Chapter 16

           HundredsofmilesfromCERN,avoicecrackledthroughawalkie-talkie."Okay,I’minthehallway."

           Thetechnicianmonitoringthevideoscreenspressedthebuttononhistransmitter."You’relookingforcamera#86.It’ssupposedtobeatthefarend."

           Therewasalongsilenceontheradio.Thewaitingtechnicianbrokealightsweat.Finallyhisradioclicked.

           "Thecameraisn’there,"thevoicesaid."Icanseewhereitwasmounted,though.Somebodymusthaveremovedit."

           Thetechnicianexhaledheavily."Thanks.Holdonasecond,willyou?"

           Sighing,heredirectedhisattentiontothebankofvideoscreensinfrontofhim.Hugeportionsofthecomplexwereopentothepublic,andwirelesscamerashadgonemissingbefore,usuallystolenbyvisitingpranksterslookingforsouvenirs.Butassoonasacameraleftthefacilityandwasoutofrange,thesignalwaslost,andthescreenwentblank.Perplexed,thetechniciangazedupatthemonitor.Acrystalclearimagewasstillcomingfromcamera#86.

           Ifthecamerawasstolen,hewondered,whyarewestillgettingasignal?Heknew,ofcourse,therewasonlyoneexplanation.Thecamerawasstillinsidethecomplex,andsomeonehadsimplymovedit.Butwho?Andwhy?

           Hestudiedthemonitoralongmoment.Finallyhepickeduphiswalkie-talkie."Arethereanyclosetsinthatstairwell?Anycupboardsordarkalcoves?"

           Thevoicereplyingsoundedconfused."No.Why?"

           Thetechnicianfrowned."Nevermind.Thanksforyourhelp."Heturnedoffhiswalkie-talkieandpursedhislips