CONNECTIONS: A Romantic Suspense (DESIGNER CHILDREN Book 2), page 1
CONNECTIONS
DESIGNER CHILDREN
BOOK TWO
NAN DIXON
DEDICATION
Thank you to all the early readers and reviewers of my books. I so appreciate your willingness to read my books!
And always - for my family!
PRAISE FOR NAN DIXON
DISCOVERY
Wow! I am going to have a hard time finding another book as good as this one! I would have to say this was the best book I have read so far this year! If you like reading books that draw you in and don’t let you go until it is finished with you then this book is for you!
HOW WE STARTED (novella)
Nan has given us characters that we can care about., with a story that pulls you in and never let's go.
EDGE OF FRIENDSHIP
A solid 5 star read (really more than that if I could!!!) … I was completely enchanted with this story. It had wonderful highs, while dropping into a dark and agony filled lows. I would find myself reading and re-reading many scenes as they were such so good that I was savoring each word. I was desperate to see how it would end but at the same time dreading for it to be over.
MAID FOR SUCCESS
Loved it. Thrilled to see this is a start of of a new series. I am eager to see what happens next in the family. The story flowed and kept me turning pages.
DANCE WITH ME
DANCE WITH ME by Nan Dixon is a heartfelt, emotional and well-written story that truly fits the description in the book—a journey of healing, hope and love.
STAINED GLASS HEARTS
STAINED GLASS HEARTS by Nan Dixon is simply absolutely incredible. It’s one everyone MUST READ.
INVEST IN ME
I fell in love from the beginning and didn’t want it to end. It has an excellent and spellbinding wonderful plot and in-depth characters.
SOUTHERN COMFORTS
…is a book about learning how to give and receive without any strings attached. It’s about caring and trust and loyalty; and relying on those you love to help make your dreams come true. RT TIMES - Page Turner
THE OTHER TWIN
Nan Dixon will become a favorite author. Part of series but can read as a stand alone. Fun story that’s hard to put down. “One more page...just another chapter…” until soon you’ve reached the end.
A complicated story that reflects the many threads of real life that so often includes knots of problems in addition to the gradual unraveling of past hurts when placed in the light of love and real caring. A story I couldn’t put down.
UNDERCOVER WITH THE HEIRESS
So much more than a romance novel.
This was definitely a book I was not able to put down! I took the tablet with me everywhere! Fabulous Brunette Reviews
THROUGH A MAGNOLIA FILTER
…a heartwarming story that showcased the importance of family, following your dreams, and true love. I thoroughly enjoyed this tender heartwarming story. LAS Reviewer
A SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS WISH
FRESH PICK
…is a book that has you frolicking in gardens, battling storms and falling in love…A book of warmth and love. It will leave you smiling.
TO CATCH A THIEF
Not your everyday Contemporary genre, a little suspense, a little love and definitely entertaining… Our Town Book Reviews
A SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS WEDDING (novella)
Another winner. Love this series
COPYRIGHT
eBook ISBN 979-8-9861407-7-3
Print ISBN 979-8-9861407-8-0
Copyright © 2023 by Nan Dixon. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
CONNECTIONS is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, brands, media and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or have been used factiously and should not be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via Internet of other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Grinning Frog Press - May 2023
Editor: Judy Roth. Cover Design:
Covers by Dana Lamothe of Designs by Dana
Cover Copyrights - Copyrights - Cover photos ©Opolja Adobe Stock, DNA ©David Carillon Adobe Stock
CONTENTS
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Do you have a moment?
Also by Nan Dixon
Acknowledgments
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Did you read DISCOVERY Book 1 in Designer Children?
About the Author
PROLOGUE
Mendel Campus and Research Center
Iowa
Simon Prime longed to shed his responsibilities. They’d become more burden than joy.
He stared out his office window to the rolling green lawns of campus. On the left, kids filled the play yard, enjoying their morning break. They wore light blue shirts and dark blue shorts. In the way of youth, they ran, jumped and bounced balls. He sighed, wishing he could join them. Hear their laughter.
There was a flash of golden hair on a child on a swing. Jacob. Simon shouldn’t have favorites, but the bright ten-year-old had been his from birth. Even then, the kid’s crooked smile had tugged at his heart.
When Simon was created, this campus hadn’t existed. The Mendel Foundation only had the Boston location. He hadn’t played on grass or even a swing set. Sure, his modification wave exercised, rigid exercises to further their development, but nothing like this bucolic boarding school setting.
