A Touch of Murder

by Donna Raider

  Although she didn’t realize it at first, the longevity of the mice had only been achieved by splicing her mother’s DNA into that of the mice. As she bred the altered mice with regular mice, the longevity gene wasn’t reproduced. If she bred two mice with her mother’s altered DNA, their offspring did not have the longevity gene either.

  Her parents would never give her a sample of Mika’s DNA. They were very protective of Mika. She had only learned recently that Mika had abilities far beyond her mother’s. Like Sara, she had retractable wings. She wasn’t certain what Mika was. For that matter, she wasn’t certain what she was.

  She had inadvertently obtained a sample of Mika’s blood when Adam had accidently elbowed her in the nose during a heated basketball game. She had given Mika a handkerchief then stuck it in her pocket after Mika had stopped the bleeding.

  Ever the scientist, she couldn’t resist experimenting with Mika’s DNA. She discovered that the mice with Mika’s DNA also failed to reproduce the longevity gene. However, when she crossed mice with the gene from her mother with mice carrying Mika’s gene, they did reproduce the longevity gene.

  She quickly discovered that she and all her siblings had inherited the longevity genes from both of their parents. It didn’t take her long to figure out that the idiots of the world would want to dissect and experiment on her family, if anyone ever became aware that they were, in fact, the fountain of youth.

  She had destroyed all her research and was suddenly acutely aware of the dangers her family would face if anyone ever discovered they were a clan of immortals.

  She also realized that both partners had to have the longevity gene for it to be passed to their offspring, which meant the gene actually ended with her and her siblings. To her knowledge, her family was the only group of human immortals, which meant their only choice for mates were mortals. Her mother and Mika, she and her siblings would live forever, but their spouses and offspring would not.

  Sara had salvaged one discovery from her research. It wasn’t perfected, but she knew it could be. She also knew it might save the lives of those she loved most.

  Her phone dinged as a message from Jennifer appeared on the screen. She smiled. She liked the dedicated doctor. “It is a gorgeous day outside. Let’s play miniature golf.”

  “Love to,” Sara texted back.

  “Pick you up in thirty,” Jennifer responded.

  Sara grinned as she pulled a pair of tennis shoes from her closet.

  ##

  “Will we always be tied in everything we do?” Jennifer laughed as she totaled their golf score. “We have the exact same score.”

  “That’s not so bad.” Sara leaned her head against Jennifer’s arm. “That means neither of us dominate. We are equals. I think that is awesome.”

  “So do I.” Jennifer smiled, gently lacing her fingers through the other woman’s. “Now, I have a surprise for you.”

  They laughed and talked about their day as they drove to Jennifer’s apartment, where the doctor had dinner waiting for them. “Why don’t you open the wine while I put dinner on the table? Keep your fingers crossed the oven timer worked properly.”

  ##

  “That was delicious.” Sara carried dishes to the sink as Jennifer rinsed and loaded the dishwasher.

  They settled on the sofa with their wine. “Mika was at the hospital early this morning,” Jennifer said nonchalantly. “She is pretty amazing.”

  “Yes, she is.” Sara smiled as she thought of her youthful mother and her laughing blue eyes.

  “She is so like you,” Jennifer continued. “She was at the hospital giving last rites to an elderly man who was a hundred this year. The man died immediately after Mika finished.”

  “He had lived a good, long life.” Sara nodded.

  “Exactly what Mika said.” The doctor smiled. “Then a code blue alert went out as one of my younger patients went into cardiac arrest. Mika followed me to the patient’s room. It was a young girl, only twelve. She has had a complex congenital heart defect since birth. I had performed an operation to reroute an artery to allow for more blood flow to her heart. Her parents were frantic, crying, begging me to save their baby girl.”

  “I don’t know how you can handle being responsible for a person’s life like that.” Sara looked down at her hands. “That would be so difficult.”

  “She flatlined,” Jennifer said suddenly, keeping her eyes on Sara. “We defibrillated her. I think she died.”

