Generation 18 (Spook Squad 2)

“It looks like an upmarket hotel,” he murmured, as they walked out onto the plush mauve carpet.

“It is, in many respects.” Gabriel strode toward the desk. “We’ve found over time that people cooperate more fully if you look after them.”

Haynes gave him a sidelong look. “And if they don’t…cooperate?”

Gabriel met his gaze. “Then we make them.”

Haynes’s gaze narrowed at the threat. Gabriel looked at the security officer. “Mr. Haynes needs a room. Full service.”

The blonde nodded. “Room 25-4 is ready.”

“Thanks. And tell me when team nine brings in Jake Cooper.” He hesitated and glanced at his watch. “Has Agent Ryan reported in yet?”

The blonde pressed the com-screen. After several seconds, she looked up. “No, sir.”

“Let me know when she does.”

“Yes, sir.”

Gabriel escorted Haynes down the corridor. Like the rest of the cells on the twenty-fifth floor, room four was divided into three areas—bedroom, living room and bathroom. There was no need for a kitchen, as meals were provided. Every room was monitored twenty-four hours a day.

Haynes dropped down onto a well-padded armchair and regarded Gabriel somewhat stonily. “Now that we’re here, are you going to tell me the truth?”

Gabriel swung a chair around and sat down, resting his arms on the back. “I told you. We believe your life is in danger.”

“And like I said, you could have told me that at home. You brought me here for a reason, Assistant Director.”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Are you aware that the army put a tracking and listening device in your side while you did service at Hopeworth?”

Haynes snorted. “Yeah, it was policy. But that was twenty-five years ago. They removed it when I retired.”

“We have reason to believe they didn’t.”

Haynes stared at him for several seconds, brown eyes sharp. “Are you saying the military are trying to kill me?”

“No, I’m not. But I have reason to believe they’d do whatever it takes to prevent you from helping me.”

Haynes crossed his arms, a hint of confusion in his expression. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Does the name Emma Pierce mean anything to you?”

“Emma Pierce.” Haynes frowned. “She…worked with us in Hopeworth.”

“She was one of your test subjects,” Gabriel corrected. “On something called Generation 18.”

“How did you know that? No one’s supposed to know about those projects.”

Those projects? How many attempts to manipulate nature had there been? He wondered how many of them had been successful—and what exactly they’d created. A kite-monster, perhaps?

“I’ve been talking to Mark Allars.”

“Allars?” Again the frown flicked across Haynes’s thin features. “The name seems familiar.”

“It should be. He was one of your lab rats on something called Penumbra.”

“Damn fool.” Haynes shook his head. “The military will kill him for speaking to you, you know. Just like they’ll kill me if I say anything.”

So the military were willing to murder to protect their secrets. Interesting. “This room is fully shielded. They won’t ever know.”