at

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the notations again and pulled thoughtfully at his lower lip. "Five, ten minutes to load Sue's programs into the main jump-system databases, another thirty to double-check everything. Then an hour till aperture. I can handle this end of it if your team needs prep time. And let me get you a recall box."
It took fifteen minutes for Hughes to get permission to turn over one of the priceless devices to Dan. He didn't really need it, but appearances had to be maintained to divert suspicion. And if anything went wrong . . .
"Thanks. Aperture at—" Dan consulted his watch "—0845?"
"Right." Zac gave him a genuine smile this time. "Have a good trip. I look forward to each data set you guys give us. And Dan . . ."
He glanced up from closing and locking his briefcase.
"Be careful." Zac's brown eyes were nearly as dark and worried as the rest of his face.
Dan forced a grin. "You know me, Zac. I'm always careful."
Zac snorted. Dan grinned wider at the inevitable, "Right." Then Zac muttered, "Get out of here and let me get some work done."
Their parting handshake revealed a tremor new to Zac's steady hand. Dan wondered how much of it was due to Sue's notes and how much was due to thoughts of twelve-year-old Zachariah Hughes III, missing child?

Chapter Twelve
Francisco returned from Dr. Firelli's lab determined to find a way of placing a phone call off base. Someone had to be

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