by L. A. Larkin
‘I did the groundwork, that’s all. She made the documentary and John Flynn ran it on the billboards. Have you heard from Tracey? Is she still alive?’
‘She’s fine. We’ve been in contact with the British Consul and she’s turned up over the border in Botswana. She’s under the protection of the British Embassy.’
‘Thank God!’
‘Serena, I can only imagine the hell you’ve been through to uncover this crime. We’d like to hear your story, and I’d be proud to do the interview.’
She carefully looked at Paul, studying his face.
‘Let’s do it.’
‘Just tell it exactly how it was.’
And she did. Paul let the camera run and she told her story uninterrupted. When, through sheer exhaustion, Serena could speak no more, and the cameras were off, he spoke above the hubbub of shouting news crews that had descended upon them.
‘You’re a very brave woman, Serena Swift.’
Serena was surrounded by cameras, microphones and bodies surging at her, pushing and shoving to get closer. Cops were trying to control them, with little success. The BBC crew attempted to protect her from being crushed and, gasping for air, she looked up at the clear blue sky. Standing on the roof of the US Army Recruitment cabin, only ten metres away, was John, his eyes sparkling, waving at her with his arms high in the air. She laughed with the joy of seeing him.
‘Can you get me to that man?’ she asked Paul.
‘Sure can. But this mob will follow, I’m afraid. Make way!’ Paul shouted as he and his crew pushed a path through the sea of microphones. He lifted Serena up onto the cabin’s roof and into John’s arms. Camera’s flashed.
‘You did it,’ said Serena, hugging him.
‘We did it,’ he replied, ‘and thank God you’re safe.’ He reluctantly pulled away from her, but still held her hand. ‘There’s someone who wants to speak to you,’ he said and gave her the phone.
‘We’re bleeding famous,’ screeched Tracey.
‘Tracey! Are you alright?’
‘I’m fine. Being pampered by a very spunky bloke at the embassy. I think it’s love,’ she joked.
‘I know the feeling,’ Serena said, squeezing John’s hand. She could hear Tracey squealing on the other end of the line, but Serena directed her next statement to John. ‘And this time I’m not going to let you slip through my fingers.’
Some distance away Bukowski looked up at her on the roof. The police were escorting him from Times Square. Did she see a moment’s fear in his dark, cold eyes?
Yes, she did.
‘Let the battle begin,’ she said.
Author’s Note
I have created a fictional world in which genetic engineering goes horribly wrong, threatening the survival of the human race. While I have taken great pains to research the science behind the genetic engineering of food - interviewing world renowned geneticists and virologists - the biotech company and genetically engineered products and processes in the book are all my invention.
I would like to thank Professor Joe Cummins, Professor Emeritus of Genetics at the University of Western Ontario, whose generosity with his time enabled me to fine tune the deformities and illnesses described in the story. Jeffrey M. Smith, Executive Director of The Institute of Responsible Technology and author of Seeds of Deception, your list of ‘What could go wrong?’ gave me a feast of ideas for this story. Jeremy Rifkin, Dr Arpad Pusztai, John Hepburn, and all the people who gave up their time to answer my questions, but who prefer to remain anonymous, I salute you.
I want to give a special thanks to Dean Carter, information security guru and the inspiration for my hacker character. Dean swept me up into a world of hackers’ jargon and chat rooms, data and identity theft, and even took me along to the Ruxcon hackers’ conference. I should make it very clear that he does nothing illegal and works for an organisation paid by companies to hack their own systems. He’s a good guy. Dean, I couldn’t have done it without you.
The Genesis Flaw has passed through many hands and each time it has become a better story. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Michael for his encouragement and unwavering support. I am indebted to Gaby Naher, my agent, for championing my novel and for her invaluable guidance. My publisher, Colette Vella, has helped me grow as a writer and I thank her for her insight and enthusiasm.
Lastly, thank you Mum. I learned from you the value of an independent and questioning mind and the importance of standing up for what you believe in, as does Serena Swift.
For information on me and my books, please visit www.lalarkin.com, Facebook and Twitter.
About the Author
Thriller author L.A. Larkin has been likened to Michael Crichton. She has a degree in Literature from the University of London and teaches thriller writing in Australia and the UK. Her latest novel, Thirst, is described as ‘the best Antarctic thriller since Ice Station’. She goes to extreme lengths to research her stories, recently going to Antarctica.
L.A. Larkin loves to hear from her readers, and can be contacted via her website at www.lalarkin.com, Facebook and Twitter.
Published in Australia and New Zealand by Murdoch Books / Pier 9 2010.
Published worldwide by Rollicking Read Press 2013.
Text © L. A. Larkin 2010. The moral right of the author has been asserted.
The events and characters depicted in this book are entirely fictional and are not intended to portray actual events or people.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Cover design by Cathy Klein. Cover images © Knape, iStockphoto, © Zoya Fedorova, Dreamstime
A cataloguing-in-publication entry is available from the catalogue of the National Library of Australia at www.nla.gov.au
Enjoyed The Genesis Flaw? Why not try Thirst by L.A. Larkin?
Antarctica is the coldest, most isolated place on earth. Luke Searle, maverick glaciologist, has made it his home. But soon his survival skills will be tested to the limit by a ruthless mercenary who must win at any cost.
The white continent is under attack. The Australian team is being hunted down. Can Luke stay alive long enough to raise the alarm?
The countdown has begun.
T minus 5 days, 2 hours and 53 minutes …
‘The best Antarctic thriller since Ice Station.’ James Phelan
Table of Contents
Cover
Praise
Dedication
Contents
Author’s Note
About the Author
Copyright
Also by L.A. Larkin—Thirst