A security guard escorted Ellie and Quinn, wearing Visitors Badges, into a large, state of the art laboratory at Gen-Ident Labs. She saw technicians working at large-screen computers and sophisticated equipment. More technicians worked in self-contained mini-labs situated around the perimeter of the huge room.
In one mini-lab, Ellie saw Jessica working beside a very tall young man with reddish-blond hair and freckles. Both were jack-knifed over large microscopes.
Jessica looked up and waved them over. “Ellie, Quinn, come meet Jim Williams.” Jessica’s wink suggested Jim was her Knight in Shining Armor.”
They shook hands with the six-foot-seven inch guy, then Jessica led them to the far corner of the lab, away from the other technicians.
“So what’s this all about?” Ellie asked.
“Your eyes.”
“What about them?”
“Remember how we used to laugh about how your one eye is bluer than the other?”
“Yeah … .”
“Well a CSI show reminded me of your eyes.”
“So …?”
“So your different eye colors may be related to your DNA.”
“If not mine, whose?” Ellie wondered what on earth Jessica was getting at.
“It’s rather complicated, but the bottom line is that I need more samples of your DNA.”
“No way you’re scraping my eyeballs for DNA!”
“No! I don’t need to,” Jessica said, laughing.
Ellie didn’t get it. “So what’s wrong with my mouth swab DNA?”
“Nothing. But I need more DNA samples from other parts of your cute little body. Follow me, Ellie. Girls only, guys. Sorry.”
Ellie wondered what the hell was going on. She shrugged at Quinn, then followed Jessica down the hall where they entered the women’s restroom. Jessica shut the door.
“Let’s start with your hair. This may tingle a smidgeon.”
Jessica reached over and yanked out a couple of Ellie’s hairs.
“YEOW!”
“Sorry, Ellie, but the hair roots have the juiciest DNA goop.” She placed the hairs in a plastic tube. Ellie saw her name and a barcode on the side of the tube.
Jessica swabbed the inside of Ellie’s cheek again and placed the swab in another plastic tube. Next, she withdrew blood from Ellie’s finger.
“Just one last sample.” Jessica handed her an extra long Q-tip.
“What’s this for?”
Jessica pointed at a toilet stall.
Ellie stared at the long Q-tip, and then at Jessica. “Sorry Jess, but Mr. Poop has left the building.”
“How about Ms. Vagina?”
“Still in residence.”
“Goodie. Now go in there and swab up some of her wonderful epidermal cells for me.”
Ellie shook her head in bewilderment, but went into a stall and moments later emerged with her swab sample in the plastic tube.
They walked back to Quinn and Jim who were talking Kentucky basketball.
“So, what’s this weird new test all about?” Ellie asked.
“A DNA condition that’s rarely, if ever, tested for.”
“Are you saying my previous independent DNA test results were inaccurate?”
“No, they were probably accurate … but maybe … incomplete.”
Ellie still wondered what she meant. “When will you know about the new results?”
“If I super-rush it and call in some favors, maybe late tomorrow. But there’s a problem.”
“What?”
“We have to rush this test to be ready for the probate hearing. And because there are four separate rush tests it will cost more.”
“How much more?” Ellie couldn’t afford a huge bill now. She couldn’t afford a small bill.
Jessica shrugged. “Even if the lab gives me a deal, the four separate rush DNA tests will cost around a thousand bucks.”
Ellie’s throat went bone dry. She had one hundred eighteen dollars in the bank.
“Don’t worry about the money,” Quinn said.
“Quinn, you can’t – ”
“I have the money. It’s okay! You can pay me back at your leisure. The probate hearing is in two days. Time is critical.”
Ellie saw he wouldn’t change his mind. “I insist on paying you back.”
“Okay, but only when you can.”
“Thanks, Quinn.” She looked at Jessica. “Be honest, what are the realistic chances this new test might alter my previous DNA results?”
Jessica looked out the window. “Well, it’s a … .”
“A long shot, right?”
“Yeah. A long shot.”
“How long?”
“Think lottery winner.”