A.D.A.M. Page 3

  Her eyes darted toward the elegant antique sofa table with legs of cast iron and a cherrywood top that stood about four feet tall and six feet wide. It held a gurgling-two-gallon biosphere with three African Albino Dwarf frogs, and a photograph of her and Jeffrey. Next to the picture a red Grecian stone urn and a twelve-inch stained glass cross with an engraved brass plate that read, “In loving memory of Jefferey Peck,” graced the area as the remembrance of her deceased spouse. I still love you and always will.

  She shivered. The small burgundy fleece throw blanket that lay on the back of the oversized chair caught her attention. I miss you, Jeffrey. If only. Her eyes flushed as she glanced at the fetus sculpture again; the only item in the room she cherished. Somehow, as she stared at it, she gained a sense of comfort, and a peaceful solitude settled over her. Jeffrey, why did you have to take that drive? Her eyes darted back toward his urn, to his photograph, and back to the sculpture. She rubbed her forehead as she strode back to her chair and flopped onto it.

  After she grabbed the fleece blanket and threw it across her lap, she lifted her feet and curled up into the chair. Deep in thought, she picked up her half-forgotten-cold coffee and sipped it, allowing the flavor to bring a half smile to her lips. She placed the cup onto the side table next to her small handgun.

  Jessica, wearing the craziest print pajama pants with yellow smiley faces and a black T-shirt, slowly shuffled from the kitchen grasping a cup of coffee. “You can’t sleep?”

  “By the looks of it, you can’t either.”

  “Have you been up all night?” Jessica reached for the remote and turned on the television to KWNC news.

  “Now, that was one lucky puppy and a happy ending for one shelter animal.” Rebecca Newcombe reported from the anchor desk of KWNC. “More dogs like Miracle are available at your local S.P.C.A. And, now we have breaking news. Please stand by as we go on location to Mono Lake as Patrick Algiers stands by to bring you the latest update on the N.A.E.T. Researcher missing after a canoe trip. We’ll be right back with this riveting story after a word from our sponsors.”

  Jessica’s eyes darted back and forth. “Shit! That doesn’t sound good.”

  “Get dressed; we have a press conference.”

  “That’s not for another four hours.”

  “We’ll get there early and set up. Today could be the breakthrough we need. We don’t have any other choice.”

  Dr. Bradford drove her hunter green Fiat on Interstate 10 from New Orleans toward Slidell.

  Jessica twisted her long brunette hair into a bun and secured it with a pink scrunchy that matched her T-shirt and a pair of jeans with one embroidered pink flower. “I’m hungry. I’m not waiting any longer to eat.” She dug through a white fast-food paper bag in her lap, retrieved a breakfast sandwich, and unwrapped it. The odor permeated through the car. Jessica curled her nose. “The eggs smell rotten.”

  “Get over it. Nothing has smelled good to you since you took in that mouthful of salty water at Mono Lake.”

  Jessica gagged, crumpled her breakfast sandwich back into the wrapper and threw it back into the paper bag. “You can eat yours if you want, I’ll wait for lunch.”

  Dr. Bradford darted her eyes over at Jessica. “Give me mine.”

  Jessica dug through the bag and retrieved another wrapped breakfast sandwich and handed it over.

  Dr. Bradford unwrapped it, took one bite and spat it immediately back into the wrapper.

  “Told you, but, no! You didn’t believe me.”

  “Please be quiet; let me think.”

  The silence between them ensued as they crossed the bridge over Lake Pontchartrain.

  Jessica leaned toward the dash to stretch her back. “Are you sure it’s safe to go to the lab?”

  “They can’t kill me in public, so I believe it’s safe.”

  “It makes me nervous. Let’s listen to Stephen Stone Diamond. He’s talking about extraterrestrials today.”

  “That’s what we need, an alien conspiracy.”

  “I thought that’s what we’re in now.” Jessica pressed the radio’s knob. “It’s not working.”

  “That’s the best news I’ve had all day.”

  Jessica grabbed her phone and opened her blog radio app.

