“Is there any doubt about that in your sponsor’s mind?”
“No, not at all. But it is always good to have an independent evaluation when there is a substantial amount of money involved. Their investment in the University has been quite generous.” No one anticipated Miller’s reaction.
“I must be frank with you. I find what you are proposing an insult. Stephen Chen was not a credible scientist. I have firsthand knowledge of this as I worked with him for two years in Singapore on the very area you are now telling me he has achieved some level of breakthrough. When he invited me to Singapore to work on the SARS vaccine I thought it was an opportunity to carry out field trials which would substantiate my theoretical work. It was only once I was involved that I realized that he had plagiarized, worse, he had stolen my own research, mostly to do with my PhD findings when I was at Cambridge. If that were not bad enough, I subsequently realized he had little interest in finding a vaccine as a humanitarian effort to reduce suffering and lower mortality rates. He saw the entire project as simply a commercial opportunity. Stephen was a businessman and a hustler foremost and a scientist lastly. I do not pretend that I have no interest in the eminence that comes with a truly remarkable scientific discovery, but I am a scientist first and foremost and any fame or notoriety that follows is a secondary consideration. Unfortunately, Stephen convinced Kramer that the trials in Singapore demonstrated that he was on the threshold of finding a cure for SARS when nothing could be further from the truth.”
Ralph could see that Harriet was scrambling to recover lost ground and prevent Miller from building an even stronger case against Chen.
“But you say that you and Dr. Chen worked together in Singapore. Surely you must have thought your efforts there would lead to a breakthrough.” Warner tried to appeal to Miller’s own involvement in a last ditch attempt to bring him into her corner, but she could feel him slipping away.
“With all respect to you and your colleagues at Kingston, it is unlikely that such a small project could achieve a breakthrough in that area. Some major Universities and millions of dollars are being spent around the world looking into what the popular press refer to as a Magic Bullet; a sort of miracle drug that is a panacea for not only SARS, but a myriad of other illnesses.” Ralph seized his chance.
“I heard that the trials that you and Chen ran in Singapore were more than merely a failure. It is my understanding that many innocent people may have died prematurely due to the vaccine you were testing.” Miller went white faced and Harriet gave Ralph a withering look. But Miller regained his composure, and to Ralph’s amazement, did nothing to hide the part he had played.
“Yes. It was a tragic mistake. I make no excuses for my part in it. Stephen was determined to push the Singapore Health people into this idea of Adaptive Licensing which effectively bypasses some of the checks used with the three-tiered approval process in place in Western countries. He was impatient to make his fortune and the traditional approach can often take years before licensing is granted and a new drug can be put on the market. It was all too hurried. Stephen, with Kramer’s support, drove it through. There was a vast amount of money at stake and neither worried about a few casualties along the way. When I broached the subject with Stephen, he said that what difference did a few dead Singaporeans make anyhow, if some of the recipients might benefit. His main interest was all the money he was going to make. After that conversation I resigned my position at the NUS. That’s all there was to it.” Ralph was flabbergasted. Even though Miller may have had a bit more integrity than Chen, why hadn’t he refused to even be a part of the fast track licensing if he knew the risks were so great?
“You and Chen both attended the event about cholera that Kingston hosted at Seething Wells,” Ralph persisted. “Did you speak to him that evening?”
“No. I hadn’t seen or spoken with him since I left Singapore. My colleagues and I returned to the Ditton Lodge immediately after the event and the first I heard about him was when the police interviewed me about his death. When I left Singapore I wanted nothing further to do with him. After I returned to England, I married, joined the Wellcome Foundation, and well, you already know the rest of the story, Professor Chalmers.” Ralph recalled what Miller had told him about his wife having been a mathematician before she contracted Alzheimer’s. He felt a touch of pity for a man whose life had promised so much before everything seemed to go wrong. But something about Miller’s denial with respect to having seen Chen that night didn’t ring true. He was certain he could check out Miller’s story, but that would have to wait. For now, Harriet was thanking Miller for his co-operation and trying to backtrack a bit in order to save face, and perhaps distance herself as far as was possible from any of Chen’s misdeeds. Once more she asked that he give her request to validate Chen’s progress some thought and suggested they might meet again. Miller was enough of a gentleman to agree he would think about it, but Ralph thought it unlikely. As they walked to the car park Miller took Ralph aside.
“Look, I know how it looks, my not having mentioned anything to the police about knowing Stephen Chen. I guess I just didn’t want to get involved. But I was wrong to hold back. I’ll give them a ring this afternoon and make arrangements to go down and make a statement, if they feel it’s necessary.”
“Well, it’s entirely up to you, but it would seem like the wise thing to do. The case is still open and the police are still following up on things. But it’s your decision.” They shook hands and Ralph hurried to catch up with Harriet and Jack.
