Authors: Robin Cook
Tags: #Fiction, #General, #Mystery & Detective, #Suspense, #Thrillers, #Suspense Fiction, #Fiction - Espionage, #Thriller, #Detective and mystery stories, #Espionage, #Onbekend, #Medical, #Medical novels, #New York (N.Y.), #Forensic pathologists, #Equatorial Guinea, #Forensic pathologists - Fiction, #Robin - Prose & Criticism, #Equatorial Guinea - Fiction, #Cook, #New York (N.Y.) - Fiction
Chromosome 6 (8 page)
exactly what I was talking about earlier. You've got to get out of your lab and do something to divert that
overactive mind of yours. You're going stir-crazy and you're obsessing. I mean, this fire crap is ridiculous. The irony is that the project is going splendidly. How about reconsidering that offer for coming over for dinner? Trish and I would be delighted." "I'll give it serious thought," Kevin said. He felt distinctly uncomfortable with Bertram's arm around his neck.
"Good," Bertram said. He gave Kevin a final pat on his back. "Maybe the three of us could take in a movie as well. There's a terrific double-feature scheduled for this week. I mean, you ought to take advantage of the fact that we get the latest movies. It's a big effort on GenSys's part to fly them in here on a weekly basis. What do you say?"
"I guess," Kevin said evasively.
"Good," Bertram said. "I'll mention it to Trish, she'll give you a call. Okay?" "Okay," Kevin said. He smiled weakly.
Five minutes later, Kevin climbed back into his vehicle more confused than before he'd come to see Bertram Edwards. He didn't know what to think. Maybe his imagination was working overtime. It was possible, but short of visiting Isla Francesca there was no way of knowing for sure. And on top of that was this new worry that people were feeling resentful towards him. Braking at the exit of the parking area, Kevin glanced up and down the road in front of the animal complex. He waited for a large truck to rumble by. As he was about to pull out, his eye caught the sight of a man standing motionlessly in the window of the Moroccan headquarters. Kevin couldn't see him well because of the sunlight reflecting off the glass, but he could tell it was one of the mustached guards. He could also tell the man was watching him intently. Kevin shivered without exactly knowing why. The ride back to the hospital was uneventful and quick, but the seemingly impenetrable walls of dark green vegetation gave Kevin an uncomfortable claustrophobic feeling. Kevin's response was to press down on the accelerator. He was relieved to reach the edge of town. Kevin parked in his spot. He opened his door, but hesitated. It was close to noon, and he debated heading home for lunch or going up to his lab for an hour or so. The lab won out. Esmeralda never expected him before one.
Just with the short walk from the car to the hospital, Kevin could appreciate the intensity of the noontime sun. It was like an oppressive blanket that made all movement more difficult, even breathing. Until he'd come to Africa, he'd never experienced true tropical heat. Once inside, enveloped with cool, air-conditioned air, Kevin grasped the edge of his collar and pulled his shirt away from his back. He started up the stairs, but he didn't get far. "Dr. Marshall!" a voice called.
Kevin looked behind him. He wasn't accustomed to being accosted in the stairwell.
overactive mind of yours. You're going stir-crazy and you're obsessing. I mean, this fire crap is ridiculous. The irony is that the project is going splendidly. How about reconsidering that offer for coming over for dinner? Trish and I would be delighted." "I'll give it serious thought," Kevin said. He felt distinctly uncomfortable with Bertram's arm around his neck.
"Good," Bertram said. He gave Kevin a final pat on his back. "Maybe the three of us could take in a movie as well. There's a terrific double-feature scheduled for this week. I mean, you ought to take advantage of the fact that we get the latest movies. It's a big effort on GenSys's part to fly them in here on a weekly basis. What do you say?"
"I guess," Kevin said evasively.
"Good," Bertram said. "I'll mention it to Trish, she'll give you a call. Okay?" "Okay," Kevin said. He smiled weakly.
