Free Sky Lights by Barclay Baker

turned on the computer and started the power point presentation. Projected on to a large screen were photographs of the hand showing the complete absence of two of the fingers.
    ‘Behold! This is his hand before we worked our miracle. As you may be aware, our new technique is called the Accelerated Biological Reconstruction Technique, and deservedly so. Here are the pictures taken of Mr Croll’s hand over a period of only four hours.’
    The aide showed a series of photographs detailing the progressive growth of the fingers. Prominent in the top right corner was a clock, showing that the re-growth had been completed in the stated time.
    ‘Indeed it is a miracle,’ said John Dante. ‘But you don’t have to take my word for it, for here is the man himself, Mr James Croll.’
    ‘James, would you mind showing your hand to the press?’ James stepped forward and held up his hand. The scars still remained at the base of the two lost fingers, but he wiggled all five fingers at the crowd and showed off some intricate manoeuvres that were obviously no trouble to perform.
    The questions started flying from the hordes of reporters.
    ‘Are you in any pain, Mr Croll?’
    ‘How do you feel about being a guinea pig?’
    ‘Should the professor play God like this?’
    Sir Angus Turnbull raised his hand. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, we are answering no questions at this moment in time. Those will keep for a later date, when you will all be permitted to interview the people involved in this momentous breakthrough. For the moment, let us just congratulate Professor John Dante on a job well done. There’s no telling what will happen next in this exciting field of medical research. Thank you, and goodnight.’
    All three men turned and exited the conference room, leaving the mass of reporters with more questions than answers. Pandemonium broke out as they sped away to get their copy written for inclusion in the following day’s papers. Inside John’s office, Sir Angus shook the hand of the young man at the centre of the furore. ‘Thank you so much James for agreeing to be present this evening.’
    ‘My pleasure, Sir Angus. I can’t thank you both enough for what you have done for me.’
    ‘I’ll show you out the back way,’ said John Dante. ‘That way you won’t have to fight your way through the paparazzi. Follow me.’
    ‘See you tomorrow at 10 for the meeting, John,’ said Sir Angus, pressing the button to call the lift to take him to his penthouse office.
    ‘Right! I’ll be there,’ the professor replied, ushering James Croll down a corridor and through the building to an exit door leading to the rear car parking area.
    As they reached it, the door burst open and Maggie came rushing in. James Croll edged past her and walked towards his car.
    ‘Oh, there you are Professor. I’m so sorry! I must have missed Wendy. The traffic was diverted due to an accident and I arrived later than the time I arranged with her. There was no sign of her outside the school. Do you think she might have gone home?’
    ‘Have you tried getting in touch with her? She probably went home with a friend.’
    ‘Yes, I tried texting her twice but there has been no reply.’
    ‘That’s strange! You know how these young folk can’t exist without texting every few minutes. I’ll just finish off here and be on my way. I expect she’s home by now. See you tomorrow, and don’t worry, it’s probably a misunderstanding. Shame she missed all the excitement this afternoon though.’
    ‘Thank you, Professor. I’ll be in sharp to help you get ready for the meeting with Sir Angus. Goodnight.’ Maggie was left speaking to herself as John Dante strode off to his office, his mind preoccupied. He promised himself he would make more of an effort with his daughter and with his appearance.

    The house looked quiet, too quiet. No lights shone inside. There was no sign of life at all. How strange! Professor Dante steered his car up the dark driveway between the