Ashes to Ashes

by Campbell, Jamie

  “How do you think it started then?”

  “Some pranksters with too much time on their hands I suppose, with nothing better to do than make other people’s lives a misery. The police found nothing and dropped the investigation. The lab went on like nothing had happened.”

  “Except my father was asked to resign.”

  “Except that. We all walked out with him. Decided that if they didn’t want John, then we didn’t want them. There was talk of a cover up you see. The lab is owned by a big private company and the allegations were a public relations nightmare. The good citizens of Avalon just didn’t believe it; they thought the police were given hush money to make it all go away. The public demanded someone take the blame, even if the police had found nothing. Firing John was just a way to keep the public happy. It didn’t matter that it was ruining someone’s life.”

  “You really all just walked out with him?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Finally, some good news about her parents.

  “We did. John was a hero at the lab. We looked up to him. We couldn’t have worked under someone else, we respected him too much. I’ve been working here ever since that day.”

  “That was so good of you. I can’t believe you did that for him.”

  “It wasn’t a hard decision. We were a team there. Break us up and it all falls apart. It’s just a pity it had to happen. John was in the middle of a big project that he was working really hard on. He had put so much time into it but just had to walk.”

  “I bet he hated doing that. What kind of project was it?”

  “I don’t know. He was working on it directly with the big bosses. We weren’t privy to the details of it. Some breakthrough drug no doubt. Whatever it was, they are either still working on it or it was abandoned. I haven’t heard anything since.”

  “You’d think that they would have found someone else to take the blame then if he was in the middle of something.”

  “Yeah, well, the bosses obviously cared more about their image than the science.”

  She thanked him for clearing up the questions she had and left. She felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. After how badly she had felt earlier that day, it was a relief to actually have some good news. She got in her car and drove home, singing much louder to her CD player.

  When she arrived home, she logged straight onto her desktop computer and connected to the internet. She did a Google search on Avalon Laboratories. She was hoping to find something about a wonder drug developed shortly after her father’s resignation. There were hundreds of hits but no new developments apart from the Hifelox. There was so much publicity when that was released, all praising the labs and the scientists involved. It had been the crowning moment of their careers.

  She scanned through the pages to try and find something different.

  There were a few hits from different newspapers, science and medical journals, the city council and the Avalon Laboratory Industries website itself, but there was no mention of any new drugs. In fact, it looked like quite the opposite. There had been no major news stories since the Hifelox development. Obviously, the replacement staff were not a crack team like their predecessors. For some reason, Jasmine felt good about this. “That’s what you get for firing my dad,” she smiled. In her mind she could hear her father responding to her comment with a “But science was the real loser, Jasmine.”

  She clicked the link to visit their official website. It was quite impressive with lots of pictures of beakers and tablets moving across the screen. She clicked into the ‘About Us’ link. She learned they had been established in 1982 and since then, had developed hundreds of drugs that had been distributed throughout the world, ‘helping millions of people’. They employed close to two hundred people from the labs to the factory floor. They boasted they continue to grow each year. Last year it was by thirty percent.

  At the bottom of the page was a picture of all the department managers. They were standing in a row underneath the company logo. Mostly men, but there were a couple of women in the dozen managers.

  She scanned through each face, trying to see if she recognised any of them. One face looked familiar, a man with glasses and greying hair. She thought he must have been the lab manager. It’s possible he had attended one of her parents’ BBQs, which they held every now and then. Her father was a science man, but he also knew the office politics. It pays to socialise with your boss occasionally. If nothing else, it helps him to remember your name.

  She flicked through the other web pages but there was nothing remotely interesting. One page talked about the benefits of Hifelox, but it never credited John Parker. Just like all the other websites, there was no mention of any other drug development since then. Jasmine felt like something wasn’t adding up. If they hadn’t made any new discoveries that were worth mentioning, then how could they be growing the business? Her accounting background told her thirty percent is a huge increase for a business in one year. A small groundling company might be able to pull it off because they start with their benchmark low, but a large company has to have a few tricks up their sleeve in order to accomplish that rate of growth.

  She tried to find the company annual reports to the shareholders but they were missing from the website. There was no mention at all of any financial information, except what they boasted about in the ‘About Us’ section. In the fine print at the bottom of all the websites was the copyright information. It listed the company’s full name – Avalon Laboratory Industries Pty Limited. That explains it then, it’s a private company, she reasoned. Her experience had told her that private companies were not required to make their financial records public, only to their private shareholders. Who the shareholders were was not generally available to the public, even though it had to be listed with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.

  She made a note to find out whom the shareholders were; there were ways of accessing that information at work. She quite often had to find out information like that as part of her accounts preparation. For a small fee, you can login to a website that specialises in giving information out to its subscribers.

  She logged off her computer and ran a bath, hoping she could relax and process the day’s events. It had been a busy day and she was glad that nightfall was bringing it to an end. While lying there in the bath tub, she remembered how much of a big deal it had been when Hifelox was discovered. Even though she was young and couldn’t really comprehend what it meant, she got the gist of it from the reaction of everyone else.

