Shift:A Virals Adventure(6)

I knew Pops would be crapping his shorts about the stolen equipment. The theft was as much in his domain as Shelton’s dad's.

So let’s solve this bad boy. It’s Big Shot time.

Tory paused outside the building’s hermetically sealed entrance.

Her shoulders rose. Fell. Then she marched straight through the sliding glass doors.

Shelton and I followed. Ben brought up the rear, as usual.

Tory had the coolest head. In tight spots, we usually let her do the talking.

Sometimes, of course, I couldn’t help myself. I’m not made of stone, and these clowns were such easy targets.

Our luck was bad.

Security Chief David Hudson was manning the kiosk.

He stood as we approached, hands robotically smoothing a meticulously pressed uniform. Hudson was somewhere north of forty, with close-cropped gray hair.

His mouth formed a hard line, eyes suspicious.

Polished shoes gleaming, Hudson stepped from the kiosk to block our entrance. Hips squared, he stuck out one hand. “State your business.”

Ermahgerd. What a toolbox.

“Good morning, Chief Hudson.” Tory flashed her dimples at Robocop. “We’re headed to Lab One. My father asked me to check something for him.”

“I have no order to that effect.”

“Kit will be here in a few minutes. He’ll fill you in.”

“You’ll have to wait until Director Howard arrives.” His expression soured, like he’d just caught whiff of a horrific fart. “A crime has been committed on these premises. My premises. Perpetrators unknown. Therefore, I’ve sealed the building until further notice.”

Hudson’s eyes narrowed, as if suddenly considering a new group of suspects.

“I’m afraid we can’t wait.” Tory fumbled for words. “You see, thing is, um . . .”

I stepped forward, ignoring her warning glance.

I couldn’t help it. This guy was a big pile of stupid.

“This is an emergency, Chief.” I waggled an index finger. “The midi-chlorians have already been isolated by centrifuge. If we don’t take a blood count now, the samples will be useless.”

Hudson blinked. “Midi-what?”

I nodded companionably. “Midi-chlorians. Our flux capacitor has isolated their Force-rendering properties in the organelles of a rare species of Arctic tauntaun. Professor Vader at, uh . . . Dagobah University is extremely excited.”

More confident nodding.

Hudson’s rigid fa?ade cracked, ever so slightly.

He grabbed a folder from his booth and began flipping pages. “Is Vader a visiting researcher? I assume De-go-ba is a foreign institution.”

“Correct.” I spoke fast, knowing confusion was key. “Just outside of Hoth. Dr. Vader asked Director Howard to monitor his Jeffries tubes, so that the . . . uh, the proper gigawatts, weren’t too, um . . .”

Inspiration fled. I floundered.

Luckily, Shelton stepped into the breach.

“So the Sith Foundation doesn’t have to repeat the chemical displacement process.” Shelton yanked his earlobe, a nervous habit. “That’d be a logistical nightmare.”

“You’re telling me!” Recovered, I flashed wide eyes at Hudson. “This experiment has been running for months.”

I could sense Chief Jackass wavering.

Time for the stick.

My voice dropped to a serious tone. “Kit would be here himself, right now, if he didn’t have this awful security breach to deal with.”

Hudson winced. His department, and he knew it.

I was preparing my finishing move, but Tory beat me to the punch.

“We can wait down here if you’d like.” Innocent. Then she twisted the knife. “But if those samples expire, my dad will freak. I’m not sure his temper can handle another disappointment this morning.”

Hudson stiffened. Then he jabbed a finger at a clipboard on the counter.

“Sign.”

I heard Ben snort, then cover it with a cough.

Shelton’s foot tapped mile a minute.

Tory carefully printed and signed her name, trying not to appear hurried.

I struggled to keep a neutral face.

Tory laid down the pen. “We’ll be in Lab One.”


Hudson hesitated. Seemed on the verge of changing his mind.

And now, the carrot.

“Good work today, Chief.” I extended my hand. “We heard Kit bragging that you’re the only reason the thieves didn’t swipe everything not nailed down. The thin blue line, he called you. Don’t quote me on this, but you might be in line for a commendation. Like, an accomplishment medal. Super, great stuff.”

“Yes. Well.” Hudson accepted the handshake distractedly. “That was nice of him to say.”

I caught Tory’s eye. Tipped my head toward the stairs.

“We won’t be long.” Tory strode past Hudson without glancing back. Shelton was practically in her back pocket. Ben sauntered in their wake, a wry look on his face.

Hudson watched them go, eye uncertain. His lips parted as if to call them back.

I leaned in conspiratorially. “I also overheard Director Howard say he planned to review your findings first thing.”

Hudson started, as if he’d forgotten I was there.

“He was awfully upset.” Left-eye wink. “I’d have that report buttoned up, if I were you. Word to the wise.” Right-eye wink.