The Premise

by Andy Crossfield

  "My team has a different approach to bringing the HIV to heel," she said, clicking her next slide onto the screen. "It may seem like a radical approach, but I want to give HIV to all at-risk populations!" The audience immediate reacted with surprise and low murmurings.

  "We have succeeded in creating a modified HIV molecule, or 'MHIV', and have modeled it into a 'hunter-gatherer' virus so to speak.

  "As we all know, HIV invades the body’s defense cells and takes them over. It then converts these hijacked cells that formerly constituted our own immune system into factories that generate millions of HIV replications. These replications then travel through the body corrupting other defensive cells and the process repeats until the immune system is overwhelmed.

  "Our 'MHIV' serum is essentially inert in the body in its modified form, and is 'tasked' with the sole function of searching out actual HIV infections. If it finds one, it binds to it in such a way that causes the combined molecule to attract a calcium ion. In the process, the newly combined virus then loses its ability to camouflage itself from the body’s defenses, and is destroyed as any other invading virus would be.

  "The role of calcium is critical in preventing the infectious HIV from mutating or corrupting the defensive cell, which, as we know, has been such a challenge for researchers to overcome in the past. By turning the virus against itself, and by attaching the equivalent of a calcium 'Kick Me' sign to it, we hope to stop HIV in its tracks!"

  Colleen paused for a moment to absorb the adulation of the audience and take a sip of water before continuing. "Using calcium has another benefit as well. To check a patient’s progress, comparing results of calcium levels in the blood with those from a test done pretreatment will, in most instances, indicate whether the individual has contracted HIV, long before conventional HIV tests could detect any presence of the disease. And since many of the infected patients lead non-conventional lives, that is, they seldom seek medical attention, they are told to watch for the typical signs of low calcium levels like muscle cramps or twitching. Should these symptoms occur, the patient is instructed to come in and have a check-up.

  "The MHIV can stay active in the body for months, and we are now in trials on a version that can offer extended protection from AIDS of up to two years or longer.

  "However, I would caution you that this research is still in the early testing phases in humans, and so far we have only tested HIV positive patients. But results look promising, and if current trial data goes as expected, the concept seems sound enough to branch out to other immuno-suppressed volunteers in the near future. The obvious step after that is introduction of the serum into non-HIV infected subjects.

  "Are there any questions?"

  "Yes," said Jack under his breath… "How do I get to know you better?"

  A question from a woman seated right next to Jack almost blew his cover, but the lights were still dimmed and Colleen was looking directly into the projector beam. The woman’s question was answered and Colleen had moved on to the next question by the time the lights came up.

  Jack slipped out once people across the room started asking questions. He walked to the concierge and made sure Tom’s breakfast had arrived, then asked the desk clerk for a piece of stationary and an envelope.

  He scribbled something out and folded the letter, put it in the envelope, and sealed it.

  "Hi, would you be sure Dr. Colleen Baker gets this?" Jack asked the concierge.

  "Sure, no problem. Anything else?"

  "Yes, can you help me make reservations for dinner at your finest restaurant?" Jack asked as he handed him his card and a $50 bill.

  "Yes, Dr. Colder. It’s a busy night but I’m sure they can accommodate you."

  "Great, Make it for two people tonight at 8 pm."

  "Got it sir, anything else?"

  "Nope, you’ve been a big help!"

  Jack thought he should go check on Tom, and found him right where he left him: in the auditorium control room.

  "How’s tricks, Tom?"

  "Well, I located most of what we need, and hired the crew for the seat install, but I’m still trying to track down the vitals recorder. If we need to, we can bring it in from Denver… we should be okay I guess."

  "Great! We good for the equipment run through tomorrow?"

  "We should be," Tom said, looking more relaxed than earlier this morning.

  "Okay, I’ve got some calls to make." Jack added. "Get some rest Tom, we put in a double yesterday remember?"

  Tom yelled something about that not being unusual as Jack was leaving.

  Jack went to his room to check in with the office and get them working on the data from the Denver upload. He had been in his room about an hour, when the door suddenly exploded with the sound of someone trying to beat it down. Jack interrupted his conversation with his San Diego office. "Hold on a moment Carl, someone’s at the door."

  He looked through the peephole and saw a violet eye looking back at him. Jack opened the door to the irate woman ready to pounce on him and tear his head from his body.

  "Dr. Baker?" Jack said in his most innocent voice. "What seems to be the matter?"

  "What’s this?" she demanded, shoving the letter and envelope in his face.

  "Dr. Baker, please come in, I’m on the phone, but please come in."

  Colleen fumed for a moment outside the door and then stormed in as the door started to swing closed.

  "Okay Carl, I’m back… now where were we?" Jack said while motioning for Colleen to help herself to the minibar.

  "Well, no… he may have to ship in a recorder from Denver if he can't find one here. We’ve got the crew to install the pick ups, and we’ll do the run-through tomorrow morning."

