Sam raised his eyebrows in question.

“Youth retention,” Haley explained, “would be truly slowing aging, not just extending life and being old for a heck of a long time.”

Sam nodded.

“It’s a hot area in biology these days, and the fundamental problem is that so many bodily systems deteriorate with age,” Haley said.

“I think he’s discovered something about energy, and something about ageing.” Sarah said. “But it’s complicated -- I don’t understand it, and I’ll feel very guilty if I speculate. I think he might have a secret lab and that’s all I’m saying. Period.” She sat back.

“That’s a shocker. What on earth do you mean by a `secret lab?’” Haley sighed, obviously frustrated that she hadn’t gotten much out of Sarah, but Sarah had obviously zipped her lip. “Conquering ageing is a nice thought, of course,” Haley said, “and I respect Ben to pieces, but he’s never even imagined something so radical out loud to me.”

“He’s spending time with a lot of different people, I think,” Sam said.

“What people?”

“Science people?” Sam speculated.

“Yeah. That’s all I know, as well. Strange goings on, people coming into town at night and Ben hustling off to meetings,” Haley said. “He’s mum as a mummy about it all.”

“To me too,” Sarah said.

“Well,” said Sam, “we all agree that he’s leaving Sanker. It’s just a matter of time, right? Distance from Frick and the corporation has to be a good thing.”

“Absolutely a good thing,” Haley said. “If they let him leave.”

  GO TO CHAPTER III