The Dead War Series (Book 1): Good Intentions Read Free Page B

wasn’t his.
    He cleared his throat. “No problem at all, Dr. Masterson.”
    With that he walked away back to his desk, keeping his mumbled curses below earshot level. Vincent eyed the man a moment longer. He could practically feel the venom the man no doubt spewed forth in his honor. He could hate him all he wanted, but it was his lab, his rules. The last thing he wanted to do was have conflict with a co-worker with so much at stake. He checked in on the ape inside the cage still struggling to breathe. Its heart rate was slow and erratic. There was no change from a few minutes ago when he examined the animal. Being more optimistic than rational thought would suggest, he was hoping the animal was stabilizing. However, he knew in his best judgment, the animal was simply dying a slower more painful death. He’d check in with the animal in another hour to see where its vitals were at. Until then, it was back to the drawing board.

 
    Chapter Two
     
    “Oh no, you don’t. You’re not going to come to my party with that same gloomy frown you had on your face all day at work yesterday,” Richard said as he handed his buddy a cold beer.
    Vincent shook himself. “Man, I’m sorry. Shit at work has been on my mind, ya know?”
    “Leave that shit at work, then. Come on, it’s a beautiful day. The grill’s hot and flaming up some great-tasting ribs—you know I put my special sauce on those bad boys, too. So there’s nothing to be frowning about, get the lead out of your ass.”
    He nudged him and then pointed to two beautiful women standing near the punch table. Sarah was five-six with shoulder-length blond hair and baby-blue eyes that seemed to brighten the room whenever she walked in. Her skin was not only the color of the sweetest cream, but it was just as smooth to the touch. Linda, the other lovely lady, was five-nine with legs for days. Her beautiful chocolate complexion shone brightly under the heated rays of the sun. Both women turned looking at their mates and giggled.
    “Ah, looks like their sharp, predatory senses picked up male eye-contact. Look, they’re coming in for the kill,” Richard joked. “Darling!” He embraced his beautiful wife, Linda.
    “Mm hmm, now I know you were over here up to no good,” Linda said, kissing her husband lovingly.
    “Naw, babe. I'm just trying to get this one here to relax and have some fun,” Richard nudged Vincent’s arm.
    “I’m relaxed enough. I can’t help it if I have things on my mind. You’re not on a ticking time bomb schedule like I am. You can afford to party hard. I can’t. I’ve got to be at the lab tomorrow morning,” Vincent reminded his friend.
    Richard took a swig of his beer and saluted Vincent with the bottle. “Fair enough.”
    “Still, let’s have some fun now before you have to leave me tomorrow morning,” Sarah said, giving Vincent a tender kiss on the cheek.
    Vincent smiled at his fiancée. “All right, I can’t disappoint you.” He clinked his bottle of beer with his friend’s and took a swig.
    Richard walked away to check on the meat searing on the grill. He flipped the slabs of ribs over and basted them with his renowned homemade barbeque sauce. Other friends who came to the party mingled with each other, some standing over the grill with Richard either admiring his culinary skills or the grill itself. Others wanted to point out the spots he missed on their desired pieces of meat.
    “I’m going to have to ask you to shut the hell up, Ryan. You’re cramping my style,” Richard joked.
    “What style? You know I love the small ends a little burnt, make it happen,” Ryan retorted.
    Richard pointed the barbeque fork at him. “Keep it up and you’ll get the bones from everyone else’s plate.”
    Everyone watching the two men engaging in their ribbing laughed at the idle threat. The music was blaring—various hits of the times along with a few oldies but goodies. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in particular had the party