Project Terminal: Devil's Virus Read Online Free PDF

looked over to Reed who remained wide awake, but of course he would. He could go four days without sleep and still function, thanks to his genetic engineering.
    When he’d taken her hand the unexpected touch had been nearly as thrilling as the makeout session back at the laboratory. Her skin still tingled, as did her pussy. But just as quickly he’d broken the contact.
    Max forced her thoughts to what was important. At least they’d managed to take the equipment she needed. She hoped it didn’t get damaged as they took the jostling back roads. With enough caffeine she could work sixteen hour days, and she’d push her physical limits until she found the reason for Laura’s immunity. Then she’d put an end to the ravages of R1LN.
    “I know a place we can stop,” Reed said, breaking into her thoughts. “It’s owned by my first stepfather. It’s an older vacation home, but isn’t used this time of year. Not much chance your sister or anyone else would think to look there. My mother was only married to him for six months when I was eight.”
    Max hadn’t even realized his parents had been divorced. How sad that she’d been involved with him and hadn’t bothered to find out more about his childhood. Not that he’d been forthcoming with personal information outside of medical and military history. Nothing else had mattered in the project.
    She stifled a yawn. “Okay, that’s fine with me.”
    An hour later they pulled down a long driveway. Her mouth fell open when she caught sight of the home. It appeared to be more a plantation house than a vacation place. Two stories, with a ground level porch running the length of the front and tall pillars supporting a second deck on the top floor. Painted white with black shutters, it had overgrown juniper bushes growing near the foundation, making it look a bit wild. Brown, dead grasses tangled with new green growth in the lawn. The place looked as if it hadn’t been used in a while.
    “Mike is a real estate investor,” Reed said in way of explanation. “Honestly, I don’t think he remembers owning this place. He has homes scattered all over the country, or at least he did when I was a kid.”
    “It’s beautiful,” Max said, feeling starstruck. “I’ve never been in a house this big. How many rooms does it have?”
    “Eighteen, I think.” He gave her a quick smile. “Didn’t realize you’d be the type to fall for a fancy home. I figured if it didn’t come equipped with a science facility you wouldn’t be interested.”
    His teasing tone drew out her smile. “Outside of science I have a love of architecture. I see all the mathematical angles in the construction.”
    He shook his head. “I always hated math.”
    “You scored high in your tests.”
    “Doesn’t mean I enjoy it. Believe it or not I was in the choir in my father’s church. I liked music.”
    “You? Music?” she sputtered.
    “Dad wouldn’t have allowed me to join theater, but I always wanted to try out for a musical.” He winked and she couldn’t be sure if he was serious. “So I focused on sports, academics, and a future in the Marines.”
    He pulled behind the house to hide the Jeep. They unloaded the equipment and other supplies Reed had brought. Basic staples of food, water, lanterns, and a couple of sleeping bags, along with her own overnight bag.
    “There’s no electricity,” he said, noting her examination of the battery operated lamps. “Judging by the looks of things, the lights haven’t been on in a while.”
    Max shrugged. “We don’t need anything elaborate, but I’ll require some sort of generator to operate the lab.”
    “There’s one out back. It makes a lot of racket, but I doubt anyone can hear it out here, and we’ll only have it on when you need it.”
    He picked the backdoor lock and they walked inside. The home smelled of dust and disuse, but it was fully furnished with sheets draped over the furniture scattered throughout the first floor. A huge crystal