Free Mind Trace by Holly McCaghren Page B

a
person in my employ that can fully interpret what these devices are capable of.
This uses far more advanced physics and math than I have ever seen. That seems
awfully extraordinary to me, even for a person of your experience."
    As Eric was talking, Alice felt a knot growing in the pit
of her stomach.  How could she have been so careless? She should have been
quicker, realized that they would come for her.
    I could have avoided all of this...
    Garrett doesn't even know where I am, or have any idea
how to help me, not that he could. What can I possibly do now? I can't answer
any more of his questions without implicating myself. The less I reveal, the
better off I am.
    Alice thought about denying that she had created those
drawings, but she knew that her fingerprints were all over them. No doubt, they
had also seen the makeshift workshop she made in the dining room at the cabin.
    One thing I know for sure... there's no way he realizes
the truth of the situation. But, this line of conversation is dangerous; I need
to redirect his focus.
    Eric had been studying her reaction as she thought through her
circumstances. Her face had clouded after he showed her the drawings and she
seemed to be deeply considering what to tell him next. Behind her, the monitors
were buzzing with activity.
    She looked up at him again and tried to manage her most
incredulous expression. "So, let me get this straight. You're telling me
you think I somehow downloaded all of the information from your server
onto a computer I don't have, with a connection that ceased to exist before it
could have completed the download, and am now using the information to make
super advanced conclusions in sciences that no one even understands? I have to
know...where do you think I am storing your data in the meantime?"
    "Well, Alice, it might be in your head," he
coolly replied.
    What? He can't be serious.
    Look at him; he's just fishing for information... he
doesn't actually know anything. Don't panic.
     She fought every instinct to stare back at him with her
mouth gaped open. Instead, she managed a weak smile and a high-pitched, nervous
giggle.
    "That's definitely the most logical conclusion."
She paused. "Why didn't I think of that?"
    Eric stared at her for what seemed like ages. Then he
finally replied, "I think that's enough for now. We will discuss the
matter more at a later time."
    He moved out of her view and she heard the sound of the
door activating again, then footsteps.
    Eric spoke briskly, "We are finished for now. Unhook
her from the monitors."
    In another direction, he said, "When he is done, take
her back to her quarters."
    Alice nervously watched the doctor as he came over and
removed the various probes. Before he moved away, he did a quick check on her
vitals. He seemed satisfied and moved over to the monitors to review the data
from her session.
     After that, the two guards approached her and undid her
restraints to move her to the mobile chair.  They seemed much more alert this
time, holding her fast and making sure she couldn't attempt any kind of trickery. 
    Grant remained behind as Alice was wheeled from the room,
the metal door shutting behind them as they left.
     
    ***
    Eric considered what Alice had said. The analysts had not
yet been able to get past the security on her laptop, so there was no way to
verify whether she received any such email or not.  However, if someone was
sending solicitations for people to hack their servers, it certainly warranted
an investigation.
    An unwelcome voice broke into his thoughts.
    "Sir, you need to look at this!"
    Eric reluctantly walked over to the monitor where the
doctor had been looking over the results.
    The doctor gestured to the charts. "The level of
activity here…it is unheard of! I would not have believed it, had I not been
here to see it with my own eyes. It shouldn't even be possible. This would indicate
that girl has access to, and is actively using, almost the full capacity of her
brain at