The Gender Experiment: (A Thriller) by L.J. Sellers Page B

us.”
    Jake looked over his shoulder. The headlights were a block and half behind them. “Probably not.”
    “Maybe after we warn Seth, I should just run,” Taylor suggested. “I have an online friend in Oregon who would probably take me in for a while.”
    Jake felt a chill. If the military was behind the experiment and the killings, Taylor might not be safe anywhere. Now that he knew, he might not be either. “Let’s see what we can find out, then we’ll call the FBI. We can keep you in the background until you feel comfortable talking to them.”
    Taylor was quiet for a minute. “Perfect. Thank you.”
    He gave her directions to his friend’s house, then texted him to make sure he was home. Ryan was happy to hear Jake could buy back his phone, and he couldn’t wait to get it. Giving up his connection to the internet had been like losing an arm. The worst part of being homeless.
    “Why does he have your phone?” Taylor asked.
    “I needed some cash, and Ryan loaned it to me. But kept the phone as collateral.”
    “It must have been a lot of cash or he’s not much of a friend.”
    Jake laughed. “A little of both. I haven’t been in Denver very long.”
    “Where are you from?” Taylor pulled into the turning lane.
    “Illinois. After college, I applied for jobs everywhere and got lucky in landing the Denver Post. What about you?”
    “I grew up in Colorado Springs because my mother was stationed at Fort Carson. I’m currently enrolled in UC.”
    “Why the morgue?”
    “I like forensics, and dead people are easier to be around than most living people.” Taylor let out her first small laugh. “That makes me sound weird, and I am. You’ve probably guessed that I’m gender-fluid. So I’ve been a shy freak my whole life. College is easier than high school because gender issues are finally becoming more open.”
    “I hope this isn’t inappropriate, but I’m curious. Are you attracted to men or women?”
    “Both, but I keep to myself.”
    What a unique person.
Taylor was quiet after that. They made a quick stop to get his phone, and Jake took a moment to make an anonymous call to the police about Zion. Then they got on the freeway and headed south. After a long silent stretch, Jake brought up the investigation, and they discussed it for while, then Taylor went quiet again.
    An hour later, they exited on Nevada Avenue and soon pulled into the Rocky Ridge Motel, an old, flat-roofed building with only a few cars out front. “Carson Obstetrics is only five minutes away,” Taylor said as she turned off the car.
    Jake had been worried about how they would handle the sleeping situation, but he hadn’t wanted to bring it up and spook her before they got here. “I think we should get one room and stay together for safety and economy.” He met her eyes. “You can trust me.”
    “I know. You wouldn’t be in my car otherwise.” She opened her door. “We’ll work out the sleeping arrangement.”
    Perfect.
She wasn’t going to be weird about crashing together. He climbed out too, and they walked toward the neon office sign at the end of the building. “I have some cash,” he said, “but maybe we should save it.” He didn’t want to use Zion’s card unless it was an emergency. The police might start watching the murdered man’s bank for activity.
    “I’ll put it on my credit card, then we’ll settle up.” Taylor paused. “I mean when this is over and we part company.”
    Jake touched her arm. “I hope we’ll stay friends.”
    “Sure. Why not?” She didn’t look at him.
    He liked her and hoped she would warm up. As an extrovert, he sometimes got frustrated with shy, quiet types, but he’d learned to be patient. Growing up, his mother had hardly talked to him, but he’d spent every weekend with his father, a talkative fun-loving extrovert, so his childhood had been unusual, but balanced. He and his dad weren’t talking now, but Jake hoped that would change.
    He stopped in front of the