  “. . . Not just life here on earth, but also extraterrestrial life.” Stephen Stone Diamond’s deep and golden voice enhanced the mysterious topic. “It is unknown if there is any connection to the mysterious deaths of Dr. Gregory Peterson and the late husband of Dr. Sandra Bradford, Dr. Jeffrey Peck, who were both members of N.A.E.T. For those of you who don’t know what N.A.E.T. is, I will gladly inform my listeners. It is a branch of NASA and stands for National Astrobiological Extraction Team. Coincidently, the research team led by Dr. Sandra Bradford. Phone lines are open.”

  Dr. Bradford slammed her fist onto the dashboard. “Damn! It’s out on Blog talk radio.”

  “I’m Stephen Stone Diamond. I’ll be right back to take your calls.”

  Dr. Bradford clenched her jaw. “Turn it off. I don’t care to listen.”

  Jessica grabbed her earbuds. “That’s exciting. E. T. phone home. I have to call in.”

  “Like Hell, you will.”

  Jessica secured her earbuds, dialed the blog radio number, and waited. “I’m on hold.”

  “Jessica, hang up. You can’t bring attention to yourself or me. Now hang up.”

  “So why are you doing a press conference?”

  “The public needs to know the truth about my research. If the public gets wind of what I’ve discovered, they’ll demand the truth.”

  “Well, in my opinion, that is exactly what Stephen Stone Diamond will do.”

  “Jessica!”

  In the sky, a four-winged cigar-shaped-platinum aircraft flew into the clouds unnoticed by those below.

  The NASA Astrobiology Institute between the Louisiana and Mississippi border not only provided jobs but also conducted fundamental research. From the spacecraft and booster shuttle rocket, the entry to the multi-functional compound reflected the nation’s attitude about space exploration. Everyone wore either an official NASA or N.A.E.T. employee badge representing they worked either as an independent scientist on the National Astrobiological Extraction Team or as a part of NASA. Visitors must sign in and wear visitor badges on their lapels too.

  Dr. Bradford rushed toward the three-story “Carl Sagan Astrobiology Lab” that housed the N.A.E.T. lab. Behind her, Jessica, Rebecca Newcombe, and George, a camera operator, pursued.

  Without provocation, Dr. Bradford collided into Dr. Phyllis Gordon, a forty-four-year-old American scientist, and Dr. Edward Stolz, a fifty-two-year-old German scientist. Rebecca motioned for George to roll the camera.

  Dr. Gordon’s eyes pierced toward Dr. Bradford’s. “You’ve gathered quite a following since our discovery.”

  “I’d have to agree.”

  “Too bad, our samples were confiscated.”

  “This isn’t the time nor the place to discuss this.” Dr. Bradford strode briskly toward the N.A.E.T. research building.

  The entourage followed as Rebecca motioned for George to continue to roll the camera. “What was all that about?” She caught up to Dr. Bradford.

  “Common professional jealousy. That’s all there is to it.”

  Jessica frowned. “I think not. It’s about...”

  “…Loose lips sink ships.” Dr. Bradford motioned using her fingers as if locking a key for Jessica to close her mouth.

  Jessica confirmed when she moved her fingers across her lips as if zipping a Ziploc baggy.

  Rebecca glowered toward George. “Cut the camera. Damn it!”

  The entourage barged into the N.A.E.T. building.

  The morning sun reflected off the five test tubes of murky water on one of the lab’s counters. A microscopic particle floated inside one test tube and for a nanosecond glowed neon yellow.

  Moments later, the entourage entered Dr. Bradford’s lab. Jessica flipped on the lights as she wr
inkled her nose and smelled the faint musky and sulfur smell. “I’ll never forget this smell.”

  The well-equipped lab included beakers, flasks, a Liebig condenser, and graduated cylinders showed the lab’s importance. Most prominent, a silver and white 60X-2599X-2 binocular turret professional biological microscope that proved essential in isolating micro-organisms. In the corner, an assortment of lab experiments and three twenty-five-gallon tanks filled with the murky waters retrieved from several lakes labeled Lake Pontchartrain, Grand Isle, and Honey Island Swamp filled the area. On the wall above the door, a twelve-inch round battery-powered clock and a sign - “A.D.A.M. Extraction Team” marked the entrance to the lab. Each white cabinet had stainless-steel handles that enhanced the sterile environment.

