guard

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to convince Carreras it was simply part of the monitoring equipment. This was the first time since Carreras' takeover that either of them had been given the chance to program a jump without direct supervision.
It might well be their only chance.
When Dan left the lab, Sue Firelli's prototype was tucked safely away in his briefcase and Sue Firelli was tucked safely away in bed under Francisco Valdez' watchful eye. Dan headed through familiar corridors for the main control lab. He carefully schooled his features as he approached the "MPs" planted at the doorway.
"Good evening, gentlemen."
The nearest eyed him suspiciously. "You got clearance?"
Dan went on the offensive. "Dammit, didn't Carreras call? He tells me to dump some excess baggage someplace safe and doesn't even clear it. . . ."
The other guard muttered, "Yeah, he called while you were in the can, Al."
"Oh. Where they sending this one?"
Christ. How many people had Carreras done away with? No wonder the time stream was a mess. . . .
"Someplace very cold." Dan forced a grin. "Care to join him?"
The guard shivered. "Man, I ain't warm yet."
They stepped aside. Dan walked past. The skin on his back crawled. His bodyguard, of course, walked through security without a single question asked.
More of Carreras' men were inside the control complex. Overseeing the operation was a tall, gaunt man with a face like carved ebony and an astonishing shock of thick white hair.
"Evening, Zac," Dan called.
Dr. Zachariah Hughes turned a startled glance in his direction.

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