Five minutes later, Kevin climbed back into his vehicle more confused than before he'd come to see Bertram Edwards. He didn't know what to think. Maybe his imagination was working overtime. It was possible, but short of visiting Isla Francesca there was no way of knowing for sure. And on top of that was this new worry that people were feeling resentful towards him. Braking at the exit of the parking area, Kevin glanced up and down the road in front of the animal complex. He waited for a large truck to rumble by. As he was about to pull out, his eye caught the sight of a man standing motionlessly in the window of the Moroccan headquarters. Kevin couldn't see him well because of the sunlight reflecting off the glass, but he could tell it was one of the mustached guards. He could also tell the man was watching him intently. Kevin shivered without exactly knowing why. The ride back to the hospital was uneventful and quick, but the seemingly impenetrable walls of dark green vegetation gave Kevin an uncomfortable claustrophobic feeling. Kevin's response was to press down on the accelerator. He was relieved to reach the edge of town. Kevin parked in his spot. He opened his door, but hesitated. It was close to noon, and he debated heading home for lunch or going up to his lab for an hour or so. The lab won out. Esmeralda never expected him before one.
Just with the short walk from the car to the hospital, Kevin could appreciate the intensity of the noontime sun. It was like an oppressive blanket that made all movement more difficult, even breathing. Until he'd come to Africa, he'd never experienced true tropical heat. Once inside, enveloped with cool, air-conditioned air, Kevin grasped the edge of his collar and pulled his shirt away from his back. He started up the stairs, but he didn't get far. "Dr. Marshall!" a voice called.
Kevin looked behind him. He wasn't accustomed to being accosted in the stairwell.
"Shame on you, Dr. Marshall," a woman said, standing at the base of the stairs. Her voice had a lilting
quality that suggested she was being less than serious. She was clad in surgical scrubs and a white coat. The sleeves of the coat were rolled up to her mid-forearms. "Excuse me?" Kevin said. The woman looked familiar, but he couldn't place her. "You haven't been to see the patient," the woman said. "With other cases you came each day." "Well, that's true," Kevin said self-consciously. He'd finally recognized the woman. It was the nurse, Candace Brickmann. She was part of the surgical team that flew in with the patient. This was her fourth trip to Cogo. Kevin had met her briefly on all three previous visits. "You've hurt Mr. Winchester's feelings," Candace said, wagging her finger at Kevin. She was a vivacious gamine in her late twenties. With fine, light-blond hair done up in a French twist. Kevin couldn't remember a time he'd seen her that she wasn't smiling. "I didn't think he'd notice," Kevin stammered. Candace threw back her head and laughed. Then she covered her mouth with her hand to suppress further giggles when she saw Kevin's confused expression. "I'm only teasing," she said. "I'm not even sure Mr. Winchester remembers meeting you on that hectic day of arrival."
"Well, I meant to come and see how he was doing," Kevin said. "I've just been too busy." "Too busy in this place in the middle of nowhere?" Candace asked. "Well, I guess it's more that I've been preoccupied," Kevin admitted. "A lot has been happening." "Like what?" Candace asked, suppressing a smile. She liked this shy, unassuming researcher. Kevin made some fumbling gestures with his hands while his face flushed. "All sorts of things," he said finally.
"You academic types crack me up," Candace said. "But, teasing aside, I'm happy to report that Mr. Winchester is doing just fine, and I understand from the surgeon that's largely thanks to you." "I wouldn't go that far," Kevin said.
"Oh, modest, too!" Candace commented. "Smart, cute, and humble. That's a killing combination." Kevin stuttered but no words came out.
