Much sooner than he would have liked, Basil was awakened from his catnap by the voice of a female conductor announcing, “Last stop, Beaver Park; last stop, Beaver Park; last stop, Beaver Park,” as she walked through each car. Opening his window shade, Basil could see that Beaver Park appeared to be a quiet, unassuming sleeper community. In many ways, it reminded him of Oak Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. Downtown Beaver Park was lined with old buildings painted in vibrant rich colors, each one, from the post office to the bakery, shielded by a decorative awning. Cafés offered outdoor dining and mature trees covered the community like wings. This is definitely not Chicago’s South Side.
The train finally stopped right in the middle of the town square. Classic muscle cars were everywhere and it dawned on him what Teddy had meant in her ad: “I’ll be in the city square ready to go. Look for the muscle at the end of the road.” He surveyed his surroundings. It wasn’t long before he saw Teddy sitting on the hood of a 1978 black Pontiac GTO, the muscle of all muscle. Pound for pound, the best car ever made.
“Over here!” She waved. “Over here!” Teddy seemed to be just as excited to see him as he was to see her.
“How was your trip?” she asked as she stood up on her toes and kissed him on his cheek.
“I don’t remember,” he said. “I drove nonstop from Chicago to meet the train and once I got on the train, I slept the entire way.”
“You drove from Chicago to DC?” she said, shocked. “What possessed you to do that?”
“Your conspiracy theory,” he said. “Since we last spoke, I’ve been busy trying to add substance to your hypothesis.”
“Well, did you?”
“Yeah, I did. That’s why I drove. I wanted to think and I wanted to do so without any interruptions.”
“Well, I can’t wait to hear what you found out,” she said. “Also, before I forget, I want to thank you for coming on board. I know for you to make the investment, you had to make some hard decisions. I couldn’t do this without you and I just want you to know I’m grateful.”
“Teddy,” Basil said authoritatively, “you really didn’t give me any choice. I’m here not only for you, but for Isabella, too. Is Lance here? I really can’t wait to meet him.”
“Yes, he’s here,” she said. “He’s at the house waiting for us. We’ve been setting everything up. That’s why I asked you to meet me here.”
“I was wondering why you wanted to meet here and not DC. So, what’s so special about Beaver Park?”
“Well, first, no one knows I have property here. Second, everything that Isabella was working on prior to her abduction and murder has been securely hidden on this property. So, in essence, this is the best and safest place to do our work. You’ll be pleasantly surprised once you see the place and all we’ve done.”
As Teddy drove Basil to the safe house, he was again taken by the pristine feel of the sleepy little town. This would be a good location to put my disappearance plan into action.
“I want you to know something, Teddy,” Basil said, turning to face her. “I didn’t want to believe your theory. It was too fantastic for even me, the radical son, to wrap my brain around. But, when I did my own research and started to look into the Future Scientists of America program, I was shocked with what I found.”
“Wait. Hold that thought. I need to pull over, Basil. I can tell by your facial expression that whatever you are about to tell me, I shouldn’t be driving when you get to the point.”
“That’s a good idea,” he said as he turned back to face the road. “Plus, I need to have this conversation with you before we meet with Lance.”
Basil and Teddy pulled into a park right outside the city square, then got out and walked the pathway. Blending in with the Sunday crowd, Basil told Teddy everything, including that Lance was the missing link.
“So. I was right,” Teddy said, as she digested the significance of Basil’s findings.
“Yes, Teddy, you were right,” he said. “So far, everything can be quantified. However, we still need to prove your super-minority theory. I will say it’s plausible, but I cannot say it’s quantifiable. But I also have something else I want to raise with you.”
“Oh, yeah? What would that be?”
“In order for me to help you and at the same time, protect the work the movement is doing, I was thinking about disappearing. You know? Coming up missing. Even dead if I have to. I can’t just pop in and out of the movement, especially if what we have to do will require scientific research. All I know is that it has to look legitimate and it has to naturally die down once we implement it. Oh, yeah, and we have to put this plan in motion before next month’s National Dissident Meeting in New York.”
It was unusual for Teddy to not have anything to say, but in this case, she was quiet and pensive. All she could think about was what Basil had told her about the FSA. She had known there were many, many scientists, both in the US and abroad who had been murdered, but she hadn’t known they had all been affiliated with the FSA program.
For the first time, Teddy didn’t have to blame herself for Isabella’s death. Up to that point, she had believed that had she not persuaded Isabella to set aside her traditional beliefs about HIV and take a closer look at what Basil and other members of the dissident movement had been postulating, Isabella would be alive today. But now, all she had believed was shattered. If what Basil was saying was true, Isabella had already been a target and her murder already planned the day she was recruited to participate in the FSA program.
“Teddy,” Basil said. “Are you all right? What do you think about my plan?”
“Yes, Basil, I’m fine.” She exhaled. “I was just blown away by what you told me.”
“Oh, yeah? Which part? The part about me wanting to come up missing or about Lance?”
