A fellow scientist named Tom, perhaps. He could be a bit of a joker but also very brilliant. He and Abby might have a friendly rivalry, constantly trying to outdo each other in their experiments, but also respecting each other's skills. And then there could be the lab technician, Lisa. She is the one who keeps all the equipment in working order. Without her, Abby's experiments would be constantly interrupted by faulty machinery. She's a bit quiet but very reliable.
Maybe it's a dare. His friends could have dared him to wear Tony's clothes for a day and he reluctantly agrees. And as he wears them, he realizes there's more to Tony's style than he thought.
I'm not sure specifically which 'top stories' Charles McGee has as the name is quite common. It could be related to journalism, where he might have covered major events, or it could be in the context of fictional writing. Without more context, it's difficult to determine.
The number of Travis McGee novels is 21. These novels have gained a significant following over the years for their engaging plots and compelling characters.