Crimson Surge - Dead Sea Book 2: (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller) by D.F. Brook & Mike Kraus

Author:D.F. Brook & Mike Kraus [Brook, D.F.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Muonic Press Inc
Published: 2022-10-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Samir “Sam” Griffin. Las Cruces, New Mexico

Sam followed Dr. Daniel Bergman as the man strode down the hill toward the coach house. He would heed Vanessa's advice—apologize and hope the Professor would put aside his grudge. Then get back to what he did best—research, testing compounds, and finding an algaecide. The professor was alone, a rare occurrence. Good. He didn’t want anyone witnessing his apology, not one of Daniel’s assistants or Vanessa’s student, Alex.

Sam swallowed the lump in his throat. "Hey, can we talk a minute?"

Daniel lumbered on, not bothering to slow his pace. "What do you want?"

Of course, Daniel wasn't cooperative. Sam had accused him of sabotage—one of the worst sins in academia. It ranked up there with faking data—a career-killer, as Sam knew all too well. "A minute of your time."

The Professor halted in front of the coach house door. He faced Sam and checked his watch. "You have thirty seconds."

How generous. "I'm sorry about earlier. I had no right to accuse you of destroying my samples. You... or whoever moved my guitar case in the sun, must not have realized—"

Daniel turned and grunted then grabbed the doorknob.

Sam’s chances of making nice with the project leader were slipping away. "Wait. May I come back and work?"

"Are you out of your mind?"

Sam steeled himself and tried again. "I promise I won't question you. I'll stay out of your way. I'll—"

Daniel yanked the door open. "I'm only putting up with you out of respect for Vanessa. You want back in? Admit you faked data in front of everyone. Then you can work.”

Sam swayed on shaky legs. The pressure, the heat, and Daniel's spite were all conspiring to topple him. "I faked nothing. Senator Greg Paulson shut down the project. The man was out to get me."

"You did this to yourself. Stay the hell away from me and my family." Daniel stormed inside the house.

Family. Sam was foolish to think Daniel would ever tolerate him, not after the affair with Vanessa. The man apparently hadn’t noticed the resemblance between Sam and Zach, unlike everyone else on the planet. Daniel was in denial, maybe. Sam’s head swam with a mix of regret, anger, and pity for Daniel’s blind spot—a combination that poisoned his resolve. I failed, Grandpapa.

Chin down, he walked back up the small hill toward the yard that connected the main house and the research station. He could go home to Mississippi. Cole might be there, and they could work in Sam’s makeshift lab, but it lacked the proper equipment—the centrifuge needed an overhaul, not to mention there was no 3D bio-printing capability. Or, he could drive to Atlanta. Misty Swanson was on her way there. He could approach the CDC staff at their headquarters if Dr. Tharp hadn't already trash talked Sam to get him on their watch list.

Luna's frantic bark echoed from the east side of the property. He drew his fingers to his lips and whistled for her. After twenty seconds, she sprinted toward him. She raced in circles, yapping and whining.

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