leadership for new managers docx

The Clone Murders
A Novel
by
Monte R. Anderson
Published by Monte R. Anderson at Smashwords.
Copyright 2012 Monte R. Anderson
Discover other works by Monte R. Anderson at
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1—Thursday, October 9, 2031
Chapter 2—Undercover
Chapter 3—Friday, October 10, 2031
Chapter 4—National Research Council
Chapter 5—Bring in the Clones
Chapter 6—Saturday, October 11, 2031
Chapter 7—Undercover in the NRC
Chapter 8—Sunday, October 12, 2031
Chapter 9—Revist the Crime Scene
Chapter 10—Tuesday, October 14, 2031
Chapter 11—Wednesday, October 15, 2031
Chapter 12—Taylors’s Apartment
Chapter 13—Thursday, October 16, 2031
Chapter 14—Tactical Operations Center
Chapter 15—Friday, October 17, 2031

Chapter 16—First 7 A.M. Briefing
Chapter 17—First Big Break
Chapter 18—First Interogration
Chapter 19—Second Interogation
Chapter 20—The Lie
Chapter 21—The Raid
Chapter 22—Mercy Hospital
Chapter 23—Saturday, Ocotber 18, 2031
Chapter 24 –Monday, October 30, 2031 (A Week Later)
About the Author
Connect with me
Acknowledgments
*##*
Chapter 1—Thursday, October 9, 2031
Senator Steve Morgan took his TV off mute just in time to hear the talking head announce,
“The Fifth Clone is dead!” He was talking to Casmir (Cas) Novak, his campaign manager and
best friend, and Cas’ partner, Roberta (Robbi) Kelly, while waiting for the CNN announcement
from the National Science Academy.
“We interrupt this program for this breaking news bulletin. Margaret Two, also known as
The Fifth Clone, was found dead in her lab yesterday, the apparent victim of an accidental
exposure to anthrax. We take you to Caesar Murgo, our science reporter on the scene in
Springfield, Virginia. Caesar, what is the latest on this story?”
The scene on the television changed to a young reporter standing in front of a large building.
“Good morning, Chad. I am standing outside the National Research Council where Margaret
Two worked. For security reasons we are not allowed inside. This is what we know so far;
sometime early yesterday morning Margaret Two was found lying on the floor of her lab. Her
assistant, Dr. Becker found her at approximately 7:30 A.M. Because she was working with
anthrax, the FBI and CDC were called in to investigate. The FBI has not confirmed the cause of
death, but was quick to assure the public that no danger from an accidental release of anthrax
exists. A public announcement was delayed until the CDC team could verify that to prevent a

panic. We have been told that the CDC is performing the autopsy to determine the cause of
death. Since a medical examiner is not doing the autopsy, they must suspect that she died from
exposure to anthrax. Margaret Two worked in the R and D division of the National Research
Council since being cloned from Dr. Margaret Erikson four years ago.
“She was continuing the work of Doctor Erikson, a Nobel Laureate, who died a couple of
years ago in a vehicle accident, and who spent two decades trying to find a way to eradicate
anthrax. Insiders from the NRC say that Margaret Two was on the verge of another major
breakthrough in her research, and a possible Nobel Prize for the NRC. Four previous clones also
work at the NRC. All the clones were declared national treasures three year ago by a unanimous
vote of Congress; the first such living treasures. Margaret Two was only four years old
biologically, but had the mental age of forty two, the age of Doctor Erikson when her knowledge
was transferred to Margaret Two. FBI investigators are still on the scene. They hope to wrap up
their investigation tonight. Back to you, Chad.”
“Caesar, what is going on with the crowd behind you?” asked the anchor.
“I was about to get to that, Chad. Within an hour of learning of the death of the Fifth clone,
people began to gather here. Word traveled fast through the social networks. Three groups have
gathered. One group is at the main entrance where a make shift memorial of flowers and candles
is growing. Another group is protesting the use of stem cells for research. That group is opposed
by a third group that supports the NRC, and is protesting the investigation by the FBI and CDC.”
“Thank you, Caesar,” said the anchorman. “More news as it happens on this national
tragedy. Now let’s hear from our weatherman.”
Although Steve was informed previously, hearing it on CNN somehow seemed to make it
official. It came as a surprise to Cas and Robbi.
Steve Morgan was involved in politics since starting high school. Years of campaigning and
serving in various offices has taken its toll on him. Half his hair was gone, and the rest all gray,
but he kept it neatly trimmed and symmetrical. He wore what was left in a short pony tail with
rainbow ends-red, white, and blue. Steve wore the obligatory earrings in the shape of California;
a fad started by some female democrat congresswomen that was picked up by their male counter
parts. Now no senator or congressmen would dare go out in public without them. He developed a
pot belly since moving to DC seven years ago. Steve always wore a tie.

The senator’s office was decorated exactly like his old governor’s office in California; four
over stuff chairs sat in front of his desk, the US flag and the California State flag were behind
Steve, and framed him for those photo ops, and one entire wall was covered with photographs
and memorabilia. Robbi noticed several pictures with Cas in them.
Senator Morgan turned the TV off, and turned to face Cas. He sat silent for a minute as he
watched Cas’ face, waiting for the CNN announcement to register. He had asked Cas to fly in
from LA for this meeting. Cas was still trim at forty five, and still running five miles four or five
days a week. Steve envied Cas’ full head of hair that was salt and pepper with more salt than
pepper around the temples.
Steve broke the silence, “Such a great loss. I will come right to the point. I want you to
investigate this incident. I have reason to believe that this was no accident. But first, we did not
have time for proper introductions.” He stood up, and came around his desk with his hand
outstretched toward Robbi. “And who is this lovely creature? Don’t tell me that you are finally
dating, you sly dog.”
Robbi stood to shake the proffered hand. “I am Roberta Kelly, pleased to meet you Senator,
and no, I am not Cas’ date. I am his partner.”
Steve raised his eyebrows, and gave Cas an inquiring glance. Robbi shook her head, and
added, “His partner on this case.” Robbi was a thin woman who just turned thirty, but looked to
be twenty something. Cas considered her to be too thin. Robbi considered herself to be lean and
mean. She stayed in shape by running, weight lifting, and judo. She earned her black belt last
year. Robbi wore her hair in a short Pixie ever since her judo instructor grabbed her by the
shoulder length hair she used to wear, and threw her around the mat a few times.
“Roberta is my niece,” interjected Cas. “Actually, we are related by marriage. She is the
step-daughter of my brother. You remember my older brother, Tim? You could say she is my
step-niece. I took the liberty of asking her to join me if you have no objections. She made a
successful career in industrial counter-espionage. She was responsible for catching those Israelis
agents who were trying to steal the plans for a civilian space shuttle a few years ago. She has also
provided consultation for me on a couple projects.”
“I recall that Israeli case,” said Steve. “Yes, by all means. We could use your expertise.
Welcome aboard. Sit! Sit! And let me explain.” As everyone sat down again, Steve pushed a

button on his desk. A minute later his secretary opened the door. “Mary, please have someone
bring in some coffee. Hold my calls for the next two hours.” He looked at Robbi, raised his eye
brows, and held out his upturned palm seeking affirmation.
“Tea for me, please,” she answered his unspoken question.
“Green tea or Earl Gray?” asked Mary.
“Earl Gray.”
“Cas, you still drink your coffee black?” asked Mary.
Cas nodded. It was Robbi’s turn to give Cas an inquiring glance with raised eyebrows. Cas
ignored her.
“Senator, you have a committee meeting in an hour and a half,” reminded Mary.
“Right! Right! I know. Cancel everything between now and The Committee meeting.” Steve
always referred to the Senate Committee for Commerce, Science and Transportation as simply
‘The Committee’. He has chaired the committee for three years now, the youngest senator to do
so. Turning back to his guests, “We have about an hour.”
After Mary closed the door Cas remarked, “Mary has not changed one bit. She has been
your secretary for how long now?”
“Well, ever since I was elected governor, but she has changed. She is ten times more
efficient and twice as sassy. Did you have a good flight to DC?
“We took the LANY. I don’t like to fly.” He was referring to the LA-NY high speed rail that
everyone called the ‘LANY’.”
Cas, I want you, and Roberta of course, to investigate this incident.”
“You can call me Robbi, Senator.”
“Okay! Call me Steve then. As I was saying, I have reason to believe that this was not an
accident. I had a tip last night from someone inside the NRC that The Fifth Clone was murdered.
The tipster said that her death was made to look like an accident. She also said that this whole
clone business is not what it appears to be.”
Robbi started taking notes. “That seems rather vague.”
“I think that, whoever she is, she does not want to implicate herself.”
Cas took out a pair of glasses, and also started taking notes. “Why can’t the FBI
investigate?”

