Scribbler Tales Volumes One: Five

Volume One

Desperate Measures

Audrey stood on the ledge of the roof overlooking the flower beds as a gentle breeze carried the pleasant fragrances across the well-kept lawn. She should have seen through the deception, but then, hindsight is an excellent teacher. His betrayal had stung, affecting her very soul because she had believed him, refusing to recognize his faults, and there were many. Paul had seduced her, even though she had been a willing participant, believing his every word.

Paul is too selfish with an ego the size of Texas! Whatever were you thinking? Father was right ... I am book smart, but not streetwise, Audrey thought. How could I have been so blind? Yet isn’t love blind ... and deaf ... and dumb?

It would not take long to discover the truth once the Oversight Committee began its investigation. Paul told her the Board had approved his experiments. She could have checked the paperwork, she should have inspected his lab, but she didn’t, which is why her name would be forever tarnished. The name her father had given her, a respected name, a prodigious member of society. How could she face the man who had given her not only life, but also a prestigious lineage? She was of the privileged class and given opportunities most people dreamed about. Her father had spared no expense with her upbringing, providing an education reminiscent of the scholarly pursuits of Renaissance aristocrats. A Nobel laureate, Audrey won the coveted prize for her work with recombinant DNA, receiving the recognition on her thirty-fifth birthday.

The harmonious sound of the nocturnal creatures was calming. Watching the feathery clouds floating across the moonlit sky was mesmerizing. Nature’s beauty was invigorating, reminding her that life was a precious gift. Her death would only make things worse, taking her own life was not the answer, yet the thought was tempting. Her once bright future was now destroyed because she had trusted the wrong man. Heaven might forgive her, but Audrey could not forgive herself.

Take the easy way out and jump, echoed in her ear. Do it!

***

Audrey’s years of employment at the Institute were gratifying. She enjoyed her work, being branded a workaholic by family and friends. As time went on, and the grants poured in, Audrey was tempted to join the private sector ... the top five corporations in the industry were interested in funding her projects. However, Titan Enterprises with their proverbial golden carrot, succeeded in whisking her away from the halls of Academia.

It was as if God had spoken when her every request was granted. Her laboratory no longer comprised one floor, but the entire building! She was given an apartment on sublevel-1 that also housed a gym with an Olympic-sized pool. In addition to the standard perks, she became a shareholder in the company, a feat not easily attained in the current economic environment.

Within one month, Audrey sold her condo and took up residence at Titan Enterprises because she had rarely been home, seldom working an eight hour day, and her social life suffered. To be truthful, it was non-existent. The days became weeks and weeks became months, and time passed. Audrey remained in the lab, having her meals delivered most days since breakthroughs took time, and patience was not one of her virtues.

It had been said that genetic engineering was against God’s teaching, that man had no right to change what the Lord had created. Yet her work was recognized, and she did win the Noble prize. Manipulating DNA to improve the human condition was within her reach, and Audrey had the wherewithal to achieve her goals.

***

Good morning, the security guard said to Audrey as she showed him her badge before heading towards the elevator.

Audrey entered the lift, but a hand prevented the doors from closing.

Sorry about that, the man said. We haven’t met ... I’m Paul ... Paul Ploughman.

Audrey Baines.

I know who you are, Dr. Baines, Paul interrupted. I have been assigned as your assistant.

I already have an assistant, Audrey interjected.

Poor choice of words, please forgive me ... colleague would be more accurate, Paul replied as they entered the third floor and headed towards Audrey’s office.

Once inside, Paul proceeded to explain his position, passionately describing his work with mutated animals and reproductive cloning. Audrey listened with half an ear while scrolling through her emails, looking for a missed notification informing her of Dr. Ploughman’s arrival. Working twelve hours a day or more in the lab left precious little time to check her inbox. Anyway, if it were that important, Corporate would pick up the phone, wouldn’t they?

Perhaps they did try to call, Audrey thought as she glanced at the flashing red light, which indicated waiting messages.

One minute, please, Audrey interrupted while retrieving her voice mailbox.

