The Killing: Uncommon Denominator by Dionne Karen

Author:Dionne, Karen [Dionne, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Titan
Published: 2014-04-28T16:00:00+00:00

24

Sarah clenched her hands in her lap as she sat in the passenger seat of Goddard’s four-door Ford Taurus. She hated being relegated to passenger status. Her obsessive need to be behind the wheel was well known at the station, even joked about on occasion. She knew what the others thought of her, but she couldn’t help it; she just didn’t like the feeling of someone else being in control. But GenMod was Goddard’s show. And after the exhausting and unproductive day he’d put in at GenMod yesterday, he’d earned the right to take the lead role.

“What exactly do they do at GenMod?” she asked to distract herself as he hung a left into the parking lot without using his turn signal. Her fingers twitched as he drove past not just one, but two empty parking slots before finally pulling into a third.

“GenMod Labs specializes in research into human genetics, with the objective of understanding and curing inherited diseases by modifying the genes that are responsible.” He pointed to a glossy trifold on top of the stack of papers stuffed into the console beside him and smiled. “Or so it says in their brochure.”

“Genetic modification. GenMod Labs. Got it.” Funny how easy it was to miss what in hindsight should have been obvious. She followed him through a set of revolving doors into an expansive lobby. High ceiling, leather seating, skylights above a fountain in the middle with enough foliage surrounding it to make a rainforest jealous. Just once, she’d like to see a corporate lobby that broke the mold.

“Morning, Megan.” Goddard greeted the woman behind the information desk. “It is Megan, is it?”

The receptionist looked up and smiled. “That’s right! What a great memory you have!”

Sarah didn’t have the heart to point out that her nameplate was clearly visible on her desk.

“Are you back for more interviews?” the woman asked. She looked around hopefully. “Where’s your partner today?” “Today, I’m just chauffeuring the lady.” Goddard smiled modestly and held up his car keys. “She’s the real brains of the operation.”

The receptionist turned expectantly toward Sarah. Sarah smiled back through gritted teeth. If the receptionist thought Sarah was going to toss back a clever quip or a banal rejoinder, she had a long wait ahead of her. Goddard might have the easy, joking way about him that for most people passed for genuine conversation, but small talk drove Sarah crazy.

“We have an appointment with Dr. Agnes Preston from Information Services,” Sarah said stiffly. “She’s expecting us.”

“Of course.” The receptionist filled out their visitors’ passes. “She’s on the fifth floor. Take the elevators and turn right. Room 527.”

* * *

Dr. Agnes Preston turned out to be a small woman in her mid-sixties with long gray hair and a fading ankle tattoo. Unlike nearly everyone else Sarah had seen roaming the halls, Dr. Preston was not wearing a white lab coat. Her flowing skirt, peasant blouse, and chunky turquoise jewelry struck Sarah as inappropriate, both for the work environment and the season. But with the Boho look in fashion, Sarah had noticed that a lot of women Dr.

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