The Gruinard Project Chapter 17

[khandy]

Lots of spying

Chapter 17

Welchem Pharmaceutical Company Leeds.

Lucas brought the car to a halt in front of the security barrier at the entrance to Welchem Pharmaceutical Ltd. At the touch of the button the window slid open, as a uniformed security guard approached.

“Good morning Sir, have you an appointment?”

“No, my name is Dr Robert Clayton and this Dr Sarah Hampshire we’re inspectors from The Department Of Health here to carry out a spot check Good Laboratory Practice Inspection.” Lucas handed over identification and authorisation.

“One moment Sir while I inform the chief executive of your arrival.”

The man disappeared into the booth alongside the barrier to make the call. Lucas and Kate took the time to look at the building in front of them. It was on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Leeds. One of those glass and metal units that seemed to be springing up everywhere, on the outskirts of every town and city in the United Kingdom. Judging by the size of the car park and the number of cars in it Welchem Pharmaceutical was doing quite well. Flags fluttered in the breeze outside the main entrance and the catchy slogan under the main name plate “Welchem Your Health Safe In Our Hands” stood out in deep blue letters on a silver background.

“Dr Clayton that all seems in order, if you would like to report to the main reception somebody will take you to the laboratories.”

Lucas thanked him and pulled into the car park.

“Impressive looking place,” he commented.

“Yeah but it should be, the pharmaceutical industry is a big money spinner. They have annual profits of 30 million and that is small change in this industry,” Kate told him.

They found a space in a quiet part of the car park to the side of the main entrance.

“You happy with everything Ms Hampshire?” Lucas asked.

“That’s Dr Hampshire and yes I am, are you Dr Clayton?” she replied her voice quiet but firm.

He nodded and smiled so long as she remembered their aliases everything would be Ok.

They had spent two hours Sunday afternoon holed up in his parents summer house going over how they would play this morning’s inspection. Kate’s experience meant that Lucas was going to have to let her take the lead in the inspection, this went totally against his training but he had little choice. They had studied the company’s prospectus particularly in relation to its work in virology. Kate had told him she hoped she would know if something was amiss. This whole operation was a long shot but at present they had little else to go on.

Lucas watched as she took a deep breath steadying her nerves he guessed. He stroked her cheek and leaned across to kiss her softly.

“You’ll be fine,” he told her.

They walked the short distance across the car park to the main entrance. The reception area was as expansive as it was impressive, the décor sleek, modern, minimal and expensive; the importance of first impressions was obviously not lost within the company. An efficient receptionist provided them with visitors passes and as they were finishing signing in, a man in his early forties approached them.

“Dr Darren Simpson, I’m the laboratory manager at Welchem. If you would like to follow me I will show you up to the labs.”

“Thank you, I’m Dr Hampshire and this is Dr Clayton.” Kate held out her hand. Dr Simpson shook hands with her and Lucas before leading them across the reception area. A glass fronted lift took them up the three floors to the research and development floor where the labs were located.

Dr Simpson’s office was close to the lift and he took them there first. His secretary had provided tea and coffee and he settled the inspectors with a drink and company prospectus before they began to discuss Welchem’s work.

“I understand that one of the most important research programmes that the company are involved in, is antibiotic therapy,” Kate commented.

“Yes Dr Hampshire, a lot of companies have pulled out of looking for new classifications of antibiotics. After all in the last forty years there have been only two new classifications of antibiotics discovered, hardly profitable.”

“So why is this company heavily involved in something that is not profitable?” Lucas asked.

“Less competition, and we are not looking for a new antibiotic as such. We are looking at ways to stop bacteria communicating with each other and so stop them attacking the host. It is the key to finding a solution to the bacterial resistant strains we are seeing. Think how much money would come our way if we can find a cure to MRSA and that as you know is just one of many antibiotic resistant bacteria. The Department of Health would not be complaining, how much do hospital acquired infections cost the NHS every year?”

“One billion pounds a year and rising,” Kate said. “So a lot of your research involves modifying bacteria so that they are unable to communicate. What about the use of viruses to kill off bacteria, are you looking at that as well?”

“Yes we are looking at ways to introduce a virus that would kill the bacteria without harming the host.”

“So you are modifying both bacteria and viruses here in your labs,” Lucas commented. “Your last inspection results were excellent, it is good that the company takes lab safety so seriously.”

“Well when dealing with the kind of natural born killers we are, we would be stupid not to. So I am sure that this inspection will be as satisfactory. I have lab coats for you and certain areas will require you to fully suit up in personal protective clothing.”

“Well let’s get started shall we?” Kate suggested.

