The Shox Gene Variant

by Bob Cooper

  ***

  Foster lay in bed as the Nanobites killed the remaining cancer. Annie sat next to him reading the report on Gretchen’s mother. After the bitter divorce, she was never heard from again. Gretchen had mentioned she was dead when she interviewed for the job. Her last known address was New York, over fifteen years ago. Annie took out the picture and studied the delicate features of her face. Her eyes were blue like Gretchen’s. There was a faint scar on her right cheek about an inch long. She wore a pendant around her neck. Annie focused in on it but couldn’t make out the design.

  “Can you get a close up of the necklace she’s wearing?”

  Foster stirred and looked up. “What necklace?”

  “The one around Gretchen’s mother’s neck.”

  “Yeah, I can do that.”

  “Do you have the results of her facial scans?”

  “I do. No hits were found. I’m going to increase the area to include all countries. That will take considerable time.”

  “I know. Can you put a high priority on it?”

  “I sent the request up the channel for high priority authorization. I’ll check when I get out of here.”

  “Excuse me. I need to take him down for tests. You can wait in the waiting room if you wish,” the nurse said.

  She no sooner was situated in the waiting room, when her com link buzzed. It was Dirk.

  “Hi. How are you doing?” Annie said.

  “I’m okay. Any more news on Carina?”

  “Not really.”

  “I talked to your mom. She’s arranging to get a ship from the mining company. Captain Tom agreed to use it to look on the moon.”

  “Yeah, she told me she was going to do that.”

  “How’s Foster doing?”

  The doctor came into the lobby motioning to Annie.

  “Hey. I’ve got to go. Love you. Call you tomorrow.”

  Annie looked for any expressions on the Doctor’s face. “Foster wants you to join us in my office,” he said.

  She followed him into his office and he closed the door behind her. Foster was dressed, and when Annie sat next to him, he grabbed her hand.

  The doctor smiled at them. “I’m pleased to say the treatment worked and the cancer appears to be eradicated.”

  “Appears to be?”

  “Yes. There’s no indication that it’s there anymore. We don’t have much experience with this rare type of cancer so we can’t say for sure.”

  Annie let out a frustrated sigh.

  “But if it occurs again, this treatment works well and no reason why it wouldn’t do so again.”

  “So, I’m done here?” asked Foster.

  “For the time being. We need to check you annually.”

  “Then I’m out of here. Thanks for everything, Doc,” Foster said.

  They drove back to the office to find Aidan talking with Captain Tom. Before Annie could tell them the about Foster, Aidan jumped up. “I have some great news. We found Gretchen’s mother.”

  ***

  Gretchen watched as the scientists detailed the findings from this phase of the cloning project. Her father sat next to her as they listened to the lead scientist.

  “As you know, we were able to create three replicants of the boy.” A hologram was rotating the three images of Jonathan Nelson. “Physically, they are identical down to the mole on the left hip. However, mentally, we detected slight differences. The Replicants, I’ll call them R1, R2, and R3 based on their chronological order of creation, exhibited a slight variation in their ability to perceive specific situations. Given that they were brought up in an identical environment, we expected that their perceptions would be the same. They were not. R1 had solved problems and learned faster than R2, and R2 faster than R3. Something is being lost with each subsequent clone of the previous one.”

  “Why not clone each replicant from the Nelson original?” Gretchen’s father asked.

  “We didn’t think it would make a difference since we believed they would be exact clones of one another. Also, it would take a lot longer to go back to the Nelson original to create the replicants each time.”

  “How do you plan to correct this anomaly?” Gretchen asked.

  “We plan to alter the SHOX gene that causes the rapid growth to maturity. This process will ensure the Replicants are exact duplicates in every way. Once we have the Bayberry – Nelson embryo, we can test it out.”

  “When will you have the embryo?” Gretchen’s father asked.

  “We plan to extract the eggs from the girl at the appropriate time and fertilize them with the boy’s sperm and then grow the embryo in the lab.”

