Free Last Days (Last Days Trilogy #1) by Jacqueline Druga Page A

Genevieve. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
    “I was uh...” Dr. Genevieve’s eyes shifted about. “I was, uh, saying we will continue as soon as the institute locates a viable surrogate mother. We’ll begin the search right away.”
    “Marcus,” Rose touched his arm. “It won’t be held up too long. We’re on batch number four. What did you say about number four? A powerful history of not letting you down?”
    Marcus grinned. “You are absolutely right, Rose. Thanks.” He briefly grabbed hold of her shoulders, and then went back to his office, entered and shut the door.
    The doctor looked at the closed door nervously. “I hope not another temper tantrum?”
    Rose shrugged. Marcus popped his head out the door. “No. No tantrum,” he replied. “Phone call.” The door closed.
     

Seville, Ohio
     
    There was something about the day that just felt different to Reggie. A part of her felt disconnected from her job. She was late, which rarely happened, Cook had to yell at her more than once to ‘pick up’ and the morning rush proved too much.
    The hard ding of the bell ate right through her and when Reggie screamed in reaction when Cook shouted her name, “All right!” from across the diner. After her outburst, Reggie paused then gave an apologetic smile to her customers. “Sorry. That was one club sandwich and a chef’s salad.”
    Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. “Reg!”
    “Oh my God.” She snatched the menus from the customers and spun around. “Really?” She marched to the food window. “Really. How would you like it if I did this?” She smacked her hand on the bell. “Cook! Cook!”
    “Reg!” Another voice called her name, only this time it was Charley.
    Sure she was in trouble. Reggie wanted to just yell, “Okay, enough, I quit,” but it was either waiting tables or working for her father. Cringing she looked at Cook.
    “Feel better?” Cook asked calmly.
    “Yes.”
    “Good. Now take the damn chicken to table four.”
    Reggie grabbed the plate and walked to table four.
    “Reg,” called Charley again.
    “What? I’m working. I’m not yelling.”
    Charley held up a phone.
    “For me?” Reggie asked.
    “No, I’m just showing it to you.”
    “Such sarcasm,” Reggie said and reached for the phone.
    Charley pulled it away. “I thought Herbie was picking you up a flip phone from Bargain Mart.”
    “He did. I haven’t figured out how to use it.”
    “It’s a flip phone, Reg, people figured those out decades ago.”
    Grumbling, Reggie grabbed the phone. Mid placing it to her ear, she paused and covered the receiver. “Who is it? It’s not a bill collector is it?”
    “Unless the bill is your soul. No. It’s Marcus.”
    She wanted to smile, but grew worried because Marcus never called her at work “Hello?” She answered.
    “Reg. You busy?”
    “Um, no. What’s wrong?”
    Marcus let out a long breath, one that carried over the line. “My friend, I need a small favor.”
     

Westing Biogenetic Institute - Chicago, Illinois
     
    Dr. Genevieve was the only on-site person to clear it. The other director, Dr. Hershey, was at the Spain office, but was soon on the phone with Genevieve.
    “Highly unorthodox,” Dr. Genevieve told Marcus.
    Marcus nodded calmly, hand on hip, and replied, “Just like the entire experiment.”
    Dr. Genevieve said, “I can’t argue with that, but you do realize what you’re asking?”
    “I’m asking for a ‘no stall’ on this experiment that we’ve pushed no matter what the odds. I’ve never said it,” Marcus raised an eyebrow, “but this is my baby. I negotiated the deal with the Vatican. I did. The new cloning techniques. Mine. The DNA restructuring of the egg. Mine. The new design of the in-vitro and artificial womb, all....”
    “Where are you going with this?” Dr. Hershey asked over the speaker-phone.
    “I’m pulling rank,” he declared, “which I haven’t done till now. With all I’ve done, all the funding I’ve pulled in,