Mirrored Man: The Rob Tyler Chronicles Book 1 by GJ Fortier Read Free Book Online Page A

showed his
disinterest in the clubs. “Of course, I ain't sure about this. I am
new to it all, but those may be just outside the guidelines, as far
as the value of 'em. I may not be able to accept 'em.”
    As he climbed behind the wheel, Greg watched
the senator’s expression change from consternation to stoicism. So much for light conversation. “Well, I'm sure the general
will be disappointed if you don't.” It was all he could think to
say. He decided to change the subject. “I'm at your disposal for
the duration, sir. Is there anywhere you'd like to do or anything
you’d like to see while you're here? I think the air museum just
added a few new things.”
    “No, thanks. I didn't come for the grand
tour. Let's just get on to the main event.” Kitchens pulled a
folder from the portfolio.
    “Yes, sir,” Greg said mechanically, turning
onto the service road. “But they're not expecting us until 1200
hours.”
    “Just a short once over before lunch? Well,
they may have to adjust their schedule just a bit.” Kitchens
grinned at the prospect.
    Greg wasn't able to contain a smile. What
a sight this should be . Doctor Tiong, Mister Meticulous,
thrown off of his schedule in the middle of his inventory! “Yes, sir.”
    “Kevin,” Kitchens corrected.
    “Kevin,” Greg repeated, a bit more
comfortably than the first time.
    As they rode, Kitchens slid some papers and
a pair of reading glasses from the folder. Slipping the glasses on,
he read aloud, glancing occasionally at the sights as they passed.
“Major Gregory,” he began, grinning again as he studied his driver,
''Greg William Mathers, M.D. Princeton High School, class of '96.
Wright State College class of '99, where you started out studying
to be a nurse and then you transferred to Ohio State where you
entered medical school.” Pursing his lips, Kitchens asked, “How'd
that happen?”
    Greg's eyes were glued to the road as he
shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Should've expected this. “Well, I always wanted to get into medicine and Wright State has a
pretty good nursing program. Then, in the middle of my junior year
my great-uncle passed away and left the family some money. My dad
had a friend at Ohio State—”
    “And the rest, as they say, is history,”
Kitchens finished for him.
    Smirking, Greg said, “Well, it was that or a
Corvette.”
    “Medicine is a noble career field, Doctor,”
Kitchens assured him.
    Their eyes met as Greg responded. “Yeah, but
have you ever driven a Corvette?”
    Kitchens’ widening smile helped Greg to
relax a bit. “You graduated in the top five percent from Ohio State
and entered the Air Force this past fall.” A frown replaced his
smile. “Ohio has both Army and Navy ROTC programs, right?”
    Chuckling, Greg relaxed even more. “I guess
they couldn't make up their minds.”
    “So, why the Air Force?”
    “Well, I started in the Air Force rot-c
program at Wright State before I transferred. They helped pay the
bills, too. So, I figured I owed them. Besides, I didn't wanna be a
grunt or a squid-eatin’ swabbie.”
    “Squid-eatin’ swabbie?” Kitchens’ laugh
startled Greg to such a degree that he nearly drove into the
curb.
    “Yes, sir.” Greg's tone was almost
apologetic.
    Shaking his head in amusement, Kitchens
continued. “Okay, so you were assigned to Robins and Project Pine
Tree on twenty-four May, correct?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “And since then, you've done … what?”
    “Well, other than inventory—”
    “I'm sorry,” Kitchens interrupted. “It was
rhetorical.” Flipping through the pages, he added, “I see what you've been doing here. My question is, why are you doing it? You're a doctor, for cryin’ out loud. You should be off
someplace”—his right hand swept toward the window—“doctorin'
somebody. You ain't a supply sergeant. Why are your talents bein'
wasted here?”
    Greg relaxed visibly as he heard a bit of a
change in Kitchens' accent. “I have no idea, sir. All I've been
doing