Paul smiled, leaned back in the chair, glancing through the glass windows that enclosed the office. The lab was pristine and was filled with the latest, most expensive equipment on the market, but three workstations were noticeably bereft of tenancy. This was Dr. Baines inner sanctum, her personal laboratory that she did not share with any of the staff, the empty cubicles attesting to the supposition.

This is going to be easier than I thought, Paul mumbled beneath his breath, his words muffled by his clasped hands covering his mouth.

I apologize, Dr. Ploughman...

Paul.

Paul, Audrey continued. I have been working late, and I have not checked my messages for a couple of days.

Weeks, I would think, Paul whispered.

Did you say something?

I should not have surprised you at the elevator, Paul lied. The fault is mine.

You are too kind. Should we start again? I fear we may have gotten off on the wrong foot.

My sole purpose is to help you prove your theories. I do not have ego issues ... fame means nothing to me. I am interested in the end product ... creating a perfect clone. That is your goal, is it not?

Audrey shifted in her chair. She was uncomfortable, but she did not know why. Was it hearing the words she had only thought, or was it something else? He was charismatic, handsome, and personable. Audrey had forgotten what it felt like to be attracted to a man on a social level, and she unexpectedly felt lonely, an emotion she thought she had buried on the day she had set foot in her lab.

***

Initially, the relationship between Drs. Baines and Ploughman was strictly professional. Paul did tread carefully, not wishing to reveal his motives prematurely, motives that had been sanctioned by his superior, Dr. Martin Wheel, who was also Chairman of the Board. His plan was simple, shadow the famed scientist for a month, observing her interaction with her peers while creating a psychological profile. Work was a remedy, but not the cure. Beneath the bravado stood a woman craving love in Paul’s opinion. He would exploit this weakness, gaining her trust and affection. It would not be difficult to seduce such a lovely creature, and Paul was looking forward to the challenge, playing a game without sharing the rules. And he would win, he always did. This time, nothing would stop him. This time, he would succeed. There was no turning back.

***

Although Audrey was the Director of her laboratory with autonomous control, she acquiesced, giving Paul free rein to concentrate on his own experiments while collaborating on her research. In the beginning, their conversations were about work, Titan Enterprises, and the weather. One day, Paul had asked her about the Nobel Prize and from that day forward, their talks became more personal.

Audrey had fallen in love, and she remembered exactly when she had succumbed to Dr. Ploughman’s appealing demeanor that masked his sinister intentions. It had been a long day, and Paul was already in the lift when she glanced in his direction, her heart suddenly aflutter, and her face was afire as she blushed. That was the night she realized the true depth of her feelings and that frightened her.

He doesn’t have to know, but what if he already knows?

When Audrey took the elevator to sublevel-1, her thoughts were chaotic. Beads of sweat formed upon her face, her palms were sweaty, and rapid heartbeats echoed in her ear. Her anxiety heightened when the doors opened, and she saw Paul standing before her, holding a bottle of wine and Chinese takeout.

Please, don’t be angry, Paul said. I would have asked you to dinner, but I was afraid you would say no ... so I bribed the guard ... hope you like Chinese.

I could have both you and the guard fired, Audrey replied.

But you won’t, will you?

Audrey reached into her pocket, took out her cell and was scrolling through her contact list when Paul grabbed the phone and kissed her on the lips, a mere whisper, gentle and tender.

I care for you, Audrey, and I know you care for me. Give us a chance, please.

There is no us.

There will be. What are you afraid of? I don’t bite.

I don’t know you, Audrey stammered.

That’s why people date. Come on, take a risk. What’s the worst that will happen? You’ll fire me? Besides, isn’t Chinese your favorite? We wouldn’t want all this food to go to waste, now would we?

Audrey did not notice Paul’s haughty look when she invited him into her apartment. She felt the chemistry between them and gave herself willingly to the man who had captured her heart.

***

The affair was kept secret from everyone, except for one guard, Robert Nelson, whose machinations made the lovers’ tryst possible. Audrey was so besotted with Paul that she failed to see the danger when the brilliant scientist suggested they inject mutated growth genes into the somatic cells of cloned embryos. She had assumed animal surrogates, an assumption that would forever haunt her dreams.

