“But you won’t be there for the actual demonstration?”

“No one will be in the room with you when you take the Meld. No one but you and the doctor administering the drug. As usual, anyone else in the room would risk contaminating the connection. Even the film crew will be working remotely for that portion, and I will be watching from a monitor in another location along with the other spectators. You can be assured I will be paying attention.”

Jeremiah considered trying to get a message across to the doctor under the Meld. Something silent and telepathic. He’d never been able to exert any control when he took the drug with Natalie, though, so he didn’t hold out much hope. Still, he thought, it might be his only chance.

As he spoke, Scott’s left hand began to shake, just the slightest tremor that anyone else might have mistaken for simple fidgeting. Jeremiah knew better.

“There’s no need to be so nervous,” Jeremiah said, allowing his gaze to linger on Scott’s hand briefly before meeting his eyes.

Scott immediately tucked both his hands into the pockets of his suit jacket, his arms stiffening perceptibly in an effort to quell the spasm. It was a gesture no one else might have noticed. Jeremiah noticed.

Chapter 27

Day 148

Jeremiah was still half-asleep and dressed in his underwear making coffee the next morning when he was startled by Brent coming through the front door without knocking.

“What the hell, Brent? Why are you here so early?”

“Good morning to you, too,” Brent called. He laid his laptop on the couch and came into the kitchen, stopping short as soon as he caught sight of Jeremiah. “Whoa,” he said, “you look exactly like him without the beard and the hair. That’s amazing.”

“Well, not really, Brent. He’s my clone, after all.”

“How’s the tooth?”

“Still gone, thanks.” Jeremiah rubbed his jaw. It ached a little, but the swelling seemed to have gone down considerably. “So why are you here at this indecent hour? Did Mel throw you out or something?”

“We’re supposed to monitor the clone for the whole day today,” Brent told him. “It goes on at nine, which gives us just enough time for breakfast.”

“The whole day? What the hell for?”

“Scott wants you to see as much of his day as possible in case there’s anything you’ll need to know once you take his place tonight. You’re to pay meticulous attention—his words, not mine. It’s pretty exciting, don’t you think?”

“I’m all a-tingle,” Jeremiah said.

“I thought you’d be glad to get a chance to go back home for a while.”

“I’m not going home, Brent. I’m going to the office. I’m literally going up twelve floors in an elevator. And I’ve been duly cautioned not to speak to anyone. I don’t see why I have to watch him all day. I won’t be interacting much.”

“I don’t know,” Brent said. “What if he spills mustard on his tie at lunch or something? You’d have to know that, right?”