“The FBI got there about one hour after the body was found. They will wrap up their
investigation by tonight. They think it was an accident–no clues to the contrary.”
Robbi looked up from her notebook. “Why not? Assuming, of course, that your CI is
correct.”
“In my opinion? Because these clones are too smart to leave any clues. We have
investigated the NRC before, and always come up empty handed. If someone in the NRC killed
the Fifth Clone, she will easily out smart the FBI, and cover it up. That is why I need you.”
Robbi noted the identification of gender. “She?”
“You will understand when you visit the NRC.”
“But why me?” asked Cas.
“Now don’t go acting dumb on me.” Turning to Robbi, “Did you know that your step uncle
here is a member of Mensa, the high IQ Society and ISI? ISI is a think tank of individuals who
rank in the 99.9 percentile by IQ. He is a very smart man. In fact, if I had not been able to copy
his homework in college I shudder to think what I might have become.”
“You might have become a president instead of a senator. Don’t let him fool you. He says
things like that to disarm people. He is very smart in his own rights. He will charm you out of
your vote or worst, out of your panties.”
“Now Cas, that’s not true anymore. That was the old me before I had three failed marriages.
Luckily, I joined a support group…”
“The US Senate,” both Steve and Cas said at the same time.
“I guess you heard that one.”
“Yes, and it stopped being funny the fifth time you repeated it.”
“Anyway, I am not comfortable with this whole cloning business. It just seems so…so…”
“Unnatural?” Robbi finished his sentence.
“Exactly! Exactly! I believe in creating babies the old fashion way through hot, sweaty,
lustful sex. It is just not right to clone people. Besides, the cost is exorbitant.”
“And, yet you have no children.” Cas mocked his old friend.
“My one regret.”
Robbi stopped taking notes. “Nonetheless, I am impressed. I did not know that. So, did you
cheated off Cas in college?”

Steve smiled, “No comment!”
Robbi looked at Cas who nodded yes.
“That is why I asked you here. I need someone with enough intelligence to match wits with
these clones. I also need someone I can trust. The NRC seems to have spies everywhere. They
know things before I do. I need you to look at the bigger picture.”
“But I am a campaign manager and a political consultant. I don’t know anything about
investigating crimes.”
“Cas, you did some great things as my chief of staff in California, things that are still in
place, and doing well. You have the rare ability to see options that others miss. Your clients have
never lost an election, I might add. Besides, I will put at your disposal, a great team from the FBI
to assist you.” He turned to Robbi, “Any ten people can identify a problem. Five people out of
those ten, and come up with a plan to solve that problem, and of those five, only one can actually
execute that plan. Your uncle is such a person.”
“He’s my partner, not my uncle.”
“Whatever. You know what I mean.”
Cas shifted in his chair. “If the FBI declares this an accident, what do you expect me to do?
Sounds like a fait accompli.”
A knock on the door interrupted Cas as Mary walked in with a serving tray. Steve raised a
wait-a-minute finger, putting the conversation on hold. Mary served the coffee and tea, dropped
the agenda for the committee meeting on Steve’s desk, and left.
Steve picked up the conversation, “I am not sure you can do anything, but I need someone I
can trust to investigate. Ever since the NRC made the first clone some eight years ago, they have
been granted more and more funds. The first clone cost over a billion dollars. Now they far
exceed what NASA use to get for funding during their hay day. The US government has high
hopes and expectations for this cloning business, and they have not been disappointed. Three of
the NRC clones are Nobel Laureates, and the NRC itself has won four Nobel prizes. There would
be more if they ever reveal how the brain transfer machine works. The loss of just one clone is a
major setback. We need to know what really happened. I am counting on you two to get to the
bottoms of this.”
Cas shifted in his chair again. He was not prepared for this. “But we are not any type of legal

authority. We can’t just go in, and start investigating.”
“I know, and I think I have a good plan. You will fill out applications, and be signed on
today as GAO employees. I have already started the process.”
“The Government Auditing Office?” asked a surprised Robbi.
“Sometimes they act like it, but they are the Government Accountability Office. I have the
authority to ask them to investigate. I will do it at the committee meeting today, and make an
announcement at a press conference this afternoon. That will be your cover.”
“If I might make a suggestion, Senator,” interrupted Robbi.
“Please, call me Steve.”
“Well…Steve, put a positive spin on it. Call it an accident, and announce that the GAO is
investigating the safety and security measures to ensure that the NRC has adequate procedures to
preclude future accidents. That will sound less of a threat to the NRC, and will not seem unusual
following on the heels of the FBI. That will also justify calling in a security expert like me.”
Steve smiled. “I like you Robbi. That’s a great idea! I will do it. We will get your badges,
and everything so you can get over there tomorrow before they have everything back in order.
The body is being examined by the local office of the CDC here in DC. I have contacted them,
and told them to keep the body on ice until you can view it. The CDC has also sealed the lab
where the clone died so it has not been touched except to remove the body, and possibly
decontamination.”
Cas was having trouble keeping up with his notes. “What about the family?”
Steve chuckled. “She was a clone, Cas. She has no next of kin. She is really government
property.”
Robbi flipped back a page in her notes to review one item. “Can you tell us more about the
tip you received?”
“Not really. I did have the call traced. It came from inside the NRC. It was one of those
disposal phones so no luck there. Oh, I almost forgot. She said that whomever I send should park
by the large oak in the parking lot; just to the northeast of it. That’s strange, isn’t it?”
Robbi noted the gender again. “Another she?”
“Oh, yeah, it was a female voice.”
Robbi wrote that down. “Anything else?”

“No, that was it-short and sweet except that she called me on my private cell phone. Not too
many people have that number.”
“What about a search warrant?” asked Cas.
“The GAO doesn’t need a warrant to inspect other government agencies, but I can get you
any search warrant within an hour. I have a judge on standby. I can also get you wire taps, hack
into computers, you just name it.”
Robbi wrote her notes faster than Cas. “Do we carry weapons?”
“No.”
Robbi did not like that answer. “Can we make arrests?”
“Any American citizen can make an arrest. You will have badges.”
Robbi started to shift in her chair. “I will feel naked without my FNP-9.” She was referring
to her light weight nine millimeter pistol. Of course, with the 16 round magazines she uses, the
weight advantage was lost.
“Really? I can visualize that. Why don’t you and I go out to dinner this evening, and I will
try to make you feel more comfortable?”
Cas began to chuckle as his old roommate winked at him.
“No offense, Senator, but you are not my type.”
“And what is your type?”
Robbi smiled. “You know; younger, better looking, and thinner.”
Steve simulated a spear striking his chest. “Oh, that hurt!” Steve and Cas both laughed.
Cas pointed a finger at Steve. “You asked for it.”
“Yeah, I had that coming.”
Suddenly, the senator’s door opened, and in stomped a woman without bothering to knock.
Ignoring Cas and Robbi she said to Steve, “You are holding a press conference today!” It was an
accusation not a question. “Who do think you are; calling for a press conference without
consulting the minority leader of the committee?” she demanded.
“I thought I was the chairman. I intended to inform you during our session today. In view of
what happened, I think it is appropriate. Don’t you agree?”
“Kiss my ass!” the woman shouted as she marched out, leaving a trail of strong perfume.
Cas and Robbi just stared at Steve. He chuckled, “I wouldn’t try to kiss that ass; my lips

would freeze to it. That was Senator Betty Black from Arizona; a real pleasure to work with.
Right now she will start working on a separate statement for the press, and will demand equal
time. She will try to make this investigation look like her own idea. Now that the interruption is
over, what next?”
“As soon as we finish here, we will check into the , and start our research. I want to be
prepared when we go to the NRC. Tomorrow morning we’ll get to the CDC to view the body
and then the NRC.”
“Great! Mary has you set up in a hotel in Alexandria. You have adjoining suites with
computers, fax machines, and a coffee machine. You will have one of the GAO sedans. If you
need anything else, just ask. Mary already checked you in, and has your keys. On the way out
you can pick them up. She also has some background information and the personnel files of key
people at the NRC. I want to give you a couple of names. I put their contact information in the
file. The first is Special Agent James Ono. He is head of the FBI Task Force on Counterterrorism
for the Central East Coast, part of the Counterterrorism Directorate. He will be useful, and he is
leading the investigation into the incident, at least through tonight. The second is Dr. Keith
Andrew. He works for the CDC, but is on loan to Ono’s task force. He specializes in biological
weapons of mass destruction. He has the body. The third person is Dr. Edward Martinez who …”
Cas cut Steve off, “You mean the Doctor Martinez who cloned himself several years ago?”
“Sixteen year ago, to be exact; the same. He does not work for the government, but it would
be worth the trip to interview him. He has an interesting perspective on cloning, but is a cranky
old hoot, and might not cooperate. Good luck with that.”
back to top
*##*
Chapter 2—Undercover
For the next forty five minutes the Senator made the necessary phone calls to sign up Cas
and Robbi as employees of the GAO. Cas and Robbi spent the next three hours in processing as
GOA employees. They returned to Steve’s office just in time to watch his press conference with
his staff.
Unlike the TV in the senator’s office, the one in the outer office was state of the art. As the
press conference started a set of projectors created an holographic image on a small table in front