  Colleen stamped around the room trying to stay mad. She opened the minibar, looking for the most expensive item, but settled on the bottled water.

  "He did?" Jack said with relief. "Always thinking, that Tom! That’s great, I’ll get back to you when I get more info. Oh, by the way, how are the book sales going?

  "Fantastic! I’m working on the draft for my next one now… should be another best-seller!"

  "Okay Carl, you too. Bye now."

  Jack glanced over at Colleen and saw her fuming. He hesitated hanging up the phone.

  "I’m sorry Dr. Baker, this has been a most unusual morning, wouldn’t you agree?"

  Colleen needed a moment to get her head of steam back. The conversation she overheard had her wondering what the rest of Dr. Colder’s morning had been like.

  Then she felt the paper in her hand again and the outrage returned.

  "So, just what is the meaning of this?" she said holding the paper up again.

  "Oh, sorry I didn’t have my own forms, I had to make do with hotel stationary, I’m afraid."

  "No," she said, "what is this?"

  "Why, its an invoice, of course."

  "Yes, I can see it’s an invoice, AN INVOICE FOR WHAT?" Colleen demanded.

  "Well, for saving your life this morning, Colleen."

  Shaking with rage, she could barely speak. "Are you kidding me? You’re actually charging me for saving my life? $1,500?"

  "Unless you feel your life isn’t worth fifteen hundred." Jack purred. "I rather think it’s a bargain!"

  Jack kept cool, entranced as he watched violet turn to coal black.

  Colleen spoke slowly and deliberately, trying to control the anger she felt. Her body shook as she spoke, as if she were holding back a mighty torrent of rage from consuming its target.

  "Is...this…some kind of …game?" she sputtered.

  Jack responded slowly and with a polish that only a practiced manipulator could.

  "Yes…it is a game. Do you care to play?"

  The words "Are you kidding me?" were already out of Colleen’s mouth before she had a chance to process what he had said. She stopped, completely stunned at his sudden honesty.

  "Wait, …I’m confused.," she said. "This is a game? What kind of a sick basta…"

 
; "Colleen," Jack said in a low soothing voice. "We met by chance last night, and not under the best circumstances. You certainly didn’t see me at my best, and I understand you were far from yours either. When the events of this morning happened, I took advantage of the situation. I’m sorry, its what I do. I enrage people and evaluate their reaction."

  "Wait…" Colleen interrupted, "you’re an 'enrager'?"

  "So to speak, yes. But I’m also a student of human nature… a big fan, you might say."

  "No you’re not, you’re a college professor with a degree in criminology. You write books and give creative writing classes around the country… a walking example of those who can’t, teach!"

  "Ouch, where’d that come from?" Jack asked, feigning injury, but impressed that she had at least bothered to check him out a bit.

  "Oh, I don’t know… maybe from almost dying and being charged $1,500 for the trouble? Are there any more like you back in Samaria?" Colleen was on a roll now, and permitted herself the slightest grin at her witty comeback.

  "You have every right to be mad." Jack said. "I deserve it. But you have to understand, people get mad at me all the time. I thrive on it. If you really want to get back at me, try being nice– I can’t handle it, honest!"

  Jack knelt on one knee and grabbed Colleen’s hand. "Have dinner with me tonight… tell you what, we’ll call it even!"

  His smile was infectious and his brass was like nothing she had ever experienced. Colleen had to admit she had never been asked on a date in such an original manner. She permitted another brief smile to cross her face while pulling him up.

  "I already have plans tonight, and even if I didn’t, give me three reasons why I should even consider it?"

  "Well," Jack said as he thought for a minute. "Okay, …I’m harmless but interesting, and I’ll let you in on our seminar secret. Two, my assistant is down there slaving away and still only thinks of one thing: will Jack be lonely? And three, I’ve got a mystery you may be able to help solve!"

  "Not so fast, I don’t know anything about you, except what the front desk and Google could tell me about you."

  "Well, same here," Jack pleaded. "I don’t know anything about you either… except what I could understand from your conference presentation this morning. Here’s an idea, I’ll answer three of your questions if you answer three of mine" Jack said through a smile.

  "Wait, you heard my presentation? How did you…?"

  "You want that to count as your first question?" Jack asked playfully.

  "No. Are you married?"

  "Was, now divorced… happily"

  "Kids?"

  "Nope. But you’re out of turn." Jack said, "Are those contacts?"

  "No!"

  "Don’t you want to know if I’m married?" Colleen pressed.

  "Not especially, but are you?"

  "No."

  "In a relationship?" Jack pressed.

  "No, you?"

  "Only if you count Expedia!" Jack quipped.

  Colleen thought for a moment. "How old are you?"

  "That’s four questions, but I’ll allow it" Jack said… "See how easy going I am?"

