Chromosome 6 by Robin Cook

his imagination was working overtime. It was possible, but short of visiting Isla Francesca there was no way of knowing for sure. And on top of that was this new worry that people were feeling resentful towards him. Braking at the exit of the parking area, Kevin glanced up and down the road in front of the animal complex. He waited for a large truck to rumble by. As he was about to pull out, his eye caught the sight of a man standing motionlessly in the window of the Moroccan headquarters. Kevin couldn't see him well because of the sunlight reflecting off the glass, but he could tell it was one of the mustached guards. He could also tell the man was watching him intently. Kevin shivered without exactly knowing why. The ride back to the hospital was uneventful and quick, but the seemingly impenetrable walls of dark green vegetation gave Kevin an uncomfortable claustrophobic feeling. Kevin's response was to press down on the accelerator. He was relieved to reach the edge of town. Kevin parked in his spot. He opened his door, but hesitated. It was close to noon, and he debated heading home for lunch or going up to his lab for an hour or so. The lab won out. Esmeralda never expected him before one.
Just with the short walk from the car to the hospital, Kevin could appreciate the intensity of the noontime sun. It was like an oppressive blanket that made all movement more difficult, even breathing. Until he'd come to Africa, he'd never experienced true tropical heat. Once inside, enveloped with cool, air-conditioned air, Kevin grasped the edge of his collar and pulled his shirt away from his back. He started up the stairs, but he didn't get far. "Dr. Marshall!" a voice called.
Kevin looked behind him. He wasn't accustomed to being accosted in the stairwell.

"Shame on you, Dr. Marshall," a woman said, standing at the base of the stairs. Her voice had a lilting
quality that suggested she was being less than serious. She was clad in surgical scrubs and a white coat. The sleeves of the coat were rolled up to her mid-forearms. "Excuse me?" Kevin said. The woman looked familiar, but he couldn't place her. "You haven't been to see the patient," the woman said. "With other cases you came each day." "Well, that's true," Kevin said self-consciously. He'd finally recognized the woman. It was the nurse, Candace Brickmann. She was part of the surgical team that flew in with the patient. This was her fourth trip to Cogo. Kevin had met her briefly on all three previous visits. "You've hurt Mr. Winchester's feelings," Candace said, wagging her finger at Kevin. She was a vivacious gamine in her late twenties. With fine, light-blond hair done up in a French twist. Kevin couldn't remember a time he'd seen her that she wasn't smiling. "I didn't think he'd notice," Kevin stammered. Candace threw back her head and laughed. Then she covered her mouth with her hand to suppress further giggles when she saw Kevin's confused expression. "I'm only teasing," she said. "I'm not even sure Mr. Winchester remembers meeting you on that hectic day of arrival."
"Well, I meant to come and see how he was doing," Kevin said. "I've just been too busy." "Too busy in this place in the middle of nowhere?" Candace asked. "Well, I guess it's more that I've been preoccupied," Kevin admitted. "A lot has been happening." "Like what?" Candace asked, suppressing a smile. She liked this shy, unassuming researcher. Kevin made some fumbling gestures with his hands while his face flushed. "All sorts of things," he said finally.
"You academic types crack me up," Candace said. "But, teasing aside, I'm happy to report that Mr. Winchester is doing just fine, and I understand from the surgeon that's largely thanks to you." "I wouldn't go that far," Kevin said.
"Oh, modest, too!" Candace commented. "Smart, cute, and humble. That's a killing combination." Kevin stuttered but no words came out.
"Would it be out of bounds for me to invite you to join me for lunch?" Candace said. "I thought I'd