Sept 12, 2001

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

Mr. Lyle was furious For days now, he heard reports that the repairs on the Centre had not been going on as scheduled. At first he thought it was because of that 911 explosion but that could not be that. It happened yesterday morning and the Centre had been in disrepair for almost a week ever since his sister and her toy disappeared. After asking around, Lyle found that someone had made off with several of the tools. He sent for the Centre personal accountant who informed him that someone had made an extra key.

"How many are missing?" he asked the accountant.

"A couple of chisels, welding torch, laser gun, " said the man in the white suit, "I thought it was the packrats, but they usually return them."

"Did you report this to Mr. Raines?"

"Of course I did, Mr. Lyle. Ever since that Lambourni returned from New York last night, things have gone missing and it isn't just Raines's Wagner Collection. I also saw quite a bit of activity over at the quarry, at night. Someone shining a beacon and then disappearing."

"Could be the coast guard searching for terrorists. Funny how the lawyer didn't stay in the city, I would've"

"His wife worked on one of the top floors, She didn't stand a chance."

Mr. Lyle went in his desk and opened the top drawer. "I suppose we'd better give a condolence party for our lawyer. Perhaps something for his children." He turned on the intercom. "Miss Chang, could you go to the drugstore and pick up a Sympathy card and some flowers."

"What kind sir?"

"Roses will be fine. Oh and check the calendar to see if tonight is free"

"But I have dancing lessons every Wednesday, sir."

"Yes, I know it's Wednesday, but Mr. Lambourni's wife was killed in that 911 explosion and I thought we'd have the staff over."

"Isn't it cutting it rather short?"

"I know its short notice. Oh and call the caterers, the ones we use."

"What time shall I say for the others to come?"

"8:00 PM will be fine. Thanks Miss Chang." He turned off the intercom. "Now do you have anymore information rather than two lights that disturbed your sleep?"

"But it seemed someone dug a large hole and removed quite a large bit of rock. I also saw several scrapings of dust as if someone was shaping it, but no sign of a sculpture. I did check with the local artist guild. They said they didn't know anything, but they said, and I quote, we value our lives too much to go where we are not appreciated.'"

Lyle dismissed this as nonsense. "Who is taking Security and Record's place now that my dear nephew wants him?"

"Michael, his brother, but even he disappears."

"What have they been reading Jarod's notes on how to escape the Centre? Find Michael. Tell him to report here right away. What's this doing here?" He picked up an envelope and read the
insides. "You will all die." He threw it in the waste paper basket. "The handwriting's unfamiliar and I don't recognize it as being from the Centre."

"The Inner Sanctum?"

"I thought Raines took care of that."

"He said he did. This looks as if written by someone taught by the nuns. That script's used in Mexico. It could be that group."

"Fairy tales. And if you can't find Michael, try Marcia. She gave him birth and she's looking after Lambourni's kids. Try his house."

The man in the white suit telephoned the Lambourni residence, but got no answer. "They appear to have gone out."