  “When will this take place?” Gretchen asked.

  “Within the next few days.”

  Gretchen’s father sat back looking relieved that the project was on track. “I am pleased with your progress. Keep us informed.”

  “We will. Are there any more questions?”

  “Yes, what will happen to R1, R2, and R3?” Gretchen asked.

  “They will be eliminated,” the scientist answered.

  ***

  Acey waited in the restaurant for Annie and Foster. While waiting, she secured a cargo transport from the mining company for the Guard to use while on the moon. There was no doubt that if the accountants dug deeper, they would have discovered the faked documents. Using Company assets for personal reasons was forbidden.

  “Hi, Mom,” Annie said, hugging Acey.

  “Hello, Mrs. Carter,” Foster said, shaking Acey’s hand.

  “I think we can dispense with the formalities,” Acey said to Foster. “Call me Acey.”

  He nodded. “All right, Acey.”

  She smiled at him. “Annie told me about your prognosis. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Dad tells me you’re making progress on finding Carina.”

  “Yes, we’ve located Gretchen’s mother. Dad and Captain Tom plan to meet up with her soon. Hopefully, she will give us insight as to where on the moon they might be. How are Hillary and Billy doing?”

  “Not well. I was over there last night. They’re a mess. Dirk was there. He still blames himself for the kidnapping.”

  “But it’s not his fault,” Annie said. “I’ve tried to reason with him, but I could tell he believes it is. Foster and I have been letting him help with the case.”

  A concerned look came across Acey’s face.

  “Be careful, please. You know how he is. He might try something foolish.”

  “Yeah, I know. Foster and I will keep close tabs on him.”

  There was a lull in the conversation while they ordered and Acey watched as Annie and Foster were trying to gesture something to the other.

  “What?” Acey asked, in frustration.

  Foster coughed nervously. “Uh, Mrs. Carter. I, uh, I mean, Acey. I would like your permission to marry your daughter.”

  Surprised, Acey sat back and didn’t answer for a few minutes. It was refreshing in this age to find a young man with old-fashioned values. Their romance reminded her of when she first met Aidan. He was just as awkward as Foster. “You have my blessing,” she said. She watched them exhale and kiss each other. “Since you’re doing this formally, you should ask Aidan, too.”

  “Oh, I plan to, Acey. As soon as we see him this afternoon,” Foster said.

  ***

  It was late when Sue and Raina arrived at ALOHO, a gay and lesbian venue in the city. Short for A League of Her Own, Raina had been there a few times before becoming a Senator. The place was crowded, but they managed to find a small table in the back. Raina was excited from her meeting with the President, and Sue wanted to make this a special night.

  “The music will start soon. I’m hungry. Let’s eat something. My treat,” Sue said.

  “Okay,” Raina said, laughing like a school kid on her first date.

  The waitress came over to take their order. She eyed both of them and winked at Sue. Raina caught the wink.

  “W
hat’ll you ladies have?” she asked, smiling at Sue.

  Sue coughed nervously. “I’ll have a draft beer and …”

  “Wait. Do you have champagne?” Raina asked the waitress.

  “I believe we do. I’ll check to see what we have,” she answered, staring at Sue.

  “Bring me your finest bottle.”

  “Okay. Be right back.”

  Sue didn’t say anything but kept her eyes glued to the menu.

  “Friend of yours?” Raina asked.

  “You know, I did have a life before I met you.”

  The waitress delivered the champagne nestled in a container of ice. She set two glasses down in front of them. After opening it, she poured half a glass and waited for Raina to taste it. It wasn’t the greatest, but it was acceptable. Raina nodded and the woman filled the two glasses.

  “What’s the occasion for the champagne?” Sue asked, taking a sip.

  “Can’t a girl drink champagne and not have it be a special occasion?”

  “Uh, no. You never drink champagne unless there’s something special to celebrate.”