  * * *

  “Hey Jaz, guess who I spoke to today?” John asked his daughter while they were having dinner.

  “Who?”

  “I said guess.”

  “Fine then, the Queen? Prince Charles perhaps? Did you give them my regards?” Jasmine answered sarcastically.

  “Close. I spoke to your teacher. Mr Johnson asked me to come in and speak to your class about what we do at the laboratory. I said yes, but I would have to check that it was okay with you first. Do you want me to come and speak with your class?”

  “Whatever. I guess it will be okay. You’re not going to embarrass me or anything, are you?” Having one of your parents visit your school could be dangerous. You never knew when they would accidentally slip up and say something completely wrong. The mocking to be received from fellow students would last for the entire semester.

  “I promise. I will be on my best behaviour.”

  A few days later, Jasmine was sitting in her classroom watching her father speak. He was so enthusiastic about everything he told them. He was explaining about how they experiment at the laboratory until they discover something that no one had ever heard of or tried before that very moment. He spoke about the joy it brought him to think his team’s discovery would help so many people, right around the world. He said there was a ninety year old grandmother somewhere in Vietnam who would be able to improve her quality of life solely because of his team.

  The longer Jasmine sat
there listening to him and watching the faces of her peers light up with his words, the prouder she felt. It wasn’t the father she got to see very often. Normally, they would just talk about the usual family things; it was rare she got so much insight into his career. She hadn’t realised before just how much happiness he got from his job. If enthusiasm were equal to gold, then they would be millionaires by now.

  “... and that is why I love science so much. You can change the world with only one little discovery. Change one idea or theory, and the possibilities are endless.” John concluded to a round of applause from every student.

  After school, John had taken Jasmine to a local café not far from their home. He had bought two strawberry milkshakes and a cupcake each as a special treat. He was still on a high from his speech.

  Thoughts of being able to inspire the next generation filled his mind. He felt lucky for the opportunity to be able to do that.

  “I didn’t embarrass you too much, did I?” he asked with a sheepish grin.

  “No, not too much. I think everyone really enjoyed your talk,” Jasmine admitted.

  “Did you? Would you like to grow up and be a scientist one day too?”

  “I liked the speech. I don’t know about being a scientist though. I don’t really like science class. I don’t want to dissect anything. I heard that when you’re in high school, you have to cut up a frog.” She made a face of disgust at the thought.

  “Sometimes that’s the only way to learn important things. Think about it anyway, kiddo. I know you have the brains to follow in your old man’s footsteps. You could do great things one day, just like my team. It feels wonderful to have actually made a difference in this world.”

  “I’ll think about it. Do you think you’ll discover anything else apart from Hifelox?”

  “I hope so. There are still so many diseases that need curing. You never know, we might be able to cure cancer one day. Can you imagine?” He smiled at his daughter. “You know, honey, I have something to tell you.”

  Jasmine didn’t like the way her father was so serious all of a sudden. “What is it, Dad?”

  “I want you to know how much I love you. I love you, your mother and Lucy so much, more than anything else in this world.”

  “More than science?” Jasmine asked, relieved it hadn’t been some horrible news he had to declare.

  “More than everything – including science. I don’t want you to ever forget that, you hear? No matter what happens in your life, I love you and will always be watching out for you.”

  “That’s good to hear, Dad. I love you too.”

  “I mean it, you remember that – okay? Every time you might feel sad, just remember that I love you and always will. Even when I can’t be with you, I’ll be there in spirit.”

  “Will do. You’re not going anywhere though, are you?”

  “No, of course not. It’s just something that you need to remember.”

  They sipped on their milkshakes for a while longer before going home.

  Chapter 10

  Jasmine had left the house early. She hadn’t slept very well so was glad to be out and about. She still felt uneasy in her apartment. She doubted the vandal would come back, but you never knew for sure. She wasn’t exactly of a criminal mind herself, so it was hard to predict what one would be thinking.

  She wasn’t too sure what her next step should be in her investigation. She had decided to take a walk through town. Maybe read the newspaper over a coffee and consider where she should go next. She purchased a newspaper at the corner newsagency and was walking down towards the coffee shop, lost in her mind.

  Her thoughts were interrupted when someone brushed past her, sending her newspaper falling to the ground. It started to blow away in all directions.

  “Oh, I am so sorry,” a woman apologised as she knelt down to gather up the paper. “Hey, I know you. We went to school together. I’m Becky Storm.”

  Jasmine was also down on her knees trying to retrieve the paper. She looked at the woman’s face, trying to place her. She had long dark red hair and a few freckles that had been unsuccessfully covered up with make-up. Finally it came to her. “Becky, that’s right we were in the same grade. I think we had English classes together.” They stood up and the woman handed over the pages she had gathered.

  “That’s right. Look, I’m so sorry to have run into you like that. I was in my own little world.” She smiled, hoping for forgiveness. “I just feel terrible. Let me make it up to you by shouting you a coffee.”