Years ago he’d planted the seed with his boss, Mark Dell, that kids needed more.
Dell had been his boss. He was dead.
Simon took a deep, calming breath. Everything he’d known, his purpose, might all be compromised. He drummed his fingers on the windowsill. What would happen if anyone made the connection between Mark and the Mendel Foundation?
The Foundation didn’t have plans in the event they were discovered. Simon and Dell had never discussed the possibility.
His boss had been meticulous about secrecy. So secretive, Simon didn’t know who Mark Dell had reported to, but there’d definitely been hierarchy above him. The money they generated through scientific developments went somewhere.
He’d get one of the computer modification operatives to follow the money trail beyond the Bahamian accounts.
With Dell gone, Simon needed contingency plans. If the world discovered Mendel was genetically modifying children and placing them in key roles to influence world events, everything would blow up.
Simon’s intercom buzzed. He headed to the desk and pushed the button. “Yes?”
“A Director Lawrence is here,” Marie said.
“Who?”
“She says she’s with the Foundation.”
Marie may look like their receptionist, but she was also a security expert and Mendel’s first line of site defense.
And his lover.
Simon took in a quiet breath. He’d hoped they would be left alone a little longer. “Thank you, Marie. Bring her up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Simon closed the files on his computer.
Dell had never revealed names. Simon wouldn’t share anything with this Director Lawrence until he knew what the director wanted.
Simon opened the door as Marie escorted a woman out of the elevator. The older woman wore a black pantsuit. A leather briefcase was slung over her shoulder. Her posture, straight and rigid, screamed military. She moved like Dell had moved, quiet, but with purpose.
Her brown eyes lasered in on him.
“Director Lawrence.” He held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Is it?” the director asked as she shook hands.
“Yes.” Simon knew his face wouldn’t show any emotions. That was how he wanted it.
Mark had despised the lack of emotions on Simon’s face. He’d let his boss believe it was a result of the genetic modifications that had been made to him. What Mark hadn’t known about his modifications had given Simon a small sense of power over his destiny.
His boss had never guessed Simon hated that his life had been plotted for him.
“Simon Prime?” Lawrence stopped in front of him.
“Yes,” he said.
“I’m Director Lawrence.” She pulled out a Mendel ID.
Even though he knew Marie would have already verified the ID, Simon used his tablet to scan it. The light turned green indicating its authenticity.
“Please come in.” Simon stepped aside.
Lawrence moved to the cente
A large black desk anchored the office. The only objects on the desk were a computer with three blank screens and an empty inbox. A small guest table sat in front of the windows where he had watched the children, and a sofa faced a wall holding a flat screen.
It had been Dell’s office, but Simon had always used it when his boss wasn’t around.
With Dell dead, he worked here.
Possession and all that.
No plaques, honors or photos adorned the space. It was the way Dell had preferred all his offices. And each office in Boston, DC, LA and the one under construction in London, all looked exactly the same.
It was as if Dell had cloned his offices. Simon almost smiled at the idea.
Marie hovered in the hall with a tray of beverages and healthy snacks. He nodded and she set the tray on the table and left.
“Would you like water or fruit juice?” he asked.
“Coffee. I’ve heard you’re all health nuts.”
“We follow our nutritionists’ recommendations.” Everything in his life had been regimented, designed, planned. He poured coffee from a carafe. “Cream or sugar?”
“Black.” She took the mug from him.
He chose a bottle of water. “How can I help you, ma’am?”
Her head snapped around, her short cap of white hair moving softly. “You can tell me what in hell happened in Houston.”
He held out a hand, indicating the desk guest chair.
As he moved to his chair, he organized his thoughts. As young Jacob would say, it was Simon’s superpower. His modifications were logic and analytical thinking.
“Get on with it,” she muttered.
“Six weeks ago Mark was informed that in violation of the contract between Mendel Foundation and The Legacy Group, Dr. Ashland, the developer of the DNA editing protocols, did not use anonymous donors for the egg and sperm in the initial experiment. We believe she used her own zygotes created with her husband.”
Director Lawrence gritted her teeth. “Go on.”
“Two of the initial children are now living in Houston. Normally that would not be a problem. But these circumstances are not normal. One of the children is the district attorney in Houston, Harris Torrington. The other, Ashe Bristol, is the new quarterback for the Houston Texans.” When the director frowned, he added, “The Texans are a professional football team.”
Lawrence swore.
