Mirrored Man: The Rob Tyler Chronicles Book 1 by GJ Fortier Page B

all the while never passing
up the opportunity to find new animal friends. By the time she had
reached her twenties, her interests expanded to include human
friends as well. Even the occasional male human, though
there had been nothing long-term or serious.
    At twenty-seven, she had returned to
Sanford-Brown to complete her PhD in ethology. At thirty, she had
been approached by a representative of the United States Department
of the Interior and offered an opportunity to “get the record
straight” concerning the ethical treatment of test animals in the
country's various programs. She was promised full authority to
supervise the treatment of animals used for experimentation at
McMaster. Initially she declined, thinking it too horrific to
consider. But shortly thereafter, she was inundated with requests
from PETA members who had heard of the offer urging her to accept
the position. Succumbing to the pressure of friends, she accepted
the government’s invitation and began her work with the others
involved with Project Pine Tree eighteen months ago.
    She had only minor difficulties in her
dealings with the test animal’s needs. The biggest problem was the
fact that they were in captivity at all. A situation that, she
conceded, she couldn't change. Though she had to admit, compared
with the stories she had heard, the subjects involved here were
treated extremely well, and the administrators had assured her that
upon completion of the testing the animals would be retired to live
out long and happy lives on protected reserves.
    “Don't change the subject,” Don complained.
“And that's a myth, anyway.”
    “What's a myth?”
    “About the green Gummy Bears.”
    “That's M&M's, you goob! Not Gummy
Bears.”
    “What?” Don exaggerated a frown.
    “That green M&M's make you … you
know.”
    “Make you what?” He grinned.
    Rolling her eyes, she wondered how he could
draw others into conversations that were, at best, nonsense.
“You're right, it's a myth.”
    “What's a myth?”
    June turned to face him just as a Gummy Bear
struck her on the cheek, sticking momentarily and then falling into
her lap. “What are you, twelve?” She absently tossed the candy
missile into her mouth. “But I do like the yellow ones.”
    “Yeah. Twice now. And I'm workin' on a third
time.” Don beamed his best Cheshire Cat grin.
    “Ugh! You, my friend, are incorrigible,” she
moaned, turning back to her computer.
    “I know you are, but what am I?” He lined up
another shot.
    Doctor Donald Cook leaned back in his chair.
Despite his prosthetic right leg, he had the build of an athlete.
His dark brown eyes, curly shoulder-length black locks, and olive
skin hinted at his Mediterranean ancestry. A geneticist already
involved with the project when June came on board, the thirty-five
year old was born and raised in Alpena, Michigan on the shores of
Lake Huron. The son, grandson, and great-grandson of loggers, he
graduated from Alpena High School where he was on the Wildcat
football team. A talented corner back and average student, his
athleticism got him accepted to Michigan State University. It was
there that he came alive, academically speaking. But not at
first.
    During the second semester of his freshman
year, Don had suffered the tragedy of a deadly car accident. He was
the sole survivor. As the designated driver, he had been
chauffeuring three friends back to the dorm after an evening of
drinking when a deer crossed the road, causing him to swerve and
hit a tree. He had suffered a concussion and multiple broken bones.
The most severe injury was to his right femur. Due to
complications, his leg had been amputated at mid-thigh.
    Investigators had found no evidence that a
deer had been involved. The authorities questioned his story for
several months. There had even been talk of a trial, but no charges
were ever filed. His football career was over, and he was suffering
from survivor’s guilt. He retreated from family and friends, and
had