“Do exactly as you’re told at all times,” Harris said. “Biotechnology carries more risk than many other scientific fields.”
“Uh-huh.”
Harris growled his displeasure and Kaden gulped.
“Yes.” Kaden stood straighter. “Sorry. I know it’s serious stuff.”
“Do you even know what biotechnology is?”
Yes, because he’d looked it up after he’d met Harris in a club. “Makingproducts from the extraction or manipulation of living organisms.”
“What’s a microbe?”
“Amicroorganism too small to be seen with the naked eye.”
“Are microbes good or bad?” Harris snapped out another question.
Bloody hell.“Some microbes make us sick, some are essential for a healthy life.”
“Types?”
“Bacteria, algae, viruses, protozoa and fungi.”
“Right.”
Kaden wanted to protest at the unexpected quiz, but when Harris was in this sort of mood it was better to play along. Not that he’d do anything to him here.
“The dangers posed by microbes are vast,” Harris said. “Give me examples.”
We’re still going?“Ebola. Covid-19.”
“And why are they difficult to treat?”
“Because they’re viral diseases where microbes hide inside cells and it’s tricky for antibodies to reach them.”
“At least you’ve listened when I’ve been talking.”
Not always.
“In this building, we handle engineered cells. Their capacity to divide and spread has far-reaching consequences. Do. Not. Touch. Anything. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes.” Kaden opened his mouth to add a snarky comment and changed his mind.
There was a sharp rap at the door and a red-haired guy in a lab coat came in. He was maybe in his late thirties. Harris was thirty-seven, sometimes going on sixty-seven. Kaden was twenty-five.
“Dr Harris, you’re needed upstairs. Another issue with the coolant.”
“Right. Max, look after Kaden. I’ve told him not to touch anything. Show him around until I get back.”
“No problem.” Max smiled until Harris had gone, then glared. “I’ve got more important things to do than babysit you.”
Arsehole.Kaden had done or said nothing to deserve that comment. But maybe Max didn’t like Harris. He clapped his hands to his cheeks. “Oh no, who’s going to wipe my backside when I go to the toilet?”
Max snorted, but that won Kaden a smile.
“Get on with whatever you need to and I’ll just sit and wait for Harris.” Or go wandering on his own.
“No way. Come with me.” Max walked out and Kaden reluctantly followed.
