“Professor Hinckle, how nice to see you again.  Isn’t it a lovely day today?”

“Yes, yes it is.”  He sat down on the park bench, his hands spasmodically clenching and unclenching the hard-sided briefcase handle in his lap.

“I hope you have good news for me?”

The professor sent a sideways look at him, his eyes darting away almost as soon as they met his.  “You realize that I’m a patriotic American.  My loyalty is squarely behind this nation.”

“Good heavens, Professor Hinckle, that’s the very reason we approached you.  Your devotion to America is second to none.  Among the researchers we canvassed there was no one with your level of professionalism.  Why some of them weren’t even real citizens and the good Lord only knows what country they are really working for.”

He nodded quickly.  “That’s it exactly.  Why I’ve seen research grants go to whatever minority is popular this year.  Some of my colleagues don’t believe a word of their oaths or even care where their work will lead.  Whatever is popular,” he spit out the word like an oath.  “That is their main concern.”

“While real doctors like yourself are passed over for promotions and grants that might really prove a boon for humanity.”

“Yes, yes that’s why I talked with you and why I . . . have done as you asked.”

“Professor Hinckle, you are a credit to your profession and the sacred oaths you hold dear.”

He sat up straight and placed the briefcase by its twin between them.  “Thank you.  I appreciate the opportunity to serve.  What is going on is a perversion of science and if I can help in anyway, you have only to ask.”

“Well,” the honeyed voice dropped a bit and Professor Hinckle leaned a little closer to hear him.  “Since you are a valued member of our team, I can tell you that very shortly there will be an announcement in the news that will show up that obscenity on the Moon for what it really is.”

The professor shivered, pulling out a handkerchief to mop his shining face.  “Who knows what kind of unholy experiments are going on up there?”

“You are strong enough for the truth, Professor but this is not the place for such a conversation.  You will be notified very soon of a grant opportunity in Canada.  Take it and follow your instructions.  Once there, we’ll bring you even further into our plans.”

“In Canada?”  He almost squeaked.

“Sh-h-h, the very air has ears these days.  It has been a pleasure to speak with you today but I know that your lunch hour is almost over.  So I will say good-bye until we meet again.”

Professor Hinckle stood and picked up the second briefcase.  “It will be safe?”

“Completely.  You have my word on it.”

“Yes, of course.”  He turned and left, walking briskly towards the nearest exit from the park.

The other sat on, crossing his legs and sitting back beside the black briefcase.  In less than five minutes his cell phone chirped.  Unhurriedly taking it from his pocket, he held it to one ear.

“Professor Hinckle just suffered a fatal accident.  The traffic in New York gets worse every year.  Bring the case with you to Boston.  There’s a plane in two hours and a reservation in your name.”

“Such a pity.  He was such a patriotic man.  I’ll see you in Boston.”

Slipping the phone back in his pocket, he enjoyed the sun for a few more minutes before standing up and shaking out his gray gabardine pants.  He picked up the briefcase and headed for another exit.  There was bound to be a delay on the other side of the park.

Accidents could be so messy.

***********************
End chapter 29