CHAPTER 101
The remainder of the morning crept by without incident. The velociraptors were ever present around the operations compound, but kept themselves visibly scarce.
Dr. Conners was in the cafeteria checking on Kyra, Seth, and Shelly. He was sipping at his fifth cup of coffee since sunrise when he heard the thumping of a chopper as it descended to the helipad on the roof.
"That's odd," he said as he swallowed a mouthful of coffee. "No one told me the chopper was going to be here yet." He looked at his daughter and the others. "Wait here. I'm going to go and check it out. We may be leaving right away, so be ready to go when I get back."
Dr. Conners made a brisk trip up to the helicopter pad where Ms. Murdock was already waiting. An instant stroke of confusion hit him as he saw the aircraft touch down. It was not a large helicopter but a small two person chopper. His first thought was, why the hell did they send that? It couldn't possibly fit everyone. Then he realized the helicopter was not intended for them.
"Joan, what's happening here?"
"Nothing good, Dr. Conners."
On the far side of the chopper the passenger door opened, and two shiny, expensive, leather shoes stepped onto the landing pad. They stood there for a moment while the individual collected his things from the cockpit. A moment later the man was rounding the front bubble of the helicopter wearing a sharp, gray, three piece suit. A briefcase hung from one arm while his other hand adjusted a stiff necktie.
Dr. Conners was surprised when Dr. Wu came up the helipad stairs and approached the man in the suit. They shook hands briefly, and then Dr. Wu was climbing into the cockpit. A moment later the chopper was ascending.
Dr. Conners knew the man in the suit. It was John Hammond's nephew, Peter Ludlow.
Mr. Ludlow stopped just short of Dr. Conners and Ms. Murdock. He raised the frames of his small round spectacles and looked as though he were sizing them up. His thinning hair settled as the helicopter pulled further away, and he brushed a hand over his scalp to smooth it down. His face lowered and seemed to bear nothing but contempt. He kept his gaze down as though he didn't want to give either of them the dignity of being looked in the eye.
"I'll be speaking with both of you shortly." He spoke with a British accent like John Hammond, but it wasn't cheerful and inviting like his uncle. It was demeaning and cold.
Mr. Ludlow set off down the stairs, and Dr. Conners and Ms. Murdock turned to watch.
Dr. Conners waited until he was well out of earshot before he said, "snooty bastard."