of the TV. The holograph was the same image as on the TV, but was three dimensional, and
outside the TV set.
Senator Morgan began by expressing his deep sorrow at losing one of the clones. He went
on to say that he was concerned that such an accident could happen, and cause the loss of a clone
worth nearly a billion dollars as well as the potential loss of her research. In closing, he directed
the GOA to immediately review the safety and security of America’s greatest assets-the clones.
Following Steve’s remarks Senator Black made a few remarks. She said that it was well
known that Senator Morgan was no friend of the clone project, and has been looking for excuses
to close down the NRC for the last two years. She ended by saying that this investigation is just
another attempt to discredit an agency that has already saved millions of lives with the research
done by the clones with a return on investment paid many times over.
Mary turned the TV off as the rest of the staff went back to work. Mary Mahoney, forty five,
seemed ageless. Cas could not recall her looking any different than she does now. She was not a
beauty, but had that no nonsense appearance of a professional secretary. She did, however, start
dying her hair when she started working for Steve Morgan.
She looked at Cas. “So, Casmir Novak, you have come to rescue your old friend once
again.”
Cas was a stunned. “Rescue?”
“Of course,” answered Mary. “He calls you only when he is in trouble.” Mary began to
straighten Cas’ tie. Steve hated ties, partly because he could never quiet get the hang of tying
them.
Robbi was curious. “What kind of trouble?”
Mary laughed. “I don’t know, but if he called you he is in some kind of trouble. He gets into
only two kinds of trouble; women and politics.”
Cas chuckled. “So which is it this time, Mary?”
“Well it must be politics. Steve hasn’t had a date since he got here, and believe me, I would
know. Did you see that ridiculous ponytail? He feels that it helps younger constitutes identify
with him. I feel it makes him look like a middle aged man going bald, and trying to do something
with the hair he has left while he can.”
Cas smiled while Robbi nodded her head in agreement. Cas thought that Steve may be right;

Mary is twice as sassy.
“Well; you two have a lot to do so I will have security take you to your car. Your bags are in
the truck. The address to the hotel is already programed in the car’s GPS system. Keep in touch.
If you need anything call me. It’s so good to have you back.” Mary hugged Cas, and kissed him
on the lips. She gave Robbi a rather formal hand shake.
Cas saw the surprise on Robbi’s face. “Mary and I go way back.”
“I guessed as much. I think she still has a thing for you.”
“I doubt it. That’s just the way she is. The kissing is a California thing; hard to get used to.”
An officer from Congressional Security took them to a black sedan in the underground
parking garage, and left. Congress has an independent security organization.
“I am driving!” Robbi said as a matter-of-fact.
“No, I know my way around DC so I’ll drive.”
“Are you kidding? This is one of those high tech electric cars that the government is using. I
want to drive it. Don’t make me hurt you.”
Cas moved toward the driver side door. “I’m driving!”
Robbi quickly reached inside Cas’ jacket, and pinched a nipple. Then she twisted. “I warned
you,” Robbi said. “Let me drive or will hurt you again.”
Cas screamed, “Okay! Okay! That hurt. You can drive.”
Robbi smiled over her victory, but when she looked at the driver’s door she stopped smiling.
“Cas, the door handle is missing.”
“No. You have to stick your new ID badge against the GOA logo.
Robbi did as she was told, and a computerized female voice said, “WELCOME, AGENT
KELLY.” The door popped open, and Robbi slid into the driver’s seat. Cas used his badge to
open the passenger side, and got in.
Robbi looked over the dashboard. “How do you start this thing?”
Cas chuckled. “Stick your ID in that slot next to the radio.”
Robbi stuck her ID into the slot, and the computerized voice asked, “Agent Kelly, how
would you prefer to be addressed? Just say; as Agent Kelly, Ms. Kelly, or other.
Robbi laughed. “Other.’
“Very well, just say how you would like to be addressed.”

“Superwoman!”
I headd Superwoman. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Agent Novak, will you be driving?”
“Maybe,” replied Cas after looking at Robbi, and rubbing his sore nipple.
“Very well. Agnet Novak, how would yopu prefer to be adrressed?”
“Doctor Novak.”
“VERy well. Doctor Novak. Superwoamn, would you prefer a male of a female vocie?”
“Male!”
“Very well, Superwoman. Where are we going today?”
Robbi chuckled to hear herself called Superwoman. “To the hotel.”
“Very well.
superwoman. I have been provided that address. sit back and relax. This trip will take 45
minutes at this time of day with current traffic conditions.”
The doors locked, and the engine immediately started.
“Cas, I didn’t touch anything!”
Cas laughed. “It drives by itself-hands off. The entire DC area freeways have the built-in
guidance system. It uses a GPS system that is accurate to six inches. It has been in use for a
couple of years now. The results are no speeding, fewer accidents, and very few traffic jams. It
saves on gas too.”
“Really? That must be some super computer.”
“Not really. The cars communicate with each other. The system runs itself without a central
main frame. It is based on bee and ant colonies studies. Each car has forward-looking radar to
track the car ahead, and cameras to detect the lane boundaries. It’s called V2V-vehicle-to-vehicle
technology. It works well if every car on the road is using V2V. Service vehicles like tow trucks
have to stay in a special lane. All government agencies and corporations with fleets use it. The
V2V devices do cost extra, but pay for themselves over time.”
“Wow! I am going to enjoy this.”
As they rode along, periodically a heads up display (HUD) would appear on the windshield
showing the route, time and miles remaining to destinations and key updates on traffic and

weather.
After a few minutes Robbi said to Cas, “Give me your cell phone.”
“Why?”
“Just do it, and I will explain later.”
Cas handed over his phone. Robbi worked on it for a few minutes and handed it back.
“I programed in a voice activated emergency number so we can call each other in an
emergency. Just say ‘nine one two’, and the phone will automatically dial me. The built in GPS
will tell me where you are, and I will come running. The same for me; if you see nine one two on
your caller ID, come running. Use it for emergencies only.”
When Cas and Robbi arrived at their hotel they set up their computers, ordered pizza for
supper, and began their background study by splitting up the research. They had adjoining suites
with plenty of work area. Cas took the NRC itself, the FBI report, the victim, and all the other
documents provided by the senator. Robbi took the other clones and the head of the NRC. They
agreed that at ten PM they would brief each other.
At ten Robbi went to Cas’ room, and found him listening to his computer. “What are you
doing?”
“I am listening to the speech that Dr. Ann Smith gave to a joint session of the senate and
house. She was pleading her case to have the NRC become an agency, and to conduct research in
cloning and diseases. Her speech is considered one of the best. She is a great motivational
speaker. They gave her a standing ovation, and then passed the bill to make it so.”
Cas asked Robbi to begin with what she was able to discover about the head of the NRC and
the clones. She had a stack of print outs. Cas had none.
“Well, this is interesting stuff.” She began as she sorted all her findings in to separate piles.
“Dr. Susan Schmidt, the Chairperson, never married. She has been the director for three years.
She was hired ten years ago, shortly after winning the Noble Prize in Chemistry. Her research
was on the aging process as it related to cloning organs for transplant. The ability to clone organs
or skin was developed in the 1970’s, but longevity had always been a problem. Remember the
first cloned mammal, a sheep named Dolly? She died in 2003, six years after her creation. Most
sheep live to be twice that age. The same thing happened to all the organs cloned with a few
exceptions. They did not last as long as natural organs should. That was not a problem at first

