Murder at Seething Wells (The Ralph Chalmers Mysteries Book 5)

by P. J. Thurbin

  caught Harriet Warner’s attention. Nothing new there, thought Ralph. He could almost hear her mind working out how to take advantage of his link to Cambridge.

  “Well yes. Dr. Chen was quite a catch for the University. He came to us from the National University of Singapore. It was a stroke of good luck that Kramer Pharmaceuticals had followed his career when he moved from a leading Chinese University to the NUS. Chen told us that his work on SARS was cut because they were short of funding for the field testing phase. When Kramer Pharma asked us to

  act as their base for the project, they invited Dr. Chen to come on board as their Research Director. They even funded a Chair in Biologic, the first for my Faculty.”

  “Those Animal Rights protesters in the foyer,” Ralph said as he nodded toward the front entrance of the building. “Presumably that must have upset Dr. Chen and his staff?”

  “Bunch of misfits and layabouts. They make a lot of noise but are too idle or spineless to take any action. The police were enquiring about their possible involvement in all of this mess. I told them that it is University policy to allow the Student’s Union and other groups to protests on campus. It makes them feel as though they have some say in what goes on, which keeps them quiet,” she said giving them what passed for a smile. But she quickly dropped back into her authoritarian pose. “Look I have work to do. So Jack, I’ll need that report on my desk by 9 in the morning so that we can go over it. I expect it will need some changes before I take it to the VC. Nice to meet you,” she said as an afterthought to Ralph and Lance as she turned and left the bar.

  “Whew! I see what you mean, Jack,” said Lance as they slumped back in their chairs. “I don’t think I could take too much of that.”

  “Well sometimes she does get a bit wound up, but then there is a lot at stake here. Stephen didn’t have much to do with her. He had his own funding and ran a pretty tight ship. I would say he bordered on the paranoid when it came to sharing his work with anyone. The problem I’m stuck with is to find out what he had been telling Kramer Pharma, and not to put too fine a point on it, to find out just how far we’ve got with the research.”

  “Surely he must have published some interim research reports or papers for the Conference circuit,” Lance enquired.

  “Well, surprising though it may seem, apart from a paper t the WO conference in Paris. Stephen did tell me that he intended to publish a paper this September at a symposium for an outfit called MassBiologic at the University of Massachusetts in America, but he didn’t share the details of his paper with me.” They could see that Jack needed to talk and they sat back as he explained some of the issues that he was struggling with and his efforts to fend off Harriet Warner’s threats to make him take early retirement.

  “Surely it would be a feather in your Dean’s cap if research carried out in the Science Faculty led to a breakthrough in the race to find a SARS vaccine. It’s not in her interest to give you the boot, especially as you’re in the best position to take Chen’s work forward to a successful outcome,” Ralph added.

  “That’s presuming Harriet, and of course Kramer, see me as the person most likely to lead the research. Chen left me pretty much in the dark. The way he worked was to parcel up areas that needed to be investigated and not let any one individual have enough information to see the big picture. Each of his team members reported their findings directly to him every month, but he alone had access to everyone’s data. He kept everything under lock and key so no one else could review any other researcher’s work. He personally handled all the meetings with Kramer, and as he was funded directly by them rather than the University, Harriet was happy just to have the research associated with Kingston. Other than that she didn’t get involved.”

  “It all sounds a bit cloak and dagger, Jack,” Lance said. “Maybe you should have approached Harriet Warner about your concerns before all this. At least that might have put her on your side. As it is you seem to be in a bit of a fix. Well up to the armpits in it might be a better way of putting it old mate, and there’s one big croc in the swamp you need to focus on, and that one is wearing high heels.” They all laughed. “The question is how do we get you out?”