Since Dr. Baines’ third floor lab was off limits to everyone, even the guards, the experiments could be performed covertly. Audrey should have suspected Paul’s intent when he renovated forty percent of available space, using contractors he personally hired, men with dubious reputations whose silence had been bought. When the security system was installed, Audrey was conveniently meeting with Martin, discussing next year’s budget, so her retinal scan could not be obtained.

The daily routine was the same once the refurbishing was completed. Since the two of them rarely spoke during the day, being thoroughly engrossed in their work, Audrey paid little heed to Paul’s presence or lack thereof. In fact, most nights, it was Paul who stood silently before her, waiting for her to finish whatever she had been working on. He would insist they call it a night, charming her with his wit, speaking loving words, words she so desperately needed to hear.

They would have dinner in her apartment before culminating their passion, fulfilling love’s gentle song before falling asleep in each other’s arms. Only Paul did not sleep. He would slip away, returning to the lab and continuing his work. He was close, so very close; his excitement heightened with each success. It was time to find a surrogate, and in the stillness of the night, he placed the call.

It’s me. Were you successful?

I was. When do you want delivery?

Give me two days, Paul replied before hanging up the phone and returning to Audrey’s bed.

***

What a lovely surprise, Audrey said as Paul led her into the dining room shrouded in candle light. But what is the occasion?

Do I need an occasion to remind you how much you mean to me?

Audrey embraced the man she had fallen in love with, the perfect partner to share life’s journey. She walked to the table, allowing herself to be seated and was glowing when she heard Tannhäuser: Pilgrim’s Chorus playing softly, her favorite Wagner piece setting the mood for a romantic evening.

Paul lifted the silver dome cover, revealing a dish of smoked salmon and dill crepes.

Did you prepare this?

I cannot lie to you, Paul replied as he poured the wine. I must confess, I had some help.

Robert, yes?

You know me so well, my love. I trust you are pleased?

Paul, I don’t know what to say ... I never expected...

Paul kissed Audrey, a pleasant interruption stifling her words. He smiled when he pulled away, a mischievous grin upon his face as he sat down. They ate silently, their eyes depicting the love that passed between them. She never noticed Paul refilling her glass, nor did she notice that he had not touched a drop of the heady beverage.

Dance with me, Paul said as he lifted Audrey off the chair, but her legs gave way, and she fell into his arms.

I think I had too much to drink.

Audrey buried her head into his chest as he carried her into the bedroom and placed her upon the bed. He sat beside her, holding her hand until it went limp. Paul snapped his fingers near her ear, but she did not respond. Satisfied that the sedative had worked so quickly, he removed his vibrating cell, glancing at the text message as he hurried towards the stairwell.

We are waiting.

***

The seasons came and went, and Dr. Baines hadn’t made any progress with her research. She became withdrawn, oblivious to everything other than her work. It was very late when her experiment finally succeeded, when the replicated genetic code did not mutate after she had tweaked the sequence. She wanted to share her findings and sought Paul.

Rushing across the length of the laboratory, Paul was nowhere to be found.

He could not have left, could he? Audrey thought while opening the door to Dr. Ploughman’s office.

Sitting in Paul’s chair, she glanced about the room, Spartan in its appearance, which was surprising. The cubicles were all empty, and the vaulted room had no windows, which piqued her curiosity. She walked over to the doorway, placed her eye in front of the scanner, but was unsettled when she was denied entry.

Returning to Paul’s office, she searched the desk drawers looking for an override key, the required failsafe that was noticeably absent. Audrey ultimately hacked the system, opening the well-lit chamber without setting off any alarms, or so she thought. She grasped the door frame, starring at the horrific scene before her. Mutated embryos and fetuses were encased in formaldehyde-filled jars, but she gasped when she saw the women, six of them in a comatose state and all noticeably pregnant.

Audrey stepped backwards, falling against the wall. She was trembling as she tried to grasp the enormity of what she had just witnessed. This had happened on her watch, and she would be held accountable for such atrocities.

***

That’s right, Audrey, jump. You haven’t the guts to succeed in this business.

How dare you! Audrey yelled, turning to face Paul whose arrogant demeanor fueled her anger. "What gave