"Film research. Interesting."

Zach sized her up as they entered the main floor heading to the terminal. She was mid 20s as she'd said, long auburn hair and a nice body. He found her to be pleasant and on the edge of naïveté. But her job history suggested that she had more to uncover, and he wasn't going to overlook that. No, this was an alarming revelation. He took out his phone as they walked and quickly composed a text.

Starting tour, need a background dive into Charlotte Locke.

He tucked his phone back into his pants pocket and caught up to her. The main terminal came into view as they exited through a wall of sliding glass doors, which were smoked to hide the staff areas from the public. Charlotte's breath hitched and Zach took note.

"Denver International Airport can accommodate up to 58 million passengers through our extensive system of runways and terminals. You'll find that it is state of the art and we've spared no expense to make our passengers flight experiences top tier." he said, rehashing facts from memory.

Charlotte looked evermore like a young woman as she gaped at the ceilings. Zach continued to study her. The 'great hall' as it was called, comprised of large white open area with white cloth like canopies pitching then draping, as if a sail on a boat. It continued throughout the space high above them. A sight to surely see.

"I noticed this from the outside driving up...but being inside is just...wow!" Charlotte exclaimed.

She was most likely harmless, that or a fantastic actress. His contacts should inform him soon of either. This was routine, having to give tours, vetting who was who beforehand. Things had been beyond busy though lately at DIA and Zach hadn't done the norm for Charlotte. No matter, he was paying attention now.

"It's pretty spectacular, isn't it?" He laughed, moving to stand directly next to her. "The cable system alone took over a year to hoist up into place. Plus, the windows, all the glass."

"You're still working on projects, right? I think I read until 2028?"

She knew her stuff. Even if it was easily googled.

"That's correct. We are still working on phase 2 and the Great Hall Completion Phase. Adding more security checkpoints, an entire wing, more kiosks for self-check in and baggage as well as other projects for passengers. Our plans are on track though, to hit all the targets. Come, let's check out the terminals."

Zach led Charlotte through the crowds of people. It was bustling as it usually was at this time of the day. Not being a weekend, most flights were spaced out in longer increments especially the international ones. Although, it would be better if it were busier, for his purposes. No matter, he could make do.

"I'm sure you are wondering about the art we have commissioned throughout..." he said.

"Yes. There's quite the online trove of conspiracies about the artwork." Charlotte said, shyly.

If only he knew what she knew.

They walked slowly upon approaching the main installment. It was equal parts hideous and glorious. The canvases an impressive size, appearing to be painted directly onto the walls of the terminal but not; separated by silver metal railings bolted to the wall and floor. Charlotte shivered as she took in the scene.

"These pieces were made a local artist. They generate the most buzz, conspiracy theory speaking."

Zach threw the last bit in to gauge her reaction. She didn't disappoint.

"There's a lot online about these, that's true." she absentmindedly said.

Her eyes roamed the colors and the grotesque way the artist conflated their messaging. She'd seen art that displayed such things before, in Egypt and in Asia, but this was different. The hairs on her arms stood up. It had meaning behind it.

"As you can see, the themes are on peace, both planetary and amongst ourselves as humans."

Charlotte let her hands touch the cool metal of the guardrails.

"I wouldn't say that. ." she thought aloud.

"Don't believe everything you hear about these art installations Charlotte; the artist took liberty with imagery but that was to drive home the main points."

Snapping out of her concentration, she glanced at Zach. He eyed her with something she couldn't place.

"These paintings scare a great many people Zach. People online who are sensible and definitely not conspiracy theorists." she countered.

"Well tell me, what do you see in these?"

She shifted her eyes back to the art. She had a familiar stirring but stuffed it down, not wanting Zach to sense what she was feeling. This was a game of poker after all. She cleared her throat and tossed her hair over her shoulder.

"I see the fostering of a global initiative, not unlike what the modern-day United Nations peddles, where all cultures are combined. No one is allowed to think differently. And the plant at the center. . ." She paused, staring at the colorful center. "It's avant-garde. But it stands for something the elite will force on us."

Zach stared at Charlotte, totally caught off guard.

"That's what I see."

She giggled, throwing him off further.

"But, that's just one of many conspiracy theories about this art you'll find online."

He beckoned her to follow him towards the next installment.

"And you believe what you're reading online?"

"Oh gosh no. I just find it intriguing. I like to ask questions and explore alternative viewpoints."

Zach felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He instinctively knew it was about Charlotte but hit ignore. The dirt could wait. He was taken in by the petite podcasters opinions and anxiously wanted to see what she'd think about the plaque and the words inscribed on it. But first things first. The rest of the artwork was coming into view.

"That's what we want our travelers to do. Ask questions." he said.

The totality of the next mural hit Charlottes sensibilities like a brick. She was stunned.

"And here. .here is the other half if you will, of the art from the previous artist."

They came to a stop a foot or so from the same silver guardrails, the colors screaming at those who passed by.

"What do you see in these pieces?"

Charlotte saw the very definition of a 'New World Order', unfolding in Crayola bright colors right before them. A man in what appeared to be Nazi likeness was standing opposingly, a sword in one hand and a rifle in the other, with a gas mask on. A line of people suffering encircled behind him along with a burned building and fire. Tiny babies swaddled up like how baby Jesus was in the manger, laid at the strange man's feet, crying. Symbolism didn't even touch how this painting was done.

"I see destruction."

Zach chuckled. He knew she would say that, especially after her reaction to the previous paintings. She was innocent, he deduced. And she had little clue as to what they meant.

"What about the dove?" he probed.

Her face zeroed in on the white bird, its wings outstretched.

"It's about to be impaled on the tip of the sword."

He cleared his throat. Now she was getting somewhere.

"Ah but it isn't. That's quite a pessimistic view."

They stared for a beat, the airport sounds circling around them.

"Does your podcast have a darker theme?" Zach casually asked.

Charlotte smiled, turning to look at her guide.

"Conspiracy theories always seem that way to those who have closed off minds. But no, just the opposite. I consider my podcast to be enlightening." she said. "You should tune in."

Zach smiled this time and extended his hand, "come let's go see the last items on your list."

They zigzagged through the travelers toting wheeled suitcases and children running wildly. Smells drifted through the terminal, coming from the various coffee shops and restaurants just getting lunch prepared. Charlotte always tied emotions to airports. She'd been in so many for her former job, more than she could count. This, however, was her very first time in Denver.

"Here is the time capsule and it's plaque."

Zach had led them to a seemingly nondescript grey capstone on the ground. It was large and elevated. Charlotte read silently the inscribed words. It had Freemasonry images stamped on it, with lodge names. The words 'new world airport commission' stood out. A shiver ran down her spine. She'd tried to no avail to find the origins of such an organization. Something told her to act uninterested.

"It says it will be unearthed in 2094. What do you think is in it?"

"Oh, you know, newspapers, a copy of a magazine or two, anything kitschy from the mid 90's. Nothing nefarious I can assure you."

She felt an internal nudging, to say what he wanted to hear.

"I'm sure you're right. Maybe a VHS tape or two?"

Zach chuckled, "probably. Do you have any questions about it before we move on?"

His eyes met hers, clearly searching for words that she was expertly hiding. She shook her head and tossed her hair again, turning up the charm. Without another word, they joined the crowds heading down an escalator towards the baggage area. Charlotte stood in front of Zach, at his insistence. He slid his phone out from his pants pocket and opened the message that had come in earlier.

Report in everything, she isn't who she seems. We're attaching a tail to her.

As the escalator hit the ground, Zach stared at the auburn hair swinging in front of him. Who exactly was this woman?

*Photos courtesy of Google