“That would be the octopus DNA that accounts for the chameleon type ability to adjust its skin coloration.”
Sam said, “It was perfect. It was as close to a magic invisibility cloak as I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen just how far DARPA was able to take that process with its cloaking technology.”
Aliana said, “It looks like magic, but most animals use a very simple technique to alter their colors. They use special cells called chromatophores that respond to chemicals in the nervous system and bloodstream. Inside these cells are tiny sacs containing color and when the signal comes, this color is released and spreads throughout the chromatophores. They only have four shades to work with — yellow, red, blue and brown.”
“Just four colors. That can’t be right. Caliburn matched the blue stripes on the seating of the T-Bird perfectly.”
“Just four colors,” she confirmed. “But like artists, this type of camouflage requires the animal to mix colors to produce the perfect camouflage, even against extremely complex patterns. What’s even more bizarre is that chameleons, the greatest artists in this field, are completely color blind.”
“They’re color blind?”
“Afraid so.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. And I’ve spent this week trying to makes sense of an old Arthurian Legend, as King Arthur’s battle for the Sword in the Stone and the battle of good and evil plays out all around me!” Talking about King Arthur brought Sam back to his problem in hand. “All right. So I’m hunted by some sort of human chimera that’s part dog, part octopus… he would presumably be very strong, capable of chameleon like camouflage, and smart as all hell, is that right?”
“Maybe… maybe not.”
“Why?”
“A dog doesn’t generally want to kill everyone.”
“So what tried to come after me?”
“Hey, dangerous monsters attacking people in the dark woods and world ending scenarios are your problem, not mine.” Aliana made a slow, dramatic sigh. “One thing I do know is that that dog wasn’t the product of some mad scientist, or a kid on a farm trying to experiment with a unique breeding program. That dog is a work of scientific excellence. Someone has paid big dollars, and a team of leading geneticists to make this work. There’s only one group I can think of who would have that sort of budget who would do that…”
“Who?”
“The military.”
Sam thought about what the vet had told him regarding the USB-flash drive they had found hidden inside Excalibur’s dog tag. “I think you’re right, Aliana.”
“Of course I’m right.”
Sam said, “Thanks Aliana. I really appreciate it. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
“You’re welcome.” He could hear her breathy voice. “Sam…”
“Yeah?”
“Be careful. Whoever illegally built this thing, they’re going to want it back. And they’re not going to want to leave any witnesses to what they have done when they try to take it back. You know that, don’t you?”
Chapter Forty-One
Sam ended the call and quickly briefed Guinevere on the developments.
All three of them headed upstairs, searching for a guest room or somewhere they could sleep for the night. Truth was, Sam doubted that sleeping in his friend’s bed was any worse than breaking and entering his house. But it was funny where friends drew the line. They found a king bed. It looked big enough for all three of them, not that Sam was going to let Caliburn share his bed, no matter how smart or adorable he was.
When Sam had brought Guinevere up to speed, she asked, “How long have you been in love with Aliana?”
Sam laughed. “It’s not like that.”
Guinevere leaned up against the side of the bedroom’s doorframe. Her face plastered with skepticism. “Really?”
“No. Look. Aliana and I have been an item for years.”
Guinevere frowned. “And you’ve never gotten around to marrying her?”
“No.”
“Shame on you!”
Sam shook his head. A slight grin forming on his lips. “Hey, it’s not what you think.”
“Then tell me. Why didn’t you marry her?”
“She was already taken.”
“I didn’t figure that one. Who was the lucky guy?”
“Not a guy. Her work. Aliana Wolfgang will always be first married to her work.” Sam dipped his head, avoiding the scrutiny of her gaze. “And, if I’m completely honest, I’m just as married to my work on board the Tahila.”
Guinevere crossed her arms. “That’s it? Unrequited love because you’re both too busy with work?”
Sam laughed. “That and Aliana doesn’t like the fact that my job can be dangerous at times.”
“That, I can appreciate. Hell, we can both appreciate that after the events at Powell’s earlier today. I know your problem very well. The entire time I worked at MI-6 I never really let anyone get to know me. I dated for fun and pleasure, but never let anyone get really close. It was too difficult. So, I suppose, I can see how such a thing would happen for you. I’m sorry. I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for one day.”
“Thank you,” Sam said. “But right now, all I’m looking for is a mythical sword once owned by King Arthur.”
Guinevere was persistent. “Does this sort of life make you happy?”
Sam grinned. “You bet it does.”
“And you’re not still seeing Aliana?”
Sam shook his head. “No.”
“Are you really over her?”
“Yes,” Sam said, and he meant it too.
“Good,” Guinevere said, and she removed her top, revealing an athletic figure covered in cotton underwear. She was every bit as stunning naked as he had imagined. She grinned, lasciviously. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Sam glanced at Caliburn, whose somber eyes locked with his in some form of gentlemanly understanding, before he mewled and headed downstairs to take a defensive position before the front door.
“Good night, Caliburn,” Guinevere said, and softly closed the door.
Guinevere stepped closer to Sam.
He looked at her admiringly.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, stopping with her lips close to his. He could feel the warmth of her breath.
She paused for a moment. Teasing. Testing his restraint.
In that instant, Sam knew he could fall in love with her in five minutes, but he doubted very much that the two of them could ever be just friends.
A moment later, her lips parted in a smile.
Sam closed the gap.
It was the easiest thing in the world to kiss her. She kissed him back, hesitantly at first. Then she put her hands behind his head and pulled him toward her, kissing him hard.
And Sam gave in to his every desire.
Chapter Forty-Two
Trinidad was originally a railroad stop and was named Trinidad by workers for the Great Northern Railway due to its geological and physical similarity to Trinidad, Colorado. Trinidad is located on the border with Douglas County directly above the Crescent Bar on the Columbia River. Once little more than a ghost town, Trinidad’s population was growing as houses were being built to take in its sweeping views of the Columbia River.
In the early hours of the morning, as the night sky turned to the gray of predawn, the Tahila motored to a stop near the bank of Crescent Bar. The dark, sharp-angled and low-lying hull gave the ship a predator like image, as though it was stalking prey along the Columbia River. The east intermodal goods train snaked its way nearly a mile back, along the rising elevation of Crescent Bar, forming the only sign of movement and life across the bleak landscape of the gorge.