“Good idea. That way, it will take them five minutes instead of one minute to rip my backbone out,” Jack said as he leaned against the blue van. “I mean, we’re only outnumbered by maybe a few thousand to one. What could possibly go wrong?”
“Are you done complaining?” Clayton said harshly.
“No, but I don’t think you’re giving me the option to continue to whine.”
“No, I’m not! Be quiet, or I will rip your tongue out!”
For the next several minutes, the tension mounted. Clayton was pacing around the van. He was getting worried that something happened to Cassidy. Were Maryl and Ray already inside? Would they be walking into an ambush? No, he didn’t smell any other blood types other than the two women inside the building.
He would wait five more minutes, and then he would go in and see if anything was wrong. He mentally clicked off the minutes. When he couldn’t take it any longer, he decided to start walking toward the door that led to the elevator, despite not knowing Cassidy’s friend's name or what floor she worked on.
The elevator opened, and Cassidy walked out the door to the van. She was walking barefoot while her shoes were dangling in her hand. Her hair was rumpled, and her mascara had dripped on her face.
“What happened to you? Were you in a fight, Cassidy?” Clayton asked with concern.
“No, nothing like that,” she said with an easy smile.
“Then why do you look so… messy?”
Jack looked at Cassidy and let out a chuckle.
“What’s so funny, Jack?” demanded Clayton.
“She looks messy because she was playing catch me if you can. It looks like you were caught, Cassidy,” Jack said jokingly.
Clayton was within inches of her face. “Do you mean to tell me you tangled while we were out here in mortal peril?”
“Do you need the use of this lab?” Cassidy shot back.
“Yes!”
“My friend would not allow us entry unless we were together.”
Clayton sighed. “Fine. Are we allowed in?”
“Yes, grab your gear and let’s go.”
Clayton turned to the scientists. “Only one trip. Take only essentials. Let’s move!”
They hauled everything except the outdated lab equipment. Clayton hoped by taking them along; it would fool Maryl. However, he doubted it. Desiree, if she was with her, was extremely bright. She would see through the deception.
The elevator door opened. Only two people with their instruments could fit in at a time.
“How did they manage to bring in all of their massive desks, shelving units, and equipment up this small elevator?” Clayton complained.
“They used the service elevator and had to haul it around the building to this section. This elevator is the closest one to her laboratory.”
“And what is your friend’s name?” Clayton asked.
“Andree Hayworth. Doctor Hayworth.”
After a few trips, all of the equipment was brought into the lab.
Doctor Hayworth met them as the last of the equipment was inside the lab. Andree Hayworth was slightly taller than Cassidy and had light brown skin with green eyes. Her lab coat fit snug and accentuated her outfit with her white blouse and dark brown slacks.
“Andree, this is Clayton Cole, the one in charge,” Cassidy said as the two shook hands.
“You have a strong grip, Mister Cole.”
“I work out, thanks,” Clayton said as he sniffed the air without Andree noticing. Interesting. An O negative, just as he sniffed her type outside. Why, he wondered, was Cassidy friends with a different blood type?
“I would be interested in learning what you plan on doing in the lab,” Andree said with a touch of anxiety.
Clayton looked at Cassidy. “She did not tell you?”
“No. We didn’t have time. We were busy catching up.” Andree looked at Cassidy and smiled. “I haven’t seen her for a while.”
“Let’s skip the formalities and get right to work. I’m afraid we’re pressed for time,” Jack said as he pointed to his fellow scientists.
“Of course. What work are you planning on doing here?”
“Gene splicing and DNA sequencing using modified enzymes,” Jack said as he led the group to the nearest station.
“I take it you have the altered enzyme?” Andree inquired.
“Yes, we do,” Jack stated simply.
“Huh, heavy hitters, I see,” Andree said as she looked at Cassidy with a raised eyebrow.
They walked down a few more rows of equipment as Andree continued to talk.
“Since you already have the enzyme to help you, you probably won’t need restriction enzymes, correct?”
“No, we won’t, Doctor Hayworth. We don’t need the restriction enzyme to cut the DNA at a specific location,” Jack assured her. (5)
“Restriction enzymes are usually chosen after the microorganisms from where they were separated. Where did your enzymes come from?” (6)
“These are specialized enzymes produced to function differently than most,” Jack said as he took the green tote bag from Clayton.
“Oh? Is this process ethical? Cassidy, what’s going on here?” Andree said as she looked to Cassidy with concern.
“The enzymes Jack is taking out of the bag are specially designed to shred the sugars from the AB’s, the A’s and the B’s blood. That will ensure everyone who gets the compound will have the ability to receive blood because the modified blood will be universal,” Clayton said as he saw Andree’s reaction.
“Incredible!” Doctor Hayworth’s face went from surprise to somber. “But if the enzyme is already reworked to help people, what do you need the lab for?”
“Because it needs to be tweaked for optimal assimilation,” Clayton said, hoping she wouldn’t ask any more questions.
“Ah, I see. You need to know if it can be ingested, absorbed, or administered by a shot. And if it’s the latter one, how many shots would it take to complete the transformation,” Doctor Hayworth said as she marveled at the serum being spread across several desks.
“Exactly!” Jack exclaimed.
“Okay, well, I will let you guys do your thing. Do you know how long the process will take? My boss won’t be back until next week, so you do have a few days.”
“We hope to have
