Although there was a fully stocked kitchen in his suite of rooms, Mitchell usually preferred to leave the preparation of daily meals to others. The chefs at Project Genesis were world class and didn't mind experimenting with various cuisines. As a scientist, Mitchell always appreciated any opportunity to expand his horizons.
Mitchell gave the menu a cursory glance before ordering a simple omelette. His mind was occupied by a variety of thoughts that demanded his full concentration. He wouldn't waste the experience of a new food by not giving it his full attention. The idea offended the scientist within him.
What was now holding his entire attention was the encounter of the previous night with the elementary school teacher, Dara Hickley. Mitchell found himself reviewing every detail of their interaction, trying to determine just why his wayward thoughts continued to drift her way. He could not recall ever being so unexplainably fascinated by someone.
A shadow fell over the table. Mitchell moved aside his cutlery, expecting the presentation of his omelette.
"What was your breakthrough?" Mitchell stared up into the cold blue gaze of Karen Stanton. "I am assuming you must have had some major kind of breakthrough in your research. Why else would you leave me waiting in that restaurant for you several hours?"
Mitchell swore softly beneath his breath. Until that moment he had totally forgotten he was even supposed to dine with his colleague the previous night. "Karen, I apologize!" Mitchell rose and rounded the table. He pulled out a chair for her in a gesture of both apology and invitation. "A situation came up with a couple of test subjects and I had to go and handle it." He returned to his seat. "Then I spent most of the night reassuring the Genesis Board that we hadn't been unduly compromised."
"A couple of subjects," Karen Stanton repeated. Her thin lips tightened until they were just a slash in her face. "Would those be the same ones you continue to get out of trouble with the Board?" She had been working in the lab with Mitchell several times when he'd been forced to leave to handle some situation with the two young men.
"Paul and Dylan are really good young men at heart. More importantly, they subject themselves willingly to every test we run," Mitchell reminded his colleague. "That earns them a little slack."
Karen Stanton gave a delicate snort of exasperation. "They subject themselves to the tests you want run, Mitchell. They rest of us have to get permission for our tests from you."
The biting complaint was one that Mitchell had heard from other colleagues at Genesis before. Paul and Dylan had made it plain that of all of the scientists there, only Mitchell had their complete and total faith. For him they would submit to any test at any time, without question. Everyone else would require Mitchell's approval, heard directly from the man. It was a responsibility Mitchell took very seriously.
"Karen, listen-" Mitchell paused for the waiter to place his omelette on the table. "It is nothing personal against you. Paul and Dylan have been-" Mitchell's phone interrupted his explanation. "Excuse me one moment," the scientist said. "I'm expecting a follow-up from the Board."
Dr. Stanton nodded her understanding. For the research scientists employed by Project Genesis, the Board of Directors was the most important aspect of the entire undertaking. Not the subjects or the other scientists or even the obscenely wealthy patrons who made it all possible. The Board could make or break a research study.
"Hello. Mitchell Cartwright here."
"Hello, Doctor. Dara Hickley here. I hope you don't mind the call."
"Miss Hickley! No, of course not!" A warm smile spread across Mitchell's face. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"
"I was calling," the teacher said, "just to check on you. You were on my mind. All three of you," she hastened to clarify.
"I experienced the same phenomena," Mitchell replied. "And it has me a bit puzzled and more than a little intrigued. Now, you understand that for a research scientist an unsolved puzzle is a torturous thing, don't you?"
Dara chuckled. "I can see where it might be."
"Good," Mitchell smiled. "So perhaps you wouldn't mind helping me find the solution to the puzzle that is you. "
"I don't think I'm a puzzle at all, Dr. Cartwright. But I will be happy to assist you in any way I can."
"Have dinner with me. Tonight. I will even cook for you." Mitchell willed the intriguing teacher to say yes. "We can talk about science," he teased. "Or the little stool pigeon Paul and Dylan still complain about. Just say yes."
"Yes."
"Great. Send me your address and I will pick you up."
"Since you are going to cook for us," Dara countered, "send me your address and I will drive there."
Mitchell grinned broadly. "As soon as I end this call," he assured the elementary teacher. "So, it's a date, then?"
"It's a date."
Mitch ended the call, his thoughts already on the supplies he would need for that evening's meal. He started when Karen Stanton began to gather her food and cutlery in preparation of moving to another table. While he'd been engaged in conversation with Dara Hickley, Karen had been served her standing breakfast order of a single pancake and two sliced strawberries. And once again Mitchell had completely forgotten the woman's existence.
"Because I don't want to engage in a complicated relationship does not mean I will settle for disrespect, Mitchell." Karen gazed at him dispassionately. "It is obvious your attention is elsewhere." She nodded to her colleague. "I will leave you to your...puzzle."
Mitchell felt badly about forgetting Karen Stanton for the second time, but he could not feel bad about seizing the opportunity to get to know Dara Hickley better. The woman intrigued him - on all levels. And that was a statement he'd only previously been able to make about one thing in his life - genetics.