“Neither,” said Teddy, now looking at him for reassurance. “I was blown away by what you said about the dead scientists.”
“That’s interesting,” he replied. “Why? I thought you knew about them. In fact, it was what you said at our last meeting that had me take a closer look at the FSA program. Had you not said anything, I might not have focused on the FSA.”
“I understand Basil. I really do. What bothers me is that I didn’t connect the FSA program with the dead scientists and since I didn’t, I have been blaming myself for Isabella’s death. If what you are saying is true, she was already a target, destined to be assassinated.”
Basil didn’t say anything. Teddy’s sudden revelation now hit him almost as hard as it had hit her. He could only imagine what she was feeling. To go from guilt to relief to shock would make even the best soldier stumble and Teddy was one of the best.
The afternoon was nearly over and since Basil knew it would take some time before he could revisit his plan with Teddy, he opted to put it on hold for now. After all, without Teddy it would be difficult for him to pull it off; in the interim, he had to figure out a way to get out of attending the conference in New York.
“We should get going, Teddy. I’m sure Lance is wondering where we are.”
“Okay,” she said solemnly. “The safe house is not too far from here. When we get there, we have to tell Lance everything. He needs to know immediately what we are up against, especially since we agree he has a target on his back. We also need to figure out why they haven’t come after him yet. It’s not like he’s been in hiding.”
“I agree, Teddy. He has to be informed. And I think I know what they’re looking for; unfortunately, I just don’t know why.”
When Teddy and Basil reached the safe house, Lance was standing at the front door waiting for them. He seemed to be as excited to see them and to meet Basil as Basil was to meet him.
Teddy could see that excitement and it made her look up to the heavens and say thank you. Only a saved eye would know what she was doing and even if what she had done was offensive to her new col-leagues, Teddy was unapologetic. She knew the three of them had been selected to make this journey a
nd for them to succeed, God had to be in it. So she welcomed His place at the table.
“Lance, I would like for you to meet Dr. Basil Rhodes.”
Striding toward Basil, Lance extended his hand. “Hello, Dr. Rhodes. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Well,” said Basil, “I hope it hasn’t been too bad.”
“Oh, no, on the contrary. Teddy believes you are critical to our team. We need you to help us unravel this mystery and most importantly, get my wife back. By now I’m sure you know she’s been kid-napped for the cause.”
Whatever Basil’s original thoughts had been about the man standing in front of him, they had now changed. Basil could feel the tension as well as hear the sarcasm in Lance’s voice. He knew Teddy believed Lance was on board, but Basil’s instincts were telling him something different; Lance was a walking time bomb and should be watched closely.
“Well, friend,” Basil said, in an attempt to change the aura in the room that suddenly felt claustrophobic, “I’m here to add to your expertise and hopefully, right an injustice.” Basil had been on the circuit long enough to know when and how to change the conversation from going in a direction he wasn’t quite ready to address.
Lance answered, “And everything I know about you thus far tells me you are a genius. So, if anyone can unravel this mystery, it’s you.”
For the time being, Basil had apparently calmed what had almost appeared to be hostile territory. He knew Teddy was taking a long shot with Lance, but he also knew that, without him, they wouldn’t be able to expose the conspiracy. This meant that before they could get down to business, Basil had to establish some trust and that meant dealing with the elephant in the room.
Teddy showed Basil around the house and to his room. He could not believe this fairly sophisticated operation was hidden on this quiet street. The house had security fit for a national leader on foreign soil and even a sophisticated laboratory in the basement. Obviously, Teddy had thought of everything.
Once evening settled in, food was on the agenda. The three headed to the town square for supper. Since they all wanted something different, they chose Olive Garden. Here they could satisfy their individual palates and even more importantly, blend in with the rest of the locals. And Basil hoped that with a little food, wine, and laughter, he could find out who Lance St. John really was. Or, at least, what was really on his mind.
The evening ended just as Basil had hoped it would. Lance and Teddy seemed to find a moment of peace and were having fun. When they returned home, Teddy went to bed while Lance and Basil opened another bottle of wine and continued where they had left off at the restaurant.
“So, Lance,” Basil said, “I’m curious. What made you choose journalism over science?”
“That’s easy,” he answered. “Science was something that just came easy for me, but it wasn’t anything I loved doing. It was just something that others thought I did well.”
“Really? That was it?” Basil said, surprised.
“Yep! And journalism was something I loved. I knew early on that I would pursue it. So, when I won my full scholarship for science, I decided to pursue journalism as a dual degree. Originally, I thought maybe I would become a science editor; that way I would be able to use both disciplines. But at the end of the day, it was the investigative side of journalism I most enjoyed.”
“I didn’t know you had received a full scholarship. That wasn’t in your records.”
“Oh, really?” Lance asked.
“No, it wasn’t,” Basil replied. “I hope I am not offending you by admitting that I did some research on you before we met?”
“Absolutely not,” Lance said, finally feeling the effects of several glasses of wine. “I did my research, too.”
