Suspicious Minds (Stranger Things Novels #1)(74)

“Smile,” she said.

Terry didn’t. She suspected no one else did either. The shutter clicked more times than seemed strictly necessary.

“So, what can you tell us about your work here?” the reporter asked.

“Not much, as I’ve said,” Dr. Brenner said. “We wouldn’t want to compromise our findings at this stage. But it is vital security work. I’m afraid I’m needed for important meetings for the rest of the day.”

Oh really.

“How did you get interested in this field?”

Brenner shrugged.

“Okay,” the reporter said. “Tell me about your childhood.”

Dr. Brenner volleyed it back with false good humor. “I’m afraid my childhood was dull by any news standards.”

Some of the edge came off Terry’s satisfaction at how quickly Brenner had adjusted to the situation. Inside he must be scrambling. Right? He probably suspected someone on his staff had set this up. Maybe he’d even experience some paranoia. All deserved.

But the whole point had been for someone to ask questions he’d have to answer. He wasn’t.

“Terry, please come with me. I’m leaving you in Dr. Parks’ capable hands,” he said smoothly, to the reporters. “You can always come back again with more notice.”

“You had three weeks,” the reporter said.

Dr. Brenner frowned, then waved for Terry to follow him. He led her into her room. “Did you do that?” he asked.

She shrugged, pretending to be unconcerned. “How would I have?”

“You could have jeopardized everything.” Dr. Brenner was still. “You better do everything exactly as I request. You won’t like the results if you don’t. I’ll be sending someone for you in a bit. There are some visitors here to meet you and Kali. Be on your best behavior.”

Before she could question it, he left the room. She tried the door and found it locked.

People here to meet her and Kali. Surprises were taking place in tandem, apparently. This could work. If she could take Kali to the reporter, the right questions would be asked…

She rummaged in her bag for the paperback of The Return of the King, with its generously creased spine. Andrew’s copy. He liked to fold his books open. She was getting closer to the end—maybe she’d find out what exactly he’d meant in his note. She took out the postcard to use as a bookmark, rereading his message before she opened the book.

Please let him travel safely and be okay. Let him be surrounded by good people who watch out for each other. Let him come back to me.

She was deep into a chapter where Sam and Frodo had been captured by orcs after arriving in Mordor, when the door swung open. The usual orderly entered.

He’d nicked a spot above his beard with his razor that morning, the line an angry red that reminded her he was human. “Come with me.”

“A ‘please’ would be nice.”

“No time for that. Dr. Brenner said to warn you again to be on your best behavior with the visitors,” he said, too smug about it.

Visitors. What visitors could be here in this place? She knew he didn’t mean the reporters.

Brenner’s words last month about Kali “performing” came back.

Was there any remote possibility these visitors wouldn’t approve of what Brenner was doing here? He wouldn’t introduce you if there was.

But who knew? She sat and tried to hold on to the calm center inside herself.

The orderly returned alone. “Come with me,” he said.

Spots swam across her vision when she stood.

“You should be careful about getting up so fast.” He took her arm.

Since he’d never shown concern for her before, she chalked it up to the mysterious visitors.

The orderly guided her through the halls, past rooms where she glimpsed her friends inside. Apparently they weren’t to perform like she was…or maybe they already had?

Dr. Brenner stood at the end of the hallway, next to a room she recognized as holding the sensory deprivation tank. He met them impatiently. “Miss Ives,” he said, “you do remember that your cooperation is essential to keeping subject Eight safe, correct?”

Subject Eight. She recalled the numbers on the folders. He couldn’t mean…“You call her that? Not her name?”

“Never mind that. Do you understand?”

Terry crossed her arms. “Why not just call us all by numbers then?”

“Adults are more difficult than children. Now, do you understand?”

“Oh, I do.” That you’re the most monstrous man in creation. “Who are these visitors?”

“Important people. Don’t cause any disruptions or there will be plenty for both of us to regret.”

Sorry, Doc, regrets are for people with souls. You don’t get any. “I would never put Kali or any child in harm’s way.”

He sniffed and amusement crossed his face. “Of course. Shall we?”

Terry would wait for the right moment to grab the girl and make a run for it. The reporters must still be here.

Brenner opened the door and let her and the orderly precede him. Kali stood in front of a half circle of chairs that had been arranged as a sort of viewing gallery around the tank and a clear area beside it. A group of men she’d never seen before were to be the audience. When Kali spotted Terry, she beamed with a smile that showed all her tiny teeth, and waved.