  Rebecca tapped George on his shoulder. “Be sure to capture everything in the lab. I want lots of B-Roll.”

  Dr. Bradford and Jessica dressed into their white lab coats, proceeded to the sink, and washed their hands.

  Jessica prepped a microscope and a sterile slide. “I’ll make sure everything is ready, Dr. B.”

  “Perfect Jessica. Just follow the protocol. We have to get this correct.” Dr. Bradford stepped up to a locked cabinet, retrieved a bottle of arsenic, an eyedropper, and then placed the items next to the microscope onto the lab counter. “Rebecca, it won’t take too much longer to set up.”

  “That’s good to know. I don’t have much longer.”

  Dr. Bradford retrieved the test tube that contained the particle. She extracted a sample as Jessica handed her the glass microscope slide. Dr. Bradford placed three drops of the murky liquid onto the sterile slide.

  Jessica lifted her brow with excitement. “Isn’t this amazing?”

  Rebecca’s frown deepened. “That’s it, a test tube full of murky water and three drops on a slide.”

  Dr. Bradford defended her actions. “It’s evidence that challenges the way we think and view life as we know it.”

  Jessica handed another test tube to Dr. Bradford. She filled the container using the water sample and then gave the vial back to her. “Jessica, mark this sample A.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” Jessica looked at Rebecca. “It’s in there. I’ve seen it.”

  Again, Dr. Bradford’s posture became defensive. “You can’t see it without the aid of a microscope.” She filled the second vial and handed it to Jessica.

  “Sample B.” Jessica nodded with pride.

  Dr. Bradford confirmed with a nod. “Remember, at its current state, it is a microbe.” She placed the prepared slide beneath the microscope as everyone observed.

  “I’ll prepare the boiling water, immediately.” Jessica predicted what Dr. Bradford would want as it had become standard procedure in the lab.

  Rebecca’s brow creased. “Do you expect to deliver a baby?”

  “It is part of the process to prepare the arsenic.” Jessica briskly strode across the room, filled a tea kettle, and set it onto the single electrical coil-burner. She walked away but quickly returned to turn the knob to the on position.

  As Dr. Bradford viewed the microbe under the powerful microscope, it vibrated, briefly glowed neon yellow, and then it morphed into Dr. Bradford’s eye. She lifted from the lens, blinked, and rubbed her eyes.

  Jessica noticed. “Something wrong, Dr. B?”

  “Nothing, an eyelash was in my eye.” Dr. Bradford peered through the microscope and adjusted the focus again.

  Rebecca’s patience grew thin. “How did you obtain these samples? I thought the government confiscated them.”

  Dr. Bradford exhaled. “A few more seconds... There you are, look.” Dr. Bradford stepped to the side as Rebecca stepped to the microscope. She glanced at Dr. Bradford before she lowered to view the microbe.

  Dr. Bradford rubbed her neck. “Jessica, hand me my notebook, please.”

  Jessica strode to Dr. Bradford’s desk, retrieved a brown leather journal, and strutted to Dr. Bradford and handed it over.

  The tea kettle whistled. Jessica at once prepped a beaker of hot boiling water and then brought it to Dr. Bradford.

  Dr. Bradford handed her journal back to Jessica and then placed five drops of arsenic into the beaker.

  Rebecca peered through the microscope. “Honestly, I see nothing.”

  Dr. Bradford exhaled in disappointment. “My best hypothesis is the microbe transitions as fast as I isolate it. I’ll isolate it again for you.”

  The two women exchanged places. Dr. Bradford once again adjusted the microscope settings with much more confidence than she actually felt.

  “You never answered my question. How did you obtain these samples?”

  “Let’s suffice it to say I was on the extraction team and managed to keep a sample for further study.”

  “You stole it?”

  Jessica came to Dr. Bradford’s defense. “We didn’t steal it. We went...”

  Dr. Bradford lifted from the microscope long enough to glare toward Jessica and twisted her fingers as if locking a door.

  Jessica put her hand over her mouth as she lifted her brows.

  Rebecca annoyed at the silent gesture, huffed. “You agreed you would tell me everything.” She gazed harshly at Dr. Bradford.

