Snapp was dumbstruck. Not only did Barnett confirm that Lake, or Dr. Robert, was actually involved with one of the world’s best kept secrets, but he was the key to proving that life on other planets existed. A thousand questions rushed to his head but they would be better asked of Dr. Lake.
“I can’t thank you enough for all the information you have given me, Doctor Barnett.”
“It was a pleasure to talk to you. You are much less arrogant than the other reporters that have come around. Some are just prima-donnas, surly, mean spirited, and damned rude,” he said.
“Unfortunately, I’d have to agree with you in most cases”
The doctor waved goodbye from the front swing as Snapp got into his car and left. As he pulled out, a black car fell in behind him. He headed back to the office, unaware that he was being followed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
George sat with the contents of the backpack Lake had given him strewn across his desk. He started checking his notes from his meeting with Dr. Barnett against anything that might confirm either man’s story. He was deep in thought when two men came in and asked to see him.
“I’m George Snapp, what can I do for you?” he asked a very large, dark skinned man. The man was dressed in a three piece suit and had on sunglasses which he did not remove.
“It’s what we can do for you, Mr. Snapp,” he said.
“I’m not sure I understand. What can you do for me?”
“Give you some advice. It is not a good idea to be talking to people like Lake or Barnett. They can do nothing for you except bring trouble,” he said.
George was conscious of the other man staring at him.
“Why would that bring trouble?”
“Some things are best left alone. People who start poking their noses in places they don’t belong often find more trouble than they can handle.”
“And I am doing that?”
“Let’s just say you are walking dangerously close to that line of no return,” he said.
“This is a threat. You’re threatening me,” George said, raising his voice an octave.
“No sir. This is just a visit about your wellbeing. People like Lake and Barnett are detrimental to our National Security. They do not abide by the contractual obligations that they freely signed during their employment. Your association with them could be construed as your willingness to follow them down the same path. That would not be beneficial to you,” he said.
“And if I continue my association with them?”
“It would be at your own risk. I have given you some good advice; whether you chose to follow it is your decision. Good day Mr. Snapp,” he said and turned to go out.
“You can’t threaten me,” Snapp shot back.
The large man stopped, turned and looked at him. “If I said I would kill you if you continued to pursue this matter, that would be a threat. I didn’t say that…exactly. My visit is a goodwill gesture from my employer,” he said.
Without thinking George said, “EG & G Inc.?”
The man took off his glasses, carefully folded them and placed them in his top jacket pocket.
He looked hard at Snapp for a few moments before saying, “Mr. Snapp, I cannot stress enough how precariously close you are to getting me upset. You do not want to get me upset. Do you understand what I am saying?”
George just shook his head. It was a foolish thing to do. Pissing off two guys who were making a thinly veiled threat was not the smartest thing he had ever done. The man continued to look at him; finally he took his glasses out of his pocket, unfolded them and put them back on.
“You do not want to cross my path again Mr. Snapp. I won’t be quite as magnanimous the next time we talk,” he said and was gone.
George sat down, shaking. He wiped the sweat from his upper lip and forehead. One thing for sure, they were proof that Lake and Barnett had worked for the government at one time. They had unwittingly confirmed it.
“Are you all right?” one of his colleagues asked.
“Oh sure. I just got a little dizzy. I think I stood up too fast,” he lied.
“Got to watch that at your age,” his friend joked.
“Nice. I’m ready to pass out and you want to kick me while I down. Go pick on Linda for a while,” he kidded back.
Now what? Obviously they had been following his movements. They had mentioned both Lake and Barnett. Maybe they were telling the truth and the two really were a threat to National Security. The last thing he needed was to have the Government come down on him. They could put him out of business if they wanted to, he suspected. It was a good story but was it worth the associated risk?
One thing for sure, the Government was up to something out in the desert of New Mexico. What he would have to decide was whether he had the courage to see this thing through. He put all the materials back into the backpack and locked it in this bottom desk drawer.
He needed to get some fresh air and think. He decided to walk down to Michael’s Pub and grab a sandwich. When he walked out the door he saw the two men standing across the street. He turned and started walking down the street and the two men kept pace with him.
Were they just waiting for him to get out of the office so they could attack him? His head was reeling with different possibilities. He quickened his pace but the two men remained alongside of him. He reached Michael’s and ducked inside.
He took a big breath. He was safe in here. Maybe he could go out the side door and leave undetected. Just then, the door opened and the two men came in. They ordered and sat at a table just a few feet from where he was seated. He could overhear them talking about accidents that had happened to people that they had known. Now what?
He finished his meal and decided that there was no way around it; he was just going to have to leave. When he walked out the two men were still eating. They watched him through the window as he walked back toward his office. They made no effort to follow him back. He was definitely relieved when he finally reached the door and went inside.
CHAPTER NINE
“No one followed you here did they?” Snapp asked.
“I don’t think so. I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing when I have a tail on me. I take precautions,” Lake said.
“Good. Good.”
“This is some turn of events. What happened?”
“I got a visit a couple of weeks ago from two goons who made veiled threats about me continuing with this investigation.”
“So, welcome to the club. Now you understand what it is like. At least you still exist. What did you find out about my past?”
“Like you said, you don’t exist in public records. Someone has methodically erased your records. Even when confronted with the facts, they refuse to acknowledge you. It’s damned freaky,” Snapp said.
“You should be on my end,” Lake replied.
“It certainly would be disheartening.”
“More than that. It’s really devastating. No one will believe anything you say because you have no certifiable proof of who you are and what you have done.”
“I think the men were from EG & G,” Snapp said.
"Yes, of course. That would be consistent. They hire some real primates. They are as subtle as a lead balloon,” Lake said.
“I want you to tell me more of the story. I feel confident that you are who you say you are and that you have been involved in a special government project. I have been able to confirm some of the things you told me,” he said.
“Well, that’s a start. Since you have already met the good folks from EG & G you can get some feel for how they treat people. It’s the same for those who work under them. They use fear and intimidation to keep the scientists under control,” Lake said.