because most organ transplants were used on older adults, but it was a major problem for
children or young adults. As the average life expectancy was extended it became a big issue for
older adults. Schmidt discovered a way to prolong the life of cloned organs. For that she earned
the Noble Prize in 2015.”
“But that was before she went to work for the NRC,” said Cas.
“Correct! After she got the Prize she started her own medical company to sell the longer
lasting organs. That company is still the only one in the world that can produce the chemicals
since she still owns the patent on the formula. It has made her a multiple millionaire.”
“If she is a multiple millionaire, why did she come to work for the government?”
“Good question. Ten years ago, the head of the NRC was a woman named Ann Smith. She
visited Schmidt, and shortly afterwards asked her to come to work for the NRC to research
human cloning. After three years, Smith retired early, and named as her successor, Susan
Schmidt. Dr. Schmidt has been in charge ever since. However, Smith is still actively involved.
She does all the recruiting for researchers. She also started a Political Action Committee to help
women get elected.”
“Interesting! Go on!”
“Two years after Schmidt started working for the NRC, she discovered a way to speed up
the aging process for cloning. The media called it Miracle Grow for Kids. That was the first step.
Prior to that, the cloning process would take eighteen years to get a mature adult. No one thought
that it was even worth the effort. Using Schmidt’s new process, it was possible to age the clones
in a fraction of the time.”
“Yes, I read about this process. The DNA strands have protective caps called telomeres.
Each time the cells divide in the aging process, the telomeres get shorter. If they get too short,
the cells stop dividing and die. Back in the twenty tens, scientists were able to find a way to
make the telomeres dormant which caused rapid growth. As I understand it, Schmidt discovered
a way to elongate the telomeres causing very rapid growth.”
“Yes, she was able get a mature adult in two years.”
Cas thought about that for a minute. “So now you have an adult clone with the mind of a
two year old.”
“Correct! That was the next major problem; how to transfer all the knowledge of the donor

to the clone. Turns out that Judith Lindberg, who later became the first donor to be cloned using
this process, was working on a way to quickly transfer all the knowledge of the donor to the
clone when Smith recruited her. At the NRC she built a giant machine that can do just that. She
then volunteered to be the first to try it. Scientists at the time predicted that the process would
cause the clone to go insane. Her clone was created eight years ago, and two years later all her
knowledge was transferred to the clone. It worked-no insanity. One year later she died at age
sixty two from natural causes. Her body was cremated and scattered on the grounds of the NRC.
Her clone, Judith Two continues her work.”
“No Noble prize for that?”
“No. The NRC would not release the plans.”
“And for Schmidt’s discovery of a way to increase the aging process?”
“No. Again the NRC would not release the formula. They claimed they could not for
national security reasons, and Homeland Security agreed. That brings us to Ingrid Keller.
Schmidt recruited her right after she won the Noble Prize in medicine for finding a cure for
sickle-cell anemia.”
“Yes! Yes! I remember that,” said Cas. “It wasn’t actually a cure so much as a way to
prevent the gene from being passed on. She was able to reprogram the gene that causes sickle-
cell so it could not be passed on to children. She is credited with essentially wiping out the
disease in North America.”
“OMG, Cas. How do you know so much? She came to the NRC to continue her work to
prevent people from getting malaria.”
“That makes sense; sickle-cell is an evolutionary defense against malaria.”
Robbi was becoming frustrated. “Are you going to keep showing off how smart you are or
can I finish my report?”
“Sorry. Go ahead.”
“Ingrid’s clone was created seven years ago, and two years later her knowledge was passed
on shortly before her death. She was 59 when she died of natural causes. She was never married.
Her body was cremated, and her ashes scattered about the NRC grounds. Ingrid Two has stayed
on to continue Ingrid’s work.”
“Looks like a trend; they died relatively young, and their clones continued their work, but I

guess that is the idea. C’est la vie! Such is life.”
“Just after Ingrid was recruited,” continued Robbi. “Katherine Ingeberg and Martha
Sandberg were recruited by Smith. Both their clones were created right after Ingrid’s. Katherine
was working on a kind of cure for world hunger. Soon after arriving, she was able to isolate the
gene that causes people to continue to eat after they are full. It was hailed as the first step to cure
obesity in children. She won the Nobel Prize for that, or rather, I should say that the NRC won
it.”
“I remember that too,” commented Cas. “That was their first.” He stopped talking when he
saw the stern look from Robbi.”
“Martha was working on hieratical diseases and birth defects. Using genetic engineering she
hoped to forever prevent certain diseases that are passed on from parents to child. She was
nominated for the Noble Prize, but did not win it. Shortly after that their knowledge was
transferred to their clones. A few months later, Katherine disappeared at sea while trying to sail
solo around the world. The next year Martha fell in a climbing accident in Tibet. Her body was
never recovered. Martha Two and Katherine Two still work at the NRC.”
Robbi shuffled her print outs. “That brings us to the victim, Margaret Two, The Fifth Clone.
What did you find out about her?”
Cas started without notes, “Well, Margaret Erikson, the donor, won the Noble Prize before
she was hired by the NRC. She was doing research at the University of California before she
came to the NRC. She was the first to isolate the gene that makes some animals immune to
anthrax. Her clone was actually created before she came to work for the NRC; the only one to be
cloned that way. Two years after she started work at the NRC her knowledge was transferred to
Margaret Two. A few weeks later during a trip back to California, she was killed in an
automobile accident. She was buried in California; the only donor to have any of her remains
buried. By the way, she was divorced. The only donor that was ever married. Her husband still
lives in California. They had no children.”
“That is odd.” Robbi recently started to worry about her own biological clock.
Cas continued, “It seems they were all doing some type of work related to genetic
engineering. Ann Smith, Schmidt’s predecessor, had transformed the NRC from a non-profit,
scientific think tank into a government agency by convincing Congress that the idea of cloning

humans to transfer knowledge was possible, but that it would cost billions of dollars. That is why
she recruited Dr. Schmidt. Within a few years of becoming a government agency, the NRC
successfully transferred knowledge from a donor to a clone thereby continuing vital research
projects.”
“What do you mean that are all working on genetics? Their research seems to cover a wide
number of fields.”
“Yes, however, for years doctors have tried to control disease by creating vaccines. The
problem is that many strains of the diseases mutated and became immune to the vaccines, and
continued to ravage humans. It may be possible to alter human genes, DNA, so that the body has
a natural immunity to a disease and any mutation of the disease so that vaccines are not needed.
“But so many diseases?”
“It would be applied locally, not globally, for example, Africa for malaria.”
“Are we talking about designer babies?” asked Robbi.
“Exactly.”
“Anything else?”
“Yes. Steve included a copy of the floor plans of the NRC building. It is not a new building.
It was the former Bio-Accelerator Complex once owned by Fairfax County, and designed to
promote bio-engineering companies. When the NRC became a government agency, the County
sold the building to the NRC. The NRC made a number of renovations, and beefed up security.”
“Is that all?” asked Robbi.
“Just one more thing, the accident report on Margaret Erikson; it was a single car accident.
She ran off the road, and struck a parked gasoline truck; no witnesses. By the time the fire
company got the fire out, she was burned beyond recognition. The police identified the body
from dental records and DNA supplied by her husband.”
Robbi looked through her print outs. “Oh, I almost forgot; I did a search on line for Dr.
Schmidt; seems she has a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.”
“Really? That must have been a while ago.”
“No, she is still active. She won a tournament last year; first place in senior women and
second place in the open division. Keep in mind that Tae Kwon Do considers anyone over thirty
five a senior. In short, she can kick your ass so be careful.”

back to top
*##*
Chapter 3—Friday, October 10, 2031
The next morning Robbi and Cas met for breakfast before heading to the CDC. Once inside
the GAO sedan Robbi asked Cas, “You’re wearing glasses. Since when?”
“They aren’t glasses. It is actually a computer system, all wireless. It comes with a pen that
is like the old type mouse. Inside one lens is a monitor that I can see with one eye, but which
cannot be seen by anyone else. The glasses also have a camera that is linked with a GPS system
and data base.” Cas removed a cigar case from his coat pocket. “Here is the main computer.
Clever, huh? Whatever I look at, the system tells me something about it if they have the
information. Here! Take a look.” Cas handed Robbi the glasses, and she put them on.
“Wow! I have heard of this, but I never could afford it.”
“Look at a building, and watch what happens.”
Robbi turned her head, and focused on an old building near the highway. She read out loud
from the inside of the lens, “Built in 1971. First used as a bank before being purchased by the
government in 1999 and expanded. Sold again to a developer in 2008, and tuned into condos.
Condemned in 2021. Currently not occupied.”
“Look at a restaurant.”
Robbi looked around until she found a restaurant. Reading aloud again, “Currently serving
breakfast. Restaurant open until 11 PM, bar until 2 AM. Specializing in pasta and fish dishes,
rated three stars last year. Current owner is Monte Royal. Built in 1984. Remodeled in 2005 and
2013. Reservations recommended. Wow! This is great!”
“Frankly, I find it rather annoying. It gets old quick. I use it sparingly, but it does have a
good search engine. Don’t mention it to anyone.”
“Can you use it to find dates?” Cas just laughed.
Robbi returned the glasses. “By the way, what is with those socks you are wearing?”
“I packed in a hurry, and I packed light. I forgot a change of socks so I bought a can of
spray-on socks from the vending machine in the lobby. They look nice don’t they?”
“No, they do not. They look like you spray painted your feet. I’ll get you some real socks. Is
that the same suit you wore on the LANY and to Morgan’s office yesterday?”