  “I promised you an exclusive interview for a ‘no’ questions asked policy. When the time is right, we’ll reveal our evidence and our how we obtained another sample.”

  “I’ll get another Emmy.”

  “I’ll surely get my doctorate.”

  Dr. Bradford gave Jessica another cold glance.

  “Well, I will. Won’t I?” Her tone more alarming than questioning her status resonated deep within Jessica.

  The lab became uncomfortably silent as Dr. Bradford continued to isolate the microbe.

  Rebecca tapped her foot. “Anytime would be ideal. I have a deadline for tonight’s news.”

  “Patience, I almost have the microbe isolated.”

  “Yes, Dr. B always tells me that patience is a virtue.”

  “We go live at six. After the murder of your husband and Dr. Peterson, the world is waiting with bated breath to hear from the now infamous Dr. Sandra Bradford.”

  A reflective sadness came over Dr. Bradford, but she regained her professional composure. “You sound skeptical, Rebecca.”

  “Wouldn’t you be? You claim to have evidence of an alien life form.”

  “Don’t forget about me. I’ve seen it. Be sure to add that to your story. You know how to spell my name, right?”

  Rebecca rolled her eyes. “This sounds ripe for a sci-fi murder mystery for The Twilight Zone and not the headline news story I wanted to break.”

  “I’ve isolated it; be quick this time.” Dr. Bradford backed away from the microscope with brazen satisfaction.

  Rebecca quickly assumed her position and peered into the microscope eyecup, squinting her left eye. “Like before, nothing.” Her eyes darted without a mock apology.

  “Maybe you don’t know what you’re looking for.”

  “Insults, I don’t need and won’t tolerate.”

  “I didn’t mean it to demean you. I apologize if I came across that way.”

  “Let’s talk about the murders of your associates.”

  “I can’t speak to the murders as I can only comment about the great men taken from this world. When my husband was killed in a head-on collision, I was shocked to learn it was an accident. The investigators ruled there was no foul play involved. Frankly, I’m horrified when someone gunned down Dr. Peterson while on a boating vacation on the same lake where we made our discovery.”

  Jessica bit her lower lip and paced. I don’t like the way this is going. Her brow revealed her mounting frustration.

  “Doesn’t this frighten you?” Rebecca swallowed and leered toward Dr. Bradford with unashamed confidence.

  “Of course, as anyone in my situation would be. You never know who your enemy is, even if they are standing in front of you as a friend. It’s a cut-throat industry when claiming a scientific discove
ry.”

  “Especially one as big as this.” Jessica beamed with delight.

  A quiet knock on the lab’s door caught everyone’s attention.

  Dr. Bradford looked at the samples and over toward the door as Jessica jumped and dropped Dr. Bradford’s journal as a wallet size photograph of an infant tumbled from it and onto the floor.

  FBI Agent Morrison, a square-jawed handsome African American male, late forties, and Agent Turner, an African American female in her late thirties brashly entered.

  Jessica’s eyes widened as her trembling hands went straight toward the ceiling. “Whoa, gun!” Her lips formed a pout of a spoiled frightened child.

  Agent Morrison flashed his shield. “Miss, you can put your hands down. We’re here to speak to Dr. Bradford. I’m FBI Special Agent Morrison, and this is my partner, Special Agent Turner.”

  Jessica slowly placed her hands onto her hips as she glanced at the journal and the photograph. She retrieved the journal and stuffed the photograph back inside the journal.

  Dr. Bradford stepped forward in quick concern. “I’m Dr. Bradford. How may I be of assistance?”

  Agent Turner stepped forward. “Not in the presence of others. What we have to say is confidential. Everyone needs to leave, but Dr. Bradford.”

  Agent Morrison put his hand in front of his face and grabbed George’s camera with the other. “Stop filming. You’re in that directive too.”

  George jerked his camera out of Agent’s Morrison’s hands and stepped backward to put distance between them.

  Jessica stomped her foot. “You’re telling me, you barge into our lab and ask us to leave.” Her cheeks flushed in anger.

  “We’re not asking.” His ice-cold stare seemed menacing as Agent Morrison stepped closer to Jessica towering her.

  “But, I’m her graduate assistant.”

  “I have Freedom of the Press on my side.” Rebecca stood steadfast.