ALPHA: A Genetics Investigation Team Thriller by Russ Tilton

Author:Russ Tilton [Tilton, Russ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-10-07T16:00:00+00:00

An hour later, all three were standing in the third-floor vestibule awaiting the elevator.

“Quite a security setup you have here, Doctor Hampton,” Jessup said. “Retinal and palm scanners, heavy metal entry doors. Isn’t that a little excessive for a place that dupes Fido?”

She chuckled. “Do you have any idea how much research is involved in figuring out how to ‘dupe Fido,’ as you call it? Do you have any idea how valuable that research is? The information stored behind these doors is worth more than the annual GDP of some countries. So, no, Agent Jessup. I don’t think it’s excessive at all.”

The elevator doors opened. As they entered, Flowers asked, “Where is Doctor Randolph’s office?”

Surprise flashed across Hampton’s face, but she quickly hid it. “Uh, Doctor Randolph? Why do you ask?”

“I went through Duogen’s annual report before we got here and saw his name listed, but I didn’t see a nameplate for him on any of the office doors.”

“Doctor Randolph is no longer with us. That must have been an old report.”

“Actually, it was just issued a couple of months ago.”

“Really?” Hampton said. “Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I’ll make sure it’s removed.”

The elevator hit the main floor, but before the door opened, Jessup pointed at the “B” button on the panel. “What’s in the basement?”

“Storage and unused lab space.”

Flowers smiled. “While we’re here…”

The woman glared at her, then pulled out a key card, flashed the panel, and pushed the basement button.

The doors opened to a long hallway with glass-lined walls on either side.

Flowers pointed to the space on the right, which contained a dozen individual laboratories. “You said this was for storage. This lab looks operational.”

“That’s because it is,” Hampton said. “We’re expanding production and we just finished building it. You’re one of the first people to see it.”

“Impressive,” Jessup said. “Some of those cages look pretty big.”

Hampton smiled. “Some of the animals we produce are pretty big: Saint Bernards, German shepherds. We even get the occasional request to recreate big cats.”

“You mean, like lions and tigers and bears?”

“To date, just a tiger. But we have zoos from around the world inquiring about cloning species on the verge of extinction.”

“Very noble,” Flowers said as she walked down the hallway, studying the facility. “A tiger could have killed two adults.”

“Yes, but as I said, the animals we produce go to their owners after they’re weened, long before they reach maturity. Besides, we don’t create coyotes at Duogen.”

Jessup jerked a thumb toward the myriad of electronic equipment in the space on the opposite side of the hall.

“At Duogen, we use several different technologies to further our research into genetic engineering,” Hampton said, sounding bored. “Now, if you have no other questions, I really need to get back to work.”

“We appreciate your time, Doctor Hampton,” Flowers said as she continued down the hall. Then she paused, took a few more steps, and stopped in front of a door. She pointed at the nameplate. “Doctor Zachary Randolph. So, he does have an office.

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