  Raina continued sipping the champagne, while keeping her eyes on Sue. “Well, maybe there is something special.” She stopped there leaving Sue hanging.

  “What! What’s the special occasion?”

  Raina refreshed their glasses. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out a small gift box wrapped in silver paper. “This is for you.”

  Sue sat there with her mouth wide open. “Is this what I think it is?”

  “You won’t know until you open it,” Raina teased.

  Sue tore the paper off in one swoop of her hand. The small brown box had the name of a prominent jeweler in Washington. Her hands shook as she opened it. The glitter of a half carat diamond surrounded by green emeralds dazzled her. She couldn’t keep the tears from falling.

  “Susan Baker, will you marry me?”

  Sue slipped the beautiful ring on her finger. “Of course I will,” she said, moving her chair to the same side of the table. She grabbed Raina, kissed her and almost knocked her off the chair. After another glass of champagne, the music started. A beautiful slow song was playing. Raina stood up and extended her hand. Sue grabbed it, and they held each other tight as the song played. They slowly twirled, swaying to the music, oblivious to all the eyes watching the junior Senator from Arizona.

  20

  When they arrived in Seattle, Aidan and Captain Tom rented a cruiser and headed for the islands north of the city. Aidan drove while Captain Tom reviewed the dossier put together by Foster. There wasn’t much useful information, other than the pendant she wore that had a picture of an owl engraved on it. Gretchen’s mother’s last known address was on a small island on Puget Sound. It was dark by the time they arrived at the weather-worn two-bedroom bungalow. The lights were on in the house and music was playing loud enough to be heard as they approached.

  “Do you own a weapon?” Captain Tom asked.

  “I do but rarely have it on me.”

  “You should carry one with you,” he said, checking his blaster, ensuring it was charged. “You never know what you’re going to run in to.”

  Before Aidan could answer, the door flew open and a middle-aged woman with long salt-and-pepper hair hanging down to her lower back stood in the doorway – a blaster in one hand and holding a leash with a hell hound snarling in the other.

  “See, what did I tell you?” Captain Tom said to Aidan.

  “Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?” she yelled.

  “Hello, Ms. Harper. I’m Captain Tom Gardner with the Arizona Citizen Guard. This is Aidan Carter, a private investigator. We want to talk to you about your ex-husband, Helmut Steiger.”

  “I don’t know where he is, and I don’t give a shit, now screw,” she said, loosening her hold on the leash. The dog lunged forward baring his teeth and emitting a low guttural growl.

  “It’s crucial that we talk to you. We mean you no harm. Just a few minutes of your time,” Captain Tom pleaded.

  “As I said, I don’t know where he is.” She lifted the blaster and pointed it at them.

  Captain Tom slipped his hand to his blaster. “I can call the Washington Citizen Guard if you like, and we can have this conversation with them involved.”

  That got her attention. She stepped out a little further on the porch and looked around.

  “Well, come in then. And let’s get this over with.”

  Captain Tom and Aidan cautiously walked in. Music was blaring out of several speakers around the house. She issued a command, and the music went mute. “Now what’s this about?”

  “We believe you ex-husband is involved in a kidnapping. We believe your daughter is implicated. We thought you might give us some insight into this situation.

  “Insight! I haven’t seen that asshole in over fifteen years. Why did you think I could help?”

  “Have you ever heard of the Fourth Reich?” Aidan asked.

  Staring at them, she was visibly distressed. “Is Gretchen involved with those assholes?”

  “I’m afraid she is, ma’am.”

  Sandra put the blaster down on the table and sank into a chair. “That fucking asshole promised me he wouldn’t expose her to those scum. I made him promise, and it’s noted in our divorce decree.”

  “Gretchen was complicit in the abduction of two teenage children,” Captain Tom said.

  “No way. I know my daughter. She’s not capable of doing something like that.”

  “When was the last time you saw or talked to Gretchen?” Aidan asked.

  “That’s not relevant. I know my daughter and …”

  “She believes you’re dead. That’s what she told me,” Aidan said.

