“So far, no further reactions from the specimen. One by one, I’m going to open other samples to see if there are any reactions.

“First, a biopsy sample of a cow from within the middle of the reported incident…

“After one minute elapsed, no reaction. Opening a soil sample taken from the same location as the previous sample…”

Juan continued opening the various evidence samples over the next twenty minutes, with no adverse reactions from the mouse.

Feeling frustrated, Juan resealed all the evidence but one. He carefully picked up a pair of blunt-tipped scissors. “Something unorthodox. I’m taking the first sample, the biopsy from the calf with the genetic anomalies, and cutting off a five-millimeter piece.”

Grabbing a set of tweezers, Juan said, “With tweezers, I’m bringing the five-millimeter sample closer to the test subject…

“The mouse has shown interest and is sniffing vigorously at what I’m holding just out of its reach.”

Juan cringed as he brought the tweezers even closer to the cage.

“The calf sample is now within reach; the specimen is touching it with his nose and—he’s taken the sample and looks to have ingested it.”

Glancing at the clock on the wall, Juan said, “It’s 7:55 p.m., and so far, no reaction.”

###

Downing a large glass of water, Frank grinned at the large breakfast Megan had prepared for him. “Three flapjacks, a sausage patty, and one of your cheese omelets. I guess you’ve realized my appetite is back. Heck, I haven’t felt better in ages.”

Megan gave him that look that told him she was either going to start yelling or crying. “Franklin O’Reilly, I don’t care how good you think you feel. You said you felt fine before all this, remember? I need you to go have yourself checked out, you hear me?”

Frank wanted to argue with her, but his resolve crumbled under her gaze. He stabbed the sausage with his fork. “Fine. For you, I’ll do it. But I still say it’d be better to let sleeping dogs lie.”

At the word “dog,” Jasper popped his head up from the sofa and gave a questioning woof.

Megan laughed. “Go back to sleep, Jasper. It’s still early.”

Frank glanced at the dog as he stretched across the sofa and shook his head. Jasper was even bigger now than when he first showed up in their lives. Practically the size of a Great Dane. He looked back at Megan as she brought her dish to the table, heaped with eggs and sausage. “You know that dog is nearly twice the size of you now.”

“Aw, he’s just a big baby.” Megan patted Frank on his shoulder. “Just like you.”

Frank chewed on a bite of the sausage, all the while worrying about the doctor’s appointment. He really did feel fine and didn’t want to learn anything different from any of those doctors.