by Lee Sau Woon
Brookhaven, Long Island, md 2, morning
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Brookhaven was located at the extreme end of a long stretch of a little used road named Brookhaven Street. There was nothing along that stretch of road, or at the end, to give any hint on why the place was so-named. After driving halfway, the sky darkened, and there was sights of a heavy downpour.
"I feel as if I am going to meet Frankenstein," Martin commented from the back seat. The other two agents smiled.
At the gate, Jordan flashed his ID at the guard, and the car was allowed to go through immediately, with clear instructions on the direction to the visitor's parking lot. Jordan was surprised. He had met too much resistence in his past cases to be tuned to thinking that the world worked that day.
They parked their car in the middle of the empty visitor's lot, and made their way to the the nearest building in the compound. The moment they entered the air-conditioned building, they were greeted by a beautiful, well-dressed woman in her late twenties.
"Welcome to Brookhaven Facilities. My name is Jessica. " She introduced herself and offered a handshake.
"Brookhaven Facilities?" Vanessa echoed her words, clearly surprised by the change of name.
"Yes, Brookhaven Facilities. Is there anything wrong?"
"It was not so-named previously, was it?" Jordan asked.
"Oh, that. We had been using the name Brookhaven Facilities for the past five years. Of course alot of people still called it by its old name," she explained, "the word laboratories sounded so cold, so metallic. And of course the change in name is to reflect the change in the work we're doing. By the way, may I know who are you looking for?"
The three agents flashed their IDs.
"I would like to speak to someone in charge of the biology department, if there is all right. " Jordan said.
"That will be Dr Zani. However, the doctor is currently in California for a medical conference. Perhaps if you let me know the nature of this visit, I might be able to refer you to the right personnel."
Jordan thought for a while before he answered.
"well, actually what I would like to know is the nature of the word carried out here. And maybe a tour of the labs here, if that is possible."
"Well, Agent Stern, normally we do not allow outsiders to tour the place, but since you are from the FBI, I will make an exception. This way please" Jessica turned and led the way into a corridor at the opposite end of the lobby.
As they followed her, Martin nudged Vanessa on her arm.
"Look at her fine skin. If she weren't moving, I won't know that she is human."
Vanessa smiled, but said nothing. The moment she saw the leather choker-type chain around Jessica's neck when the latter turned, she had given their tour guide a nickname.
Man's best friend.