Page 33 of The Cabinet of Dr. Leng

“I know that. Just as I know I can rely on your complete discretion. I have a project for you of the greatest importance—and delicacy.”

He nodded.

“Naturally, money won’t be an issue; spend what you need. Nobody is to know who you are, whom you work for, what you are doing, or why you’re doing it. You will need to devise a cover for your activities. What that is, I will leave up to you.”

Proctor nodded again.

“You know, of course, the former ice room in the basement? The one lined with zinc?”

“Certainly.”

“What is its current condition?”

“I believe it’s empty.”

“Excellent. Please make sure it is not only empty, but immaculately clean.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tomorrow you will be going to Savannah. As you’ve heard, the city was recently attacked.”

“So I understand.” The disaster had been all over the news, but with no clarity as to what had happened. Proctor knew Pendergast had been involved, one way or another, but exactly how was equally murky.

“I want you to retrieve a machine and bring it back here.” Pendergast indicated some rolled-up blueprints on the table between them. “Here are the relevant diagrams. It is in the basement of a hotel, in a hidden room, and it is badly damaged. Comprehensiveness is critical—one missing chip, one overlooked transistor, could be catastrophic.” Pendergast fixed Proctor with eyes that pinned him to the sofa. “How do you read, Chief Warrant Officer?”

“Your signal is five by five, sir.”

“Very good. Then let us proceed: we have a great deal to cover.”

Pendergast held Proctor’s eyes a moment longer before turning his attention to the closest blueprint, which he now unrolled on the table and secured with glass ornaments. And then he began to speak in a low but rapid voice.

21

May 24

Wednesday

THE SEARCH WARRANT CAMEthrough the next morning. Coldmoon and Pologna arrived back at Running’s place with LaPointe, Wilcox, and two officers. The sun was still rising in the sky and the wind had picked up, blowing skeins of dust across the bare ground.

They knocked on the door, and Mrs. Running opened it. It was a no-knock warrant, but there would be no breaking down of doors while Coldmoon was in charge.

“Warrant,” said Coldmoon, showing it to her. “To search the premises, outbuildings, and grounds for firearms and ammo.”

“Is that those damn cops again?” came a voice from inside.

Coldmoon said, “I’d like to ask you and Mr. Running to go into the kitchen and remain seated at the table while we conduct the search.”

She stared at him with naked hostility and then said loudly to her husband, “We gotta go into the kitchen!”

Running appeared, his face red.

Coldmoon held out the warrant. “If you’d please cooperate, we’ll finish as quickly as possible.”

Running snatched the warrant from Coldmoon and looked at it for a long time, frowning, his hand trembling.

Coldmoon gently took it back. “Make yourself comfortable in the kitchen. Detective Wilcox will stay with you.”

Wilcox ushered them into the kitchen and shut the door.

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