Free The Perfect Clone by M. L. Stephens Page B

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