Dawn in Eclipse Bay

long-range lens were scattered around the edges. They were pictures of what was obviously a construction zone at the institute. She could make out a truck and something that looked like electrical equipment.
    Gabe leaned over the photos. “Good long-range recon shots, A.Z.”
    “Thanks.” A.Z. allowed herself a proud smile. “Took ’em with my new surveillance camera. A genuine VPX 5000. Latest model. Replaces the old 4000 series. Telephoto lens, sniper grip shutter release trigger. Half a dozen filters for day and night photo work. And a real nice leather carrying case.”
    “I hate to sound like just another naïve, innocent dupe,” Lillian said, “but what makes you think they aren’t adding office and conference space?”
    “Number of factors.” Arizona motioned toward the map with the rolling pin. “First, increased volume of traffic in this sector during the past six months.”
    “Are we talking out-of-town traffic?” Gabe asked.
    “We are, for sure,” Arizona said.
    “Huh.” Gabe took another bite of the muffin. “That’s suspicious, all right.”
    “For heaven’s sake,” said Lillian. “Everyone knows the institute has been growing rapidly for some time now. They give seminars, receptions, and political theory retreats on a regular basis. In addition, they provided the springboard for Trevor Thornley’s campaign. It’s only natural that there would be a lot of traffic.”
    Arizona squinted. “Cover, is what it is. All that political think-tank stuff and those seminars and such make good camouflage for concealing what’s really goin’ on up there. Furthermore, the traffic volume didn’t fall off for long after Thornley pulled out of the campaign. No sir. There was a brief lull, but by the end of November, there were more vehicles than ever going in and out of there.”
    “Sounds serious, all right,” Gabe concurred. “What other factors besides increased traffic point to a clandestine operation?”
    “Oh, geez,” Lillian muttered. No one paid any attention.
    “Most of the construction work on the new wing is being done by contractors who aren’t from around here,” Arizona said ominously.
    “Heard something about that.” Gabe examined another photo. “My brother said the Willis brothers didn’t get a chunk of the construction action.”
    “No, they didn’t and that tells us a lot, doesn’t it?” Arizona said.
    “Uh, what, exactly, does it tell us?” Lillian asked cautiously.
    “That they didn’t want no one from around here getting a close look at what’s going on up there,” Arizona announced. “That’s what it tells us.”
    “Probably knew the Willis brothers couldn’t be bribed to keep their mouths shut if they saw something suspicious,” Gabe said. “Everyone knows how Walter and Torrance talk.”
    Lillian had an urge to stomp hard on the toe of his large running shoe. She managed, with an effort, to resist.
    “Stands to reason they would bring in outside contractors when you think about it,” she said quickly. “Hannah and Rafe have been keeping the Willis brothers busy for months turning Dreamscape into an inn. They wouldn’t have had time to work on the new wing.”
    They all ignored her. So much for being the voice of reason, she thought.
    “Volume of overnight and regular freight deliveries has picked up recently, too,” Arizona droned on. “I staked out the loading dock for a couple of days. Took a whole series of shots with the VPX 5000. Amazing how much equipment and material is being moved into that place.”
    “High-tech stuff?” Gabe asked.
    “You bet. Tons of it.”
    Gabe looked up from the photos. “What about heavy-duty heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment?”
    Lillian glared at him. He paid no attention. He was really getting into this, she realized with a shock. Enjoying himself.
    Arizona gave him an approving look. “They started unloading HVAC crates last week. Got ’em on film.”
    Gabe shook his head. “Not good.”
    The Heralds murmured among themselves, obviously agreeing with that conclusion.
    “What do you mean, it’s not a good sign?” Lillian knew her voice was rising but there was nothing she could do about it. She was getting desperate. “Any large, modern business structure needs a lot of computers and commercial-grade heating and air-conditioning equipment.”
    This time she was totally ignored.
    “I’d estimate their security level as Class Three at the moment,” Arizona said.