Page 21 of Rattler
I had my doubts, but my options were limited.
“Which brings up the other issue.”He reached into a pocket in his vest and pulled out a zip locked bag with a stick sticking out of it.“I need a DNA sample from you.”
I frowned.“Why?”
“Shadow can match it up with Jack, so there’s no doubt about you.It will prove you are who you say you are.”
I tried to process that.“You think I’m lying?”
He shook his head.“No.It’s a formality.We take government contracts, among other things, and they need to know everyone here has been thoroughly vetted.”
I stared at the little baggie.“So how does this work?”I was picturing a swab up my private parts.Not exactly a fun idea.Maybe I could just pee on it like a pregnancy test?
“It’s a cheek swab.I just swipe the end of the stick in your cheek, drop it back into the bag so it doesn’t get anything else on it, and give it back to Shadow.”
I could feel my face go red with embarrassment.I wasn’t about to explain what I’d been thinking.“Oh.”
Rattler tilted his head.“What?”
“Nothing.Never mind.Let’s get it over with.”I opened my mouth.
Looking slightly confused, Rattler pulled the stick out and ran the soft tip around the inside of my cheek.After sealing it back in the bag, he tucked it into his pocket.“All done.”
“Do you tell me when you get the results?”I asked.
He gave me a questioning look.“If you want.It will just say you and Jack are related, and the probable relationship.”
I frowned.“Probable relationship?”
“It can say full siblings, half siblings, cousins, offspring.Depends on something called markers, which is nerd talk for a bunch of crap I don’t understand.”
I nodded.“So nothing I don’t already know.”
“Exactly.”He looked down at his lap where Scrapper was busy kneading a place with his claws.Sliding a hand under the little furball, he held him up in front of his face.Scrapper batted at his nose.
Rattler grinned.“You are quite the little scrapper, aren’t you?You need to find somewhere else to dig those claws in, though.”He placed him on the bed and turned back to me.“You also need to let Joker check you out and make sure you don’t have anything worse than bruises.He can take some pictures and start a medical file.It will document what happened to you and when, just in case your asshole of an ex claims you got all those bruises after you left him.”
“Joker’s a doctor?”
“Next best thing.He’s a medic -- military trained, so not great if you’re having a baby but top notch if we’re talking injuries.He’s board certified here as a paramedic so his files can be used as evidence if needed.”
“Okay.When am I doing that?”I was starting to think I’d need a calendar or something to keep track of all this.
Rattler shrugged.“Joker’s in-house for the next couple of days so we can see what works for him.It won’t take that long.I can stay with you for it if you’re nervous.”
“Thanks.That would be good.”I was glad he understood.
“Next issue.Where’s the gun?”
I blinked.“Why?”
“Clubhouse rules.You’re a guest here.Guests don’t have weapons on them.”
I hesitated for a second.It’s not like I wanted to keep the damn thing anyway.I’d only taken it so Tim wouldn’t have it if he came after me.I wasn’t sure I could even pull the trigger and shoot at a person if I had to.
“It’s in the bathroom under that stack of towels.”
He gave my shoulder a squeeze.“I’ll give it to Beast.That’s the twins’ dad, in case you didn’t memorize the introductions at the cupcake party.He’s Riptide’s enforcer.He’ll put it in the arms locker for safekeeping.”
