CHAPTER THREE

“Do not think you will necessarily be aware of your own enlightenment.” Dogen WWith Penelope either on her computer or reading and rereading the background information about Walker it had been an early night for Joey. The lack of lively conversation and a shortage of vodka had forced her to turn in before ten. After morning coffee on the deck by the pool and with a promise not to mention anything about what Penelope was up to, Joey headed to her meeting while Penelope got ready to visit the Charleston Consolidated¹ Brig. It was a crisp Chamber² of Commerce-pleasing Saturday morning in Charleston, with clear blue skies and a temperature still under seventy degrees at 9 a.m. By noon it would be warm enough to hit the beaches but not too hot for strolling around in the historic district or perusing³ some outdoor malls. Penelope had to go down several rows in the brig’s parking lot before finding a space for her Prius. She mentally kicked herself for not visualizing⁴ a better spot. Inside the clean, modern building she was third in line waiting to speak to the guard at the desk. When it was Penelope’s turn, before she could speak, she heard a deep male voice bark, “Name.” “Michael Walker.” “Your name is Michael Walker?” “No. I want to see Michael Walker. My name is Penelope Spence.” Flipping⁵ his clipboard to the second page, he ran his finger down the 22 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin page and checked the “S” section twice. Without looking up he said, “Sorry, you’re not on the list,” while sliding a printed piece of paper in Penelope’s direction as he’d done a thousand times before. Th e second item on the sheet had been highlighted with bright yellow marker. 2. Visitation planning. Visits to prisoners should be coordinated⁶ ahead of time by the visitor and the prisoner via mail or phone. This allows the visitor to be approved for a specific day and have their name added to the list for that day. The approved visitor’s name will be added to the list the brig provides to the Perimeter⁷ Gate for that day. It is strongly recommend that you not make any air reservations until you are sure visitation for a specific day has been approved and coordinated. Penelope glanced at the sheet. “I’m not a visitor, I’m a reporter.” For the first time, the Chief Petty Officer at the desk glanced up and made eye contact. He was a burly man who looked like he had allowed himself to soften⁸ of late, as he approached his thirtieth year in service to his country. With the enthusiasm of a man marking time until retirement⁹, he sized up the woman in front of him, decided¹⁰ he wasn’t impressed, then turned his focus back to his clipboard. “You want to see a detainee?” “Yes.” “Are you his legal representative?” “No.” “Are you his religious advisor¹¹?” “No.” “Then you’re a visitor, and your name is not on the list.” The biggest enemies of reporters are gatekeepers. It is the gatekeeper’s job to keep the nosy¹² press out and, since failure to perform their assigned task can result in job termination or worse, some can be quite formidable. “May I speak to your superior offi cer?” “Yes, ma’am,” he said with added emphasis on the “Ma’am”, making it sound like a pejorative¹³. She wondered if he had read Joey’s Southern-to-English dictionary. “Please have a seat over there.” He pointed¹⁴ to a small anteroom with six straight ladder-back chairs aimed towards an offi ce containing a lithe¹⁵ and fit female Commander in a crisp white uniform. Turning his attention back to his list, the guard called, “Next.” Penelope was unsure if she was supposed to take a seat and wait to be 23 The Fourth Awakening¹⁶ acknowledged, or knock on the door. Always one for the direct approach, she tapped lightly on the frame of the open door. Th e offi cer, without looking up from the document she was reading, held up a fi nger to indicate Penelope had made the wrong choice. As the seconds turned into an awkward minute, Penelope finally turned and sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs. The Charleston Brig certainly wasn’t going to win any awards for customer service, but considering the clientele she wasn’t sure she should have expected more. Finally, after reading the document, signing her name to the bottom, and dropping it in her “out” box the officer motioned for Penelope to join her. Before Penelope was situated¹⁷ in one of the two chairs that were of the same vintage and comfort level as the ones in the waiting area, the officer barked crisply, “I’m Commander