“So you know that at one time, I was on top of the world,” Basil replied. “And then one day it was all gone because I had a difference of opinion with my boss.”
“Something like that,” Lance said, smirking. “What intrigued me the most about your rise and fall was that many of your detractors were your colleagues and friends.”
“Yes, I know,” Basil said as he walked over to the sink and stared out the kitchen window. “It still bothers me even to this day.”
For whatever reason, Lance’s words resonated and Basil started to feel a little melancholy. He was reminded again that he had spent over thirty years developing his career and expertise and building a repertoire of friends and acquaintances. And then it was all gone.
Basil’s response to Lance’s words created an unexpected flash of empathy and for that moment, the two strangers had something in common with each other. Unfortunately, that something was betrayal.
“I know what it’s like to feel betrayed,” Lance said. “And if I am correct, that’s also what you felt when everything came tumbling down on you.”
“Yes, that is exactly how I felt,” Basil said, turning to face him. “Some of the people who turned against me were my best friends. I had been to their children’s baptisms, bar mitzvahs, and graduations. But I guess the pressure was too much for them. The fields of science and medicine are unforgiving when people feel you have betrayed the code.”
“Code? What code?” Lance said. His speech was becoming a bit slurred.
“The code of silence. To the science community, science is the original truth, and it should never be challenged from within or by one of its own.”
“So, is that what you did?” Lance asked. “Did you break the code of silence?”
“Obviously,” Basil replied. He turned back toward the window. “I believed in the fundamental precepts inherent in good science, so without a thorough peer review process, I couldn’t agree with the propaganda that HIV caused AIDS.”
“Uhm, I see. And you had no problem publicly saying so, right?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I did,” Basil replied. “It was my duty.”
“Was it worth it?” Lance asked now falling back on his journalist instincts. “Was questioning authority and publicly denouncing what the entire scientific community thought, worth it?”
“Yes, it was and if I had to do it all over again, I would. I learned a long time ago that doing the right thing means doing it even when no one is looking. And my only regret has been that my decision cost me my relationships. I could take the shunning and personal affronts, but my wives couldn’t.”
Tired of reliving his own personal nightmare, Basil changed the subject. “Enough about me, Lance. You can read my story monthly in a number of scientific journals. Plenty of people out there are willing to add their two cents and claim it’s fact. So, let’s talk about you.”
“Me? What do you want to know about me?” Lance said, peering over his reading glasses. “You said you did your research, and my life up to now has been an open book.”
“I did do my research and again, I hope you’re not offended. But in light of what we are being asked to do and what we have agreed to do, it only makes sense that I know as much about you as I possibly can.”
“No, Dr. Rhodes, I’m not offended. I’m just surprised that you still have questions.”
“Not questions; just a question,” Basil replied. “Again, I didn’t know that you had received a full scholarship. I didn’t see that little tidbit of information anywhere in my search.”
“Really!” Lance said. “I would have thought that was public knowledge, too. But anyway, my entire education was paid for, from my undergrad to my doctorate. However, to keep the award, I had to major in the sciences and as you know, I settled on biological engineering.”
“Was your scholarship funded by the government? And is that how you ended up in the FSA program?”
“Really, Basil,” Lance said, taken aback. “You know I was recruited and selected to participate in the FSA and no, my scholarship was not funded by the government. My scholarship was funded by the Clydesdale Energy Corporation. My parents couldn’t afford my education, so they entered me into the CEC scholarship program when I was in
the ninth grade. If I tested well, portions of my education would be paid for. The scholarship was originally for my undergrad education. However, as a result of my test scores, CEC paid for all of my education.”
“Are you aware that your test scores are top secret?” Basil asked curiously.
“I had heard something like that from my parents,” Lance replied as he took a sip of his wine. “But I always thought they were kidding me. My parents loved to joke and I always thought that when they told all their friends that my scores were top secret, they were joking. In retrospect, it was probably best. The last thing my mother wanted me to have was a big head to go with my red locks.”
“Your parents sound as if they had your best interests at heart,” Basil said laughing. “But, no, they weren’t kidding. In fact, when I queried you and the FSA program, much of the information was redacted and marked top secret.”
“Well,” Lance said jokingly, “I’m not top secret anymore, I’m sure.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because whatever status I had back then disappeared the day I received my doctorate.”
“Why’s that?” Basil asked.
“Because I immediately pursued my journalistic career and never capitalized on the career everyone had hoped I would.”
“Did you get any hassle for going in a different direction? Were you asked to pay back the money?”
“Yes and no,” Lance said. “In the beginning, I was hassled. The FSA thought I had broken my contract, but the contract did not exclude me from pursuing other options. Since they hadn’t paid for my education, they just dropped it and I never heard anything about the FSA program again. Well, not until today, from you.”
“Interesting,” Basil said as he rubbed his stubbly beard.
“Why do you say that?”
“I say it because everything I know about the FSA program leads me directly to you. And if my theory is correct, you’re in danger.”
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