Interlude 2

 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Bayville New York. The Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Quite the place. As grand as it was guady, the Xavier's taste turely have not changed a lick over the past centery.

Well-groomed trees, a lawn with soft green sod despite the time of year, a smooth circle of seamless asphalt despite the years of age that ring around a fountain bubbling over with crystal clear water. How decadent indeed. How Wolfy wasn't losing his mind over it all was beyond understanding, but perhaps that's why he lived in the woods. Like a savage. Like where he belonged. Maybe he wasn't quite so nurtured after all.

It was a touchpad number keypad with an optional buzzer at the gate. I hadn't taken the time last visit to take a good look at it. Probably safe to guess this was one area where my little skeleton key wasn't going to suffice. A shame. This was a three thousand dollar suit and it would be a real shame to scuff the knees. Well, seemed that it couldn't be helped so it was up the iron bar gate I went. Nearly managed to vault it in one jump, maybe could have a few years ago, but the top was just a little more than I bargained for. So much for the suit.

Beyond the brick wall was the same as the last time, dark. No surface lights to mention. Not even any lights on the porch or in any of the windows out front. Not that I needed them. Just wouldn't have minded a welcome. At least they did that at the damn Motel 6. Suppose not having those pesky little turrets popping out of that impeccable lawn would have to suffice.

Nice to know Logan's old key still worked. Boy was always sentimental. Told him that would be his downfall, but he never liked listening to me now did he?

The stroll up the road was nice. So quiet up here in the country. Can't believe I'd ever miss it, but here I was getting sentimental myself. Thinking about Spanish moss down south with a stogie in my mouth and a fishing line on my toe. Simple times.

The front door was probably the oldest damn thing there besides myself and the old man. My one hand was nearly big enough to swallow both handles at once, and they felt so fragile I could probably rip them off the wood if I weren't careful. Didn't need to though. One swipe of that RFID tag and those bolts slid out their sockets. Radio Frequency Identification… boy I remember when sliding a credit card was keen and now they're using radio waves.

The inside was about what I could have imagined from looking around outside. Tall ceilings, a chandelier dripping with cut crystal, and long beautiful columns supporting smooth peach walls. All without compromise for quality, the Xavier way. It's too bad Xavier's pappy or his pappy's pappy never thought about inviteing me or Woofy over to see the place in its heyday. It's not like we were their leading boots on the ground or anything, but then again why would such high-brow folks invite over a couple of roughneck boys like us anyhow?

The door to the office was locked, but I had to take that into account. Along with the mansion and more money than any one man ought to have, this latest Xavier also inherited the family paranoia. Nothin' a few minutes of poking around in the lock with some tools won't figure out. Of course, I tried the card, but seems even Woofy isn't trusted in Xavier's inner sanctum.

Now the inside was clearly where the money was made. Shelves stacked with books, a pillowy carpet, and that desk - boy - that was a desk every man wanted. It was a man's desk laid heavy with expensive pens and stationary that smelt like fresh-cut lumber. Taste. That was the other thing this boy inherited. Good taste.

It was easier now to get a good look at that desk calender of his. I've always had a pretty good memory, but I took a picture just in case. Typical, even his damn dates to the grocery store were encrypted in some sort of cipher, but no cipher was impossible to crack. The paper's morning crossword was getting a little dull anyway. Now, as for that safe.

Classic book lever, and out pops that safe on the shelf. Not that I could take credit for the find, mind. That was thanks to the girls getting snoopy. Did a fair wack of the work for me. Now, there was no godly way I was going to crack that and keep within the nighttime noise limit. So a little bit of powder on the touchpad and suddenly a few numbers get highlighted. Still doesn't feel too bright punching in numbers to such a fancy safe that surely has some sort of redundancy. There is always later. That reminded me!

I cracked open the window and carefully plucked off the camera I'd planted when I visited Wolfy's camp. It was awfully nice for Xavier to turn off his defenses for the visit. Can't say I right knew why. Perhaps not to alert the kids inside. Either way, never say no to a nice opportunity. Shame the place was still sealed up tight otherwise could have saved me a trip.

Well, I took the little camera, stuck it between a couple of books facing the safe, and checked the feed on my phone. When I saw myself, I waved. Technology sure has come some way since the Cold War. Either side would have killed for something I got off the Internet for twenty bucks.

Now before you ask, I tried the drawers on the desk. There wasn't anywhere to insert a key otherwise I would have tried picking. Next time I'll need to come a little more prepared. However, looking back at that calendar I did notice something funky. Everything looked random and different, except for Sundays. Everything was clear except for one thing on Sundays. Looks like I knew when my next little visit was going to be. 

** AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey there! I wanted to let you know that I've decided to publish the entire backlog of Rogue Evolution on my website, artoflupin.com. There you'll find chapters as far ahead as "Snow Fall 11.6", and in a couple of weeks, I plan on having the log on my website be a chapter ahead of any other site I post to!

If you'd prefer to wait for uploads here, no worries, uploads will continue here as scheduled.

Thanks! **