  Sara’s head jerked up and she locked gazes with the doctor as she gasped, her heart hurting for the patient and the doctor. “Mika placed her hands on her and began to pray,” Jennifer continued. “Almost instantly the girl inhaled deeply and began to breathe on her own. All the machines hooked to her showed everything normal.”

  Sara laughed with relief. “That is wonderful. Mika truly believes in the power of prayer.”

  Jennifer didn’t move her gaze from Sara’s eyes. “Later, I did a cardiac MRI on her to see how much damage had been done to my surgical procedure. I wanted to make certain what I had done was still functioning as intended.”

  Jennifer stopped, as if she wasn’t certain how to explain what she was about to tell the woman she cared for so much. “I had the department run a second MRI because I was certain the first one was wrong. I don’t know; a machine malfunction, a mix-up in computer files. Both cardiac MRIs were identical.”

  “What was it?” Sara’s eyes were opened wide, anticipating bad news.

  “I-I,” Jennifer stuttered. “It was a miracle. There was no sign of the surgeries that have been performed on the girl’s heart during the past twelve years. There was no congenital heart disease. Her heart was perfect. Everything about her was perfect.”

  Sara stared at the doctor. “How?” Although she was certain she knew the answer.

  “Mika,” Jennifer said softly.

  “Yes, Mika would pray like that.” Sara beamed. “She wouldn’t ask that just the current crisis pass. She would pray that the girl be completely healed. Her faith is incredibly strong.”

  “Prayer?” Jennifer looked as if someone had just handed her a teaspoon of water to put out a forest fire. “She did all of that with prayer?”

  “Oh, no, Mika didn’t do it,” Sara said emphatically, “God did.”

  Jennifer tilted her head slightly. “One can’t argue with the power of prayer.”

  “So.” Sara pretended to pout, just to change the subject. “Is that my surprise?”

  It took all the self-control Dr. Jennifer Jordon possessed to refrain from kissing the other woman. “No.” She smiled. “I realize that your research offers disappeared when you announced that your longevity research had hit a dead end and that you were abandoning it. I have a friend who heads the World Health Organization. I have told her about you and how you destroyed your research when you fully comprehended the impact it would have on mankind. I told her you were beginning your work to research acceptable ways to gain control of the overpopulation of the Earth.”

  “You really do listen when I talk.” Sara smiled. While she found it fascinating, she often thought her research was boring to others.

  Jennifer didn’t tell her that she hung on every word she said. That she listened intently because just the sound of Sara’s voice stirred feelings deep within her. “I believe in you,” she said instead. “The WHO is looking for someone to head their Earth Sustainability Research Program. I suggested you. She wants to meet with you.”

  “Seriously?” Sara smiled slowly then burst out laughing. “That is incredible. You are incredible.” Without even thinking, she launched herself into the other woman’s arms and kissed her deeply. Jennifer allowed herself to be gently pushed backward onto the sofa as Sara melded their bodies together.

  “What happened to taking it slowly?” the surgeon asked as Sara pulled her lips away to gasp for air.

  Sara immediately sat up, moving away from Jennifer. “I am so sorry. I…”

  “No apology necessary.�
� Jennifer smiled. “I have been dying to kiss you all day.”

  “We need to be certain this is what we both want.” Sara stood. “Forever is a very long time.”

  “Forever isn’t nearly long enough to be with you.” Jennifer stood. “I will wait for as long as it takes. Let me get that WHO business card for you.”

  ##

  Leah was surprised to find Mika wasn’t home when she materialized in their bedroom. She changed into one of Mika’s Henleys, forsaking all other clothing. She knew Mika liked it when she was easily accessible. As she walked across the open area to their kitchen, she saw Mika on the balcony, watching the sailboats. Barefoot, she silently crossed the living room. She slipped her arms around Mika’s waist and pressed herself against her back. She rested her cheek between Mika’s shoulder blades.

  “I believe I will just stand here and enjoy the feeling for a few minutes,” Leah said.

