Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula
Read Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula Online
Authors: Elise Stokes
Elise Stokes
Book One
Name, characters, places, and incidences portrayed in this book are fictitious. Similarities to a real person, alive or deceased, locales, establishments, or events are coincidental and not intended by the author.
Copyright 2008 by Elise Stokes
Library Of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in print or electronic form without permission from the publisher. For information address: JACE Publishing LLC, 15600 NE 8th St., Suite B1, 287, Bellevue, Washington 98008
Edited by William Greenleaf, Greenleaf Literary Services
Cover by Kelly Carter, Mad Spider Studio
ISBN 978-0-615-37713-1
Printed in the United States of America
For Julia, Audrey, Catherine, and Ethan
Contents
Serena Phillips was in the midst of recording her discoveries of the day when the door to her laboratory swung open.
Not even a knock,
she thought to herself, ignoring the intruder while continuing to write. The data she noted was more crucial than anything this person could possibly want. These discoveries could lead to her atonement for past work, work meant to destroy life.
Serena was only inches away from a breakthrough, inches away from changing the world.
The intruder cleared his throat. “
Aw-hem!
Not real hospitable, are ya, Professor?”
Serena looked up at the intruder and started.
In the doorway stood the most ridiculous man she had ever seen. No more than five feet tall, he wore a blue and red checkered suit, a turquoise shirt with a neon-green tie cinched at the collar, and polished red leather dress shoes.
Who would create such a thing?
she wondered, staring in awe at the shoes. Her gaze then traveled to the man’s companion, who now stepped into view. Her breath caught at the sight of the imposing figure outfitted in black leather. Icy fear crept into her stomach as she observed his stony expression and empty eyes.
The silent companion stepped out of the room and robotically pulled the door shut. Through the frosted glass, she saw him station himself beside the door, motionless as a statue.
Serena slowly rose to her feet, her gaze riveted on the little man as he strolled through her lab, hands behind his back, looking around appreciatively as if taking in the sights of Paris.
“Your reputation precedes you, Professor,” said the little man, swatting like a playful kitten at a pair of trousers Serena had hung to dry on the clothesline extending across the room. “A little
cuckoo,
wouldn’t you say?” he added, whirling a stubby finger at his temple as he continued to move around restlessly.
Serena found her voice. “Who are you?”
With his back to her, the man stood before the coffeepot, tipping it towards him. Peering into the glass pot, he snorted a laugh. “Don’t tell me you drink this stuff! I’d think a
brilliant
geneticist such as yourself would have higher standards.” He shoved the pot back in place and then stepped left to the beakers simmering on a set of Bunsen burners.
“Get away from those,” Serena demanded, hearing panic in her voice.
The little man heard it, too.
Leaning over the steam rising from the beakers, he inhaled deeply, closed his eyes, and smiled to himself. “Mmmm. Tantalizing. Animal DNA with a little touch of—”