“I brought only the one suit. It’s one of those nanotech suits.”
“No, no, no, no, no! You can’t wear that suit. That is okay for casual business, but the gold
standard for CEO’s and executives is wool. Did you see Steve’s wardrobe? He may be a cad, but
he knows how to dress. He was wearing a wool suit.”
“Well, I don’t have time to go shopping.”
“Yes, you do. All garments are made by computers now days. We’ll order you a couple
online tonight, and you’ll have them in 24 hours or less.”
They arrived at the DC office of the CDC, and asked to see Dr. Andrew, who was leading
the CDC portion of the investigation. As they were escorted to his office, Robbi asked Cas,
”Please do not say anything about me being your niece?”
“Why?”
“It makes people think you are in charge. I said I would help you if we were partners-equals.
It also makes me feel inferior, not to mention it kills my chances with a potential date. No guy is
going to ask me out if they think you are the protective uncle. Okay?”
“You think so?”
“Hell, yes,” said Robbi. “Did you think Steve would go out with me after you told him I was
your niece?”
“He’s not your type,” Cas reminded her.
“I just said that. Believe me, any senator is any woman’s type. Women are attracted to men
in power, fatally so.”
“L’amour est avengle! So noted! No more niece. I miss you already.”
Cas chuckled, but Robbi did not.
When they entered the doctor’s office, Cas was surprised that such a young man would be in
charge. Robbi was surprised at how good looking he was. She thought people who worked for
the CDC were nerds. Dr. Keith Andrew could have been a model or a movie star Robbi thought.
He had piercing blue eyes and short brown hair. His jaw was square set like a boxer’s. It was
obvious that he exercised regularly. Robbi checked for those tell-tail signs that he was married: a
wedding band, pictures of kids or girlfriends, or hand-made clay pencil holder. She saw none of
these, and concluded that he was, indeed, single.
Along with Dr. Andrew was a woman dressed in a lab coat. Dr. Andrew introduced her as

Dr. Dorothy Mills, his co-worker who was assisting on the autopsy. Robbi sensed no chemistry
between them, and figured they had no relationship outside of working together.
After introductions Cas started with, “First, tell us what you found.”
“Very well,” said Dr. Andrew. “After we decontaminated the body we first determined the
COD and TOD.” After seeing the puzzled looks on Cas and Robbi’s faces, he added, “Sorry, the
cause of death and the time of death. We discovered, as we had suspected, that the clone had
contacted anthrax, and that was the cause of death.”
Robbi started taking notes in her notebook. “How did you determine that?
“Dot, would you explain?”
“Certainly. Anthrax can enter the body in three ways: through the intestines by ingestion,
through the lungs by inhalation, or through the skin. The distinct clinical symptoms are based on
the site of entry. In this case, the entry site was the left hand. Cutaneous infection in humans
shows up as a boil-like skin lesion that eventually forms an ulcer with a black center,” explained
Dr. Mills.
Robbi flicked her hair. “Wouldn’t she have noticed something?”
Dr. Andrew swiveled his chair toward Robbi, and leaned in toward her. “Maybe not. The
ulcer begins as an irritating and itchy skin lesion or blister. She may have thought it was a rash,
and tried to treat it as such. It is usually painless. Cutaneous infections generally form between
two and five days after exposure. Initial symptoms resemble the common cold: sore throat, mild
fever, muscle aches, and malaise. After a few days, the victim begins to have severe breathing
problems. Death can occur from about two days to a month after exposure.”
This comment troubled Cas. “So she could have been exposed several days or even weeks
before her death?”
“Most definitely,” answered Dr. Andrew. The anthrax spores germinated on the left hand,
and then spread via the circulation system to the lymph nodes. We found evidence of the bacteria
in the lymph nodes. If left untreated, the bacteria produce toxins that are the primary agents of
tissue destruction, bleeding, and death. Cutaneous anthrax is rarely fatal if treated, but without
treatment about twenty percent of the cases progress to toxemia and death.”
Robbi thought about that for a second. “That means that checking on alibis will be a waste
of time.”

Cas took out his glasses, and put them on. Then he took out his pen, and tapped it on his
note pad. “Doctors, aren’t there different strains of anthrax?”
Dr. Mills answered, “Yes, eighty nine strains of anthrax are known. Antibiotic-resistant
strains of anthrax are also known.”
Cas was on to something. “Did you identify the strain that killed the clone?”
Dr. Andrew sat back in his chair, a little surprised by Cas’ question. He could see where this
was leading. “We did not test for that. We knew it was anthrax, and we confirmed it. We did not
see the necessity of strain identification.”
Robbi could not follow the Cas’ train of thought. “So you declared her death an accident?”
Dr. Andrew leaned in toward Robbi. “No, the CDC just reports the findings. The coroner
has to officially declare it an accident, but the FBI called us this morning, and I told them what I
just told you. They are going to announce in a news conference right after lunch that it is an
accident. They said I could open the lab after the announcement.”
Cas was still following his line of questions. “We need you to identify the strain. It’s
important. It stands to reason if her death was an accident then the strain that killed her should
have been the same as the one she was testing. If it isn’t then she may have been murdered. It
might have been a strain that is resistant to antibiotics. If Margaret Two was treating herself, but
thought it was a different strain, her self-treatment would not work. Under the circumstances we
would like you to examine all the organs to rule out any other cause of death. Conduct a
complete autopsy, and please preserve the body in case we need something else. Under the
circumstances, I would like you not to open the lab.”
Dr. Andrew was not exactly thrilled about the additional work, but he understood. “Of
course. We should have an answer for you by tomorrow. Would you like to see the body?”
“That is not necessary. We would not know what to look for.”
Robbi was twirling a strand of hair. “Please explain how you decontaminated the body.”
“It is simple really,” said Dr. Mills. “We designed the lab for the NRC. The established
protocol is to immediately shut down, and lock down the lab whenever an incident occurs. The
air circulation system is shut off and sealed. Nothing goes in or out of the lab until we get there.
It has built-in decontamination equipment using gamma radiation. We just turn it on, and in
minutes, it will kill everything in the lab.”

Cas was again troubled. “But then all the anthrax was killed before you examined the body.”
Dr. Andrew picked up on Cas’ concern “No. Before we turned on the gamma rays, we
entered the lab in bio-suits and placed the body in a plastic body bag and inside a stainless steel
drum that is lined with lead. Then we use the radiation to decontaminate the outside of the drum
and the lab at the same time. When we examined the body, it was still contaminated. We have
the facilities to perform autopsies on contaminated bodies here.”
Robbi began to fiddle with her bracelet. “So the lab is still sealed?”
“Yes. At Senator Morgan’s request we have kept it sealed, but it is decontaminated. We use
a combination lock that requires a push button code. Here is the code.” Dr. Andrew wrote the
code on the back of his business card, and handed it to Cas.
“Can I have a card too?” The doctor grabbed another card, and wrote on the back before
giving it to Robbi. Robbi glanced, and saw that he had written his cell phone number.
Cas looked over his notes. “Tell me more about how the lab is designed.”
“There isn’t much to tell,” replied Dr. Mills. “The entire lab is sealed off, and the air filtered
with special HEPA filters. The antechamber serves as an air lock before you enter the lab proper.
That is where people put on the PPE.”
“PPE?” asked Robbi.
“Oh, sorry. PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment. In this case, gowns, gloves,
booties, respirators, and hats. The anthrax spores are pretty small, and will penetrate typical PPE.
We use specially designed PPE. Inside the main chamber the anthrax is kept in sealed glove
boxes. That is what makes it hard to determine how Margaret got exposed.”
Robbi noted that this was the first time anyone mentioned the victim’s name. “Margaret?
You knew her?”
“Yes, I knew her,” answered Dr. Mills. “As I was saying, in theory, there should be two
physical barriers between the researcher and the anthrax spores; the gloves in the glove box and
the container holding the anthrax inside the glove box. To get exposed one of two things had to
happen: Margaret bypassed the physical barriers, and stuck her hand inside the glove block, or
there was a leak in the glove box.”
At this point Dr. Andrew answered the unasked question, “I checked for leaks or a crack and
found none. Even if there was a leak in the glove box, the container holding the anthrax would