"Would it be out of bounds for me to invite you to join me for lunch?" Candace said. "I thought I'd walk over and get a hamburger. I'm a little tired of the hospital cafeteria food, and it would be nice to get a little air now that the sun is out. What do you say?" Kevin's mind whirled. The invitation was unexpected, and under normal circumstances he would have found reason to decline for that reason alone. But with Bertram's comments fresh in his mind, he wavered.
quality that suggested she was being less than serious. She was clad in surgical scrubs and a white coat. The sleeves of the coat were rolled up to her mid-forearms. "Excuse me?" Kevin said. The woman looked familiar, but he couldn't place her. "You haven't been to see the patient," the woman said. "With other cases you came each day." "Well, that's true," Kevin said self-consciously. He'd finally recognized the woman. It was the nurse, Candace Brickmann. She was part of the surgical team that flew in with the patient. This was her fourth trip to Cogo. Kevin had met her briefly on all three previous visits. "You've hurt Mr. Winchester's feelings," Candace said, wagging her finger at Kevin. She was a vivacious gamine in her late twenties. With fine, light-blond hair done up in a French twist. Kevin couldn't remember a time he'd seen her that she wasn't smiling. "I didn't think he'd notice," Kevin stammered. Candace threw back her head and laughed. Then she covered her mouth with her hand to suppress further giggles when she saw Kevin's confused expression. "I'm only teasing," she said. "I'm not even sure Mr. Winchester remembers meeting you on that hectic day of arrival."
"Well, I meant to come and see how he was doing," Kevin said. "I've just been too busy." "Too busy in this place in the middle of nowhere?" Candace asked. "Well, I guess it's more that I've been preoccupied," Kevin admitted. "A lot has been happening." "Like what?" Candace asked, suppressing a smile. She liked this shy, unassuming researcher. Kevin made some fumbling gestures with his hands while his face flushed. "All sorts of things," he said finally.
"You academic types crack me up," Candace said. "But, teasing aside, I'm happy to report that Mr. Winchester is doing just fine, and I understand from the surgeon that's largely thanks to you." "I wouldn't go that far," Kevin said.
"Oh, modest, too!" Candace commented. "Smart, cute, and humble. That's a killing combination." Kevin stuttered but no words came out.
"Would it be out of bounds for me to invite you to join me for lunch?" Candace said. "I thought I'd walk over and get a hamburger. I'm a little tired of the hospital cafeteria food, and it would be nice to get a little air now that the sun is out. What do you say?" Kevin's mind whirled. The invitation was unexpected, and under normal circumstances he would have found reason to decline for that reason alone. But with Bertram's comments fresh in his mind, he wavered.
"Cat got your tongue?" Candace asked. She lowered her head and flirtatiously peered at him beneath
arched eyebrows.
Kevin gestured up toward his lab, then mumbled words to the effect that Esmeralda was expecting him. "Can't you give her a call?" Candace asked. She had the intuitive feeling Kevin wanted to join her, so she persisted.
"I guess," Kevin said. "I suppose I could call from my lab." "Fine," Candace said. "Do you want me to wait here or come with you?" Kevin had never met such a forward female, not that he had a lot of opportunity or experience. His last and only love other than a couple of high school crushes had been a fellow doctorate candidate, Jacqueline Morton. That relationship had taken months to develop out of long hours working together; she'd been as shy as Kevin.
Candace came up the five stairs to stand next to Kevin. She was about five-three in her Nikes. "If you can't decide, and it's all the same to you, why don't I come up." "Okay," Kevin said.
Kevin's nervousness quickly abated. Usually what bothered him in social circumstances with females was the stress of trying to think of things to talk about. With Candace, he didn't have time to think. She maintained a running conversation. During the ascent of the two flights of stairs she managed to bring up the weather, the town, the hospital, and how the surgery had gone. "This is my lab," Kevin said, after opening the door. "Fantastic!" Candace said with sincerity. Kevin smiled. He could tell she was truly impressed. "You go ahead and make your call," Candace said. "I'll just look around if it's okay." "If you'd like," Kevin said.
Although Kevin was concerned about giving Esmeralda so little warning he'd not be there for lunch, she surprised him with her equanimity. Her only response was to ask when Kevin wanted dinner. "At the usual time," Kevin said. Then after a brief hesitation, he surprised himself by adding: "I might have company. Would that be a problem?"