The morning flew by, the labs were extensive and obviously well run. Kate could see little that would give The Department of Health any cause for concern with regards good practice. She carried out the inspection thoroughly moving among the employees with practised ease, including Lucas so it looked like they were a team. This was her environment, she was comfortable and confident. Records were accurately maintained, storage of everything met with the COSHE guidelines. Nothing she could see would require reporting to RIDDOR or CBERN, yet something niggled at Kate but she just could not put her finger on what it was.

The final area they visited was the class four area and this required full protective clothing. Lucas and Kate went into the male and female changing areas to get suited up. Lucas looked around, lockers ran the length of the wall, a quick scan of the names yielded nothing. If Dr Ross ever had a locker it had been emptied and renamed, no trace of him seemed to remain.

Kate had to smile when Lucas came out of the changing area even in protective clothing complete with a gas mask and goggles he looked fit. The single colour of the suit emphasised his height and the goggles drew attention to those piercing blue eyes as they were all of his face that were visible.

They passed through the air lock into the laboratory and spent time checking everything was up to standard. Kate would have been staggered if it had not been. She moved to the last fridge where the frozen samples were stored. All were correctly stored and labelled. She paused looking at the samples and labels. Why were so many samples labelled in the same way?

“Dr Simpson what are these samples and why are there so many of them?” she asked.

“They are Rhinovirus, it is part of an on going research programme involving the common cold.”

“Finding a cure for the common cold is surely not profitable to your industry?” Lucas commented.


“We are not looking for a cure, we are seeing if this virus would attack a specific bacteria.”

“Oh right, interesting,” Lucas said. “Makes you wish you were back in the research field instead of working as a government inspector doesn’t it Sarah?” he glanced at Kate.

“Yeah it does especially in facilities as impressive as these,” she agreed.

“If that is all then we can leave through the air lock again and you will need to shower before leaving the changing rooms,” Dr Simpson told them.

They passed through the air lock and shed the protective suits before entering their respective shower areas. Dr Simpson stepped into one of the cubicles and Lucas heard the shower start up. Taking a deep breath he stripped off his underwear and went into another cubicle. His skin became clammy and his heart was beating erratically. He had to do this. He switched on the shower but avoided its spray. An image of himself strapped to a table appeared, he forced it aside and brought an image of Kate into his mind. Focusing on it completely he stepped beneath the spray being careful not to allow water on his face. The cubical came with antibacterial soap and he scrubbed himself clean. He finished up quickly, knowing that he would not be able to hold the image of Kate for long, and stepped out of the shower before he lost control.

Kate noticed Lucas’ pallor the moment he came out of the changing room and she was sure Dr Simpson did as well.

“Migraine?” she asked. Deliberately giving a plausible reason for Lucas’ deathly colour.

“Yeah a killer one,” Lucas answered, grateful for her speedy intervention.

“We best make a move, Dr Simpson thank you for your assistance today. You will receive a formal copy of the inspection but I can tell you it was fine you have nothing to worry about.”

Kate waited until they were back at the car before she spoke.

“Another vision?” she asked sympathetically.

“No not really, it was the shower. Now is not the time, I will explain later. I need some food, I use a lot of energy controlling memories that are painful, my sugars will be low.” He lent against the car.

“Give me the keys I’ll drive,” Kate told him.

Lucas got in the car and closed his eyes. The next thing he knew Kate was whispering his name and shaking him gently. The pub she had stopped at was quiet only a couple of other people were at the bar. They ordered food and sat down.

“Did anything strike you as suspicious at the lab Kate?” Lucas asked when the food had been served and they were alone.

“Those samples stored in the level four fridges. There is no way they are Rhinovirus, they would not be stored in that lab and the quantity is all wrong. Whatever is in them is more dangerous than the common cold, why store them there otherwise?” Kate had asked herself that question several times since leaving the lab

“Is it plausible to use the common cold virus to kill off other bacteria?” Lucas asked

“Certainly research is being done into the use of viruses against certain bacteria. However I have not heard of Rhinovirus being used. I would need to do an internet search. Something else is niggling me about the records but I cannot put my finger on it.”

“Don’t push it I am sure it will come to you. All the male employees working in the level four lab have a locker in the changing room. There was none with Dr Ross’ name on, so either he didn’t work in that lab or they emptied his locker and reallocated it quickly. It’s like he never existed,” Lucas told her.

Kate lowered her fork.

“I could kiss you. That’s it. There was no trace of him anywhere and there should have been.”

“Maybe they are too upset about his death or maybe he wasn’t liked so they cleared his office and locker quickly so people were not reminded of him.”

“I guess that could be true but what about the lab records, stock orders, maintenance checks? As a senior virologist he would have had to sign his name to those records. It was nowhere on them, that was what was bugging me about the records his name was not on them and it should have been.”