prevent accidental exposure.”
“It is possible. As you say, the spores are very tiny, and could slip through a miniscule leak.
She did get exposed somehow,” Cas said.
“It is possible, but we found no leak. Our equipment is very sophisticated. We would have
found a leak or a crack.”
Dr. Mills summed it up, “We think that Margaret exposed herself by violating protocol, and
bypassing the safety features.”
Robbi still had more questions. “Do you know why the NRC was researching anthrax? I
mean, it’s rare, isn’t it?”
Dr. Andres smiled at Robbi. “Yes, it is rare these days, but it still infects livestock. Anthrax
has been known to be dormant for seventy years, and still infect animals and people. It is also the
major biological weapon of mass destruction used by terrorists. The NRC was trying to find
some way to detect the spores more easily, and eradicate the bacteria altogether.”
“Were you able to determine how she came in contract with the anthrax?” asked Cas.
“No, we were not able to determine that, only that she was infected on the left hand,” replied
Dr. Andrew.
Robbi was fingering the top button of her blouse. “Any particular spot on the left hand?”
“That’s the odd part,” said Dr. Mills. “It was the whole hand; both sides down to the wrist. I
have never seen that type of contact. Usually, it is on the finger tips or palms. However, it is
consistent will a violation of protocol. The access to the glove box chamber is on the left side.
We think she may have reached inside to hold a test rat with her left hand while keeping her right
hand inside the protective glove in the glove box. That is why only the left hand was exposed.”
Robbi still did not understand how Margaret was exposed. “But won’t she have had a latex
glove on?”
“Yes, but it is not enough protection against anthrax.”
“What about her clothing?” asked Cas.
Dr. Andrew looked at his report. “She had on PPE which we destroyed; a gown, gloves,
respirator, goggles; regular stuff. We also destroyed her personal clothing. It is safer that way.
All her accessories were in her locker except for these.”
Dr. Andrew opened an envelope that was on his desk, and poured out the contents: an ID

badge, a pair of glasses, and a necklace. He picked up the necklace, and held it out to Robbi even
though Cas held out his hand. Robbi started to take it, but pulled her hand back.
Dr. Mills laughed. “Don’t worry, it is decontaminated.”
Robbi took the necklace. “A necklace?” She examined it, and handed it to Cas.
Dr. Andrew sat back in his chair. “Yes, a clear violation of protocol. Something like that
could easily harbor anthrax spores.”
Robbi pointed to the other items on the desk. “What about the ID badge and glasses?”
Dr. Andrew picked up the badge and glasses. “These are worn under the PPE, but it is still
against protocol.”
Cas turned the necklace over in his hand. “It’s a Phoenix! Can I hang onto this?”
Dr. Andrew thought about for a second. “I think it is okay since you are in charge of the
investigation.”
Robbi held out her hand. “Can I see the ID badge?” As Dr. Andrew started to hand it to her
she asked, “A proximity badge?”
“Yes, most agencies use them. It eliminates the need to swipe the card. You just walk by the
reader, and the doors open.”
“I am very familiar with them, but they are not very secure. An unauthorized person can slip
in behind a careless person.”
“You are correct,” said Dr. Mills. “At the NRC, the labs use face recognition programs-very
secure.”
Cas picked up the glasses from the desk. “She was wearing glasses? I thought that the clones
had perfect vision?”
Dr. Mills smiled. “Apparently not.”
Cas handed Dr. Andrew his card. “Thank you, doctors. As soon as you have your report,
please call me.” Robbi also handed Dr. Andrew her card. Her cell phone number was printed on
the card.
Once they were outside the building Robbi asked, “Well, what did that computer of yours
have to say?”
“He is a graduate of George Washington University. He is 35 years old, and has worked for
the CDC since he graduated from medical school. He specializes in biological weapons of mass

destruction ”
Robbi interrupted, “Damn it, Cas you’re teasing me. Get to the point! Is he married?”
“Yes, I was teasing you, and no, he is not married. By the way it was rather obvious that you
liked him.”
“What do you mean?”
“The way you were flirting with him.”
“I was not flirting.”
“Yes you were. It was obvious. I was embarrassed for you.”
“I was interested, I must admit, but I kept it professional the whole time”
“In a pig’s eye! What did he write on his card?”
“I am not going to tell you because you are being such an ass.”
“Ah ha! I knew it. He wrote his phone number. It is no wonder the way you were falling all
over him.”
“I was not falling all over him. I was professional at all times. What is the deal with the
necklace? Why do you want it?”
“It is a Phoenix, a mythical fire bird.”
“I know what a Phoenix is, but what is the significance to this case?”
“I don’t know yet, but it was the only personal item that the victim took into the lab so it
must have been important to her; too important to put in her locker.”
back to top
*##*
Chapter 4—National Research Council
Robbi and Cas started to drive to the NRC which was not too far. When the car reached the
freeway, and the auto-pilot engaged, Robbi took a newspaper from her briefcase, and started to
read.
“What are you doing?”
“What does it look like? I am reading the paper.”
“You should not read when you are driving.”
“Who’s driving? Everything is automated.”
“Nonetheless, you need to be ready just in case. Something could happen. You need to take

over manual drive if something happens.”
“In case of what? What could possibly happen?”
“I don’t know. A helicopter could fall from the sky onto the road! It just makes me nervous,
that’s all. Please!”
“Okay,” Robbi said as she put her paper away. “That actually happened, didn’t it?”
“What happened?”
“A helicopter landed on the beltway.”
“Yes, as a matter-of-fact. It was a medevac. No one was hurt.”
Forty five minutes later they arrived at the main gate to the NRC. The make shift memorial
made up of flowers, candles and signs by the gate was growing. The large groups of supporters
and protesters had separated themselves on each side of the road, and were yelling across at each
other. When the car came to a stop the GPS system blinked, and the computerized voice came
on, “SUPERWOMAN, THE ROAD FROM THE MAIN GATE TO THE MAIN ENTRACE
HAS NO GUIDANCE SYSTEM. YOU WILL HAVE TO DRIVE FROM THIS POINT TO
THE MAIN ENTRANCE. PARKING IS AVAILABLE ON YOUR RIGHT.”
“Oh, goodie!” exclaimed Robbi as she took control, and found the oak tree where the
Senator’s CI told them to park at the far end of the parking lot.
“Cas, the oak tree is blocking the security cameras. The branches need trimming.” She
turned off the engine and let out a sigh. As Cas opened his door she grabbed his arm.
“Cas, what I said about being partners, and not referring to me as your niece. You have
always been my favorite step-uncle, or whatever, but now I want us to be partners. I may have
come across a bit harsh, but I want us to do the things that partners do; not uncle and niece
things.”
“Like what?”
“You know; joke around, have a few beers, share the load equally, cover each other’s
back…things like that. I am a big girl now, and I don’t need your protection.”
“Okay.”
The NRC headquarters was in Fairfax County just south of Springfield. The impressive
building sat in the center of a well-kept landscape guarded by a ten foot chain-link fence. Robbi
noted the numerous security guards and roving patrols. She made a mental note of the location of

security cameras as they entered.
In the main entrance, a short flight of stairs climbed up to the main lobby and the
receptionist’s desk. Robbi immediately noticed that the desk was made of clear glass. The
receptionist sat behind the desk with a very short skirt, and her legs slightly apart. Coming up the
steps any visitor would be able to see up her dress. Robbi glanced at Cas to see if he noticed too.
Cas was not looking at the receptionist.
Robbi thought that Cas was too good to be true. Here was a situation where any other guy
would have looked between the legs of the gorgeous receptionist, but Cas was not looking. What
a gentleman, she thought. Or was he just not interested in women anymore? Unbelievable! Then
again, she had never seen him check out other women whenever she was with him.
Once in the main lobby, they approached the receptionist, a blonde woman with ample
breasts, and plenty of cleavage showing. “God Morgon,” she said as they approached her desk.
She smiled her receptionist’s smile as Cas explained who they were, and showed her his ID.
“You haf to sign in, and leaf your cell phones and cameras.” She explained.
Cas smiled back. “I detect an accent. You said ‘God Morgon’ so I am going to say that you
are Swedish?”
“Yah. Das is trooo! I am from Stok Holm. How did you know?”
Cas explained in Swedish that Swedish was one of the languages that he spoke. Robbi did a
slight eye roll, and shifted her weight to one foot. Cas switched languages, and said in German,
“Actually ‘das’ is not English. In English we would say ‘that.’”
The receptionist laughed, and replied in German, “I get das mixed up all the time.” She
flicked her hair then stood, and stuck out her hand to Cas, “Ve’ree nice to meet you. I am
Helga.” Robbi held out her hand, but Helga ignored it. Helga took their cell phones, and asked
them to step through a detector that would detect any transmission devices, bombs, or weapons.
She did not notice Cas’ eye glasses computer. When Cas stepped through the metal detector it
alarmed.
“Oh, I forgot.” He removed his computer glasses, the mouse pen, and took what looked like
a cigar case out of his pocket. The security guard picked up the cigar case. “Nasty habit I know,
but when Cuba became a democracy I could not resist Cuban cigars.”
The guard removed the cap on the cigar case. Inside was a cigar. She sniffed it, and said,