  "How old are you?" Colleen said, repeating her question while trying to suppress a grin.

  "Forty-eight, born in San Diego June 25th."

  "Can you really cure AIDS?" Jack asked in a serious tone.

  "Why, you positive?"

  "That’s not an answer," Jack chided.

  "Very good, Simon! But, are… you… positive?"

  "Yes," Jack said, registering the widening of her eyes with amusement. "I’m positive that isn’t an answer."

  Colleen smiled, "How about dinner tomorrow?"

  "Okay, but only if I can choose the place." Jack said checking his phone’s schedule and seeing he was scheduled to be back in San Diego tomorrow night.

  "Okay doctor, I accept!" Colleen said with an air of victory.

  "Great! Now I really must check on Tom. What’s your number, I’ll call you!"

  Colleen gave him her number as he escorted her to the door. She was out in the hall before she remembered another question: "Wait, what’s the mystery I can help solve?"

  "I’ll tell you tomorrow!" Jack shouted as the door closed behind her.

  Chapter 12 The Mother of All Bad Days

  Kyle Preston woke to his phone ringing. That seldom happened, mostly because he had the habit of turning it off at night. Nothing good could come of a 3 a.m. call from a prison, he reckoned. This was his day off, and he had looked forward to sleeping in.

  He grabbed the phone and saw the familiar number from work.

  "Hello?" Kyle said, trying not to sound like he just woke up.

  "Hey Kyle, can you come in today?" said the voice on the other end.

  "What’s up, Joyce…I’m off today, remember?"

  "I know but we need you to take some more inmates over to Randall to see the Doc. Can you make it?"

  "I thought we were done with that…" Kyle protested.

  "Guess not, were taking them back, on orders from Caswell. Must’ve been something wrong with the first test… I don’t know. Can you help me out?"

  Kyle sighed loudly. "Sure, what time?" Kyle read the time on his phone…8:32 a.m.

  "They need to be over there by eleven; you can drop them off whenever." Joyce said with an expectant tone.

  "Okay, I’ll be in at ten, okay? I’ve got some stuff to do first."

  "Okay, thanks Kyle, you’re a lifesaver. I don’t care what anybody says."

  He chuckled. "Bye, Joyce."

  Kyle rolled over and shut his eyes just for a minute. Twenty minutes later, he jumped up and showered, then made breakfast.

  Kyle had planned to work on his car on his day off. The new policy that required prison vehicles to remain at the prison overnight put him in a bind. He had let his own car go without repairs since he began driving his issued car home, and now he needed to get it in shape, and that wasn’t going to be easy, or cheap. He just hoped his vintage Mustang would make it a few more weeks.

  _________________________

  Mark woke up to sunlight streaming in through his window. He turned on the TV and went to take a shower. He thought he heard Chicago had their first blizzard of the season, and he thanked God he didn’t have to deal with that; then he wondered if Colleen got out ok.

  He grabbed a light breakfast at the cafeteria and was back in his room by 9 am. Mark was glad he had traveled light; he didn’t want to tip his hand that he was leaving the base, especially with one of their vehicles. By not having to load a lot of bags in the car, he wouldn’t arouse much suspicion. He had decided he would consolidate the box of files into just what would fit in his briefcase. He dumped its contents then added the test results and Colleen’s data and sat on it to get it closed. The rest he ditched in the dumpster outside.

  Mark checked his car out from the motor pool and put his bag in the trunk and went back to his room for the briefcase.

  He was on the way back to the car when his cell phone rang.

  "Hi Ramy, what’s up…how did the police visit go?" Mark asked in an upbeat voice.

  "Hi Mark. When did you say you were coming back?"

  "Tomorrow, why?"

  There was a long silence on the phone as Ramy thought of how to begin.

  "Mark, the cops just showed me some photos of you in your car leaving the motel where Walter was killed! Mark, what did you do?"

  Mark was surprised by the question but was relieved, even grateful that Ramy now knew. He dropped the briefcase beside him and leaned on the car, thinking of what to say.

  "Ramy, it was an accident, I wanted to tell you but I didn’t want to make things even worse. We’ll talk when I get back, but just know I kept it from you to keep from dragging you into anything."

  "I shouldn’t say anything Mark, but you’re their number one suspect. They’re looking for you right now!"

  "Ramy, God knows I haven’t been a Boy Scout in this thing, but I’m not a murderer ei
ther. When I get in tomorrow, I’ll turn myself in. I’m fighting this Ramy, you hear me? I’m gonna win!"

  Mark stayed on the phone another five minutes or so, but he could tell he had lost Ramy’s trust. The truth was, Mark knew he would have fought harder for his credibility, if he had not felt so guilty. When he hung up, Mark stood by the car for a long time going over the last few days in his mind. He couldn’t help adding up his list of pros and cons, friends made vs. friends lost. The tally was not pretty.