"Not at all," Esmeralda said. "How many persons?" "Just one," Kevin said. He hung up the phone and wiped his palms together. They were a little damp. "Are we on for lunch?" Candace called from across the room. "Let's go!" Kevin said.
arched eyebrows.
Kevin gestured up toward his lab, then mumbled words to the effect that Esmeralda was expecting him. "Can't you give her a call?" Candace asked. She had the intuitive feeling Kevin wanted to join her, so she persisted.
"I guess," Kevin said. "I suppose I could call from my lab." "Fine," Candace said. "Do you want me to wait here or come with you?" Kevin had never met such a forward female, not that he had a lot of opportunity or experience. His last and only love other than a couple of high school crushes had been a fellow doctorate candidate, Jacqueline Morton. That relationship had taken months to develop out of long hours working together; she'd been as shy as Kevin.
Candace came up the five stairs to stand next to Kevin. She was about five-three in her Nikes. "If you can't decide, and it's all the same to you, why don't I come up." "Okay," Kevin said.
Kevin's nervousness quickly abated. Usually what bothered him in social circumstances with females was the stress of trying to think of things to talk about. With Candace, he didn't have time to think. She maintained a running conversation. During the ascent of the two flights of stairs she managed to bring up the weather, the town, the hospital, and how the surgery had gone. "This is my lab," Kevin said, after opening the door. "Fantastic!" Candace said with sincerity. Kevin smiled. He could tell she was truly impressed. "You go ahead and make your call," Candace said. "I'll just look around if it's okay." "If you'd like," Kevin said.
Although Kevin was concerned about giving Esmeralda so little warning he'd not be there for lunch, she surprised him with her equanimity. Her only response was to ask when Kevin wanted dinner. "At the usual time," Kevin said. Then after a brief hesitation, he surprised himself by adding: "I might have company. Would that be a problem?"
"Not at all," Esmeralda said. "How many persons?" "Just one," Kevin said. He hung up the phone and wiped his palms together. They were a little damp. "Are we on for lunch?" Candace called from across the room. "Let's go!" Kevin said.
"This is some lab!" she commented. "I never would have expected to find it here in the heart of tropical
Africa. Tell me, what is it that you're doing with all this fantastic equipment?" "I'm trying to perfect the protocol," Kevin said. "Can't you be more specific?" Candace asked. "You really want to know?" Kevin asked. "Yes," Candace said. "I'm interested."
"At this stage I'm dealing with minor histocompatibility antigens. You? know, proteins that define you as a unique, separate individual."
"And what do you do with them?"
"Well, I locate their genes on the proper chromosome," Kevin said. "Then I search for the transponase that's associated with the genes, if there's any, so I can move the genes." Candace let out a little laugh. "You've lost me already," she admitted. "I haven't the foggiest notion what a transponase is. In fact, I'm afraid a lot of this molecular biology is over my head." "It really isn't," Kevin said. "The principles aren't that complicated. The critical fact few people realize is that some genes can move around on their chromosome. This happens particularly in B lymphocytes to increase the diversity of antibodies. Other genes are even more mobile and can change places with their twins. You do remember that there are two copies of every gene." "Yup," Candace said. "Just like there are two copies of each chromosome. Our cells have twenty-three chromosome pairs."
"Exactly," Kevin said. "When genes exchange places on their chromosome pairs it's called homologous transposition. It's a particularly important process in the generation of sex cells, both eggs and sperms. What it does is help increase genetic shuffling, and hence the ability of species to evolve." "So this homologous transposition plays a role in evolution," Candace said. "Absolutely," Kevin agreed. "Anyway, the gene segments that move are called transposons, and the enzymes that catalyze their movement are called transponases." "Okay," Candace said. "I follow you so far." "Well, right now I'm interested in transposons that contain the genes for minor histocompatibility antigens," Kevin said.