Durkin, how may I help you?” “I would like to see one of your detainees.” “Your name?” “Penelope Spence.” The Commander scanned a piece of paper that appeared to be the identical twin of the one at the front desk and said. “I’m sorry, but you’re not on the list.” She reached for a form with “Item 2” highlighted and started to push it toward Penelope.” Penelope held up her hand. “Already have a copy, thank you. I’m a reporter, and I would like to speak to one of your detainees, Michael Walker.” Immediately defensive¹⁸ and guarded, Commander Durkin raised her head and studied Penelope. Her eyes were a fierce blue, almost bird-like. “Reporter, you say?” The Charleston Consolidated Brig, which was used by all branches of the services for petty crimes and misdemeanors, had also held some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists. The brig had a checkered¹⁹ history with the press. They didn’t much like each other and neither side was timid about expressing their reasons. The press thought the brig was covering up some kind of torture chamber and the brig thought the press was jeopardizing²⁰ national security. Reaching for a different list, Durkin scanned it twice. “What news organization do you represent?” “I’m freelance.” “I see.” The Commander became less and less impressed with each passing moment. “Unless you are a detainee’s lawyer or religious advisor, 24 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin you must be approved in advance…” “I’ve read Item 2,” Penelope said curtly²¹, wishing she could tell the Commander she was working on a story for The Washington Post, but the satisfaction she might receive didn’t justify²² jeopardizing Mark’s career. “What exactly do I need to do get my name on the list?” “You’re wasting your time, ma’am.” “And why is that?” Commander Durkin checked the sheet of paper in front of her again. This was neither the time nor the place to make a mistake. “We don’t have a Michael Walker currently residing in our facility.” “Would he be on your list if he arrived late last night?” “This list was updated at 6 a.m. this morning.” “And it includes all of the detainees, including those in the high security wing?” With the mention of the high security area, Commander Durkin’s internal warning mechanism²³ clicked from ‘Yellow’ to ‘Red’. “Th is list includes all current detainees as of 6 a.m.” “Would you be willing to verify that for me?” “Ma’am. This list is less than four hours old and it is current. There is no Michael Walker in the Charleston Consolidated Brig.” Penelope had played chicken with gatekeepers many times before. She felt a rush that had been missing from her life for entirely²⁴ too long, and decided to drop the bomb no gatekeeper ever wanted to hear. “You’re willing to stake your entire military career over a single phone call?” A thick silence settled over the room. The Commander’s first job was to protect the gate. The second was to protect herself. Commander Durkin blinked. She reached for her phone and dialed an extension. She turned away and spoke²⁵ too softly for Penelope to hear. Returning the phone to its cradle she said, “There is no Michael Walker in the Charleston Consolidated Brig.” Penelope studied Commander Durkin for several seconds to see if her body language gave any clues as to the veracity²⁶ of her comment. Th e Commander was one tough cookie; Penelope knew what it was like to compete in what was usually considered a man’s world. She could envision her with stars on her shoulders one day. “May I speak to your superior, please?” 25 The Fourth Awakening “Captain Fredrick does not work on Saturdays, but I’m sure you can make an appointment on Monday to see him, ma’am.” Penelope knew when she was beaten and rose to her feet. “Th ank you very much. I won’t take up any more of your time.” Back outside, as Penelope pulled her keys out of her purse and headed back to her car she kept working the possibilities over in her mind. Th ere were a limited number of options. Walker either was or wasn’t in the brig. If he was there, then either Commander Durkin was lying or someone was lying to her. Either seemed plausible²⁷. If the government was holding Walker incommunicado, then his name would likely be omitted from anything put in writing. On the other hand, if he wasn’t there, then Mark’s great tip from his all-powerful source was a dud. She was so immersed in thought as she drove out of the brig’s parking lot that she failed to notice the black Suburban²⁸ with dark tinted²⁹ windows pulling out behind her.

