Alien in the House

“There’s no way you mean that.”
    “I don’t mean that I don’t trust her. I mean that, based on this particular exercise, we need to move her into the Mastermind potential group.”
    “Don’t take this the wrong way, but is she smart enough?” Dazzlers were, without question. Nurse Carter was pretty damn smart, but I wasn’t ready to declare her a genius on Chuckie’s level.
    “If she’s truly the Mastermind, we wouldn’t know,” White replied. He seemed completely unperturbed.
    “Richard, you’re finding this funny in some way, aren’t you?”
    “In that sense, I suppose I am. In part because I believe Rajnish has hit the nail on its proverbial head—these actions against us are coming from someone who is a high-level Washington insider, therefore we need to look at high-level Washington insiders who we’ve only interacted with this past year.”
    “What about the freeloaders?” Jeff asked.
    “Hacker International’s loyalties are to Chuckie, and I’ve known these guys for years, especially Stryker. As long as we all agree that Chuckie’s not the evil Mastermind, then I think it’s safe to clear them. Olga and Adriana, too, really. I’m only alive because of them.”
    “What about the others you told to meet you in the computer lab?” Raj asked, using the nice name for where Hacker International hung out.
    “The Middle Eastern Contingent falls into the same area as Doreen. Unlikely to be against us, but shouldn’t be given full info until we’re sure. Same with Cliff, who for sure is brilliant enough to be the Mastermind, although he’s almost too young. Same with all the politicians and lobbyists we know, even Senator McMillan.”
    “Colonel Franklin?” Jeff asked.
    Shook my head. “He was okayed way too long ago. The dude who was the head of Area Fifty-One is in no way going to be the evil anti-alien Mastermind. However, I don’t know how much we want him, or Captain Morgan, involved. Similar to the K-9 cops, called in when needed but military, like police, tend to get in the way.”
    “I can agree with all that,” Christopher said. “So, do I take the disk with me or leave it with all of you? If I run into trouble the disk could get damaged or stolen, and if Jeff can feel people in the Zoo, we’ve determined range.”
    “Put it in Kitty’s purse,” Jeff said. “That’s where we store most of the bugs anyway.”
    “Ha ha ha, you are so funny.” I took the disk and put it into the little zippered pocket on the inside of my handbag, hopefully keeping it safe from damage or theft.
    “Okay, Jeff, I don’t plan to be gone too long, but do your best to monitor me the moment you can. I know that’ll be close to impossible because of the tunnels’ shielding, but pay attention because for all I know, I’ll find something that will lead me above ground.” Christopher grinned. “So I won’t block you.”
    Jeff laughed. “Will do. Be careful.” He looked at Bruno. “I don’t care if you’re all still upset with him or not. He’d better come back safely—and I mean that with the idea of it being the most direct order possible—or else we’ll be having stuffed Peregrine for dinner with a side of diced Poof.”
    The animals all shot me looks that said they knew I’d never allow that
but
they’d humor Jeff anyway.
    White kicked the part of the wall that opened the door to the Tunnels of Doom and Christopher and his Alpha Four Animal Honor Guard took off.



CHAPTER 28
    “D O WE WAIT HERE for Christopher or do we head up and see about getting something done?” White asked. Months ago we’d identified where the elevator button was on the inside of the tunnels, so he wasn’t suggesting stranding his only son.
    “I don’t think we have a clear enough idea of what’s really going on yet to make a lot of headway in the done department. But if we’re open to ideas, I really do want to talk to Eugene, especially if Raj is right and the Mastermind is in attendance. And then I want to give James Santiago’s message and clean out his office like he asked me to.”
    “You also have several diplomatic couples waiting for you in the computer lab,” Raj reminded me. “You need to see to them before you do anything else.”
    “And no one’s going to let you into Santiago’s office at this time of night, baby.”
    “Good point.” Time of night brought up another, differently pressing concern. “Oh my God, what are we going to do about Jamie and the other