Missing: A Private Novel by James Patterson & Kathryn Fox

Author:James Patterson & Kathryn Fox [Patterson, James & Fox, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction / Thrillers / Crime, Fiction / Thrillers / General
ISBN: 9781455568147
Amazon: 1455568147
Barnesnoble: 1455568147
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2016-10-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 70

GEOFF ANDREN TAXIED to a hangar at the north end of Contigo’s base. A security guard met us but didn’t check our IDs or ask us to sign in, something I found surprising. We weren’t provided with visitor badges either. That meant we were free to wander unmonitored.

The guard, Arnie Pymble, offered to show us around while our pilot disappeared to meet with the maintenance crew. From the air the place had resembled a university campus, with summer camp touches. Buildings were separate, connected by concrete paths. The corporate office was dwarfed by a research and development section. A basketball court, indoor swimming pool, and gymnasium were featured on our brief tour.

Arnie informed us that Eric Moss may have worked 24/7, but he was adamant that employees stay healthy and fit in order to avoid work injuries and maintain efficiency. Eric believed that by coming out for a game of basketball, they could get together and exchange ideas while getting fit. It was the same reason they had weekly barbecues for staff. There was no alcohol consumed on the premises, so employees visited the Contigovale pub, which maintained good relations with the residents as well.

“Did Eric attend the social functions?”

Arnie hoisted his trousers up. “He does barbecues but rarely visits the pub, unless it’s someone’s birthday. He’s usually working.”

As we walked around, Mary asked if the staff lived on the grounds.

“No, all hundred or so of us live in temporary housing in town. In fact, some of the staff were born and bred in the area.”

“Do you work in shifts?”

Arnie stared at his shoes and rubbed a scuff mark on the back of one leg. “Most are gone by seven at night. Eric discourages hours longer than that. We pool cars and come back to get an early start.”

It meant the base was minimally staffed through the evening and night. “How many guards do you work with?” Mary inquired.

“Four in the daytime—sometimes we act as tour guides to officials—and a couple at night.”

That seemed like minimal security for such a large organization, particularly one with private government and defense contracts.

It also meant that flights could come and go without scrutiny or knowledge of staff. And so could Eric Moss.

Mary bent down and picked up a dead wasp. It was the only other form of life they’d seen, apart from Geoff and the security guard.

Arnie continued to sing Moss’s praises. “One of the first things he did was build a public pool in Contigovale. The local council gave us all these awards for service to the community. You see, the young kids were leaving town, businesses were closing. That changed when we came here. With all the training crews we get through, thousands of people bring money into the local economy every month.”

Clearly, Eric had ingratiated himself and Contigo Valley with local officials.

For a nonprofit organization, it seemed Moss was more than generous with borrowed or donated money.

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