Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

about them anymore.""What do you mean?" Brian wondered aloud."You'll hear more details tomor r ow. We've electronically transferred all yourfinancial resources to a banking facility the Defense department uses. Everything isintact, and, as you'll be briefed tomorrow, the government will compensate youfinancially for your service. If you don't mind my saying so, I know you could use themoney.""You're right, I could. Things just haven't panned out the way I'd hoped. I'mworking on a book that will hopefully generate a little extra money.""That's marvelous—I hope it works out for you," Neil said in an encouragingtone. "I'll have to mention it tomorrow during introductions.""Thanks, but it's not that big of a deal.""Maybe it will be," he winked, and then again became serious. "I feel like I haveto apologize again that I couldn't get to your parents' funeral," Neil added, feeling atwinge of shame. "Being out of the country on occasion is part of this job, and the tripsalways seem to come at inopportune times. It also bugs me that something else hasn'topened up since the fiasco down south.""Yeah, me too."Neil looked at his watch and stood up from where he was sitting. "Time to get onwith my other visits," he said snapping his briefcase closed. "Remember, if you needanything, just email the steward. Even at this hour it's fine; the system is constantly monitored.""How reassuring," Brian joked. "I have to tell you, Neil, this whole setup makesme a little queasy. I can't help but get the distinct impression that the only people who'llknow that I'm still alive will be those connected with this project."Neil looked at the floor for a moment, and then turned his attention back to Brian,"Precisely." He slid his card through the card-reader and punched in his code. When thepulsating light froze and changed color, he turned the handle. "I'll see you bright andearly tomorrow," he said placing his hand on Brian's shoulder. "It really is wonderful tosee you, Brian.""And you."***It took Brian nearly three hours to get all his things in order, nearly twice as longas he'd initially expected. His mind kept wandering back to his conversation with Neil.He'd lost his enthusiasm for a late night visit to the cafeteria after Neil affirmed the extentof his newfound anonymity, opting instead for a hot cup of tea and some fragmentedcookies he kept in one of his filing cabinets. Despite his friend ' s assurances that all the"precautions" were necessary, he was alarmed at how easily the government could eraseany trace of his whereabouts. He hadn't asked, but he figured that it was very likely thatthe government, using its unobstructed access to his social security number, tax records,and anything else about him, had stored away his life electronically, making it next toimpossible for anyone on the outside to find him. The truth was, no one except hislandlord and boss would ever notice he was gone. The former had his money, and thelatter would just hire someone else. If anyone wanted to find out where he'd gone, therewas no one that would put forth the perseverance it would surely take. That realization24