Last Days (Last Days Trilogy #1) Read Free Page A

Apparently, a phone call from the Pontiff meant about as much to Marcus as one from a telemarketer.
    Dr. Bennet followed Marcus to the preparatory lab, then down a long corridor, through a security door and into the lab itself. Marcus showed his identification to one of the two guards.
    The lab was big, its equipment lining all four walls, leaving the center of the room clear for the experiment. Only one worker had arrived – Rose, a fortyish woman who acted twenty and looked fifty. But no one ever told her that.
    “Morning, Rose.” Marcus stepped further inside.
    “Dr. Leon, Dr. Bennet.” she said, her British accent rising to the top. “I’ve just finished.”
    “That’s what I wanted to hear,” Marcus said. “The crew is set to arrive within the hour. You’ll handle them until I return, right?”
    “Yes, sir. You’re going there now?”
    Marcus nodded. “Apprehensively and nervously.”
    “Good luck,” she said. “I’m sure you’re ready for it.”
    “Oh, I am.” Marcus scanned the room and its contents before leaving. Just a single glance to make sure it was all real; that it was really happening. The subject and object of his work lay in the center of the lab. To the rest of the world, there was a sense of eeriness to it. Mystery. But that didn’t mean anything to Marcus. When he viewed it, he didn’t see the awesomeness or mystery of it. He saw his life’s pursuit, right there… within his grasp.

Seville, Ohio
     
    Reggie always snickered when she thought of the children’s song, ‘On Top of Spaghetti, All Covered with Cheese,’ because she always sang, “On top of the pancakes, all covered with grease.” Just another way to break the monotony of her daily life, and to remember the fun of childhood.
    The thought arrived as she delivered a breakfast plate and watched a sausage link roll onto Buzz’s lap. She fondly referred to Buzz as ‘the biker patron from hell’.
    “Thanks,” Buzz snapped, his long hair dangling in his face.
    “You’re welcome,” said Reggie, trying to make her escape.
    Buzz picked up the sausage. “Can I have another?”
    “No.” Reggie moved to the next table.
    “What about this one?”
    “Eat it.” She pasted on a smile and looked down to the businessman seated before her. “Have you decided?”
    “Yes. I’ll have...”
    “Wait.” Reggie looked at her watch. “Do you have the correct time?”
    “Yes,” he said, checking. “It’s nine o’clock. I’ll have the...”
    “That’s what I thought.” Reggie tucked her notepad in her apron and walked away.
    The man tossed up his hands. “Miss? Miss?”
    Buzz leaned his big body toward the man’s table. “If I were you, I’d find another section to sit in. Unless you want to be here until noon.” He looked up at Reggie, still within earshot, who responded with cross look as she glanced over her shoulder to him.
    Ignoring everyone, she slid a stool close to the television, climbed up and changed the channel. She turned up the volume before climbing down.
    “Regina,” a stern voice called. It was Charley, the owner of the diner. “We have a remote for that.”
    “I can never find it.”
    “You have...”
    “Not now.” Reggie pointed up. “Marcus.”
    “I’ll be damned.” Charley shook his head. “What’s he doing on television?”
    “This is the yearly science conference. He making a huge announcement on some project at his institute.” Reggie smiled like a proud mother. “Marcus came up with it, you know. It’s his baby.”
    “No shit?” Charley smiled back. He knew Marcus, too, had known him since he was a boy. In a small town like Seville, seeing someone you know on television took precedence over a few irate customers. “You know, everyone should see this.”
    “I don’t think that’s a good...” Reggie grimaced at Charley’s high-pitched whistle.
    “Listen up!” Charley shouted. “Check it out.” He pointed to the television. “Our Marcus Leon is on the TV. A