“You think he suspected something was going on and it got him killed?” Lucas asked.

“Well something is very suspicious about why he has been wiped of the earth,” Kate said.

Lucas thought for a moment.

“What would you do if you suspect something like a serious biohazard?” he asked.

“I would take my findings to somebody with clout at The Health Protection agency,” Kate said.

“So you would make copies of your findings?”

“Well I would have to have evidence wouldn’t I? You can‘t just make allegations.”

“So where are his copies? Have they been destroyed? It’s a long shot again but suppose he took them away from the lab and suppose they have not been found. Where would he hide them? We need to visit his wife but first the police.” Lucas told Kate.

The Home of the Late Dr Matthew Ross.

The house was the type Lucas had expected. A modern detached executive home; four bedrooms with an ensuite the essential requirements, built on an estate full of similar houses. The type that young successful people aspire to own close to transport links and good schools. The front garden was low maintenance and therefore tidy.

The woman who answered the door was obviously still stunned and numb with grief, she was thirty according to her profile but seemed much older. Her face was drawn and her eyes bloodshot from crying. She was tall but seemed shrunken as if standing straight was too painful.

Lucas introduced himself as Inspector Wellard and Kate as Sergeant Holly they both showed her ID.

“Why do you need to talk me again is there any news on the person who did this.” Louisa asked.

Lucas led her to the sofa and sat her down.

“It is possible that this is just simply a tragic Road Traffic Accident, however as part of our investigation we have uncovered some information and we believe your husband may have discovered something within his work that put him in danger and that is what we are investigating.”

“What might he have discovered?”

“I can’t discuss that without compromising the investigation. I’m sorry.” Lucas held the young widows hand. “Did your husband bring his work home at all use a PC here to do work?”

“Sometimes but the lab took his PC after his death,” she said quietly.

“Did he have an office here?” Kate asked.

Louisa nodded.

“Would you like to see it?”

“Yes please.”

The office was at the back of the house. A large antique mahogany desk dwarfed the room.

“The man from the lab collected everything to do with work.”

“It’s a beautiful desk, is it a family heirloom?” Lucas asked.

“It belonged to his father. It is far too big for the room really.”

“May I look inside it?”

Louisa nodded.

Lucas worked his way through the drawers methodically but found nothing. Kate sighed this had been nothing more than a wild goose chase.

“My father has a desk like this,” Lucas said. “It has hidden surprises, you just have to know how to reveal them.” He pulled out the small centre drawer and ran his hand along the back of the draw space. He found what he was looking for in seconds, a small catch sprang open revealing a small hidden compartment inside. Lucas slid his hand in and withdrew a memory stick, which had been hidden in the secret compartment. “Bingo I think,” Lucas said with a smile.

“What is that?” Louisa said.

“I hope it’s information about what he discovered at the lab.”

They returned to the living room and Lucas retrieved his laptop from the car and plugged the memory stick in. Kate studied the data for a second or two.

“It is some sort of research programme I will need time to study it but we may have won the jackpot,” she told Lucas.

Lucas turned to Louisa Ross.

“I need to have you moved to safe custody . You should pack a bag for a couple of weeks.”

“Safe custody you think somebody killed Matthew?…”

“Mrs Ross I have not been entirely honest with you. I don’t work for CID I am an officer with MI5. The material on that memory stick could well be a threat to national security and yes I think it cost your husband his life. I’m sorry but it is not safe for you here.”

She broke down then collapsing against Lucas as her tears overwhelmed her. He let her cry for a little while but then gently moved her away and repeated his request that she pack. Realising that he was serious she went upstairs.

Lucas picked up his phone.

“Ros? We need a safe house for Mrs Ross, we have found something that could be important but Kate needs time to analyse the information. We will head back to the grid once we know Mrs Ross is safe Ok?”

They were on the way back to London by early evening. Kate was no longer surprised how fast MI5 worked to contain things. She also had not been surprised at the sensitivity Lucas had shown the scientist’s widow. He really was quite a man.

The car came to a halt at a set of traffic lights. Lucas glanced across at her.

“You look tired Kate, why not try and catch some sleep on the way home?” he suggested.

“Oh and you are not tired?”

“Sure I am a little but this was your first MI5 op and so you must be more tired than me,” he smiled. “ You were like a real pro today, I have seen agents with years of experience not be as good as you were.”

Kate blushed.

“Come on no false modesty,” he chided as he placed a soft kiss on her lips.

“Is this how you reward all junior case officers Mr North?” Kate asked.

“I have never kissed another officer purely for pleasure Dr Masters.”

“Glad to hear it Mr North.”

[HellsBells]

This story is moving on really well. A lot of accurate scientific details, well done!