Aaron took the cold bag off his face. “I’m okay, just a bit puzzled about what that was all about. Probably mistaken identity.”

“Did you want me to call the police?”

“No . . . not worth the hassle.”

“Okay. I didn’t get the number plate. But it was a blue car with a big star on its door.”

“Sounds like a security car. You know, the star representing a sheriff-law-order type thing . . . definitely mistaken identity. Thanks for helping me.” He put the bag of peas against his face again.

“That’s okay. You don’t look the troublesome type.”

“Thanks, I’m not. I’m a soldier, off to Afghanistan in a few days, so if I see those fellows before then I will shoot them.” Aaron tried to smile. “I’m sure they won’t be paying us another visit. They would expect us to call the police.”

The manager helped him up. “Just make sure you don’t shoot them here. The publicity wouldn’t be good, but then again, it could attract customers.”

Aaron smiled. It hurt. He thanked the manager again and went back into the room. It was past midnight. He placed his head on the pillow. Wondered what that was all about while his body recovered from the adrenaline rush. His body compensated by putting him to sleep. He dreamed of a man with a goatee and a moustache, and of two large beings standing next to him as he stood before Mr Goatee.

Mackenzie and Paul had gone away with some friends for the weekend. Mackenzie was quite apologetic about it, which surprised Aaron. But as it turned out, Aaron’s body needed healing, so he did nothing the whole weekend, just rested.

Chapter 12

THE PATROLLING SECURITY GUARD, who had raised the alarm regarding the fire near where Aaron’s dad died, had a goatee and moustache. He kept popping up in Aaron’s life at the moment, including that rather nasty visit the other night. It was obvious that this man didn’t consider how memorable his flamboyant facial hair would be. Aaron doubted that the man would even remember his most recent visit. He’d clearly been stoned.

It was the start of a working week and Aaron decided he would take a punt and try and make contact with Mr Goatee. He found the number of the security firm that he had copied down from the sign on the fence and telephoned it.

“Sheriff Security, can I help?”

“Oh, hi. I’m looking for a security guard that may be able to assist me with an issue at the Department of Urban Movement research building. I have had dealings with the security officer before, if it helps. He had a goatee and moustache.”

“Oh yes, that would be Lucas. I could get him to contact you if you like.”

“Is he on shift today?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t disclose that sort of information. Can you give me your number?”

“My phone is dead. I dropped it recently, so at the moment I can only give you my home number and that’s out of town. I’m just a visitor. Look, I just want to show him a hole in the perimeter fence. Could you give me an indication of a possible time to meet him at the site?”

“Hold for a moment please.” There was a delay of a few minutes. “Hello, you there?”

“Yep.”

“Lucas can meet you at the building at seven.”

Aaron automatically converted that to military time: 1900. “Thank you.”

<°)))><

Monday evenings could be quiet, the work week not yet cranked up. By seven, there were only a few cars left in the car park, and a few lights on in the building—most of the workers had gone for the day.

The signage light illuminated the cross and flowers. Aaron sat on a bench outside the main entrance staring at them. They belonged to the parents of those lost ones. He hadn’t forgotten the parents. Losing loved ones wasn’t something to be taken lightly, and he was hopeful the security man would help him solve the crime. He heard a door open and some quiet chatting. The building lights went off but the signage light remained on. He looked up and nodded to some workers as they walked out the main doors.

One of the workers stopped and looked at Aaron. “Are you okay? Are you meeting someone?”

“I’m fine, thanks. Yes, I’m meeting someone. It’s someone from the building security firm. They should be here soon. We won’t be going in the building. Thanks for your concern.”

“No worries.” The worker walked off.

Aaron watched the cars leave. Not long after, a car turned into the car park. The driver parked the car near the building entrance and sat in the car staring at Aaron. It didn’t look like this man was going to get out of the car. Aaron waved, got up, and headed toward the vehicle.

Aaron placed his hand on the roof of the car. “Lucas, is it?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t think that this man had an ounce of fear in him. “Remember me from the other night?” There was no immediate response. Aaron could almost hear the gears turning over in Lucas’s head.

“I do, but it was a mistaken identity. Not sure how I can remedy that.”

Aaron pressed his fingers hard into the car’s roof. “Mistaken identity? Not sure if I believe that, Lucas. You see, my father died just over there not too long ago and I believe that you know what caused his death.”

“Now why would you think that?”

“Deformed animals.” Aaron thought he smelled a whiff of the cheesy scent of the decaying animals.

Lucas snickered. “Listen, mate. I have no idea what you’re talking about, except that some pet hater has been dumping cats and dogs over there in the bush. If that’s what you’re talking about, then I’m not that pet hater and you’ve got the wrong man.”

“Are you responsible for the death of the workers? They left some proof, you know.”

That got him. It was a small pause, but enough to convince Aaron that he was on the right track.

“What proof? What are you talking about, man?”

“The technology you were working on, the experiments. They were causing deformities.” Aaron considered dragging this man out of the car. “My dad’s autopsy report indicated a deformity.”

Lucas just stared up at Aaron. “You’re a brave man coming here and making these accusations. Can I suggest you stop right there, because you’re entering dangerous territory. I know your lady friend, Mackenzie. I assume that’s her name, that’s what her personalised plate said, unless of course that wasn’t her hot little red car. And if what you say about the technology is true, I would be a worried man.”

That caught Aaron off guard. How did he know about Mackenzie? He took his hand from the roof of the car and clenched his fist. There was a strong urge to grab this bloke by the scruff of the neck.

The man continued. “Your dad’s death was an accident. No one’s going to believe what you just told me. The plan for the technology is for positive purposes. We’ve made some slip-ups, but overall this is going to be good for society. Any deaths related to the technology have happened by accident.”

Aaron’s fingernails dug into his hand. Lucas had basically admitted his involvement. Plan for the technology? Positive purposes? What was this man talking about? “But my dad’s dead, and if you’re involved, you’re not going to get away with it.”

“I’m sorry, that’s all I can say. If you decide to take this any further then your Mackenzie is in danger.”

If Aaron’s fingers went any deeper they would draw blood. “You know I can’t let you get away with such threats.”

“Yes, you can. You have to.”

Anger rose within Aaron. The man was full of himself. How dare he make such threats? “Why don’t you get out of the car?”