Melis shook her head. “They abandoned them halfway through the initial survey.”
“Why? Not practical?”
“Phil thought it the most promising of the three. But Betworth said that it wouldn't work. That it wouldn't bring the effect he wanted. He told Powers that they'd have to contact a man named Morales. They needed more bang for the buck.”
“And that meant?”
“Phil had no idea. But by that time he was getting pretty pissed off at the entire operation. Not enough to abandon his work, but he just gave up arguing and concentrated on West Virginia.”
“And they called in Morales?”
She nodded. “Phil saw him a couple times at the plant before he was introduced to him. He said he didn't look or talk much like a scientist, but it wasn't his business. He didn't have to work with him. Morales was glued to Powers and Betworth most of the time.”
“Morales was there often?”
“Yes, but he came and went. He must have been sort of a visiting consultant.”
“You might call him that,” Morgan murmured.
“Anyway, he was evidently put in charge of the Baltimore operation. Phil didn't like it. It didn't make any sense to him. He didn't want anyone else to handle his apparatus, and Betworth seemed to be handing his pet project over to Morales.”
“So he cut out?”
“Not then. He was still too intrigued, and evidently Betworth lost faith in Morales, because a few months later he stopped coming around the plant.”
“And that made Lontana number one again.”
“You've got to understand. It wasn't just professional jealousy. He was getting uneasy. There was more talk about volcano and earthquake effects than tapping reserves for thermal power. Phil has a big ego, but he felt deeply about this project. He didn't want it compromised.” She looked down into her glass. “But it was compromised. Jesus, was it compromised.”
“How did they manage to sabotage Arapahoe Junction without him?”
“I don't know. He said he took all but one prototype with him, and that one was in Washington with Betworth. But he didn't think it would be of any use without the mathematical calculations that he'd refused to turn over to the team.”
“They evidently tried it on Arapahoe anyway,” Morgan said. “Powers said it went wrong. That they'd lost Lontana and it had gone wrong.”
“What went wrong?” Alex asked. “They destroyed the dam and Arapahoe Junction.”
Melis shook her head. “How could you expect Phil to know that? He didn't have any knowledge of how those bastards were going to use the sonic apparatus.”
“And he never heard of Z-2 or Z-3?”
“No.”
“No references to places or dates?”
Melis frowned. “No places other than what I've already told you. But Phil said they kept pushing him to move faster. Betworth had a target date by which they had to have a successful launch to present to Congress.”
“What date?”
“November twelfth.”
And it was November 8 today, Alex realized. The knowledge sent a ripple of tension through her.
“D-Day?” Morgan asked speculatively.
“But they lost Lontana,” Alex said. “That might have changed everything.”
“Or it might not.” He turned back to Melis. “I need to know more about why Morales was at Fairfax. Did Lontana say anything more about him?”
“Just that he didn't like him. But then, Phil's very competitive. He wouldn't have liked anyone who took over one of his projects.” Her forehead creased in thought. “He said he overheard a lot of talk about a suitcase.”
“Could it have been a briefcase?” Alex asked. “Morgan said Morales was carrying a briefcase the night he saw him.”
Melis glanced at Morgan. “You saw Morales? You met him?”
“No, it was a very short encounter. But Alex is right, he was carrying a briefcase, not a suitcase.”
“It could have been a briefcase, I suppose. Phil's not always precise, except in his work.” Melis shrugged. “I'll ask him next time I talk to him.” She checked her watch. “Is that all? It's time I gave Susie her medicine.”
“Unless you can think of anything else.”
She shook her head.
“Or will let us talk to Lontana.”
“I told you, no one talks to Phil.”
Alex smiled. “You're being very protective.”
“Someone has to take care of him. He's a good man. It's not his fault he wants to believe everyone is as good as he is.”
“That sounds familiar,” Morgan said. “I believe I know someone else who's similarly inclined.”
Melis looked at Alex. “You? Then I feel sorry for you. You get hurt a lot less if you don't let yourself trust people.”