Cannibal Reign Read Online Free

reaction? I think she already knew.”
    “Which means the government has to know, right?”
    “Yep.” Susan got up from the table and went to the door, peering down the hall. “This may create a problem for them.”
    “They’re trying to keep it quiet,” he realized. “Avoid mass panic.”
    “Will you do me a favor?”
    “Sure.”
    “Get the hell out of here,” she said. “I’ll call you later—if I can.”
    “What are you talking about?” he said, rising.
    “Think about it. How else could they keep this quiet? I mean it’s possible you’re the only astronomer to have spotted this, but what if you’re not? What if there are others and they’ve got them locked up someplace?”
    “That’s a little paranoid, don’t you think?”
    “Give me your cell number and get out of here. I’m serious.”
    “What? But what about you?” he said, giving her his card.
    “After you go public with it, they’ll have to release me, won’t they?”
    “But she’s got my file,” he said. “And if you’re right, they’ll get to Mesa Station long before I do and seize my computers.”
    “True, but you can still tell someone where to look for this thing.”
    “Wait a second,” he said, feeling suddenly silly. “Are you sure about this?”
    “Linda’s always been a cold fish, Marty, but I’ve never seen her so calculated. Look, if you won’t leave the building, then go wait in the ladies’ room and stay there until I come get you.”
    “All right,” he said, “but I’m going to feel pretty stupid if we’re making a big deal over nothing.” He left, entered an empty ladies’ room just up the hall and slipped into a stall to wait.
    Barely ten minutes later two men in dark suits appeared in the doorway of the conference room. “Are you Susan Denton?” the taller of the two asked.
    “Yes,” she said, her stomach fluttering. “Who are you?”
    “Where is Martin Chittenden?”
    “He had to step out. Who are you?”
    “Check the men’s room,” the man said to his partner. “I’m Special Agent Paulis of the United States Secret Service.” He presented his credentials. “Where did Mr. Chittenden say he was going?”
    When she didn’t answer, he repeated the question.
    “I don’t know.”
    The second agent reappeared, shook his head.
    “Ms. Denton? I would strongly suggest that you answer my question.”
    “He got suspicious and left,” she said, standing up. “Looks like he had good reason too.”
    Paulis took out his Nextel and pressed a button. “Looks like Chittenden smelled a rat and took off,” he announced. “He’s probably still on campus . . . Creasey says he’s wearing jeans and a green shirt with short sleeves . . . and he’s got rust-colored hair.”
    He put the phone back into his pocket. “Ms. Denton, I’m afraid I must ask you to come with us.”
    “Under whose authority?”
    “The President of the United States,” he said. “It’s a matter of national security.”
    “I want to speak to Linda Creasey.”
    “In due time, but for now you’ll have to come with us.”
    “This is unconstitutional!” she said louder than necessary as they walked her past the ladies’ room door. “Martin’s done nothing wrong.”
    Barely breathing, Marty waited until he was sure they were gone, then quickly fled the building. He was threading his way through the lot to his rental car when he noticed two men in suits coming toward him. He bolted for the car and jumped in, but by the time he got it running, both agents were there.
    “Get out of the car, Chittenden!” Paulis ordered, moving around to the driver side door, his partner remaining behind the car to prevent Marty from backing out.
    Marty ignored the man’s increasingly strident orders and slowly eased the car back out of the space. He knew he was taking a huge risk, but what the hell, the world was doomed anyhow.
    Paulis produced a collapsible baton, used it to smash out Marty’s window and lunged for the