Chapter 4
Sitting in the backseat of the helicopter, he watched the two scientists that he accompanied. Despite them being introduced as partners on the project, it seemed only by name only. Dr. Honestas sat a distance away from Dr. Hojo while she worked silent taking notes from a book while he stared out of the window out on the ocean water that sketched beneath them. The water then switched to earth both of rolling hills, fields and rivers.
In the distance large, dark mountains rose up along the horizon with either highest peaks being capped with snow.
"We will be landing in 15 minutes." The pilot announced over the intercom. Lucrecia glanced up briefly only to return to her work. Hojo crossed his arms and stared forward.
'Oh, this could be fun.' Vincent thought to himself. 'I've been sent to baby-sit two scientists that seem not to get along, especially the anal one. Though Gast's assistant doesn't seem too bad.'
A while later, the helicopter slowly lowered itself down on the landing pad just next to the mansion. The co-pilot hopped out and opened the door for the two scientists and the Turk who rode in back. Another man quickly greeted the group. His hair was cut short and wore round-framed glasses and sported a small, dark mustache. Lucrecia smiled and greeted him.
"Professor Gast." He met her outreached hand and shook it. Their voices were almost lost in the whirlwind of the propellers and the roar of the helicopter engine. Her hair whipped around wildly as it took to the air once again.
Gast turned and nodded to the second scientist.
"Hojo, good to see you as well."
"Of course." Shoving his hands into his lab coat pockets.
Gast's eyes then settled on Vincent's tall dark frame. "And who might he be?"
Lucrecia gestured to the Turk. "This is Mr. Valentine, he has been sent to take some observations of the project."
Gast looked over the blue suited man in question and the large black case that sat next to his black shoes. The professor snorted, more out of amusement then annoyance. "Observation indeed. Nonetheless, welcome to the project Mr. Valentine." Gast held out his hand to Vincent, but the gunman hesitated at first and then clasped hands with the scientist. Silence fell briefly among the small group. Gast removed his glasses and quickly wiped them off with the tail of his lab coat.
"There is far too much to be done for us to loiter here." Gast turned and led them toward the main entrance of the mansion. Vincent readjusted the pack strap on his left shoulder and picked up his large back case before he followed quietly behind the researchers. A large wrought iron gate came into view with a part of large gates. Vincent paused at looked briefly over the iron designs that hung over the gates. He returned his attention back to the small group of scientists as they entered the mansion.
It was late afternoon and the shadows of the looming mountains had already begun to cast their shadow over the small village; lights had already begun to flicker to life within some of the town houses and homes.
Lucrecia sighed and set her bags down on her bed. Gast and Hojo had already gone down into the basement lab to pour over the notes that Gast had already shared with her. She was given a small room at the end of the hall next to the the stone tunnel that spiraled to the basement while Professor Gast took a room on the left wing and Hojo taking another small room where a bed had been placed. Lucrecia had her misgiving about have Dr. Hojo there to "observe" as he stated.
Unzipping one bag, she pulled out several changes of clothing followed by a small metal box. She slipped her fingers gently across the surface in a loving manner. Inside were test tubes, sterile swabs, gloves, test kits and tape. The kit contained everything she could need when she was out in the field researching and taking samples.
The large mobile that sat on the bed began to ring. Reaching over she answered.
"Lu! I hope I am not bothering you, dear."
Lucrecia rolled her eyes. "Not at the moment, mom. Is there a reason you called?" She cradled the phone between her ear and her shoulder while she continued to unpack.
"Oh, not really, I just wanted to see how you were. I haven't heard from you in a while."
Lucrecia opened one of the dresser drawers and placed her shirt and pants within and closed it. "Everything is going well, mom. I am going to be really busy here for a while."
She could hear her mother sigh on the other end. "Not that I am surprised, dear. But honestly, isn't this routine getting you tired?"
Lucrecia switched shoulder and ear. She knew what her mother was getting at and did not care to hear yet another lecture.
"This is what I want to do and I am very happy with it."
"I know, I know, dear. But you are not immortal and there might be time where you may regret your choices."
"But that is risk I am willing to take."
"Oh my, someone's here, I best let you go, Lu," A dog back in the background. " Remember what I told you. Be safe." Her mother hung up.
Lucrecia stared at the phone briefly before shaking her head. Her mother meant well at her age, but Lucrecia felt herself rebelling against the idea of "settling down". It was not that feared boredom, but it was the fear that she would be settling for less and all the hell she had gone through would be for naught. She knew her mother was only concerned about her overall happiness, and that most of her concern probably was stemming in the fact that Lucrecia would be turning thirty in the winter.