  Mika leaned back against Leah, and Leah could feel the tension in Mika’s muscular body. “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I am now.” Mika turned to smile down into Leah’s mischievous brown eyes, then slowly pulled Leah into her arms and lowered her lips to Leah’s for a long, satisfying kiss. “I love your lips.”

  They stood in each other’s arms, watching the sailboats. “A lira for your thoughts,” Leah said.

  “I am just wondering why our oldest daughter wants to have dinner alone with me tonight,” Mika answered. “Can you give me any enlightenment on the matter?”

  “I think so.” Leah sighed.

  “I knew it.” Mika chuckled. “Why am I always the last to know? Whatever it is, she has already discussed it with you. Did you tell her how to handle me?”

  “I am not certain why she wants to talk with you,” Leah said slowly, “but I suspect it has to do with Dr. Jennifer Jordon.”

  “They have become good friends,” Mika said. “No, more than just friends. She exhaled as the topic of her daughter’s pending conversation dawned on her. “What did she say to you?”

  “She wanted to know about my affair with a woman and how the church viewed divorce.” Leah moved restlessly in Mika’s arms. She didn’t like recalling one of the most degrading periods of her life.

  “What did you tell her?” Mika asked.

  “I told her my experience with the woman wasn’t a good one. Not because she was a woman, but because she wasn’t a good woman. I told her gender didn’t matter to me. I would love you whether you were a man or a woman. I love you for who you are, the way you treat me. You are kind, considerate, good, and honest. With all my heart, I know you will always put the children and me first. You are a wonderful parent and wife.”

  “Maybe, just maybe,” Mika pleaded shyly, “I’m also a teensy bit of a good lover too.”

  Leah threw her head back and laughed. The sound Mika loved filled the room and her heart. “I don’t know,” she giggled, “the jury is still out on that.”

  Mika looked at her watch. “I have an hour and a half to plead my case.” Mika slid her hands under Leah’s shirt and inhaled deeply as she realized that was all Leah wore.

  “Then let the pleading begin.” Leah’s voice was low and sultry. Mika swept Leah up in her arms and strode to their bedroom.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Mika knocked on the door of her daughter’s apartment. She ran her tongue along her lips, moistening them. She smiled as she tasted her wife on her lips. “Court is only in recess,” Leah had told Mika as she lay on top of her, breathing heavily. “We will reconvene when you return from dinner.”

  “I wish you were dining with us,” Mika had suggested to her wife. “You always know just the right things to say.”

  Sara opened the door. “Come in, Mika.” She smiled. “I need to grab a light jacket and my purse. Is Vincent’s okay with you?”

  “My favorite.” Mika grinned as she held the door for her daughter. “Your mother and I always enjoy the stroll to Vincent’s.”

  “I like that too.” Sara smiled as she pushed the elevator button.

  They talked as they walked. She talked about how she was doing with her redirected research. “I have received a very good offer from the WHO to head one of their research projects.”

  “So, you have given up on your longevity research?” Mika asked.

  “I didn’t give up, Mika,” she explained. “I succeeded. As you know, I inserted DNA into my mice when I was fifteen. I isolated and copied the genetic material for which I was searching. I cloned it using molecular cloning and generated a DNA sequence.”

  Mika nodded. She was very familiar with her daughter’s research.

  “Since I had an unlimited source of the DNA I needed, from my parents and my siblings, I never went outside our family for DNA.” Sara grimaced. “When I realized that my research only succeeded because the genetic material came from my family, I destroyed all of it. I realized that if anyone ever found out where the DNA originated, you, Mom, and my siblings would become guinea pigs for all the unethical scientists of the world.”

  Mika nodded. “I knew you’d figure that out on your own.”

  “Honestly, Mika, with the overpopulation in the world, I am redirecting my research to population control. Do you know that eighty-seven million pregnancies a year are unintended? According to the World Health Organization the total number of pregnancies worldwide each year is two-hundred-eleven million. Forty-six million of those are intentionally aborted. Women shouldn’t have to make that choice.”

  “You know that the Catholic Church often butts heads with the World Health Organization,” Mika reminded her.

  “I know, Mika.” Her daughter frowned. “I also know the Catholic Church is vehemently against birth control.”