“They are good.” She placed it back in the plastic tray with the other items.
While the guard was checking Cas’ cigar case, Helga whispered to Robbi, “Are yoo and Dr.
Novak haf a relationship?”
Robbi was taken back. “Isn’t that question beyond your job description?
“Believe me, everyone will be asking me after yoo leave.”
Robbi smiled. “We’re partners.”
Helga gave Robbi a knowing smile.
“Business partners,” Robbi stressed. She decided to add the word business to describe her
relationship to Cas from now on. People jump to conclusions.
Robbi also triggered an alarm. With a puzzled look she started to check her pockets and
removed a quarter from her pants pocket. She placed it in the tray. “Sorry.”
Once they had been cleared to enter, Helga made a call. Within minutes a robot about three
feet high on two wheels came down the hall, and stopped abruptly in front of the group. “
In a metalic voice, the robot said, “Doctor Novak and Ms. Kelly, please follow me, and I
will take you to the office of Doctor Schmidt.”
As they ambled the short distance to Schmidt’s office the robot explained each piece of art
work and photograph. In the hallway they passed several women, mostly blonde, and all with
ample breasts on display. Robbi thought that it was unusual to see so many blondes in one place.
She also thought the short and tight skirts were out of place in a government agency. She was
slightly relieved when they filed into Susan Schmidt’s office to find sitting behind a huge desk, a
brunet with a modest set of breasts and professional attire. Susan Schmidt closed the file she was
reading, stood up, and walked around her desk to meet them.
Dr. Schmidt appeared to be about Cas’ age. She stood very erect, and seemed to be rather
formal in her approach to Cas, but warm toward Robbi. She wore a lab coat over a simple dress
and flats instead of high heels. She wore her hair parted in the center and pulled back behind her
ears; just short of shoulder length. The robot made introductions, and everyone shook hands. Cas
was immediately impressed by her firm grip.
“I am surprised,” said Schmidt as she shook Robbi’s hand. “The GAO has so few women
agents. Kelly? That is Irish, correct? A good name.”
“Actually, I am the product of a mixed marriage; my father was Irish and my mother was a

Republican.”
Cas chuckled, but Schmidt only smiled.
Turning her attention to Cas, Schmidt asked, “Novak? That’s Slavic, correct?”
“A common Slavic name. I am mostly Czech with some Russian, Polish, and Indian thrown
in for good measure.”
Schmidt raised an eyebrow, “Indian? American Indian or India?”
“Navaho I am told. Don’t ask me how.”
“I see you have one of those AdminBot. How cute,” said Robbi pointing to the robot.
“Adminobot,” Schmidt corrected her. “Courtesy of Uncle Sam. An older model.”
“Wow! What does it do?” asked Robbi.
“Mostly it annoys me; limited AI-level two. It can file, record meetings, clean the office,
keep my calendar, escort, bring me coffee which it always seems to spill, things like that.”
Schmidt turned to the Adminobot, “R2D2007, please record this meeting.”
“Yes, doctor Schmidt,” replied the Adminobot.
“Cute name,” said Cas.
“My humble attempt at humor. It will answer to R2.”
Robbi looked at Cas. He saw her expression and said, “From the old Star Wars movie.”
“I never saw it.”
“It’s a classic,” said Schmidt as she waved her hand toward two chairs set in front of her
desk. Cas and Robbi sat down as Schmidt returned to her seat. Her office was Spartan: a few
pictures, some diplomas, and one book case half full of books. Cas noticed that all the pictures
were of women. He recognized the picture of Schmidt B. Anthony, Betty Friedan, and Gloria
Steinem. He did not know the others. He also noticed that there was no picture of the president;
unusual in a government office. In the corner was a triangular display case with a dozen or so
karate trophies.
Schmidt directed her question to Robbi. “I presume the GAO wants to investigate our
finances following the accidental death of The Fifth Clone. A tragic loss, but not one that will
affect us financially.”
Cas immediately put on his glasses, and removed a note pad from his briefcase. “The GAO
asked us to investigate whether you have invested enough funds in appropriate safety and

security measures to protect the clones and their research; a slightly different focus. Of course,
we’ll need to see all your financial records to do that.”
Schmidt began to idly fiddle with her necklace. “Will a flash drive work for you?” Robbi
nodded. “R2, please copy the usual files for the GAO, and give them to Ms. Kelly on a flash
drive.”
Cas noticed the pendent. It was identical to the necklace that Dr. Andrew gave him. He
focused on it so the camera in his glasses could photograph it.
“Doctor Schmidt, I will not be able to record while I get those files for Ms. Kelly.”
“I think that I can cover for you, R2,” replied Schmidt sarcastically.
Immediately, the R2 left the room.
Robbi shouted after the robot, “A list of employees also, please.”
“R2, did you hear that? A list of the employees too. Thank you.” Turning toward Robbi
again, “Anything else?”
Robbi was surprised. “You thanked your Adminobot?”
“Must maintain decorum,” explained Schmidt. “Anything else?”
“Yes.” Robbi looked at her notebook. “I would like a copy of your security protocol, floor
schematics, and a wiring diagram of your surveillance systems.”
As R2 returned to the room, Schmidt said, “R2, also get the security policy and some floor
schematics. Then call security for a copy of the wiring diagram of our surveillance systems. Tell
Ms. Phillips that I said she should bring them herself.”
“YES, DOCTOR SCHMIDT,” said R2 as it spun around, and left the room.
Cas pointed to Schmidt’s necklace. “That is an interesting pendant you are wearing. Family
heirloom?”
Schmidt looked down at the necklace. “No, it was a gift from Ann Smith, my predecessor,
when she retired.”
R2 returned with a flash drive, and handed it to Robbi who giggled as she took it from the
robot.
Cas changed subjects. “I read your article in Genes, Brain and Behavior.”
“Ah, yes, G2B. You must lead a very dull life if you read it. Actually, they published two of
my articles. Which one did you read?”

“The one on eugenics. I liked your explanation of the goals of modern genetic engineering. I
think you made an interesting case for using eugenics to improve overall societal intelligence
relating to the heritability of IQ.”
Schmidt smiled at Cas, and nodded her head. “Well Doctor, I see that you have done your
homework.”
“I also agreed with your assertion that the study of eugenics has been given a bad rap
because of its association with Nazi Germany and the concept of designer babies.”
Schmidt smiled again. “I think we are headed in that direction. Nearly every state now
allows couples to determine the sex of their unborn child and prenatal diagnosis of congenital
disorders to eliminate hereditary diseases such as hemophilia and Huntington's disease. I think
before too long we will see designer babies; babies whose genes have been altered for positive
traits not just the elimination of negative ones. I took a lot of criticism for that article. It was not
good for the reputation of the NRC. I doubt that I will ever publish another one. I think we are
boring Ms. Kelly. What else?”
This time Robbi answered, “No, not at all. I see you use facial recognition for security. How
is that working for you?”
“Well, we like it. I can access every area, of course. The clones also have full access. We
like to share our work, and help each other solve problems. All the other employees have access
only to areas that they need to get to. The most sensitive areas use the facial scan otherwise the
ID badge works.”
“We have never been here before,” said Cas. “Could you give a brief background and then a
tour?”
As Schmidt was talking to Cas, Robbi took the quarter out of her hand where she had been
holding it since leaving the metal detector, and slipped it inside the cushion of the chair.
“Yes, of course. This building is the headquarters of the National Research Council. The
NRC functions under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy
of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. Originally, all the academies were private and
nonprofit institutions that provided science, technology and health policy advice to the
government. However, as the cost of research became so expensive, the National Academies
became another government agency. Now, instead of influencing national polices, we do

research.”
Robbi finished writing notes, and looked up. “What is your mission?”
“With the successful cloning of Judy Lindberg and the transfer of her knowledge to Judy
Two, or The First Clone as the press like to call her, all of our research has been narrowed to the
research that the clones are working on, and, of course, cloning research itself. We like to say we
want to work ourselves out of a job. We are researching how to eradicate anthrax, malaria, world
hunger, hieratical diseases and birth defects, and the aging process; six areas of research. Oh, and
cloning too-seven areas. Let’s start our tour, shall we? I will explain the rest as we go along.”
As Dr. Schmidt led Cas and Robbi into the hallway they were greeted by the Director of
Security and Safety, Kimberly Phillips. After introductions, Kim paraded alongside Robbi as
Robbi started asking questions.
back to top
*##*
Chapter 5—Bring in the Clones
Schmidt led Cas and Robbi through a series of offices, and then marched straight to the labs.
She passed by a few labs, and stopped in front of a door that had crime scene barrier tape across
the door.
“I thought you would want to see Margaret Two’s lab first. Each clone has their own work
area and lab. This was Margaret Two’s.”
Phillips carefully removed the tape, and set it aside. She stood directly in front of a small
camera, and pushed a button. The camera scanned her face, and then a message stated,
“ACCESS GRANTED.” The door opened, and she led the group inside.
The lab had a large work area with several work stations. Toward the rear was a large plate
glass window looking into another room. It had a small antechamber with gowns, boots, and face
masks hanging from hooks on one wall. Protruding from a bracket on the wall were three sizes of
plastic gloves.
Dr. Schmidt stood in front of the window, and pointed inside. “We found her there on the
floor.”
“Who found her?” asked Robbi.
“Her assistant, Olga Becker, a remarkable woman. She worked with Dr. Erikson before