"The farm boy can keep on milking his cows." Lucrecia mumbled as she slipped the phone into the top drawer of her dresser. Placing what bags were left into the wardrobe, Lucrecia left her room and locked the door.
"Professor Gast would like you to meet in his office."
Lucrecia turned to find Vincent standing not too far away. His suit was meticulously button and his tie straight. She smiled as she dropped the room key into her lab pocket.
"Of course, Mr. Valentine. I shouldn't keep them waiting, should I?"
He gave only a blank expression as she walked past him and down the stairs that would lead to the main level of the mansion.
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Lucrecia closed Gast's study door behind her while the two men pour each other glasses of hard liquor. She glanced around and found the Turk gunman standing opposite of the door, watching in silence.
"I am going down to the pub for a quick dinner, it would be nice to have some company, even if it's only a measure more then a corpse." She mentioned casually. He stood looking at her, remaining quiet except for the loud rumble of his stomach. His eyes glanced away and his stance eased.
"If you wish, Doctor."
Lucrecia eyed him briefly before turning her back on him. She took off her lab coat and folded it over her arm. They passed her room where she tossed her lab coat casually over a chair before making their way to the front doors.
Lucrecia opened the pub door and found the establishment filled with people settling down for their evening meal and conversation. Lucrecia hesitated unsure where to sit. Vincent moved toward the backside of the room where a table in the corner sat empty. He walked over to the table and before he took his seat, he pulled out a chair for her and waited.
She blinked at the gesture of manners. Nodding, she took the seat and sat down opposite from him. She smiled. It had been a while since anyone had ever done that for her. Vincent studied her briefly, seeming almost confused.
"What amuses you?" He finally asked.
Lucrecia relaxed in the wooden chair. "Oh nothing, really. But I will have to say this, your attire would not even bat an eye in the city, but it seems a little conspicuous among the locals."
Vincent sighed. "How unfortunate." He reached up and straightened his tie with a certain amount of smugness. A waitress approached their table.
"I'll have some hot tea, easy on the cream and sugar." Lucrecia asked without pausing.
The two women then looked at the Turk.
"Water is fine." He stated.
The waitress then laid out several menus and left. She picked up hers and scanned briefly over the different meals.
"Just water huh? I would have guessed you to be a 'whiskey on the rocks' sort of man, Mr. Valentine."
Vincent slowly opened his menu and glanced it over with little excitement 'Actually I like a martini…'
"I thought I would be considerate and not mix alcohol with guns." He explained factually.
"I suppose you have a point." She glanced up soon enough to catch the fleeting grin that signaled his attempt at humor. Lucrecia swore she almost saw a shadow of mischief. 'I definitely need to make sure I am careful around him. He could be lethal.'
Their drinks were laid out on the table and meal orders were taken. Picking up her cup, Lucrecia went to drink but paused to watch him to turn his glass several times before he picked it up and drank from it. She quickly returned her attention to her tea. The aroma was rich with the smell of warm cream and the darkness of the black tea. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed the moment.
"Will Professor Gast and Dr.Hojo be joining you?"
She opened her eyes and look up. "Possibly, but I doubt it, especially Dr. Hojo. He tends to like to work, sleep and eat alone. Not that it bothers me much." She sipped at her tea. 'That miserable man can stay in his rat lab'. Lucrecia watched as most of Vincent's attention hung on the door.
"I hope that is out of habit. I know my company can be a little lacking..."
His dark eyes glanced back down on her. 'Well, if you prefer, Doctor, I could stare at your cleavage.' "Your company is fine."
Two separate dinner plates where placed down between them turning attention away from their convention to their meal. Despite her light-hearted demeanor, she was a little nervous spending time with a man who, on the minimum, could be carrying two guns in a shoulder holster. For all she knew, he also had others, never mind the large black case he carried into the mansion. She doubted he played any instrument lacking a trigger and a scope. Never mind the thought she might be playing with fire, she was dancing with a racing train not knowing if the breaks worked.
Lucrecia looked down at her dinner and sighed. She still wondered what possessed her in asking for the Turk to join her at dinner. 'No matter, I will enjoy a civil meal.' Picking up her tea mug, she held it up toward Vincent.
"To Success."
He held up his glass and met her casually toast before setting his glass down and began eating.