  “It’s okay, really. I was in my own world too. It’s probably partly my fault.” The memory of Becky was coming back fast. She was a ‘Have’ member of Avalon. Both her parents were solicitors and had their own firm. It was the biggest legal practice in town and had a reputation for only representing the elite members of society. Becky had been their princess and she knew it. She was virtually untouchable at school. If anyone even looked at her twice she threatened to sue them; both students and teachers alike. Jasmine had not gone unnoticed to her. At every opportunity, she had made a snide comment about being ‘Little Orphan Jazzy’. It had been humiliating for her.

  “No, no; please I insist. It would be great to catch up.” She linked her arm through Jasmine’s and guided her up the street to a little café.

  She found a table in the back and called the waitress over. “I’ll have a skinny latté please. Jasmine, what would you like?”

  “Um, I’ll have a hot chocolate please.” The waitress wrote down the order and left to go make the drinks.

  “I heard you’re an accountant now, is that right?” She started twirling a piece of her red hair in her fingers.

  “Yeah, I work over at Apacho & Sons. What about you?”

  “I joined the family business. I’m a legal clerk now, working my way up the ladder. Mum insisted on it.” The hot drinks arrived and were placed in front of them. Becky picked hers up and took a sip, while Jasmine stirred in some sugar before trying it. “Are you still living with your grandparents?”

  “No, I moved into an apartment in town. It’s closer to work.”

  “I moved out of home too. I live with my boyfriend, Michael Reiner, do you remember him? He’s a lawyer too now, we work together. Do you have anyone?”

  “No, I’m single – happy for the freedom.” She took another sip, trying to drink as quickly as possible. She wished the waitress hadn’t made it so hot. She watched as Becky stirred her latté and only took small sips occasionally. She tried to make conversation. “How is your mum?”

  “Good. I don’t see much of her, even though I work for her. You’d think we’d see each other all the time, but we don’t. I guess the boss doesn’t really have much to do with the lowly law clerk.” Jasmine noticed her voice changed at this last comment; she almost sounded sad. She continued stirring her latté.

  “How about your father? Have you seen him very much?”

  She gave a short laugh. “I probably haven’t seen my dad since you last saw yours.” Her eyes went from her drink directly to Jasmine’s.

  If she was looking for a bite, Jasmine wasn’t prepared to take the bait. “Gee, that’s a pity, it’s a long time.”

  Becky continued to hold her gaze. “It is a long time. Thirteen years the other day if I’m not mistaken.”

  “That’s right, thirteen years. Have you thought about tracking your dad down?”

  “No, it wouldn’t do any good. He’s permanently out of my life.” She stopped stirring and started to sip from her coffee cup.

  Jasmine thought quickly for some more questions to ask, to fill the silence that had settled on the table. “What about your brother, Jake, wasn’t it?”

  “Jake, yeah he’s good. He moved to Cliffton. Said that he didn’t want to be in the family business – wanted to make his own way and all that. He’s so cute. So... have you been doing anything interesting lately?”

  “No, not really. I’m sure you know how it is, work, work, work. What about you?” She took
the last sip of her hot chocolate and placed the cup on the table, pushing it away from her to make sure Becky realised she’d finished.

  “About the same. Work is always busy for the junior. Have you seen your sister recently, she moved to Cliffton too, right?”

  “I haven’t seen her for a while. She’s been busy. She works for Hayden Incorporated.”

  “I heard that. I also heard that she’s dating Buster Hayden. Now he’s a catch if ever I saw one.”

  “I don’t think she’s seeing Buster. As far as I know she’s a single girl too.”

  “I think you should check your facts. My friend Megan said she saw Buster and Lucy out on the town and they were very much together. They were apparently all over each other and then left together.” She finally finished with her latté and pushed it aside.

  “Maybe I’ll give her a call then. I didn’t think Buster was her type.”

  “What, rich isn’t her type?” She laughed.

  “I was thinking more the corporate type. She usually goes for the rock Gods playing base guitar in the local pub band.”

  “Well, people change.” She picked up her Prada handbag and went over to the counter to pay the bill. Jasmine followed offering to pay, but it was turned down.

  “We must do this again. It’s always lovely to meet up with old friends. You’ll have to call me sometime, here’s my number.” Becky gave her a light hug and then slipped a scrap of paper with her phone number into her hand. She looked directly into Jasmine’s eyes.

  “Seriously, call me anytime. Okay?”

  “Sure, thanks.” They said their goodbyes and left in opposite directions.

  Jasmine slipped the paper into her handbag and headed for the park. She had already had her hot drink, but she still wanted to read the newspaper. The park was usually quiet on a weekday. The only other patrons were a few elderly men sitting on benches, watching the world go by. She sat down and opened out the newspaper. She tried to concentrate on the articles, but Becky had her curious about her sister. She had only spoken to her last week. Surely, she would have mentioned it if she had started dating Buster Hayden. She couldn’t picture the two of them together. Lucy was very much a free spirit, she marched to the beat of her own drum and usually made fun of people in suits – she called them the modern day slaves.