becoming Margaret Two’s assistant. She was devastated. Can you imagine having your boss die
twice? Yet, she won’t take a leave of absence.” Schmidt’s voice cracked as she wiped away a
tear. “Excuse me,” she said as she stepped over, and retrieved a tissue from a box on the table.
She wiped her eyes, and threw the tissue in the trash. “You will meet Olga today.”
Cas looked inside the lab. “Did anyone go inside, and check for vital signs?”
“No. It was too dangerous. Our protocol is to immediately lock down the lab. We used a
robot to check the body. She was definitely dead.”
“Another robot?” asked Robbi.
“Yes. Here I will show you.” Dr. Schmidt stepped up to the control panel, and touched an
icon on a screen. Immediately a door opened, and a small robot similar to R2, but with human
features rolled out. Schmidt leaned forward. “Jimbo, please meet our guests at the lab window.”
The robot rolled over to the window, and stopped. “It is a humanoid developed by NASA. When
they down sized, several of their robots where transferred to us. This one is a Robonaut 3 Model,
a little out of date; level three AI. It was originally programmed for HAZMAT spills.”
“HAZMAT?” asked Robbi.
Cas answered for Dr. Schmidt, “Hazardous material!”
The doctor continued, “Margaret named it Jimbo; something to do with her ex I believe.
Jimbo, say hello to Doctor Novak and Ms. Kelly.”
A computerized voice said, “Hello Doctor Novak and Ms. Kelly. What can I do for you
today?”
Cas turned to Dr. Schmidt, “Can it tell us what happened?”
Schmidt commanded the robot, “Jimbo, please relate what happened when Margaret Two
died.”
“Very well, Doctor Schmidt. I was summoned from my charging station on wednesday,
august eighth, 2031 at 0730 hours,and commanded to check on Margaret Two. I found her on the
floor. I checked her body temperature using infared and found it to be seveny two degress, the
temperature of the chamber. Idetermined that she was derad.”
Cas studied the robot for a minute before asking, “Could the robot have killed her?”
“No,” answered Dr. Schmidt. “It is programmed to clean the lab, especially spills of
hazardous chemicals. It cannot do much beyond that. Each lab has one. Thank you, Jimbo. You

can return to your charging station.”
“What happened next?” asked Robbi.
“We locked down the lab like I said, and called the CDC. That’s the protocol.”
Cas was surprised. “No one called 911?”
“What can they do? It was an accidental exposure to anthrax. Local authorities are not
equipped to handle that; only the CDC. They came, packed up Margaret Two’s body, and
decontaminated the lab. It has been lock down ever since.”
“Are you here to open the lab?” a voice asked from the door way.
Dr. Schmidt answered, “Oh, Olga! These people are from the GAO. They wish to talk to
you. Doctor Olga Becker, this is Ms. Roberta Kelly and Dr. Casmir Novak.”
Olga quickly dashed straight up to Schmidt, and the two hugged. Robbi saw tears in
Schmidt’s eyes, but none in Olga’s. After a couple of minutes Olga stepped back from Schmidt,
and looked at the two visitors.
Cas shook Olga’s hand. “We are sorry for you loss, Doctor. Did Margaret Two exhibit any
symptoms?” he asked.
“Yes, she did. I explained all this to the police and the FBI. She thought she had the flu. It
was going around. She never took good care of herself; just like Margaret Erikson, the original
Margaret.”
“Is it normal for her to work alone?” asked Robbi.
“She was like that-total disregard of protocol. Whenever someone is inside the chamber,
someone is supposed to be standing by on the outside. She was a workaholic; never slept. Often
she would work through the night. When I came in the next morning, I found her.”
“All the clones have apartments here in the building,” interjected Schmidt. “It is not unusual
for them to work late. However, as Olga stated, she should have not worked alone. I am afraid I
did not strictly enforce the policy.”
Cas used his computer glasses to take pictures of the lab. “What was she working on?”
“She was trying to genetically engineer a way to ward off anthrax,” answered Olga.
Cas looked at Olga, and selected the video setting on his computer glasses. “Any particular
strain?”
“Yes. We were working with the Ames strain. It seems to be the favorite among terrorists,

and is readily available. It was used in the 2001 and 2020 anthrax attacks. We were on the verge
of a breakthrough in the research. If you could unlock the lab, I would like to get back to work.”
Cas continued to record. “I afraid that it will have to remain locked for now. It won’t be
long. I understand from the CDC that the work is done inside a glove box so at least two physical
barriers exist between the anthrax and the researcher.”
Olga shook her head in agreement. “That is correct, and that is how it should be, but we
can’t always do it that way. Using the glove box is awkward. It works fine when we inject the
lab rats. It also works well when we have the rats ingest the anthrax. When we expose the rats by
rubbing anthrax on their skin, we sometimes have problems. Before we start we shave a spot on
the rat’s back. We have to hold the rat with one gloved hand, and rub the anthrax on that spot
with the other. Well, these rats can be quite big, and can be very uncooperative. On more than
one occasion I have seen Margaret Two stick one hand inside the glove box to get a firm grip on
a rat. It has never been a problem, but it is a violation of protocol. Maybe that is what she did,
and she accidentally exposed herself. I can’t know for certain.”
Cas turned to Schmidt. “You have had a number of deaths here at the NRC.”
“Yes, unfortunately, we have, but this is the first clone death,” answered Schmidt. “We
sometimes joke about it. It seems that as soon as someone is cloned, they die in a couple of
years. Accidents doing this type of research are not uncommon, but for the NRC it is the first.”
Schmidt took them next to a large room that had two large dental type chairs in the center
surrounded by various types of equipment. A woman stepped forward, and before Schmidt could
speak, introduced herself. “Hello, I am Lindberg Two. I see that Dr. Schmidt is giving you the
grand tour.” Lindberg looked no older than twenty, tall with a slender body. Her blonde hair fell
shoulder length, and was colored with the natural blond on the bottom fading into a darker brown
on top-very stylish. She appeared to have been crying.
Schmidt completed the introductions. “Dr. Novak and Ms. Kelly are checking our security
measures because of Margaret Two’s death.” Lindberg Two started to tear up. Dr. Schmidt
reached over, and squeezed her arm. They both forced a smile.
“Sorry,” said Lindberg Two wiping away a tear with her finger. “I still can’t believe it.”
“So you invented the brain transfer machine?” asked Robbi.
Lindberg Two and Schmidt both laughed. “You make it sound so Frankensteinish,” said

Lindberg. “We prefer to call it the intelligence transcriber. Brains are not transferred in this
process. Let me explain. Years ago scientists completed the Genome Project which mapped all
the information in DNA. That was the beginning. Next came the Transcriptome Project to map
all the RNA transcripts formed from a genome. Then the Proteome Project followed by the
Metabolome Project. I was on the next project called the Connectome Project where we
attempted to map all the major neural connections in the brain. Except for the Genome Project,
none of these projects were ever completed. After a few years, I determined that we were going
about it all wrong.”
Cas was full of questions. “How is that?”
“All these projects were trying to understand how the brain works, how it thinks. It occurred
to me that I could replicate the thinking process, and the knowledge stored in the brain without
fully understanding how the brain works; without a map. Just like a copy machine makes copies
of anything without understanding what it is copying. So I built this transcriber.”
Cas was not satisfied. “That is all too simple. You need to explain how it works.”
“Of course. When I was working on the Connectome Project, I was able to reproduce a
single idea or thought from one brain to another. I found that I had to use nearly identical spots in
the brains, and the brains had to be very similar. As you know, brains are like fingerprints;…”
“No two are alike,” Cas said at the same time as Lindberg Two. “Correct,” agreed Lindberg
Two without missing a beat. “Anyway, I was able to transfer a single thought by using ultra-
high-magnetic-field MRI. It was an accident actually. By connecting two MRIs together so that
one would align all the neurons, synapses, and electrical impulses in one brain, and the other
MRI would essentially rearrange the neurons, synapses, and electrical impulses in the second
brain to match the first,” said Lindberg Two.
“Of course, that had limited application because brains are so different,” said Cas.
“Correct again, but when I heard about the cloning project, I saw a way to transcribe all of
the knowledge on a large scale because the donor’s brain and the clone’s brain are essentially
identical. Both brains have the same amount of neural transmitters like epinephrine,
norepinephrine, and dopamine.”