Chapter 3

Grant hurried from the police station as fast as he could. To escape the hopeless pleas of Mrs. Turner, Grant climbed into the fastest escape route he could find- the city bus. He scrambled for a seat as the bus lurched into motion. He closed his eyes and tried to sort out a plan of action. Of course, he would have to find Malcolm, the only problem was getting into a country that didn't want him anywhere near it. Let alone snooping around for an amateur dinosaur hunter. Then there was Sue. Grant vaguely remembered talking to her about internships, but he couldn't remember which one he told her to pick or where they were located. Like an annoying insect, the thought that the destination mattered wouldn't leave him alone. For some unknown reason, Grant couldn't shake the feeling that Sue and Malcolm were connected. He needed to find out where Sue had gone.

"Now entering University Circle," said the gravelly voice over the intercom. Grant's eyes shot to the window. Through a stroke of luck, he had boarded the bus that ran to the University. He could check with Student Services and find out the internship that Sue had picked. He pulled the stop cable and climbed off the bus.

"Hello...Jeffrey,"Grant said as he read the name tag on the clerk behind the desk, "I was wondering if you could help me."

"Well sir, you are a professor and this is student services. I think I am a little under qualified, but I'll try."

"No, no, I just wanted to see some information about internships," Grant said genially, "I'm looking for one in particular. You see, it was offered about two semesters ago and damned if old age isn't catching up to me, I've misplaced the information about it."

"Which internship was it sir," Jeffrey asked as he turned to his computer.

"I can't remember the name of it, but it was the one that Sue Turner was accepted to."

Jeffrey paused and a sly smile came over his face, "Doing our own little investigation are we? We'll your in luck, I still have it book marked from when the police requested it."

Jeffrey copied the information from the screen onto a small piece of paper and folded it in half. "You know, I shouldn't even be giving this out."

"Look, I'm a professor and that internship deals with my department. Are you going to give it to me or not," Grant demanded.

"All right, all right. Here. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Later, while packing a duffle bag in his apartment, Grant unfolded the note and studied the information. It was an internship with the American government to Costa Rica. Grant could have shot himself for sending that poor girl to Costa Rica. He needed more information. Jeffrey had been thorough enough to write down the phone number of the America-based headquarters. Grant grabbed his phone and dialed furiously.

"Hello, BioLife Inc. This is Amber how may I help you," said a southern drawl through the phone.

"Hello, Amber. My name is Alan Grant. I am a professor at the University of Montana. I am interested in your internship program. What can you tell me about it."

"Oh, I'm sorry sir, but we are no longer accepting new applications for our internships programs."

"Now that's a shame. You wouldn't by any chance happen to have a record of accepted applicants on file would you Amber? I'm looking for someone who was interning for you."

"Well, sir, that information is confidential. You'd have to talk to the head of the company, Mr. Monroe."

"May I speak with him please?"

"Hold for a moment and I'll check."

Grant held his breath as he waited for Amber to return to the phone.

"What was your name again?"

"Dr. Alan Grant."

"And the name of the applicant?"

"Sue Turner."

"Hold please."

"This is Andrew Monroe. President of BioLife Inc.," a deep baritone voice said, "I would like you to know Dr. Grant that it is an honor to finally speak with you."

"Thank you. I didn't realize that BioLife Inc. was familiar with my work."

"Oh yes, we're interested in all fields of palenotology and the leading researchers in their respective areas. I understand you are looking for an intern."

"Yes, a former student of mine. Her name is Sue Turner."

"Sue Turner? I do believe I know of the young woman that you are looking for. I can't give Sue's information out over the phone, but why don't you fly down to our headquarters and we can discuss it here."

"I really don't think that's wise."

"Nonsense. I have been meaning to contact you and arrange a meeting anyway. You'd be doing me a big favor by coming here. Think of it as killing two birds with one stone. I'll even pay for your airfare and accommodations. Surely, you can't say no to that."

Grant hesitated, he had heard this offer before, "I don't know if I can get away..."

"I'll have everything arranged for you Dr. Grant. Just go to the airport in an hour and everything will be waiting for you."

"I guess I can come for a few days, "Grant finally conceded.

"Wonderful! I will see you in a few hours then Dr. Grant."

"Good-bye."

"You see Lydia, nothing to worry about," Monroe said as he hung up the phone and turned to the nervously smoking woman reclining on the couch in his office, "I'll have Grant come down assess the situation and determine what animal attacked Team B. That should appease both governments and give us a big name to throw about."

Lydia fixed her watery, blood shot eyes on Monroe, "I-I know what animal did that. Y-you only have to see one attack like that to know what did it and I've seen three. He was tricked by Ingen once before. What makes you think you can fool him?"

"Lydia calm down. Have a drink," Monroe said as he poured Lydia a glass of bourbon, " Grant is only interested in finding Sue Turner and I'm only interested in doing my job efficiently. If I have to tell a little white lie to get that job done-I will. Besides, Grant will still find out what happened to Sue-he'll just have to travel a little farther than he originally planned on."

"You're actually going through with this," Lydia asked between sips, "Do you think it will work?"

Monroe smiled, cocked his head back, and downed his glass of bourbon in one shot.