In Death 21 - Origin in Death

traffic. "But it gets us in the door."
    "If Dallas is on the right track, the repercussions are going to be staggering. Not only the technology that's been developed underground, the explosion of the Icoves' reputation, and of this facility and all the others involved, but for God's sake, Roarke, the ethical, legal, moral dilemma of dealing with the clones themselves. Medical, legislative, political, religious wars are inevitable. Unless it can be buttoned up, covered up."
    He shifted to face her, lifted a brow. "Is that what you'd chooser'
    "I don't know. I admit, I'm torn. As a doctor, the science of it fascinates. Even bad science is seductive."
    "Often more so."
    "Yes, often more so. The debate on artificial twinning crops up from time to time, and while I'm opposed to it on a basic level, it's powerful stuff. In the end, too powerful. And too fraught. Replicating human beings in a lab, selecting traits, eliminating others. Who decides what are the parameters? What of the failures, as there must be in any sort of experimentation of procedures. And again, if she's on track, what of the temptation a man as reputable as Icove allegedly gave in to-to use those clones as commodities?"
    "And if, and when, it gets out," he added, "people will be horrified and fascinated. Is my next-door neighbor one of them? And if he is, and pisses me off, don't I have the right to destroy him? Governments will vie for the technology. And yet, should those responsible go into history untainted? There has to be payment, balances. Justice. That's what Eve will think."
    "First things first, I suppose. We're nearly there."
    "Will you know what to look for?"
    She moved her shoulders. "I guess we'll find out if I see it."
    "Would you want it?"
    She glanced over at him. "What?"
    "To re-create yourself."
    "Oh God, no. You?"
    "Not in a million. We tend to ... reinvent ourselves, don't we? We're in constant evolution, or should be. And that's more than enough. We change, we're meant to. People and circumstances, experiences change us. Better or worse."
    "My background, my blood, upbringing, early environment, all of that was supposed to-according to my family-predispose me for a certain kind of life and work." She lifted a shoulder. "I didn't choose it, and those choices and experiences I had changed me. Meeting Dallas changed me again-and it's given me the opportunity to work at Duchas. Meeting the two of you put Charles in my path, and our relationship has changed me. Opened me. Whatever our DNA, it's living and being that make us. We have to love, I think-as frothy as that sounds-we have to love to be fully alive, fully human."
    "It was death that brought me and Eve together. And as frothy as it sounds, there are times I feel as though that was when I took my first breath."
    "I think that sounds gorgeous."
    He laughed a little. "Now we have a life, a complicated one. We're hunting killers and mad science-and planning Thanksgiving dinner."
    "To which Charles and I are delighted to be invited. We're both looking forward to it."
    "It's the first we've done something this. .. familial. You'll meet my relations from Ireland."
    "Can't wait."
    "My mother was a twin," he said, half to himself.
    "Really? I didn't know that. Fraternal or identical?"
    "Identical, apparently. With all this going on, it makes you wonder a bit. How much does my aunt share with her, besides the physical traits?"
    "Family relationships are like any other. It takes time to find out. And here we are."
    She flipped out a mirror, checked her face, fluffed at her hair as the car veered to the curb.
    They were met by three suits, expressed through security, then escorted to a private elevator. Roarke gauged the lone female, thirtyish, brunette, sharp eyes, sharp suit, was in charge.
    His impression was verified when she took the reins.
    "We're pleased with your interest in the Wilfred B. Icove Center." she began. "As you know, we've suffered from a double tragedy in recent days. The memorial service for Dr. Icove will be held today, here in the chapel. Our administrative and research-and-development facilities will close today at noon, out of respect."
    "Understandable. I appreciate you fitting us in, on such short notice, and at such a difficult time."
    "I'll be available throughout your visit, to answer any questions-or find the answers to them," she added with a brilliant smile. "To assist you in any way."
    He found himself thinking what he'd predicted others would: Was she one