “Well, I guess I’d better go,” she said.