"I see," Candace said, nodding her head. "I'm getting the picture. You're goal is to move the gene for a minor histocompatibility antigen from one chromosome to another." "Exactly!" Kevin said. "The trick, of course, is finding and isolating the transponase. That's the difficult step. But once I've found the transponase, it's relatively easy to locate its gene. And once I've located and isolated the gene, I can use standard recombinant DNA technology to produce it."
Africa. Tell me, what is it that you're doing with all this fantastic equipment?" "I'm trying to perfect the protocol," Kevin said. "Can't you be more specific?" Candace asked. "You really want to know?" Kevin asked. "Yes," Candace said. "I'm interested."
"At this stage I'm dealing with minor histocompatibility antigens. You? know, proteins that define you as a unique, separate individual."
"And what do you do with them?"
"Well, I locate their genes on the proper chromosome," Kevin said. "Then I search for the transponase that's associated with the genes, if there's any, so I can move the genes." Candace let out a little laugh. "You've lost me already," she admitted. "I haven't the foggiest notion what a transponase is. In fact, I'm afraid a lot of this molecular biology is over my head." "It really isn't," Kevin said. "The principles aren't that complicated. The critical fact few people realize is that some genes can move around on their chromosome. This happens particularly in B lymphocytes to increase the diversity of antibodies. Other genes are even more mobile and can change places with their twins. You do remember that there are two copies of every gene." "Yup," Candace said. "Just like there are two copies of each chromosome. Our cells have twenty-three chromosome pairs."
"Exactly," Kevin said. "When genes exchange places on their chromosome pairs it's called homologous transposition. It's a particularly important process in the generation of sex cells, both eggs and sperms. What it does is help increase genetic shuffling, and hence the ability of species to evolve." "So this homologous transposition plays a role in evolution," Candace said. "Absolutely," Kevin agreed. "Anyway, the gene segments that move are called transposons, and the enzymes that catalyze their movement are called transponases." "Okay," Candace said. "I follow you so far." "Well, right now I'm interested in transposons that contain the genes for minor histocompatibility antigens," Kevin said.
"I see," Candace said, nodding her head. "I'm getting the picture. You're goal is to move the gene for a minor histocompatibility antigen from one chromosome to another." "Exactly!" Kevin said. "The trick, of course, is finding and isolating the transponase. That's the difficult step. But once I've found the transponase, it's relatively easy to locate its gene. And once I've located and isolated the gene, I can use standard recombinant DNA technology to produce it."
"Meaning getting bacteria to make it for you," Candace said.
"Bacteria or mammalian tissue culture," Kevin said. "Whatever works best." "Phew!" Candace commented. "This brain game is reminding me how hungry I am. Let's get some hamburgers before my blood sugar bottoms out." Kevin smiled. He liked this woman. He was even starting to relax. Descending the hospital stairs, Kevin felt a little giddy while listening and responding to Candace's entertaining, nonstop questions and chatter. He couldn't believe he was going to lunch with such an attractive, engaging female. It seemed to him that more things had happened in the last couple of days than during the previous five years he'd been in Cogo. He was so preoccupied, he didn't give a thought to the Equatoguinean soldiers as he and Candace crossed the square. Kevin had not been in the rec center since his initial orientation tour. He'd forgotten its quaintness. He'd also forgotten how blasphemous it was that the church had been recycled to provide worldly diversion. The altar was gone, but the pulpit was still in place off to the left. It was used for lectures and for calling out the numbers on bingo night. In place of the altar was the movie screen: an unintended sign of the times.
The commissary was in the basement and was reached by a stairway in the narthex. Kevin was surprised at how busy it was. A babble of voices echoed off the harsh, concrete ceiling. He and Candace had to stand in a long line before ordering. Then after they'd gotten their food, they had to search in the confusion for a place to sit. The tables were all long and had to be shared. The seats were benches attached like picnic tables.
"There are some seats," Candace called out over the chatter. She pointed toward the rear of the room with her tray. Kevin nodded.
