Black Harvest by Alex Lukeman

Author:Alex Lukeman [Lukeman, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9781478133278
Google: clObMAEACAAJ
Amazon: B008EWZ95W
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
Published: 2012-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

A silver and blue Lear Jet turned at the end of Dansinger's private runway and taxied toward a sun-baked hanger. A white limousine waited near the hanger doors. DCI Lodge gazed out the port window. The Texas panhandle stretched away into shimmering, hazy distance.

Dansinger's research compound took up several hundred acres. It was surrounded by a tall metal fence topped with razor wire. Signs picturing a red lightning bolt marked the fence at regular intervals. Rows of large, identical one story buildings marched along one side. Each was painted light tan. Each had a rounded green metal roof. A perfect grid of paved roads separated the buildings. A black security vehicle patrolled between them. It reminded Lodge favorably of a concentration camp, except the buildings concentrated plants, not people.

Harold Dansinger waited by the limo as Lodge descended from the plane. He looked tan and fit under his white Stetson.

"Wendell, good to see you. Smooth flight?"

"Very smooth, Harold, thanks. I'm looking forward to our meeting."

"I think you'll be pleased."

A driver held the door for them. They got in the back of the car. Dansinger pushed a button. An opaque partition rose behind the driver.

"We can talk freely."

"Demeter?"

"We're waiting for the spring planting to take hold. Another week or so should be about right. We monitor the area daily."

Lodge nodded. "Efficient. It's one of the things I appreciate about you, Harold."

The limo drove toward one of the buildings. Each was the length of a football field and half again as wide. The car turned right and then left. It continued toward the back of a building with a large number 1 painted on the side. The car stopped by a plain door. Lodge and Dansinger got out. Dansinger slid a card through a slotted reader and opened the door.

They entered a room like executive boardrooms everywhere, except there were no windows. A long, polished table of wood. Comfortable leather chairs. An overhead projector mounted on the ceiling. Lighting that illuminated without being intrusive. Walls papered in soothing tones. Thick carpet on the floor. A remote control rested on the table.

Dansinger walked to a large sideboard of polished oak. It was set with decanters and glasses of cut crystal.

"Drink?"

"Single malt, if you've got it. Neat."

"I'll join you." Dansinger poured the drinks. The two men sat down.

"I've prepared a short presentation for you. I thought you'd like to see Demeter in action."

He picked up the remote and pressed a button. A screen descended at one end of the room. The lights dimmed. Dansinger pressed again. The video appeared. It showed the interior of one of the large buildings and a broad field thick with green plants. Overhead, bright UV lighting simulated the sun.

"This is one of our test facilities for wheat. We have others for barley, corn, rice and millet. Also for leafy vegetables like cucumbers. The surface you see here is about one and a half acres."

"Is this one of your engineered crops?"

"No. This is natural, grown using standard methods. Just like the crops in the target area.

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