  “I really don’t know. Only a few weeks ago I saw a letter from Kramer to Chen saying that the research team at MassBiologic who are working on a preventive vaccine for SARS had developed a monoclinical antibody therapy that they claimed worked in animal models. The letter was asking Chen if it would help if Kramer doubled the funding to take some more staff on board in order to speed things up. Chen was vehement about not wanting any new staff coming in or making any changes to his plans and that he was at a critical point in the research. He told them that it would only slow him down to integrate new staff, and besides he was paranoid about a spy from one of the other research groups getting in and stealing his work.”

  “But if this American University was already hot on the trail to a cure, wouldn’t it be better to chance getting some new blood in rather than risk letting them pip him to the post?” Ralph had to smile at the enthusiasm Lance was showing for a project that he

  had nothing to do with. But then, he mused, Lance was a good ten or twelve years his junior, and he suspected he would have jumped on the bandwagon himself a few years earlier.

  “We had been working on a process for bonding a protein to the targeted SARS virus which would prevent the virus entering or infecting other cells,” Jack continued. “It’s what you may have heard called the Magic Bullet.”

  “Wasn’t there a film about that? One of those black and white oldies,” Lance asked. Now that Lance mentioned it, it did ring a slight bell with Ralph as well.

  “That’s right. Edward G. Robinson played a scientist who was prepared to break all the rules in order to achieve a breakthrough. In the film it all looked easy. But believe you me, it’s not,” said Jack.

  Ralph’s mind had drifted back to the politics involved in Jack’s situation with Chen and Harriet Warner. He saw that as the critical issue rather than the scientific points Jack was making. But the mention of the ‘Magic Bullet’ caught his attention. That was the technique that his friend James Portwood at the Addenbrooke Hospital in Cambridge had told him was the focus of Ryan Miller’s doctoral thesis and the work he had pinned his ambition on to become a Nobel Prize recipient. He nearly chuckled out loud to imagine what Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot would say about coincidences such as Miller and Chen happening to be working on the same thing at the time Chen met his unfortunate end.

  “The other thing Chen was working on in addition to developing the vaccine was a way to speed up the time it takes to field-test a new vaccine once it’s discovered. That’s what Kramer were really looking for. Normally it costs millions and can take a couple of years to make sure a new vaccine is safe for use on human beings.”

  “Presumably that’s what all the drug companies want,” Lance observed when Jack paused in his explanation. “Maybe that’s why he was so paranoid about keeping his findings secret. Hey, you don’t think someone wanted to stop him badly enough to actually do him in?” Jack looked alarmed at what Lance was proposing, but Ralph had a feeling he may have hit closer to the truth than he realized.

  “It’s not quite like in the films, Lance. Sure other companies would like to get their hands on the information and beat us to the patent stage as millions of pounds in profit are up for grabs. Industrial espionage is one thing, but I think it’s a bit of a stretch to think someone would actually kill over it. But now I think about it, when Chen was

  on the phone with Kramer I heard him say that if they kept pushing him he would take his results to a Chinese firm that were interested. I think he was just sounding off, though. He had a habit of overreacting when he felt cornered.”

  “Don’t you think you should take this information to Dean Warner or the VC? Maybe even the police?” Asked Ralph. “After all, you’re the de facto head of the Project now and you have every right to express your concerns. Even though
most of what you tell us is about overheard conversations and memos that you just happened to see, they could give the police some leads to follow up.”

  “There was a meeting scheduled for this week with Kramer and the VC, but since Chen’s death that has all been put on hold. I think Kramer were going to push the VC for some answers on the progress of the research, and my view is that they’ll now want to close up shop here and throw in their lot with MassBiologic. That would be a disaster for any prospects Kingston had of becoming a major research player.” He slumped in his chair as he contemplated the mess he had to deal with.

  “Do you think Richard Windham’s sacking has anything to do with Chen’s row with Kramer?” Asked Ralph. “Windham might be an ally in trying to show how difficult Chen was to work with. It seems to me that if you want to cover your own back you need to demonstrate that Chen acted in an irresponsible way in not keeping everyone in the picture. It seems bad form to put the blame on someone who is dead, but otherwise your neck seems to be firmly on the line.”

