The Perfect Clone (9 page)

“What do you know about the Shroud of Turin?”

Not sure where this was headed, Laura decided to patiently play along. “A shroud discovered and believed by some to be the fabric that the Christian Messiah, Jesus Christ, was wrapped in following his crucifixion. Testing on a small section dates it to the Middle Ages. Some scholars believe that the material tested was the material from a repair that had been made to it during the Middle Ages rather than the original material of the shroud. That’s about all I know. Where are you going with this, Richard?”

He turned his focus back to the container on the table. “Because I trust you above all others, and because your discretionary habits are above reproach, I have decided to share this with you. No one else knows about this
yet
.”

“Come on Richard, enough with the foreplay. What’s inside the box?” The suspense was starting to get to her.

Delicately lifting the lid as if it might shatter into a million pieces, Richard slowly revealed the contents.

She leaned forward to peek, anxious to see the great mystery.

“It’s a piece of fabric in a test tube?” She lifted one eyebrow in question, feeling disappointed after the hype he’d sold her. “Where’d the fabric come from and what’s it for?”

Never lifting his gaze from the box, Richard replied, “This material is from the original section of the Shroud of Turin. It contains what I believe, to be the DNA of the deceased. Testing dates it to the time of Christ’s death.”

Dumbstruck by the significance of what she was seeing, several minutes passed in silence. “Holy shit—what are you going to do with it?”

“Not me Laura; we.”

Chapter 9

Sarah took her seat next to a friendly, but overly curious passenger who started talking right away. Having never felt the need to socialize with people she’d never see again, Sarah was short with her answers, hoping the talkative man would get the message. She didn’t want to be bothered. Thankfully, it didn’t take long before the chatter stopped and she was able to enjoy the magazines she’d brought along.

Sarah never quite understood why some people had the overwhelming need to carry on conversations with complete strangers just because they shared the same space. That just wasn’t her style. She enjoyed her own company and never found the need to be falsely entertained.

Pulling the latest copy of
National Geographic
from her oversized purse, Sarah turned to the cover article and began reading. There was something satisfying about mankind’s never ending fascination with science and the unknown.

The flight was only four hours long so the plane reached its destination before she could completely finish the third magazine.

Sarah entered the terminal and quickly located her name printed on a white sheet of paper with black ink. The man holding the sign was professionally dressed in suit and tie. Upon her approach, he asked to see identification. Once satisfied that she was the person he’d been sent to retrieve from the airport, he took control of her brown polka dotted carry-on and headed straight to the parking garage.

Good thing she had long legs or she’d be forced to run in order to keep up with his powerful strides. “Excuse me. Excuse me. Hey you, man in the suit?” She stammered.

The starched jacket stopped and turned to face her, causing her to almost plow him over. In spite of his mad dash across the parking garage, he wasn’t suffering from lack of air like she was. Standing at 5’9, Sarah was almost able to look him directly in the eye, which put him at about 6’1, same as her brother. “I’m not sure where the fire is, but do you think you could slow it down from a run into… I don’t know… a slow jog?”

Revealing straight white teeth under a partial smile, the man answered, “There’s no fire. I just don’t like crowded places.”

“So I noticed,” she mumbled as he continued to the car; grateful that he took her suggestion and slowed down this time.

Once they reached the sedan, he held open the door for her as she slid inside. Being a beach girl, Sarah was more than happy to trade the chilly northern winds of autumn for the warm interior of the car, especially since she didn’t own a coat. All she’d brought with her was the light sweater that matched her slacks and blouse. Good thing she’d left her hair down. The extra warmth on her neck was a testament to that.

Reaching down to start the car, he glanced in the rear view mirror to get a better look at the passenger. Golden blond hair gathered against her shoulders, pushing thick waves forward against her breasts. Her sun kissed complexion complemented the freckles that were dotted across the bridge of her nose. The blush in her cheeks he imagined was a combination of the chilly air, and the dash to the car. God, she was gorgeous, although he doubted that she knew it. If she did, his employer wouldn’t have use for her. That much he did know.

Sarah’s hazel eyes met with his in the mirror. “Fastened in?” He asked.

Holding his gaze, she smiled at his reflection with gratitude. “Yep, fastened and ready to go.”

Her voice sang in his brain, throwing his otherwise self-controlled persona out the window. He had
never
had this type of reaction to a woman. Best get hold of himself before he showed his ass though, there was a job to do. Get her to the lab for her interview. Damn. What a shame.

“Since you know my name, I think it’s only fair that I know yours.” What insane thought had forced her to ask that question? It didn’t matter what his name was. She’d probably never see him again and she was about to create a situation for herself that any decent man would run from.

Clearing his throat in surprise while trying to maintain a professional voice, the driver replied, “Luke.”

“Nice name.” Damn. What was wrong with her? Her mouth was running overtime today. It must be the altitude or something. “I’m sorry. I’m not normally this nosy. Guess I’m more nervous about the interview than I should be.”

Interview was putting it mildly he thought. “It’s not a problem, Ms. Mariam.”

“Please, call me Sarah. At this point, you’re the only person here that I know.”

He wasn’t sure why he found comfort in that thought, but he did.

Curiosity killed the cat, but what the heck she thought, “Do you enjoy working for New World Laboratories?”

“I do. They’re very accommodating.” Not wanting to go into more details, he decided to change the subject as they continued to drive. “Where are you from? Wait. Let me guess. I bet it’s somewhere with lots of sun.”

A small giggle escaped. “Was it the tan or the blond hair that gave me away?”

She caught a glimpse of his smile in the mirror. “Both, along with the obvious affliction you seem to have to cooler temperatures.” He imagined musical notes filling the car as she laughed out loud.

