Project Renovatio Read Online Free Page B

squinted at Scott for another moment. “How do you know all that?”
    Scott held solid eye contact with Levin. “I’m not here to answer all of your questions, but to perhaps point you in the right direction. You recall what the article described?”
    “Yeah, it was about genetic engineering in produce. So?”
    “At the end, it described the possibility of altering DNA in humans. What did you think of that?”
    “I don’t know much about genetics. Rana’s studied the topic, and she said it’s ridiculous. I believe her.”
    Scott shook his head. “We’ve made greater strides in genetic manipulation than anyone knows about.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean? And who is this ‘we’ you keep referring to?” Levin rubbed his forehead and scanned the restaurant for the waitress. Maybe it wasn’t too late to order another coffee.
    Scott leaned into the table and clasped his hands in front of him. “My father lives in Greece. I haven’t met him. Scientists chose him as a genetic donor for a government operation called Project Renovatio.”
    Levin held up a hand. “Project what-a-who-vio?”
    Scott laughed. “Renovatio. That’s Latin for ‘renewal.’ Anyway, the scientists modified the genetic structure of his and my mother’s cells to enhance characteristics in their child that would increase the chance of survival in an . . . unstable environment. One subject to severe effects of climate change or cataclysmic war.” He stopped, as if waiting for a response.
    “Okay, I’ll bite. What characteristics?”
    “Increased intelligence, high physical endurance, and stronger immunity, for example.”
    Levin stared at Scott. “You’re telling me you’re a genetically modified human?”
    “Basically, yes. I and those like me would rebuild society and start to renew the human population, if necessary.”
    “Okay.” Levin looked towards his sisters and shook his head. What a waste of time.
    “I can tell you’re dismissing my claim. That’s fine. But I encourage you to continue looking into the matter yourself. In fact, you should speak to your mother.”
    “My mother? What makes you think she knows anything?”
    “Don’t you remember the letter I mailed to you? About the secret family? That wasn’t just a lure to get you here.”
    “All right, I’m done.” Levin put his palms on the table and lifted himself from the booth. He stood, facing Scott. “Thanks for the dinner. I hope you don’t mind if I spend the rest of the evening with my sisters. I appreciate your time and your . . . information.”
    “Of course not. I hope you enjoy your time here.” He stood and shook Levin’s hand. “You won’t hear from us again for the rest of your trip.”
    “Good.”
    Levin started approaching his sisters, paused, and turned back. “Who is Patrice Jevon Root?”
    Scott grinned. “You should ask Dayla that question.”
    Levin scrunched his eyebrows and walked to his sisters’ table. He sat next to Rana and looked at Scott’s booth–Scott had left his table and stopped a waitress, apparently to pay for their meals, before he exited the restaurant. At least the guy stuck to his word.
    “So? What did he say?” Rana asked.
    “He’s a whack job.” Levin told his sisters what Scott said about Project Renovatio, his Greek father, and the modified genes.
    Dayla piped in. “Project Renovatio? How do you spell that?”
    Levin spelled it, and she used a crayon to write it on her kids’ menu. She drew arrows from the letters and wrote them in different orders.
    As they finished eating, the waitress approached their table and pointed to the front door. “Was that guy your twin?”
    Levin shook his head.
    “You guys should get an act going in Vegas.” She chuckled and held a card displaying a scrawled phone number out to him. “He asked me to give you this. I wondered why you didn’t have your twin’s number.” She laughed again as she walked to another table.
    Rana sipped her soda and leaned towards