Paul Jitter’s funeral was held the morning after the police finally released it from their autopsy unit. They had kept it for almost one week, and Josephine was indeed very distraught. Surrounded by more than three hundred people, she kept crying throughout the memorial service. Despite her obvious and profound pain, she remained dignified and did not suffer an emotional meltdown. Instead, she went on to thank everybody individually for attending her fiancé’s funeral.

The research facility had stayed closed for one week, but the day following the funeral was an entirely different matter. Her staff showed up early for work, much to Tim’s astonishment. But that was not the only thing that surprised him that morning. Just a few minutes afterwards, as he patrolled the east side of the compound, the sound of a whirring helicopter forced him to gaze up at the clouded sky. A spark of curiosity grew within him. Tim had to see for himself who it was.

His question was answered, when a gorgeous, young blonde got out of the red and white helicopter, accompanied by Josephine. She looked up at him, as she and Josephine approached the roof door, but the biologist did not even glance at him. She preferred to ignore and pass him by, as she talked to the blonde. Apparently, Josephine believed that introducing a security guard to her VIP guest was unnecessary. Tim smiled bitterly to himself, as they entered the elevator. He had wasted enough time and decided not to succumb to curiosity again, while he worked there.

As he inspected the barbed wire on the fence on the east side though, he heard a high-pitched, feminine voice from the loudspeaker:

“Mr. Shaw, Dr. Taylor would like to see you.”

“What does the princess want?” He thought to himself, unwilling to oblige. However, Tim had to comply and a break from working in the freezing cold was more than welcome. He found the two women in Josephine’s spacious lab. There were four sizeable chimpanzees, each one in their own cage on the far wall of the room and multiple computer monitors across from them. In the middle, there was a large, wide counter with three, big, expensive microscopes.

“Hi…” He croaked, stepping into the lab. “You said you wanted to see me.”

“Actually, I didn’t.” Josephine spoke, folding her arms across her chest. “This is Laura Maddox, daughter of Burt Maddox, he’s…”

“I know who he is,” Tim interjected, as Laura brushed past her. “What’s the matter, doc? I don’t recall wearing an invisibility cloak.”

“Well said,” Laura commented. “I’m sorry about earlier. It’s just that Ms. Taylor wanted to fill me in on the progress of her research. It’s nice to meet you,” she said, offering her hand for a handshake.

“Pleasure,” Tim smiled, shaking her hand.

“I’ve done a little research of my own, Mr. Shaw,” she grinned. “Twenty three people work here. They’re all well-educated, with a Bachelor’s degree, a PhD or even a MD. You kind of…”

“Stand out?” He finished her sentence.

“Well, yes,” she nodded. “The rest of the security guards have been through college.”

“Is that why you wanted to see me?” Tim raised his tone. “You wanted to complain about my education?”

“On the contrary,” Laura disagreed, assuming a businesslike tone. “You’re the most qualified person in here to answer a very simple question. Dr. Taylor?” she said, looking at Josephine over her right shoulder. “This man doesn’t have a clue about what it is that you’re doing here, does he?”

“We’re trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s,” Josephine’s response was sharp. “Chimpanzees have large brains and there is a 98% similarity between the human DNA and the chimpanzee. You see, unlike every other cell in the human body, neurons cannot regenerate. Once a neuron becomes inactive, it’s gone. That’s what happens to Alzheimer’s patients. Brain cells progressively degenerate, until the patient dies. We harvest protein that will reactivate human brain cells and restore the patient’s brain.”

“Sounds ambitious,” Tim commented.

“No,” Laura disagreed. “Actually, it sounds crazy. My father and I don’t think it’s possible, at least not without genetic tampering.”

“Genetic engineering to increase brain mass violates the Harvard Genetics Compact.” Josephine said. “I would lose my license.”

“I’m still waiting for that question.” Tim groaned.

“Ms. Taylor says she can do it. She just needs a couple of weeks. What would you do, Mr. Shaw? My father’s patience is running out. Frankly: so is mine,” Laura confessed.

“I’m not following you, blondie.” Tim said with a sarcastic smile on his face. “Why’s my opinion so important to you?”

“Seven different foster homes: notorious job hopper; on parole…” Laura returned the smile. “You’re ‘street’; nothing like the people in here.”

Her words flattered him; by the time she had finished her sentence, Laura stood barely three feet away from him and was looking deep into his blue eyes. Her own, hazel eyes penetrated right through him. Tim had to come up with a reply, not only because she had asked him to, but also because his job depended on what he had to say to her.

“What do you have to lose?” He wondered.

“Thirty thousand dollars and two weeks of my time,” Laura’s cynical tone outraged him. Tim clenched his fists, trying really hard to keep his cool.

“Twenty three people will lose their jobs if you decide to pull the plug on this. Families… children… do you ever think about them? Or is your time a little too precious to spend it on…” he faltered, finishing with, “trivial matters like that?”

“I can fire you,” she added, as a smug smile spread across her face. Tim had heard enough. He reached forward and grabbed her by the wrist, opened the door with his left hand and dragged her out of the lab. Stunned and terrified, Laura could not force another word out of her throat. Finding himself out in the corridor outside the lab, he pulled her aside, but Tim was so angry that he pushed her against the wall.

“You want to fire me, lady?” he cried, his breathing heavy, his deep voice bouncing off the walls of the wide corridor. “Go ahead. Do it!”

“Let me go! Please!” she begged, her voice trembling, her eyes filled with terror. But Tim would not loosen his grip. Instead, he continued to look right into her eyes, leaning over her, as if he was trying to intimidate the 5’5” woman with his sheer size.

“I don’t give a fuck about this, you hear?” Tim spoke through gritted teeth. He removed his right hand from her shoulder and ripped his nametag off. Then, he took his left hand off her as well. “I quit.” Tossing the nametag on the marble floor, he turned around. But, just when he was about to walk away from her, he heard her voice.

“Tim, wait!” Laura shouted. The smooth touch of her hand engulfing his fingers sent shivers down his spine, forcing him to stop. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Just give her those two weeks,” he sighed.

“I will,” she gasped, moving around him, “on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“Will you please have a drink with me tonight? I’ll send my limo.” All of a sudden, her expression was not stiff at all. Laura was smiling up at him, baffling him even more. “Is nine o’clock ok?”

“Alright,” he said with a nod. “Nine o’clock is fine.”