BLOOD DRAGON by Freddie Peters (books to get back into reading .TXT) 📕

“One amongst others.” Jethro waved his hand, dismissingly.

There were only two companies other than Viro-Tech to specialise in virology in the top 10 companies that were worth visiting. Jethro knew that was the case, so why play games?

“How many are there?” Jack muffled a yawn. The red eye flight from the US was starting to catch up with him.

“Not sure … it’s not the main thrust of the research … most of them are focusing on cancer cures or gene therapy.”

“Is there a list available?” Jack rolled his shoulders slowly and straightened his back to get rid of the heaviness that had crept into his muscles.

“Nothing exhaustive … I’ll get you what I have.”

Jack would ask Laurie, his CIA research analyst, for information too. It was early afternoon in London and very early morning in Langley. She would already be at the office though, and would as always be discreet about her research.

“Happy to help. I’ll report if I find something of interest. It’ll be fun to get to know London again.”

Jethro nodded and took his mobile out of his back pocket.

“There is a number I need to give you. I’m sure you won’t need it, but if you ever get stuck, you know … visiting the wrong pub in the wrong part of town while you’re getting to know London again.”

Jethro read out the number. Jack entered it on his phone. “Totally unnecessary, of course.”

* * *

She looked a mess. She was in pain. Nancy was no longer sure she wanted Pole to see her in such a state of disarray. At least not at the office.

The young police officer who had helped her was now trying to contact him. He was already through to the switchboard, no doubt the phone in Pole’s office was already ringing.

“Excuse me. Perhaps it’s not a good idea to disturb Inspector Pole after all.”

The young man frowned. Had she asked him to disturb a DCI for nothing?

“We were supposed to have a meeting. I am advising Scotland Yard on a case … I didn’t realise I look so …” Nancy cast her eyes over the torn trousers and soiled coat. “… unpresentable.”

The female colleague driving the car gave Nancy an understanding look. She was glad she had a little support in an area that to a man might sound somewhat vain.

“Shall we drive you back to your home, Ma’am?” the young woman suggested. Her colleague grunted an okay. She turned the car around with an expert U-turn, sirens blaring again.

The young woman driving the police car offered to wait for her, but Nancy declined. She thanked the two officers and disappeared into the apartment building. The security guard gave her a bright smile that turned into concern.

“Not to worry, Mandla, I tripped badly on the pavement. I have been seen by paramedics though.”

“You let me know if there’s anything I can do, Ms Wu.”

“I will.” The lift had arrived. She walked in and ascended to the top floor.

Back in her flat she threw her coat on the floor, dumping her broken satchel next to it. She climbed up the stairs to her bedroom, clinging to the banister with a wince.

“If you think you’re going to scare me little man … think twice.”

She moved to the bathroom to discard the rest of her clothes, slipped into a comfortable dress and went down again to her study.

She moved aside the now growing file on her father, to pick up the Ollie Wilson folder that looked slim in comparison.

Nancy sat down at her computer, logged on and pondered.

What was it in her satchel that was considered so interesting it needed to be taken from her? The persistence of the assailant made her discard the idea it had been a straightforward mugging for money.

She had barely made any real progress with her father’s case until very recently. She wondered now whether the Ollie Wilson story was becoming entwined with her own. She needed to form a view before speaking to Pole. Although delaying meant that the assailant had more time to disappear. She drummed her fingers on the wood of the desk.

No … and the bike had probably not been captured on CCTV cameras. Whoever it was who attacked her had planned the assault well in advance. They would have chosen the optimal place to attack and escape with minimal traceability.

She pulled open the top drawer of the desk and took out yet another yellow pad.

Time to do some proper thinking.

From the Ollie Wilson file she retrieved her notes from a couple of days ago.

Ollie’s career unfolded on the paper in front of her. His early education, a PhD from Harvard Medical School in bioinformatics. A first job at Viro-Tech Therapeutics as a Senior Researcher.

Nancy googled the name of the company. It had been founded in 2008 just before the financial crisis, but it was still standing and doing very well by all accounts.

She browsed the website, an excellent presentation, easy to navigate with plenty of good quality pictures of people either doing research in labs or board members and management meeting in a smart boardroom. It was a mature company, even if small.

She moved to the page listing the pipeline of drugs being developed.

Impressive.

Three of the drugs were doing extremely well, two of which had already reached phases one and two. The drugs had proved effictive on non-human subjects, and were entering patient trials to determine the optimal dosage and to assess their efficacy and side-effects.

The third drug was still in the discovery phase, with a single headline … genetic target. Nancy switched to another screen. She moved to the Companies House website and requested the latest audited accounts. The company was privately held with an injection of venture capital.

Nancy smiled. There was plenty of scope for one of the participants with capital in Viro-Tech to make certain demands and to be linked to foreign fund investments. She picked up her mobile