1 consolidated   

a.联合的

参考例句：

• With this new movie he has consolidated his position as the country's leading director. 他新执导的影片巩固了他作为全国最佳导演的地位。
• Those two banks have consolidated and formed a single large bank. 那两家银行已合并成一家大银行。

2 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

3 perusing   

v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的现在分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字）

参考例句：

• She found the information while she was perusing a copy of Life magazine. 她在读《生活》杂志的时候看到了这个消息。 来自辞典例句
• Hence people who began by beholding him ended by perusing him. 所以人们从随便看一看他开始的，都要以仔细捉摸他而终结。 来自辞典例句

4 visualizing   

肉眼观察

参考例句：

• Nevertheless, the Bohr model is still useful for visualizing the structure of an atom. 然而，玻尔模型仍有利于使原子结构形象化。
• Try to strengthen this energy field by visualizing the ball growing stronger. 通过想象能量球变得更强壮设法加强这能量场。

5 flipping   

讨厌之极的

参考例句：

• I hate this flipping hotel! 我讨厌这个该死的旅馆！
• Don't go flipping your lid. 别发火。

6 coordinated   

adj.协调的

参考例句：

• The sound has to be coordinated with the picture. 声音必须和画面协调一致。
• The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

7 perimeter   

n.周边，周长，周界

参考例句：

• The river marks the eastern perimeter of our land.这条河标示我们的土地东面的边界。
• Drinks in hands,they wandered around the perimeter of the ball field.他们手里拿着饮料在球场周围漫不经心地遛跶。

8 soften   

v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和

参考例句：

• Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
• This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。

9 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

10 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

11 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

12 nosy   

adj.鼻子大的，好管闲事的，爱追问的；n.大鼻者

参考例句：

• Our nosy neighbours are always looking in through our windows.好管闲事的邻居总是从我们的窗口望进来。
• My landlord is so nosy.He comes by twice a month to inspect my apartment.我的房东很烦人，他每个月都要到我公寓视察两次。

13 pejorative   

adj.贬低的，轻蔑的

参考例句：

• In the context of ethnic tourism,commercialization often has a pejorative connotation.摘要在民族旅游语境中，商品化经常带有贬义色彩。
• But news organizations also should make every effort to keep the discussion civil and to discourage the dissemination of falsehoods or pejorat

14 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

15 lithe   

adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的

参考例句：

• His lithe athlete's body had been his pride through most of the fifty - six years.他那轻巧自如的运动员体格，五十六年来几乎一直使他感到自豪。
• His walk was lithe and graceful.他走路轻盈而优雅。

16 awakening   

n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的

参考例句：

• the awakening of interest in the environment 对环境产生的兴趣
• People are gradually awakening to their rights. 人们正逐渐意识到自己的权利。

17 situated   

adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的

参考例句：

• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
• She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。

18 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

19 checkered   

adj.有方格图案的

参考例句：

• The ground under the trees was checkered with sunlight and shade.林地光影交错。
• He’d had a checkered past in the government.他过去在政界浮沉。

20 jeopardizing   

危及，损害( jeopardize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Plans may also become inefficient in the attainment of objectives by jeopardizing group satisfactions. 用危及群体利益方法去达到目标的计划，也是无效率的。
• That boosted government revenues in the short term, but is now jeopardizing them. Morales将天然气工业，电信业和部分采矿业收归国有的举措吓跑了投资者们。

21 curtly   

adv.简短地

参考例句：

• He nodded curtly and walked away. 他匆忙点了一下头就走了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The request was curtly refused. 这个请求被毫不客气地拒绝了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 justify   

vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护

参考例句：

• He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解。
• Can you justify your rude behavior to me?你能向我证明你的粗野行为是有道理的吗？

23 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

24 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

25 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

26 veracity   

n.诚实

参考例句：

• I can testify to this man's veracity and good character.我可以作证，此人诚实可靠品德良好。
• There is no reason to doubt the veracity of the evidence.没有理由怀疑证据的真实性。

27 plausible   

adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的

参考例句：

• His story sounded plausible.他说的那番话似乎是真实的。
• Her story sounded perfectly plausible.她的说辞听起来言之有理。

28 suburban   

adj.城郊的，在郊区的

参考例句：

• Suburban shopping centers were springing up all over America. 效区的商业中心在美国如雨后春笋般地兴起。
• There's a lot of good things about suburban living.郊区生活是有许多优点。

29 tinted   

adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• a pair of glasses with tinted lenses 一副有色镜片眼镜
• a rose-tinted vision of the world 对世界的理想化看法