Kevin glanced furtively at the faces in the crowd as he weaved his way after Candace. He felt self-conscious, given Bertram's insight into popular opinion, yet no one paid him the slightest attention. Kevin followed Candace as she squeezed between two tables. He held his tray high to avoid hitting anyone, then put it down at an empty spot. He had to struggle to get his legs over the seat and under the table. By the time he was situated, Candace had already introduced herself to the two people sitting on the aisle. Kevin nodded to them. He didn't recognize either one. "Lively place," Candace said. She reached for catsup. "Do you come here often?" Before Kevin could respond, someone called out his name. He turned and recognized the lone familiar face. It was Melanie Becket, the reproductive technologist. "Kevin Marshall!" Melanie exclaimed again. "I'm shocked. What are you doing here?" Melanie was about the same age as Candace; she'd celebrated her thirtieth birthday the previous month. Where Candace was light, she was dark, with medium-brown hair and coloration that seemed Mediterranean. Her dark brown eyes were nearly black. Kevin struggled to introduce his lunchmate, and was horrified to realize that for the moment he couldn't
"Bacteria or mammalian tissue culture," Kevin said. "Whatever works best." "Phew!" Candace commented. "This brain game is reminding me how hungry I am. Let's get some hamburgers before my blood sugar bottoms out." Kevin smiled. He liked this woman. He was even starting to relax. Descending the hospital stairs, Kevin felt a little giddy while listening and responding to Candace's entertaining, nonstop questions and chatter. He couldn't believe he was going to lunch with such an attractive, engaging female. It seemed to him that more things had happened in the last couple of days than during the previous five years he'd been in Cogo. He was so preoccupied, he didn't give a thought to the Equatoguinean soldiers as he and Candace crossed the square. Kevin had not been in the rec center since his initial orientation tour. He'd forgotten its quaintness. He'd also forgotten how blasphemous it was that the church had been recycled to provide worldly diversion. The altar was gone, but the pulpit was still in place off to the left. It was used for lectures and for calling out the numbers on bingo night. In place of the altar was the movie screen: an unintended sign of the times.
The commissary was in the basement and was reached by a stairway in the narthex. Kevin was surprised at how busy it was. A babble of voices echoed off the harsh, concrete ceiling. He and Candace had to stand in a long line before ordering. Then after they'd gotten their food, they had to search in the confusion for a place to sit. The tables were all long and had to be shared. The seats were benches attached like picnic tables.
"There are some seats," Candace called out over the chatter. She pointed toward the rear of the room with her tray. Kevin nodded.
Kevin glanced furtively at the faces in the crowd as he weaved his way after Candace. He felt self-conscious, given Bertram's insight into popular opinion, yet no one paid him the slightest attention. Kevin followed Candace as she squeezed between two tables. He held his tray high to avoid hitting anyone, then put it down at an empty spot. He had to struggle to get his legs over the seat and under the table. By the time he was situated, Candace had already introduced herself to the two people sitting on the aisle. Kevin nodded to them. He didn't recognize either one. "Lively place," Candace said. She reached for catsup. "Do you come here often?" Before Kevin could respond, someone called out his name. He turned and recognized the lone familiar face. It was Melanie Becket, the reproductive technologist. "Kevin Marshall!" Melanie exclaimed again. "I'm shocked. What are you doing here?" Melanie was about the same age as Candace; she'd celebrated her thirtieth birthday the previous month. Where Candace was light, she was dark, with medium-brown hair and coloration that seemed Mediterranean. Her dark brown eyes were nearly black. Kevin struggled to introduce his lunchmate, and was horrified to realize that for the moment he couldn't
remember her name.
"I'm Candace Brickmann," Candace said without missing a beat. She reached out a hand. Melanie introduced herself and asked if she could join them. "By all means," Candace said.
