The Perfect Clone (30 page)

Richard returned to his place on the couch. “As I told you before, Mr. Greggario passed away just recently and by doing so, it left the Greggario family legacy in question. But, just like we thought, the legacy has changed. Mr. Greggario’s daughter, Laura, is our DNA specialist on this project. I believe we discussed and agreed upon this before I introduced her into the Community?”

Zach’s eyes lit up with amusement as a mischievous smirk curled at the corner of his lips. “Yes. Yes we did. We did not however discuss the possibility that the two of you were romantic. It’s never a good idea to mix business with pleasure, Richard. You know what happens to people that betray us. I hope you’re absolutely certain that you can handle her both professionally and romantically. The private nature of our work comes first.”

Richard knew where this was headed and wanted to make sure he was clear about his stand on the situation. “I can handle it. She won’t betray the Community—or me.”

“And if she does?” Zach poked.

“If she does, I’ll gladly get rid of her. Just like I would anyone else that betrays our family, including you.”

Preview: The Perfect Clone 2

Sarah walked into the theater lobby and scored a big tub of buttery popcorn with a side order of soda. She’d originally planned to watch the movie with Luke, but since he was out of town on business, she’d settle for going alone. She was prepared to do anything that would get her out of the apartment. She really needed to look into getting a job. Even though she didn’t need the money, boredom was her enemy. It made her wonder how people could sit around all day with nothing to do.

As a teenager, she had fancied the idea of winning the lottery and spending her days filled with spa treatments or shopping. Now she knew that she wasn’t the kind to find that rewarding. She needed something more important to fill her days.

Walking into the dark theater her eyes adjusted while she looked around. She pretty much had her choice of seating. Opting for a place in the middle, Sarah settled in for the show. Nothing like a good action movie to get her out of her hum drum mood. As the lights grew dimmer and the screen flared to life, she sank into the chair. Several more people made their way in as trailers for new upcoming movies played.

Sarah watched a man enter the aisle she’d chosen and park himself several seats down from her. Of all the available places, he’d selected to camp out on her row. Oh well, free country. She tossed more popcorn into her mouth, swallowing it down with the help of her soda. The popcorn had the perfect combination of salt and butter she thought as she palmed another helping.

“Hey!”

Sarah turned and looked at the seats next to her. She could have sworn she heard someone talking to her but the seats were empty. She looked behind her, it too was empty and the man sitting on her row was staring straight ahead. She must be hearing things.

“Hey!”

There it was again. Sarah turned all the way around to identify the person talking and found no one. She’d obviously been spending too much time alone and now her mind was playing tricks on her. That’s just wonderful, she thought.

“I said, hey!”

Sarah nearly jumped out of her skin when she turned back toward the front and saw him sitting in the chair directly to her left, stretched out with his feet propped up on the back of the seat in front of him. He was snuggled in the chair, ready to enjoy the show. The shit eating grin on his face was irritating as hell.

Sarah ignored him.

“What? You aren’t happy to see me?” Josh looked insulted. “I come all this way and you can’t even say hi? What kind of welcome is that? Do you know how much trouble it was to get here?”

Sarah answered under her breath. “Shut up. You’re not real Josh, you’re dead, remember?” Maybe if she said it to herself, her brain would process the information and her hallucination would disappear. This was the first time she’d had this optical illusion and it was scary as hell. Insanity didn’t run in her family as far as she knew. Hearing his voice in her head was one thing, but actually seeing him was text book—straight jacket— crazy.

“Yeah, I’m dead alright, but you still can’t seem to get rid of me. Why is that I wonder?” Josh clamped his hands behind his head. It didn’t look like he was leaving anytime soon.

Sarah glanced at the man sitting on her aisle. He didn’t seem to notice that she was talking to herself, thank goodness. Sarah turned and looked behind her again to see if there were people in the back. Carrying her tub of popcorn and soda, she moved to a seat as far away as possible from the ‘real’ people in the theater. Maybe if she moved, Josh wouldn’t follow her.

The movie started as she settled into the new location.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were avoiding me.” Josh sounded frustrated.

Sarah lowered her chin to her chest before she answered in a hushed whisper, “I am avoiding you, because you are a figment of my delusional imagination. Now scat before someone sees me talking to you. The last thing I need is to be tossed into a padded room.”

Josh’s image faded in and out. “You’re not crazy, sis. I hate to break it to you, but I think you’re stuck with me for a while. There’s a reason I’m here and until I can figure it out, it doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere.”

“I don’t believe in ghosts, so you’re out of luck.”

“I didn’t believe in ghosts either, but here I am. Wacky stuff, huh?”

Sarah eyed the audience to make sure no one was paying attention to her. “Can you please stop talking? I’d like to watch this movie.”

“That’s fine by me. Can you take me out to eat after you’re done? It’s been a while since I’ve looked at a good steak, although I must say that the popcorn looks great.”

“Shut up. I’m not talking to you anymore.” Sarah fingered her popcorn as Josh faded away. It was time to come to terms with things and figure this out. Josh was dead. He’d been buried. Just recently she’d started hearing his voice. She’d rationalized that as being her subconscious way of thinking things through since he’d been gone. But how in the hell could she explain this latest development to herself? She was seeing ghosts. Well, not ghosts, but ghost. Crap, what was the difference?

One ghost.

Two ghosts.

Three ghosts.

Four.

It was completely and irrevocably insane. Maybe she should discuss this with Julia? No; not a good idea. If she did that, they might kick her out of the program.

Maybe she could find a priest in the Community to help her. Then what she wondered, have him pray over her lost sanity? Maybe he could tie her to a bed and throw holy water at her while burning her skin with a cross. She giggled at the image. Crap. She really needed to get herself together.