The Genesis Code Read Online Free PDF Page A

approaching geneticist.
    Grace’s annoyance swelled into anger.
    “You’re blocking my way,” she said in a stern voice. Other members of the group took notice of the exchange and watched with anticipation.
    The young woman held her ground. And although there was ample room for Grace to walk around the female protester, she refused to alter her course, walking directly toward her verbal assailant.
    “We’re here to protect the unborn, those who can’t protect themselves!” shouted the woman.
    “How nice for you. Now step out of my way,” she said, continuing on a collision course with the protester.
    The confrontation had begun to draw the attention of people passing on the sidewalk, some of whom stopped to watch the encounter. One of the protesters, an older man in a white oxford shirt and blue jeans, handed his sign to a teen standing nearby and attempted to intervene.
    “Jennifer, this is a peaceful demonstration,” he said.
    The young woman was undeterred. Emboldened by the gathering crowd, she held her sign high above her head and stuck her chin out defiantly.
    “People like you have no respect for the value of human life!” she cried.
    Grace stopped dead in her tracks. The two women were separated by only a few feet. Grace’s eyes narrowed and her hands clenched into small fists.
    When she finally spoke, her voice was low and razor-sharp.
    “People like me? Listen to me, you ignorant girl,” she said, anger blazing in her eyes. “I lost a child to a genetic disease. She died before she was born. Have you ever lost a child?”
    The moral indignation drained from Jennifer’s face. She slowly shook her head.
    “I thought not. Stem cell research may find a cure for the disease that took my daughter,” said Grace. “Not that you have any idea what stem cell research really means. And I don’t even do that type of work. Not that you have any comprehension of what geneticists actually do.”
    Jennifer opened her mouth.
    “Don’t you dare say another word to me,” said Grace.
    The woman visibly wilted under Grace’s onslaught. The crowd of protesters and onlookers were silent.
    “Now step out of my way before I knock you to the ground.”
    Jennifer lowered her sign and moved to the side.
    Without uttering another word, Grace walked defiantly through the small crowd of protesters toward the entrance to the Millennium Tower.
     
    Down the block, Flavia Veloso turned to the cameraman standing beside her.
    “Please tell me you got that…”

Seven
    34th Floor, Millennium Tower
Manhattan, New York
    Madison’s office at Triad Genomics was one hundred and ninety-four paces from the security station in the thirty-fourth-floor lobby. He unconsciously counted them off in his head as he walked through the tangle of sterile hallways and plain doors toward his assigned environs.
    As he neared his office, the Triad Genomics security system detected the RFID tag embedded in the ID card clipped to Madison’s shirt pocket, confirmed his identity, and courteously unlocked the office door. The computer system also increased the ambient lighting and temperature in Madison’s office to suit his personal preferences, and began piping in soft classical music through hidden speakers.
    Madison tossed his battered leather shoulder bag onto the credenza. As he sat down at his desk, Triad Genomics’ computer system unlocked his workstation and opened a secure socket to the central server. Then, as if on cue, his phone rang.
    “Christian Madison,” he answered.
    “Hi, Christian, it’s Kate.”
    Madison felt like he had been kicked in the stomach.
    “Kate,” he said, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice. “It’s been a while.”
    “Christian, I just wanted to see if you were okay. I mean, today has been really hard for me, and I know it must be hard on you too.”
    “Did my mother call you?”
    Silence.
    “Umm, yeah. She did. Don’t be upset with her. She’s just worried about you.”
    “So this phone