Candace and Kevin were sitting side by side. Melanie sat opposite. "Are you responsible for our local genius's presence at the ptomaine palace?" Melanie asked Candace. Melanie was a sharp-witted, playfully irreverent woman who'd grown up in Manhattan. "I guess," Candace said. "Is this unusual for him?" "That's the understatement of the year," Melanie said. "What's your secret? I've asked him to come over here so many times to no avail that I finally gave up, and that was several years ago." "You never asked me specifically," Kevin said in his own defense. "Oh, really?" Melanie questioned. "What did I have to do-draw you a map? I used to ask if you wanted to grab a burger. Wasn't that specific enough?" "Well," Candace said, straightening up in her seat. "This must be my lucky day." Melanie and Candace fell into easy conversation, exchanging job descriptions. Kevin listened but concentrated on his hamburger.
"So we're all three part of the same project," Melanie commented when she heard that Candace was the intensive-care nurse of the surgical team from Pittsburgh. "Three peas in a pod." "You're being generous," Candace said. "I'm just one of the low men on the therapeutic totem pole. I wouldn't put myself on the same level with you guys. You're the ones that make it all possible. If you don't mind my asking, how on earth do you do it?" "She's the hero," Kevin said, speaking up for the first time and nodding toward Melanie. "Come on, Kevin!" Melanie complained. "I didn't develop the techniques I use the way you did. There are lots of people who could have done my job, but only you could have done yours. It was your breakthrough that was key."
"No arguing you two," Candace said. "Just tell me how it's done. I've been curious from day one, but everything has been so hush-hush. Kevin's explained the science to me, but I still don't understand the logistics."
"Kevin gets a bone-marrow sample from a client," Melanie said. "From that, he isolates a cell preparing to divide so that the chromosomes are condensed, preferably a stem cell if I'm correct." "It's pretty rare to find a stem cell," Kevin said. "Well, then you tell her what you do," Melanie said to Kevin, with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I'll get it all balled up."
"I'm Candace Brickmann," Candace said without missing a beat. She reached out a hand. Melanie introduced herself and asked if she could join them. "By all means," Candace said.
Candace and Kevin were sitting side by side. Melanie sat opposite. "Are you responsible for our local genius's presence at the ptomaine palace?" Melanie asked Candace. Melanie was a sharp-witted, playfully irreverent woman who'd grown up in Manhattan. "I guess," Candace said. "Is this unusual for him?" "That's the understatement of the year," Melanie said. "What's your secret? I've asked him to come over here so many times to no avail that I finally gave up, and that was several years ago." "You never asked me specifically," Kevin said in his own defense. "Oh, really?" Melanie questioned. "What did I have to do-draw you a map? I used to ask if you wanted to grab a burger. Wasn't that specific enough?" "Well," Candace said, straightening up in her seat. "This must be my lucky day." Melanie and Candace fell into easy conversation, exchanging job descriptions. Kevin listened but concentrated on his hamburger.
"So we're all three part of the same project," Melanie commented when she heard that Candace was the intensive-care nurse of the surgical team from Pittsburgh. "Three peas in a pod." "You're being generous," Candace said. "I'm just one of the low men on the therapeutic totem pole. I wouldn't put myself on the same level with you guys. You're the ones that make it all possible. If you don't mind my asking, how on earth do you do it?" "She's the hero," Kevin said, speaking up for the first time and nodding toward Melanie. "Come on, Kevin!" Melanie complained. "I didn't develop the techniques I use the way you did. There are lots of people who could have done my job, but only you could have done yours. It was your breakthrough that was key."
"No arguing you two," Candace said. "Just tell me how it's done. I've been curious from day one, but everything has been so hush-hush. Kevin's explained the science to me, but I still don't understand the logistics."
"Kevin gets a bone-marrow sample from a client," Melanie said. "From that, he isolates a cell preparing to divide so that the chromosomes are condensed, preferably a stem cell if I'm correct." "It's pretty rare to find a stem cell," Kevin said. "Well, then you tell her what you do," Melanie said to Kevin, with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I'll get it all balled up."
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