“I believe you missed your calling as a fortune teller, Luke.” Now it was his turn to laugh.

Sarah hadn’t enjoyed such a fun loving conversation since Josh had died. The thought sobered her up as Luke pulled the car into a front parking slot at NWL.

“Looks like I got you here in one piece.”

“It seems so.”

After helping her out of the car and removing her small carry-on luggage from the trunk, Luke’s voice was kind but commanding. “Follow me. They’ve asked me to escort you to the clinical side.”

“Do you know what position I’m interviewing for?”

“I know that I’m to take you to the clinic.” He didn’t lie, but there wasn’t any reason for her to know that there wasn’t much that happened at the facility that he wasn’t aware of.

The red flush that had started to creep up her neck, threatening to cover her face with embarrassment, eased its way back down to her chest.

Leading her inside the building and down several corridors, Luke stopped at an area that resembled a surgical waiting room. Handing the carry on to her, he stepped back. “Nice talking with you, Sarah. I hope the interview goes in your favor. I’ll let them know you’re here.”

“Thank you Luke. Keep your fingers crossed.”

Luke took the handset off the wall phone and dialed an extension. “Ms. Mariam is here for her appointment.” Hanging up, he turned to get one last glimpse at the radiant expression on her face. “They know you’re here. Someone should be out soon.”  He swung around and beat feet down the hall before she had the chance to reply.

Sarah took a seat and waited.

“Ms. Mariam?” A woman with short black hair, glasses, and a lab coat approached her with a hand extended in greeting.

“That would be me.” The closer it got to exam time, the shakier her voice became. She wanted so badly to be chosen for this project.

Following the nurse through a door and into an exam room, Sarah took a seat on the paper lined table. The nurse asked a series of questions. Sarah answered while the lady typed the responses into a laptop.

After the nurse recorded her blood pressure and temperature, Sarah was handed a paper gown.

“Please put this on. The doctor will be with you shortly.”

Sarah barely had time to change into the gown when the doctor showed up. The exam didn’t take long.

“You appear to be in good health, Ms. Mariam.” Sarah guessed the doctor to be in his 60’s, with the bedside manner of a saint. Bonus, she thought to herself. Exams were bad enough, but if you had to deal with a crappy doctor, it tended to add salt to the wound.

“I like to think so, but your stamp of approval makes it official. Thanks doc,” she replied.

She sat up, watching the nurse type away at the keyboard. “Was everything ok?” she asked.

Pushing his rolling stool toward the bio hazard can, the physician removed the gloves he’d worn for the exam and tossed them in. “Yes.” Standing up to leave, he stopped and placed his warm hand on her shoulder. “Everything is fine, just as it should be. I’ll report my findings.”

The nurse gathered up her laptop as the doctor exited the room.

“I’m sure you’re ready to get dressed now. Just open the door when you’re finished and I’ll take you to your next appointment.” Sarah watched as the nurse pushed her glasses up on her nose and left.

Talk about in and out. Well, maybe that’s not the pun she intended, but these guys were fast.

It was only a week ago that she’d filled out the online application. Two days later the company had contacted her with an appointment time and directions to the local drug testing office. Now here she was, standing inside New World Laboratories having just completed her physical exam along with her gynecological exam. Never in a million years would she have thought a research facility could move with such urgency. Not that she was complaining. This was exactly what she wanted. The sooner it became possible, the better.

Through her research on the internet, she had learned that the company was a world leader in the research of various diseases, possible cures, and also did stem cell research. They worked closely with the Center for Disease Control. The list of things they did seemed endless. It was hard to believe that she was actually here. She was standing in the midst of the most remarkable scientific research center in North America and hopefully about to become a part of their work.

Everything she’d read about science up until this point, was only something she’d fed off of to expand her love of the field, but this? This was a dream come true.

Reminding herself that she hadn’t been chosen yet, Sarah tried to reel in her excitement. No need to get in a tizzy and then get slammed if they didn’t select her. “Breathe, Sarah, breathe. You’re not there yet,” the voice in her head reminded her.

“Follow me,” the nurse’s simple request brought her back to one simple truth. There was still more to do.

The wheels of the carry-on bag echoed off the floor behind her, invading the surgical seriousness of the place. The pair passed the waiting room where they’d first met and entered a break room off to the side.

Reaching for a mug, the nurse poured herself a cup of coffee.

“If you’d like some coffee or water, please feel free to use the real cups. We pride ourselves on being ecologically friendly. Or being green as the media puts it.”

The nurse lifted her free hand to tuck an imaginary lock of hair behind her ear. Sarah imagined that the lady’s crop was new and she was still adjusting to the extreme shortness of it.

“The tap water is filtered, so no need for bottles. There’s sugar and creamer if you use it.” Stopping briefly to blow on the steaming liquid in her cup, the nurse slurped a quick taste, making sure not to burn her tongue. “Anyway, make yourself at home, and someone will be with you shortly.”

Sarah reached for a cup, hoping the coffee would help give her the energy to get through the next part of the interview, whatever the next part might be.

The woman started out the door, and then stopped halfway out. She turned back toward the room. “Good luck, Ms. Mariam.” No sooner than the words were said, Luke appeared behind the nurse and cleared his throat to announce his arrival. The woman looked back and smiled. “She’s all yours. Now if you’ll excuse me, certain jobs don’t do themselves.” She lifted a hand to signal goodbye as she blew on the steam still rising from her cup and left the room.

“Hello. I take it everything went well?” Luke walked over and grabbed a mug of his own. It had been a long day and there was no indication that it would end anytime soon.

Sarah took a seat at the break room table and sighed in relief. “Do we have enough time before my next appointment for me to enjoy a much needed caffeine break?”