Of all the secrets she had gleaned over the three centuries, the one she was most proud of was the knowledge, and subsequent whispering in Maryl’s ear was helping, she prayed, offset the extermination of her beloved O blood types.
The watch wasn’t the only recent blunder Desiree thought as she took a napkin from the side drawer and wiped her side of the window inside. It helped her see a tad bit better.
No, it was not as bad, but still a mistake in her eyes. She should have told Maryl about Stephen, and his meetings with the mysterious Max, who was Clayton. She knew the risk by not relating Maryl to the news. In her defense, she thought silently; she wanted to see how it played out. Killing Stephen Ward had to be done despite his grandfather starting the Fellowship of the Fangs. She was deep uncover and couldn’t afford Stephen to learn anything about her role with Maryl, which was ironic because it was Maryl who brought the Fellowship of the Fang to its present-day powerhouse secret society.
“Are you with us, Desiree? You seemed lost,” Maryl said softly as she stroked Desiree’s hair.
“Yes, sorry. Thinking about the past is all.”
“The past is gone. Pondering about the present and stopping Clayton and his insane plan is what you should be focused on.”
“I’ve been doing some contemplation about that too. We have been to two out of the three laboratories, and they haven’t been there. I am hoping the third one is the charm. We need to stop the extinction of our blood types.”
“Do you think they will be able to convert the enzyme into the other six blood types?”
Desiree stopped at the light and looked at Maryl and her soft features. She smiled. “The good news is that it took Doctor Shelly Leadstone years and years to perfect her serum. To return that enzyme back to its original state and then change it again, I surmise it will take much longer.”
The light turned green. They weren’t far from the last laboratory on their list.
“Unless they can find a different enzyme to work with, which would prolong the process, thereby increasing the time frame,” Desiree said while turning right.
“Basically, we have no clue. We still need to have a sense of urgency about this, Desiree.”
Desiree swerved hard right, narrowly avoided a deer. The car veered toward an embankment. Desiree managed to pull the vehicle away at the last second.
“Streets are slippery; you might want to slow down,” Maryl said with a tight smile.
“Every second we waste time slowing down, the more they are ahead of the game.”
Maryl pointed ahead. “Here is the third one on our list.”
They pulled into a long gravel driveway. Desiree noticed the dull gray paint of the building matched the mood she was in from the downpour.
They got out and took a look. “The windows are dark.”
“Meaning the lights are off and no one is inside? Or meaning they are hiding inside?” Maryl asked to no one in particular.
“I can’t smell them, Maryl. There would be a residual smell we should be able to pick up.”
Maryl took her fist and smashed the back bumper of the car. “Damn! Where are they?”
Desiree leaned against the wet car, but because of her invulnerable skin did not feel her soaked clothes. She took out her phone and plugged in the other two laboratories. The nearest one was at a university about twenty miles from their present location.
“Maryl, another laboratory is at a university about forty minutes from here. Want to check it out?”
Maryl threw her hands in the air. “Why not? Might as well do something!” She got in and slammed the passenger car door so hard, Desiree thought the door hinges would separate from the frame.
Desiree put her phone in the holder and inserted the address.
“Head southeast and turn left on Hanson street.”
“How am I supposed to know where southeast is?” Desiree complained out loud as she got in the vehicle.
“Just drive. The English woman will reroute you.”
Desiree turned on the radio, and Maryl turned it off. “I prefer silence or listening to the pitter-patter of the rain beating against the window,” Maryl said softly. She turned to Desiree. “Unless you want to engage in an intelligent conversation.”
“No, I’m fine.”
After a few moments of silence, Maryl asked, “What is the University's name?”
“It’s not a top-notch university like MIT, but they do seem to get grants for the top of the line medical equipment. It is called the University of Indianapolis.”
“I am acquainted with that school. They don’t have a large laboratory. But they do have a large research lab led by Doctor Andree Hayworth. I am friends with her.”
“Give her a call, Maryl. It could save us a trip.”
Maryl took out her phone. “Look at that. Andree left a voicemail!”
Andree was at her desk, sipping coffee and eating a roast beef sandwich. She was listening to music on her iPhone. She pushed back her long blond hair as she belted out an old song.
“Telll meeee wwhhyyyI’m dreaamming of yyoouuu; I want the world to know…”
Andree almost jumped out of her chair when her phone ringtone interrupted her song.
“Hello?”
“Andree?”
“Yes, who's speaking?”
“It’s Maryl. Maryl Rosser!”
Andree jumped up and spilled her coffee all over her lab coat. “Uh, hi, Maryl! How are you?”
“I’m doing wonderful! Are you putting the endowment I gave you to good use?”
She looked around her lab. All of the latest equipment was because of Maryl Rosser. “Yes! I sure am! I also downloaded the folder you gave me, but...”
“Good. Good. I have a question for you, an important one.”’
“Okay.”
“You said Clayton and other people were there?”
“Yes. Clayton and
