Chapter 10

Lecture

Standing at the podium, Dr. Alan Grant continued his lecture on Raptor intelligence to the massive, crowded hall at Berkeley. "… the upper palette and the larynx. This lets us theorize, theorize mind you, that the Velociraptor was capable of vocalizations that put them at the top of the intelligence food chain. If they hadn't gone extinct, they would truly be the dominant species on the planet. I hope this interests you. It certainly excites us as Paleontologists. There is much, much more to discover. That is why we continue to need and ask for your support. Thank you."

The audience erupted in applause. Ellie and Mark, having been sitting in the front row, both stood as they clapped, causing others to give a standing ovation as well.

"What if they were still alive?" a voice at the back asked, booming over the clapping. Many in the audience stopped clapping, Ellie and Mark turning to look at the back of the auditorium, confusion on their faces.

Paul Alexander Kirby moved down the aisle. "Hello," he said. "I'm Paul Kirby, Kirby Enterprises."

"Alright, Mr. Kirby," Grant said. "What makes you question the extinction of the dinosaurs?"

Paul shook his head. "No, this isn't about the extinction. This is about a rebirth."

Grant tilted his head slightly. "Then you're talking about what Mathematicians have been referring to as a Lost World."

"Yes, perhaps so," Paul said. "I happen to know about a location down in Costa Rica that could interest you."

Ellie's confusion suddenly turned to concern as she stepped away from Mark, moving to intercept, but Mark quickly grabbed her arm, holding her back. She saw him shake his head at her.

"Costa Rica?" Grant asked, doing his best to keep his cool. "I'm afraid I don't quite follow what you're -"

Paul held up two books, one in each hand. "These are the books that you're famous for. My son had them in his room. They're pretty worn, so apparently he read them cover to cover many times. The first one you did back in the early eighties. The second was just a couple years ago, and from the notes that my son has put in both books, it's clear that your views on dinosaurs changed quite a bit between the years. You're jaded from them."

Grant chuckled. "Is that a crime?"

"It could be a crime to your profession," Paul began, "but that's about it."

"Listen, if your son would like to have a meeting with me, I'd be willing to do so at my dig in Montana," Grant offered. "I'm always interested in…"

"What if I told you my son is on an island off the coast of Costa Rica," Paul said. "What if I told you that it's believed that island is inhabited with dinosaurs, living breathing dinosaurs in today's world?"

"I'd say that I'd like security to take you away now," Grant said.

With that, three men moved forward from the wings, going toward Paul.

"No, I'm serious," Paul said as he backed away from the Berkeley Security Guards. "My son apparently idolizes you! He needs your help! Please!"

The guards grabbed Paul, pulling him away.

Grant looked back to the audience. "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Good day."

An hour later, Grant found himself sitting across from Ellie and Mark in a restaurant near campus. Food sat in front of him, but he wasn't particularly hungry.

"What do you think?" Ellie asked.

Grant shrugged. "It's too much of a coincidence. Doesn't feel right."

"Nothing ever does anymore," Ellie said.

"What if he wasn't delusional?" Mark asked. "We three, we know the truth. I wasn't there, but I know what Ellie told me. That guy can't be…"

"The island was destroyed," Grant stated. "We saw it for ourselves. InGen's creatures are gone."

Ellie shook her head. "Isla Nublar is, yes, but what if they were keeping stuff from us? Maybe I should call Mr. Gennaro."

Grant laughed. "I wouldn't."

"I know you wouldn't," Ellie said. "That's why I offered."

She pulled up her pocketbook and went through the contents. "Where is that business card?" Finally she pulled it out. She kissed Mark and then stood up. "I'm going to use the payphone at the back."

Grant sighed as he focused his attention on Mark. "I hope she's wrong."

"About another island?" Mark asked. "You never know."

"Nublar seemingly had everything they needed," Grant told him. "I can't image that they'd need another location for any reason."

"None at all?" Mark asked.

Grant shrugged. "I mean, Hammond was egotistical. I'm sure he'd come up with some reason behind it, but I don't understand why Gennaro wouldn't have had that location bombed as well. And if not him, Robert Muldoon. Both of them had been with InGen for a long time... Hell… I forgot about the park Vet, Harding. He could've done something. It's not adding up."

Ellie moved back over, sitting down again. "Mr. Gennaro's dead."

Grant's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"His boss, Ross, he said Gennaro died along with Ross' daughter of dysentery."

"Yikes," Mark stated. "What a way to go."

"I called Tim," Ellie said.

"And what did he say?" Grant asked.

"He's going to look into it," Ellie replied. "The Hammond Foundation still has some things, and since his mother gifted it to him on her death bed, he'd have full access."

Grant shook his head in confusion. "Her death bed?"

Ellie sighed. "You would've known she wasn't well if you'd just kept in contact with him."

"Why didn't you say anything last night?"

"You wanted to keep your distance. I figured that included this."

Grant nodded and sighed. ""We'll figure this out, but I have to get back to Montana in the morning."

Ellie nodded. "I know. Still haven't changed the number?"

Grant smiled. "Never had a reason to."

"You know you're going to have to talk to Tim yourself, right?" Ellie asked.

Grant nodded. "I know."