“Susan Little was the link between Melanie Simpson and Jane Lees,” said Neef, exasperation in his voice. “They both visited her.”
“But there is no actual evidence to show that Susan Little died of lung cancer at all,” said Klein.
“Farro-Jones had the pathologist, Miller cover it up,” said Neef.
“The pathologist in question being unfortunately dead,” said Klein acidly. “And I must remind you that no virus has yet been found to be responsible for the deaths. We still feel that the most likely event was the escape of some unidentified infectious agent from the premises of Menogen Research. We are prepared to accept that this was in no way due to negligence on the part of the staff at Menogen, and that it was a one off occurrence that no one could have foreseen. That is why we are prepared not to prosecute in return for your cooperation.”
Neef could hardly believe that Klein was being so obtuse.
“No deal,” said Pereira quietly.
It had much more effect than if he had said it angrily. Neef had the distinct impression that Pereira had been holding something back. A number of men moved uncomfortably in their seats. Klein seemed more discomfited than most. “I’m sorry you feel that way,” he said. “But you leave me no alternative...”
“You know, don’t you?” interrupted Pereira. He was looking at Waters who had remained silent throughout.
The down-turn to Waters’ lips quivered slightly. “I don’t know what you mean,” he said.
“Yes you do,” said Pereira. “You’re a virologist like I am, a good one too otherwise you wouldn’t be at the Porton fun factory.”
“I really must ask you to come to the point, Doctor Pereira,” said Klein.
Neef could see that he was rattled. He felt himself relax as he realised Pereira must be holding some kind of ace up his sleeve.
Pereira said to Waters. “You saw the virology reports just as I did. You took Charlie Morse’s body away for investigation. What you didn’t know is that I had a sample from Douglas Cooper’s lungs to work on.”
Waters and Klein looked at each other. This was clearly unwelcome news to them. Klein swallowed. “What are you suggesting?” he asked, as if he feared the answer.
Pereira said, “The routine virology reports on the dead patients showed the presence of Rhino virus, Adeno virus and para-Adeno virus, all viruses that you might expect to appear in any virology report on a patient with pneumonia but the para-Adeno virus caught my attention. I analysed it as best I could in the time available. It wasn’t an ordinary example of para-Adeno virus at all. It was obviously one that had been modified for use as a Gene Therapy vector. The technicians who were looking for a new virus wouldn’t have realised this at the time. I think Farro-Jones created a virus vector, based on para-Adeno virus, that would carry the CF gene into the host cells of cystic fibrosis patients and integrate it into their chromosomes but it’s my guess that wasn’t good enough for him. He wanted to go one step better and give the vector a specific target site on the DNA. Unfortunately it seems the target he came up with happened to be a proto oncogene. When the virus integrated it caused the cell to become cancerous. Somewhere along the line he had the double misfortune of the disabled virus becoming active again. In short, he created a virus that turned lung cancer into an infectious disease.”
“So that’s why some people were immune to it,” said Neef. “If it was based on an ordinary virus like Adeno virus, lots of us would have antibodies to it.”
“Depending on when you last had a cold or flu,” said Pereira.
“But some of us wouldn’t,” said Neef.
“Presumably why our friend from Porton Down is interested in it,” said Pereira, “and why these guys are now doing their best to pretend it doesn’t exist.”
Klein interrupted. “If what you say is true, Dr Pereira we really must insist that you hand over your isolate of this virus immediately.”
“Menogen Research does not use para-Adeno virus as a vector. It never has,” said Pereira flatly. He said it as a challenge.
Klein cleared his throat and said, “I think we can accept in the light of this... revelation that Menogen Research were in no way to blame for this unfortunate outbreak.”
Pereira kept staring at Klein.
“And that we were perhaps precipitate in revoking their license...”
Pereira stared on. “It’s cost us a bundle.”
“And that perhaps financial compensation for their losses might be in order.”
“Good,” said Pereira quietly. “We’ve started talking to each other. Now, would you really like me to hand over this virus that you’ve already got down at Porton or will I just chuck it in the sterilizer?”
“We would like the virus,” replied Klein, refusing to admit anything to Pereira. “Some of these gentlemen will accompany you when you leave here.”
“Just as you like,” said Pereira, enjoying his moment. “And our license?”
“Will be restored in the morning.”
“Along with a press release clearing us of all blame?”
“Yes,” said Klein as if he’d said the word without opening his mouth. “There will be no other kind of press release,” added Klein coldly.
The tone of Klein’s voice told Neef that he would rather not know about the threat behind it. Pereira had pushed his luck as far as it would go. He looked at Pereira who was about to rise to the bait and interrupted first. “I’m sure that Dr Pereira and I would be the last people on earth to wish to cause unnecessary fear and alarm to the general public. You can be assured of our complete silence.”
“Good,” said Klein. “Public peace of mind is so important.”
Outside the room, Pereira lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply.
“You did well in there,” said Neef. They were talking together while two police officers waited to accompany Pereira to the lab where he had propagated the virus.
“I had to,” replied Pereira. “Didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did,” admitted Neef thoughtfully. “When I first met you I thought you were filled with a totally unnecessary cynicism. It appears I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
Pereira smiled. “When I first met you, I thought there was no such thing as a genuinely dedicated doctor who always put his patients first. I was wrong. I’m sorry too.”
The two men shook hands and Neef watched as Pereira left with the policemen.
Neef yawned and made his way back to his unit where he found Lawrence Fielding catching up on some paperwork at his desk. The unit was on night lights. Fielding was working in a pool of light from his desk lamp.
“Hello,” said Neef wearily, “How are things?”
“You look like you’ve been in the wars,” said Fielding, seeing the mark on Neef’s head where the ashtray had hit him earlier.
“You could say,” agreed Neef. “More than that I cannot say.”
Fielding nodded his understanding. “I gathered something’s been going on. Can I assume that the cancer scare has now been resolved?”
“You can,” said Neef.
“Well, that’s the main thing I suppose.”
Neef nodded and asked, “How’s Neil?”
“Good,” replied Fielding. “We’ll have to include the Fire Brigade in our list of recognised therapies. Their visit did him the world of good. He’s found a new grip on life.”
“Good. How are the four we restored to the trial? Any ill effects?”
“They seem OK for the moment. They should certainly make it through to the gancyclovir treatment.”
Neef nodded his satisfaction. “Any other news?”
“John Martin is doing really well on Antivulon. I think we could up his dose.”
“Excellent. I think we might have lost him by now on conventional treatment.”
“All in all things are looking pretty good at the moment,” said Fielding.