at the lab....some final notes to take. Then we can talk. I can help you understand some of what has happened. It'll be o.k., just you wait and see. See you later, son. Be good to Dr. Horton for me, huh?"
"Yeah, sure," Mike couldn't help but grin, as he watched the curly-haired doctor leave the room; then turned back to his tray.
"He's a great guy!" He told Dr. Horton who still was nearby. "But I'm sure to lose my new job now! Then what will I do?"
"I'm glad you like my partner," Horton confided in the boy, "and don't worry about your job. We've notified your boss and everything will be waiting for you when you're back on your feet."
"Fantastic!" Mike was ecstatic. He ate like he'd not seen food for a week.
When Matthew Cooper reached the lab John McCree was already on duty protecting the front entrance. His face lit up like a light bulb when he saw him approaching.
"Good morning, Doc!" he cried, saluting. "Are you feeling better now? How's the boy that was hurt? Shameful, it was, to happen to him. How's the wee Larry Daniken? I'm hoping everything's fine now, is it Doc?"
Cooper tried to ignore so many questions, but felt he had to let the guard know something.
"I'm happy to tell you Mike Montaine is doing fine, now. His injuries weren't as serious as we'd assumed. About Larry- I'm not sure. He's Dr. Horton's patient, officially, and I regret to say I forgot to ask his condition this morning. You'll have to excuse me, John, I'm still not myself. That was a bad scare, and I had little sleep. Forgive me if I'm not very good company this morning, o.k.?"
"Yes, sir! It's safe for you to go in now. We guarded the place and buttoned it up tight as a drum all night. Nobody touched anything inside or out, after your crew left."
"Very good! Let's keep it that way. If you'll excuse me, sir..." and he entered the lab.
When Matthew Cooper walked through the lab door he got the worst chills he'd felt in years. The techs had done a wonderful job....everything was cleaned up and spotless. Someone had even ordered new test tubes and equipment from the supply room. Some were set up already, on the tables, and there were more boxes stacked in a nearby corner. He switched on the brighter lights, hoping they would chase away the feeling that evil lurked around every corner, in there. Slowly he proceeded to the control panel which had caused the accident. It was just the same as before. Cooper took out his glasses and put them on. He studied the notes on a clipboard he'd brought with him. No matter how long he studied and examined R.M.T.P., it could not be understood what went wrong. He was standing in front of the sending device, quietly, when a voice out of nowhere scared him out of his wits.