  “Windham is a loose cannon,” said Jack, waving his hand in dismissal. “He and Chen had a personal vendetta. One evening after a few too many beers Windham mentioned that one of his relatives was a prisoner of war of the Japanese when they overran the British in Singapore back during the War and I think he thought anyone Oriental was cast from the same mold. I wouldn’t want to rely on him in a tight corner, and in any event he is persona non grata with Harriet and the VC.”

  “Well chaps, I had better take my leave if I’m going to produce a report for the Dean that will satisfy her that all the staff currently working on Chen’s project are essential to the ongoing success of the Faculty.” They finished off their beers and bade each other farewell.

  ***

  After Ralph got home and sat down in his study to a welcome cup of tea, he glanced at the local paper. A press release from the University caught his eye.

  Dr. Stephen Chen, a brilliant scientist at the University died on Friday night. Dr. Chen was close to a breakthrough on a preventative SARS vaccine before his untimely accident. He will be sadly missed by colleagues and friends. Our sympathies go out to his family.

  Ralph was surprised that the papers were still reporting it as an accident.

  ________________

  Chapter 6

  “Professor Chalmers, sorry to bother you at such short notice but there has been a reported break-in at the Faculty of Science offices.” He recognized Margaret’s voice as he answered the phone. “Rupert is off sick today and when I called he asked me to get you to deputize for him at a meeting about it. I have set the Security and Safety Committee meeting for 11 this morning in the staff room at Penrhyn Road. Could you take the chair?”

  Ralph knew that Granger headed up the committee whose main function was to minimize any bad publicity or outside interference over security and safety incidents occurring on University premises. Security at Kingston, as in most institutions, had been outsourced for some years, but any incident would be referred to the Dean as head of the Committee. Ralph assured Margaret that he would be there, although the prospect was not one he anticipated with any enthusiasm.

  His fears were well founded when Harriet Warner opened the meeting with an accusation that someone should have been patrolling the building and that all of her staff had assured her that the offices and labs were secured when they left. Ralph asked the Security Manager to explain what had occurred.

  “Two offices were broken into. Both are in the Science Faculty. If as Dean Warner says, they were locked properly, then whoever broke in must have had a security pass or else knew the code.”

  “Are you sure there actually was a break-in?” Dean Warner interjected.

  “Well the desk drawers in both offices had been forced open and papers from a filing cabinet were scattered around. There were papers all over the place. One of the offices was Dr. Chen’s and the other is Dr. White’s. We’ve seen this sort of break-in before. It could have been some students looking for copies of the upcoming exams or something like that. When we spoke with Dr. White he said that it was possible that some memory storage discs or reports had been taken but he said he couldn’t be sure until he had worked out what was missing.”

  It briefly crossed Ralph’s mind that Jack White could have set the whole thing up to provide an excuse for not being able to report on Chen’s work. If reports or data had been stolen then he would have a perfect out from his dilemma. But he quickly pushed the idea out of his mind. He reckoned he was a good judge of character and felt a bit embarrassed that he could even think Jack capable of such a thing.

  “No. That’s ridiculous. In the first place, students don’t have those sorts of security passes and they aren’t privy to the codes. Besides, neither Dr. Chen nor Professor White were teaching this term and the research they were doing doesn’t involve students at all,” Harriet said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

  “It’s a bit of a long shot, but what about the animal rights campaigners?” Ralph asked, trying to broaden the discussion. “They might have wanted to collect evidence that the University were carrying out experiments on animals. It would give them some ammunition for the media.” Harriet leant forward.

  “Look. This is all just speculation. We have no way of knowing who did this, and as far as I can see there is no real damage. It’s just a storm in a tea cup. And what with this tragic business with Professor Chen, the last thing the University needs is more adverse publicity, especially if it’s going to put those protesters in the headlines. I’m sure if Dean Granger were in the chair today he would agree with me. We need to close the meeting, Professor Chalmers. I have a busy day and I am sure we all have things to do.”