  Sandra Harper’s face tightened, struggling to control her anger. “Look, whatever you say she’s done is not her fault. He’s manipulating her. You’ve got to believe me.”

  Aidan wasn’t so sure. In his mind, her attempts to seduce him were part of her father’s grand scheme, and she was a willing participant. “The best thing you can do to help her is to give us any information you have so we can find them.”

  “But I don’t know where they are.”

  “When you two were married, did you know of his involvement in the Fourth Reich?” Captain Tom asked.

  “Not at first. He was busy starting a business, and he worked long hours into the night. Then someone sent me pictures of him attending a rally. At first, I didn’t understand what was happening at these rallies. But it soon became clear. Gretchen was a baby. The last photo I saw was Gretchen wrapped in a flag with a Swastika on it. I was livid. I went to the Guard, and they arrested him. I filed for divorce, thinking they would keep him locked up. But apparently, he broke no law attending these rallies. He was freed, and that’s when the trouble began.”

  “Trouble?”

  “Yes. When he learned of the divorce proceedings, he took Gretchen and hid. I was frantic. His attorney didn’t know where he was and communicated with him through a secured communication protocol that no one could break. To make a long story short, he offered to give me custody of Gretchen if I would recant my accusations of him being affiliated with the Fourth Reich. I did what he asked, but when I went to pick up Gretchen at the courthouse, he never showed. I haven’t seen or spoken to either of them to this day.”

  Aidan felt a tinge of sorrow for the woman. Another victim of this Fourth Reich. “You mentioned he started a business. Do you remember the name of the business?”

  “No, but it had something to do with medical supplies.”

  “Anything thing else you can remember that might help us?” Captain Tom asked.

  “Not that I can think of. You will notify me if you find her?”

  “We will,” Aidan said. “I promise.”

  ***

  Raina was late. The President was doing his State of the World address, and all members of Congress were required to be there. Before leaving for work, she got a call from Senator Carr
ington, but chose not to answer it. His message said to meet him right after the President’s address. This had to be about her meeting with the President, she thought.

  Hors d’oeuvres were being served in the House of Representative's cafe before the President’s address, but Raina chose not to go. Instead, she hid in her office, arriving at the last minute. She nervously looked around before taking her seat. She didn’t see Senator Carrington approach from behind.

  “Raina, did you get my call? It is imperative that we speak in my office after the address. Is that understood,” he said, leaving no doubt about the importance of the meeting.

  “I did, and I will be there,” she said.

  He left for his seat without saying another word.

  The address was the first one Raina had attended. She found it very informative, even though she disagreed with some of the President’s thinking. The one hour and twenty-minute speech ended in thunderous applause and everyone left to find the media to get free publicity. Raina went straight to the Senator’s office, not sure what she was going to say. The door was open, and he watched her approach. She closed the door. He walked over to the credenza and poured a tall whiskey into a glass. He extended the glass to her, but she refused.

  “I hear the meeting with the President went well.”

  Not sure where the conversation was going, Raina merely nodded her head.

  He took a sip and set the glass down. “Do you know why I wasn’t there?”

  “I was told something came up, and you couldn’t make it.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “Mrs. Carrington.”

  The Senator slammed his fist on the desk spilling his drink and causing Raina to jump. She watched as he quickly gained his composure.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to …”

  “Senator, with all due respect, I had nothing to do with leaving you out of the meeting. But I should have verified it with you first. For that, I apologize.”

  The Senator didn’t respond. Instead, he wiped up the spilled whiskey and poured another. “It’s not your fault, and I apologize for losing my temper. Let me explain some things about my wife. She believes she should be where I am today, and she never lets me forget it. I won’t bore you with the details, but she made some terrible decisions and associated herself with the wrong people which caused her political demise. We have this strange symbiotic relationship – she feeds off my associates and in turn, I depend on her social grace and charm to manipulate my colleagues when needed. It works out well, for the most part.”