***
Tom – who was waiting for them in the car – took them all to another location that was conveniently hidden in the depths of the park on the outskirts of the city. It took them one hour to get there during which Irene was chatting with Lizzy and Mark about everything but the purpose of their trip.
“We’re here,” Irene said when their car stopped in front of huge green gates.
“The gates are big enough for the Jurassic Park,” Lizzy said.
“The person who used to own the place was, shall we say, a bit concerned with his security. He gave this place to us, and it’s been our research center for some time now.”
When the gates slowly opened, Tom drove inside, nodding to two guards in civilian clothes who nodded back. Lizzy notices that the guards were armed with automatic rifles.
The inside looked more like a recreational39 space with a country house – which it probably was – with three smaller buildings. The main building – a big hunting lodge40– could have been designed for a royal family and its entourage. The first floor was built with big soft beige stones and the second floor sported large brown pine logs. The attic of the building was under a steep tiled roof with a big, red-bricked chimney41 that suggested a fireplace. The three other buildings – perhaps, guest houses and space for staff- were designed to complement the main building. The whole ensemble provided a sense of comfort and a feeling of rustic nobility42with its earthy tones. The area was covered with evenly trimmed grass and stone trails that connected each building on the premises. There were no people outside, except for the guards at the gate.
Tom pulled over in front of the main entrance of the house and helped Irene get out of the car. Not that she needed any assistance, but it was a gesture of respect.
“It’s spacious,” Mark said when he got out of the car, right after Lizzy.
“We’re happy with it,” Irene said and showed them into the house.
As they were getting closer to the house, the massive wooden entrance door opened and a young spectacled man in his 40s with a beard and in a white doctor’s coat came out to greet them.
“This is Max,” Irene introduced the man. “He’ll be working with you today, Lizzy.”
“Hi Lizzy and Mark,” Max said. “It’s great to finally meet you both. Please, come in.”
The entrance hall was what one would expect from a hunting lodge – the walls covered with antlers43 and a few paintings of hunting dogs. The comparisons ended as soon as they proceeded to the former living room, which was turned into a laboratory with different equipment that neither Lizzy nor Mark knew the purpose of. Ther were two female lab assistants who were busy looking into the microscopes and computer screens and barely44 noticed the visitors.
“This is our team and the place of business, so to speak45,” Max said. “I’m afraid I’ll have to steal Lizzy from you, Mark, for the rest of the day.”
“There’s a nice room upstairs where you’ll be quite comfortable,” Irene told Mark.
“Yes, there are books, a computer, snacks and a fridge with beverages,” Max added enthusiastically.
Lizzy looked at Mark who didn’t look like he liked the idea of being away from her. “I’ll be fine. Go get some rest.” Then she looked at Max. “I’ll be allowed bathroom breaks, won’t I?”
“Oh, sure. Of course. There’ll be lunch and dinner.”