  The priest nodded.

  “Obviously you and Mom don’t practice birth control.” Sara grinned as she thought of her eleven siblings.

  “Yes, we do, Sara,” Mika informed her. “How else could we space our children five years apart? I know there are only three years between you and Rachel and Jacob, but that was your mother’s fault.” Mika chuckled as she blamed her wife for throwing off their grand plan.

  “So, you believe in birth control?” Sara asked incredulously.

  “Your mother and I do.” Mika nodded. “I am sure that you have figured out by now that the church and I don’t always see eye-to-eye. I find many of the demands the church places on its members to be harsh, unrealistic, and unsupported by the Bible. Celibacy and birth control are two such issues. To expect two people who are in love to abstain is cruel, and frankly, impossible! Abstinence is an asinine solution.”

  As they reached Vincent’s, Mika stepped ahead and opened the door for her daughter.

  “Good evening, Priest Mika.” Joe smiled. “It is always a pleasure to see you, Sara.” He half bowed to the beautiful blonde woman.

  “Thank you, Joe.” Sara nodded.

  As always, Joe placed two glasses of wine in front of the pair and two menus. “Let me know when you want to order,” he said. “Will Mrs. Cross be joining you?”

  I wish, Mika thought. She missed her wife. “No, this is a Mika-daughter dinner.” She smiled at Joe.

  Mika raised her glass in a toast to her daughter. “To your success.” She beamed. “Population containment.” Mika raised her eyebrows. “Any idea how you are going to proceed?”

  “Not yet.” Sara frowned. “I am trying to look at the problem from all sides. As you know, the WHO believes we must solve that problem before we can address others.”

  Mika nodded.

  “Condoms are not the answer.” Sara looked down at her plate. “WHO hands them out for free, and the Catholic Church runs along behind the aid workers telling the recipients that their souls will burn in hell if they use them. In some countries, the church even teaches people how to make balloon animals with the condoms.”

  Mika chuckled and her daughter broke out in laughter. “It’s true, Mika. They do.”

  “I believe you.” Mika smiled. �
��If it weren’t so ludicrous, it would be funny.”

  They sat silently as Joe refilled their glasses.

  “There is something else I want to discuss with you.” Sara looked into eyes that mirrored her own, trying to decide how to tell her priest mother she was in love with a divorced woman.

  “I don’t know where to begin with this,” Sara said with a sigh, “so if you will let me get it all out before you comment, I will appreciate it.”

  Mika sat patiently as Sara struggled for the right words. After a long silence, she sought to reassure her daughter. “Sara, I am your mother. I love you. I am very proud of you. Nothing you say to me will ever change that.”

  “I am in love with another woman,” Sara blurted out. “A divorced woman.”

  Mika caught her breath. “Who?”

  “Jennifer Jordon,” Sara answered.

  A big smile lit Mika’s lovely face. “I can think of no one I’d rather have for a daughter-in-law.”

  “Honestly?” Sara sobbed. “You are okay with me and Jennifer?”

  “I believe two people have the right to love one another and commit to one another.” Mika nodded. “I do not believe in sleeping around. I believe that marriage is a sacred commitment. I could never condone infidelity, but I’m certain Jennifer isn’t to blame for the breakup of her marriage to Carlie Carlyle.”

  “Mom said you would surprise me.” Sara smiled shyly.

  “Your mother knows me well.” Mika laughed.

  Sara had no words to make Mika understand how much she loved her. How much she meant to her.

  “I would be remiss as a parent if I didn’t offer you some counsel,” Mika continued. “Be absolutely certain Jennifer is the one with whom you want to spend your life. Ask yourself this: will she always be interesting to me? Will she always fascinate me? Will I ever grow tired of her?

  “We are immortal. That means that you will have to watch her grow old and one day lose her to old age. You will be left to wander the Earth alone, mourning your lost love.”

  “All of these thoughts have run through my mind, Mika,” Sara said. “I’m willing to face the heartbreak of eventually losing her to death, if I can share a few happy years with her.”