“Sure.”
Grayson typed in some search item. “Got it. I can’t believe it tells you the requirements for air filtration for a pharmaceutical company.”
“I trust you can’t vent stuff to the outside, right?” Rider asked.
“Correct. You need HEPA filters. The company has to abide by strict governmental guidelines.”
“I’ve seen inspectors,” Paris said. “Once a year a group of people show up to make certain our company is following all of the health regulations.”
“I assume Harrison Industries passes?” Rider asked.
“Presumably. I’d have heard if we hadn’t.”
“As much as I’d like to fly a drone over the area that is equipped with an infrared camera, we can’t chance being caught. If it's spotted, it could cause someone to change plans,” Rider said.
“Suppose you did send over the drone and it showed a lot of people underground, then what?” Grayson asked. “It’s not like we can report them unless we can figure out the access point or know for sure what they're doing.”
“True. Here’s something else to consider,” Rider said. “If I, for instance, were to build such a facility, I might use a thin lead shield as part of the underground roof.”
Paris chuckled. “What? Our company thinks Superman, who can see through anything but lead, will fly over?”
They seemed as stumped as she was.
“Something like that," Rider said. "I wouldn’t leave it to chance if I were them, especially if they knew for sure that a thermal infrared drone camera couldn’t see through lead."
“Do you still want me to find the architectural firm who designed the building?” she asked.
Rider huffed. “Yes, but if they built a structure underground, I imagine they were paid handsomely not to say anything.”
“You think every construction worker was paid off too?” she asked.
The men looked at each other. A moment later, Rider turned back to her. “Do you know any construction workers?”
“No, but Jenna has lived in Ames her whole life. I could ask her if she knows who worked on our building.”
“When was Harrison Industries built?” Grayson asked.
“I have no idea.”
Rider blew out a breath. “We need to regroup. There is no use spinning our wheels over something that has a small chance of succeeding.”
“What do you suggest?” she asked.
“After I drop you off at work, I want to drive around to see if there is another entrance to the compound.”
“There’s not,” she said.
“We’ll see.” Rider stood. “Get some rest. I’ll be back at eight-thirty to drive you to work.”
“Sure.”
Both he and Grayson left. Paris wasn’t sure if she’d ever met anyone as intense as Rider. She could almost see the wheels spinning in his head. From her experience, too much thinking often blocked the ability to solve problems.
As much as she wanted more sleep, sometimes a nice hot shower relaxed her enough to come up with a plan.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Rider droppedParis off at work. “Remember to ask about when the building was constructed and who the architectural firm was,” Rider said.