Project J Read Online Free Page A
sell them individually through an antiquities dealer who asked no questions. Individually, the leaves would not bring as much in total as a complete copy, but would be much easier to pass.
And it would make him rich.
Flopping down in his chair, Williams let out a big sigh and put his feet up on the desk. This was one sweet job he had fallen into! And so easy. For the first few months he had simply done his job, using the Machine to fetch objects for the research staff. Then one day, a random comment about how valuable an ugly looking piece of parchment was set him to thinking. All he had to do to fetch an additional object for himself was to use the Machine a little longer after his regular night’s run to make an extra copy of something valuable. His first foray into stealing from the past was to make for himself a copy of the Hope Diamond, all 45.52 carats of it. It was only later that he realized he could not sell a stone that big without attracting too much attention. But after a while he got to thinking about what other things he could grab that would be worth the risk. That exact replica of the Hope Diamond was currently sitting atop the dresser in his bedroom next to a watch that needed a fresh battery.
He spent the rest of his shift filling out paperwork and daydreaming about what he would do with all that money. He and Daisy would travel around the world. She always said that she wanted to see the Pyramids in Egypt. Not that he figured they were much to look at; just a pile of stones. His tastes ran more to expensive cars, good booze and maybe – just maybe – a sharper looking girlfriend. Yeah, that was it! He’d have so much money that the gorgeous babes would be crawling all over him. Daisy was fun in bed but not the best looking dame in the world. Or the smartest. He deserved better.
A few hours later, he signed out, walked to the parking lot whistling a happy tune and swinging his briefcase, and then drove away with a very rare book on the seat next to him.
Chapter 4: Smiley
“Most people who work here stay in the nearest town, White Rock, but a few live in a small apartment building we have on the facility,” Dr. Crane told Tamara. “Since you’re only going to be here just a few days – I assume that’s right? – staying in the Mountain View would seem the best. Also, it saves you a drive each day.”
“I’m not sure how long my work will take,” she told him. “Depends on what I find.” It was a thinly veiled threat but she had found that being tough with clients worked best. Let them think you’re weak, and they’ll try to take advantage of you.
“If you want, I’ll take you over there as soon as we’re finished here.”
“That will be fine.”
Looking around the small office she had been led to revealed about what she expected: a desk, side table, and a cabinet and only one guest chair. At least a small window looked out towards the Jemez Mountains. And at least the walls and furniture were not the dull gray that seems to be prevalent in most government offices. These were of wood, and the walls were painted a pleasing shade of light blue. Immediately she went to the computer terminal sitting on the desk. With quick, sure motions, she flipped the on switch, and then began typing as soon as the screen showed a response.
“Windows 11.5,” she said, somewhat sarcastically. “You’re two versions behind.”
“You can log into our Unix system, if you prefer. Or Linux Mint 14. Or Omni 2.4. Whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
“Good. I’ll assume that I will have an account and password before the day is out.”
“Of course.” He said that with a straight face, so she could not tell if he was also being sarcastic or not.
The afternoon passed in getting her a permanent
And it would make him rich.
Flopping down in his chair, Williams let out a big sigh and put his feet up on the desk. This was one sweet job he had fallen into! And so easy. For the first few months he had simply done his job, using the Machine to fetch objects for the research staff. Then one day, a random comment about how valuable an ugly looking piece of parchment was set him to thinking. All he had to do to fetch an additional object for himself was to use the Machine a little longer after his regular night’s run to make an extra copy of something valuable. His first foray into stealing from the past was to make for himself a copy of the Hope Diamond, all 45.52 carats of it. It was only later that he realized he could not sell a stone that big without attracting too much attention. But after a while he got to thinking about what other things he could grab that would be worth the risk. That exact replica of the Hope Diamond was currently sitting atop the dresser in his bedroom next to a watch that needed a fresh battery.
He spent the rest of his shift filling out paperwork and daydreaming about what he would do with all that money. He and Daisy would travel around the world. She always said that she wanted to see the Pyramids in Egypt. Not that he figured they were much to look at; just a pile of stones. His tastes ran more to expensive cars, good booze and maybe – just maybe – a sharper looking girlfriend. Yeah, that was it! He’d have so much money that the gorgeous babes would be crawling all over him. Daisy was fun in bed but not the best looking dame in the world. Or the smartest. He deserved better.
A few hours later, he signed out, walked to the parking lot whistling a happy tune and swinging his briefcase, and then drove away with a very rare book on the seat next to him.
Chapter 4: Smiley
“Most people who work here stay in the nearest town, White Rock, but a few live in a small apartment building we have on the facility,” Dr. Crane told Tamara. “Since you’re only going to be here just a few days – I assume that’s right? – staying in the Mountain View would seem the best. Also, it saves you a drive each day.”
“I’m not sure how long my work will take,” she told him. “Depends on what I find.” It was a thinly veiled threat but she had found that being tough with clients worked best. Let them think you’re weak, and they’ll try to take advantage of you.
“If you want, I’ll take you over there as soon as we’re finished here.”
“That will be fine.”
Looking around the small office she had been led to revealed about what she expected: a desk, side table, and a cabinet and only one guest chair. At least a small window looked out towards the Jemez Mountains. And at least the walls and furniture were not the dull gray that seems to be prevalent in most government offices. These were of wood, and the walls were painted a pleasing shade of light blue. Immediately she went to the computer terminal sitting on the desk. With quick, sure motions, she flipped the on switch, and then began typing as soon as the screen showed a response.
“Windows 11.5,” she said, somewhat sarcastically. “You’re two versions behind.”
“You can log into our Unix system, if you prefer. Or Linux Mint 14. Or Omni 2.4. Whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
“Good. I’ll assume that I will have an account and password before the day is out.”
“Of course.” He said that with a straight face, so she could not tell if he was also being sarcastic or not.
The afternoon passed in getting her a permanent
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