  Ralph realized that he had been out maneuvered. He confirmed with Security that it would be an internal investigation and not involve the police as nothing of value had been stolen and no damage done. But as he walked along the corridor the Security Manager confided that he was convinced it was an inside job. Ralph asked if it was possible to see Dr. Chen’s office.

  Jack was busy tidying up papers in the small, almost Spartan, office when Ralph tapped on the open door before walking in.

  “The police went over Dr. Chen’s office after his death. Since then I’ve been through the files, and quite frankly I was surprised at how little was there,” said Jack as he placed a bundle of papers in a yellow manila folder. “There is a letter here I didn’t see until this morning. It’s from Claus Stein, the CEO of Kramer Pharma asking Stephen to be his guest at the Henley Regatta the first week in July.” The mention of Henley struck a chord with Ralph. He regularly attended the event, and although no longer a competitor, he was past captain of the Molesey Boat Club senior eight. The club was entered in the prestigious Grand Challenge Cup in the July meet and had high hopes of a victory over their old rival, Harvard University.

  “It’s quite a posh affair from what I’ve heard, Ralph. I can’t imagine poor Stephen fitting in.”

  “It’s the oldest Regatta in the world,” Ralph replied. “It’s organized by members of the Stewards’ Enclosure, a pretty elite group. I try to go every year, although the Steward’s Enclosure is a bit rich for my blood. I usually pay the 40 pounds entry fee to watch the racing from the public enclosure with the crews and their families. It’s much more relaxed that way. You don’t suppose that something of Kramer’s may have been stolen, do you?”

  “Like I said, Ralph, I wasn’t really in the picture. Could have been, but I doubt I would miss it.”

  “Just let me make a note of that Claus Stein’s number at Kramer, Jack, and I’ll give him a call just to double check there was nothing of theirs that may have been taken.”

  “I can do that, Ralph.”

  “You have enough on your plate, Jack, and in my role as acting security chairman I’d better close the loop. Gotta keep ol’ Granger’s standards up,” Ralph said with a laugh.

  ***

  Later that week Granger was back at wor
k and called a meeting with Ralph and David Walker, Professor of Jurisprudence. Ralph and David were old friends and spent a few minutes catching up on the latest news while they waited for the Dean. Meeting David for the first time could be an intimidating experience. Educated at Eton followed by a Doctorate from Oxford and a recognized expert in Jurisprudence gave him a sense of presence in any gathering. But although he was a natural politician with a logical and incisive mind, he was also a loyal friend. Colleagues found him an invaluable sounding board when facing a complex issue. Granger swept into the office.

  “Margaret is getting us some tea. Good work covering that meeting the other day, Ralph. Kept things out of the media, that’s the main thing. Another few years and you’ll be wanting my job.” He laughed as Ralph took what he really knew was an insult in his stride. Granger’s style was aimed at making sure that he was always seen to be calling the shots.

  “Now to get down to the real issue. I need to update you on a link-up that the VC and I have been establishing with the National University of Singapore. We’re setting up a joint Doctoral Programme and collaboration on some exchange programmes for Law students. This is where you come in, David. We’re close to signing a memorandum of collaboration with the NUS Faculty of Law based at the Bukit Timah campus and I just want your assurance that if they put up some Jurisprudence students for exchange then we don’t tread on any toes.”

  “What exactly do you mean by that, Dean?” David asked.

  “Well, you know how the Asians are about losing face. We don’t want to be seen to be showing them up over Human Rights issues. Well embarrassing them. You know what I mean.”

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t want us to compromise our standards for the sake of politics,” David responded in that self composed way that he always maintained when pushed. “I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to water it down just to suit some political or cultural sensitivity.”