Jurassic Park
Chapter Three – An Important Discovery
The clock on the mantelpiece chimed ten. Jo gave a wistful sigh as she glanced at Alan, who sat before the laptop on the dining room table, occasionally typing on the keys and then looking back down at the jotting pad to write something down. She took the chair opposite to him, and raised her eyebrows as she watched the deep occupied expression upon her brother's face as he worked perseveringly at his task before him.
They must have sat so for about ten minutes, when Alan's face broke into a satisfied smile. "I have what I've been looking for." He looked up exultantly at his sister, who returned his smile with an inquisitive look. "I've been researching Professor Gates," Grant continued. "I discovered what the reporter said to be true: he is a long-time rival of Hammond's, and has for several years envied his position as Chairman of InGen. In fact, he did run for the position a couple of times himself but lost to Hammond hands down each time. Apparently the Professor's special scientific interests have always been in dinosaurs, and stated that his dream was to someday set up a theme park of his own, but again was beat to that by Hammond when he created Jurassic Park. An interesting point that I discovered was that Professor Gates even offered to buy Jurassic Park from Hammond when he first constructed it, but of course was refused."
Jo's face now wore a look of grave concern. "But it doesn't make sense, Alan," she said, her eyes searching his face, "why would the Professor kidnap John Hammond if he was just going to Isla Sorna to study the dinosaurs?"
Alan's face looked grim as his eyes met Jo's. "I suspect that he's trying to threaten Hammond into stepping down as Chairman of InGen."
Jo's face had almost turned pale, as she said in an unsteady tone, "But what would he do to Hammond to threaten him?"
Grant shook his head. "I don't know, Jo," he said as his forehead furrowed into deep lines of uneasiness. "I also discovered that Gates is a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. I found a contact number on his website. I intend to give Professor Gates a call tomorrow morning."
A terrible sense of foreboding filled brother and sister, which was heightened by the stillness and silence of the room.
Jo, at last, broke the eerie silence that chilled the air about them. "You might be wrong about the Professor, Alan. What if you are? What do you hope to achieve by your phone call tomorrow?"
Alan gave Jo a rueful smile. "I have the whole night ahead of me to think about it."
The next day dawned bright and fresh as the morning sun peeped in behind the curtains of Alan's bedroom, and with it dawned fresh hope and determination for Dr. Grant. Jo and Alan spoke nothing of last night's incident to Robbie, who chatted incessantly and cheerily over the breakfast table, whilst Jo and Alan joined in as best they could without betraying their true emotions inside.
When the morning meal of pancakes and coffee had been concluded and the breakfast dishes washed and dried, Jo announced that she and Robbie would go out shopping at the mall for an hour, which, Jo thought, would enable her brother to make his investigations that morning in private. Alan gave Jo a grateful smile, while Robbie looked disappointed that his uncle would not be joining them on their shopping trip.
Dr. Grant watched as Jo pulled out of the drive, and smiled as Robbie waved him goodbye. The car rounded the bend at the corner of the street, which signalled Alan's cue to make his telephone call. Breathing in deeply, Grant reached for the phone and dialled the number which he had jotted down last evening. He could feel his heart beating faster than normal in his chest. The throbbing of the beat pounded in his ears as he waited for the receiver to be picked up at the other end. Alan swallowed nervously and cleared his throat. His heart skipped a beat when he at last heard a click on the other end of the line and a female voice say, "Good - morning, how may I help you?"
"I'd like to speak to Professor Phil Gates, please."
"I'm sorry, Sir, but Professor Gates is away at present. May I take a message?"
Grant closed his eyes in frustration. He paused a moment before replying, "When will he be back?"
"I'm afraid the time of his arrival back is uncertain. Would you like me to take your name and number and get him to call you back upon his return?"
"No, that's alright, thanks. Can you tell me if there is another way I can reach him?"
"I believe the Professor is on a scientific trip in South America at present, but he did not leave a contact address or telephone number."
Alan's ears pricked at this news and his eyes widened in alert. "Did he say where in South America he has gone?"
"I'm not exactly sure, but believe it's somewhere along the Pacific Coast. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Grant inhaled deeply in order to control his voice before replying, "No, thank-you for your help."
Alan reluctantly laid the phone back on its hook, before sitting down upon the sofa while he endeavoured to gather his thoughts. So Professor Gates was on a scientific trip in the Pacific Coast was he? Surely he had gone to Isla Sorna! Grant was certain if he could find the Professor, he would find Hammond, too. But what if he was mistaken in his suspicions? And yet it all seemed to fit together. Hammond goes missing and the Professor is a long term rival of his who is conducting a project on dinosaurs, his choice subject of scientific interest. Hammond beats him to Chairman of InGen twice, refuses to accept Gates' offer on Jurassic Park and now turns down the Professor's request to assist in his latest project. Now the Professor himself is absent and in the Pacific Coast, too.
Grant knew what course of action he had to take next. He grabbed the phone once more and dialled it hurriedly. He did not have to wait long for his call to be answered this time. "Jack, it's Alan," he said, as he steadied his voice. "I've got a favour to ask . . . if I can rustle up a crew, any chance of taking me to the Pacific Coast in your plane?"