“Our contact in The Legacy Group let Mark know he suspected Dr. Ashland was heading to Houston. Possibly to warn the men. Mark sent one of our security modification lines to intercept Dr. Ashland.” He refused to tell the director he didn’t know who Mark’s Legacy contact was.
“That was the last briefing I received,” Director Lawrence said. “What happened?”
“Our operative picked up Dr. Elaina Ashland at the airport as planned. But when he and Dr. Ashland were in a car accident, the operative died. Dr. Ashland was hospitalized. She was in a coma.”
“Is she still unconscious?”
“Unknown. We imbedded Dr. Lassiter, one of the medical mods, to check on her and eliminate the threat. Unfortunately he was caught by Dr. Ashland’s daughter, Dr. Piper Ashland, and had to escape.”
“Where is our operative now?”
“Here. Working in our labs.”
“Where was he assigned?”
“Johns Hopkins.”
“Such a waste.” Lawrence drained her coffee. “Can we get him back into the Baltimore area?”
“Not impossible. But he would need plastic surgery. And we’d have to … recreate his credentials.”
She went over and topped off her coffee then rested against the table. “Wasn’t he slotted to eventually be on staff at Walter Reed?”
“Yes.” Simon opened his tablet and checked the medical mod assignments. “We have two other possible doctor candidates, but they are a year or two out.”
“Time. Something we don’t have.” Lawrence strode back to the guest chair and sat. “What happened to Dr. Ashland?”
“We no longer have eyes on her,” Simon said. “We do not know if she has regained consciousness. We had operatives following the two main subjects, Bristol and Torrington. Before Dell died, our people searched Dr. Miller’s lab but did not find any information on our subjects.”
“Who is Dr. Miller?” Lawrence shoved her hair behind her ear in a jerky movement.
“Dr. Sunee Miller is an MD Anderson researcher. She’s a pediatric oncologist and geneticist. We know Bristol and Miller met in college and are friends.”
Lawrence groaned. “Why was Dell in Houston?”
“He chose to personally supervise the mission. Deeming Dr. Miller as the most accessible, he searched her apartment but didn’t find anything related to Torrington and Bristol. He,” Simon struggled for the correct wording, “Dell, detained her, but Torrington interrupted and Mark had to flee. He was not successful in discovering whether the subjects know how closely related they are. Or if there was any way the DNA editing had been discovered.”
“So why is Dell dead?” She threw up her hands.
“While still focused on Dr. Miller, Mark placed a tracker on her car. After Bristol, Torrington, Miller and a reporter named Kat Phillips met at Dr. Ashland’s daughter’s hotel, Dell assumed they were putting the pieces together. That was the last update I had from him.”
“A reporter. Why didn’t I know this?”
Simon shook his head. He had no idea what Mark had relayed to his superiors.
Lawrence waved her hand.
“I never spoke to Mark again. Based on the media reports we think Dell tried to stop Dr. Miller’s car. Guns were fired. We believe either Torrington or Dr. Miller shot Mark, but the reports are vague. We know Torrington was hit and admitted to the hospital. He had surgery.”
“Did Torrington survive?”
“Yes.”
“Damn it.” Lawrence erupted out of the chair and paced. “This is ridiculous. We’re closing in on success. We can’t let … these men expose the work we’ve done or interrupt how we’ll save our country and the world.”
For the good of the country. For the good of the world. He’d heard those phrases all his life.
“What can I do?” Simon asked.
“Can Dell be traced to Mendel?”
“If Mark followed the protocols he established, no. None of his identifications are linked to Mendel.”
“Good.” She walked back to her chair and clutched the back. “Are our operatives still in Houston?”
“I’ve called them back, but they can return,” Simon said.
“Excellent. You now report to me. Here’s what needs to happen.”
CHAPTER ONE
Houston
Ashe Bristol paced the room. The walls were closing in on him. He wanted out of the hotel he’d been living in for too many weeks. He wanted his personal gym and his own space.
That wouldn’t happen for at least a week. The closing date on the home he’d purchased kept changing. At least his trade from the Ravens to the Texans allowed him enough time to take care of moving before training camp.
Of course he could have taken his dad up on his offer to stay at his house.
Unfortunately, Coach, his dad, ate, slept and breathed football.
Ashe hadn’t wanted the constant pressure. He wanted, no needed more in his life.
It was probably insane to buy a home. He didn’t know what he’d be doing a year from now. He didn’t know if his body would hold up for an entire season.
He wanted one more year out of his knee. Just one. Maybe two if he was lucky. Then he could retire.