The gears of the Prius crunched as Harriet swung onto the now gloomy road out of Oxford. The Mums on the school run were now back at home tending to their offspring and the roads were beginning to fill up with commuters. It would not be a pleasant ride home. Harriet was furious. Taking her eyes off the road, she bludgeoned into poor Jack.
“A fine help you were. You obviously failed to convey the progress that has been made on your Project.” Ralph noted that it was suddenly Jack’s Project. “You should have told me that things were not going well. You’re the Deputy, for heaven’s sake. I’m thoroughly disappointed in you. Now the people at Oxford will think we are a bunch of amateurs; the laughing stock of the scientific community. You were obviously part of the cover up, and now I have to sort it all out. It’s a bloody disaster, but believe you me, I have no intention of taking the blame. It falls right on your lap where it belongs.”
Jack slunk down in his seat and Ralph tried to shut it all out. He had been on the receiving end of outbursts like that from Granger and sympathized with the guy. He hoped Harriet was finished with her tirade. But his optimism was short lived. Almost turning in her seat she vented her frustration on him.
“I will be speaking to Dean Granger first thing in the morning, Professor Chalmers. What on earth did you think you were doing asking Miller all those questions about Singapore? He was just coming around to my way of thinking when you jumped in and antagonized him. I don’t know how you do things in the Business Faculty, but we run a tight ship in ours, and everyone is a team player. You were completely out of order and I’m sure your Dean will want to have a word with you as soon he hears about this”.
Ralph did not answer. Partly it was because he just wanted her to turn around and concentrate on her driving, and partly it was because he knew that the last thing any Dean would do is seek is advice from a member of another faculty. ‘Rats in a sack’ was how one old ship’s Captain had once described his winning management style to Ralph. ‘Get the buggers in the sack then they keep quiet. They daren’t bite; just lay there quietly as any hostile move would lead to them to eating each other, the trick is to be the one holding the strings at the top of the sack.’ It was a good model to have in mind when dealing with a bully. Eventually she gave up on him and focused on an eighteen wheeler that nearly sideswiped them as it changed lanes without signaling. He smiled as he thought of the advice Katie might offer to Harriet Warner in her hour of need. But he realized that Warner was st
ill speaking.
“If one word about Chen or his research gets in the press you two will be up before the VC. I can promise that it will put a stop to any career prospects you might still have. I have no intentions of sacrificing my career just because of the slipshod way you two handled that meeting.”
Harriet lapsed into silence until they were back at the Penrhyn Road campus. Having noted the mileage for her expenses, she left Jack and Ralph standing in the car park with just a curt ‘goodnight’. Jack mumbled his apologies for having got Ralph into the mess before complaining that he had a headache and just wanted to get home. He patted Ralph on the back and walked off into the gloom.
***
Ralph sprinted to the bus stop just before the K3 closed its doors. As he stood holding the strap with one hand and trying to avoid breathing in the fetid odor emanating from the underarms of an obese middle aged man with greasy unkempt hair standing next to him, he tried to put Harriet Warner out of his mind and think about what Miller had said.
Was he telling the truth about not having talked to Chen at Seething Wells? This seemed unlikely. If they had spoken it would likely have been pretty acrimonious. But would it have resulted in murder? Was Chen mixed up with terrorists? And if so, had they killed Li Mei to stop her talking to the police? Or could the Chinese firm have hired a hit man when they found out the information Chen had sold them was worthless? There was a lot to think about.
Ralph got off at the Surbiton Station stop and walked to Zizi’s for a bit of supper before heading back to his apartment through the drizzle. The combination of warm food and walking home in the rain cleared his head and by the time he turned the key in the lock he began to feel a lot better. He decided to give Katie a call.
“Sorry to phone so late, but I need to talk to you.”
Katie was a good listener in spite of being his harshest critic. “So what do you think?” He asked when he had finished relaying all that had transpired at the meeting with Ryan Miller.
“Look Ralph, I think you’re missing the point.”
“Which is?”
“Chen’s so-called break through was a scam. Three groups have now got hold of information about a vaccine that is unproven and likely to kill innocent people. The terrorists can manufacture it and won’t care who dies. That Chinese company Chen was talking to will also run trials and more people will die. And Kramer will run further trials which, although unintentional, will kill people. Do you see my point?”
Ralph broke out in a cold sweat.
“I think so. But what can we do to stop them?”
“Ralph, you have no choice but to scrap your old fashioned, sometimes charming principles and become a whistleblower.”
“But even if I did, how would I go about it? Who would I contact, and why would anyone believe me? After all, I wasn’t part of the research team. I suppose I could contact Claus Stein at Kramer and warn him. The University won’t be pleased, but if lives are at stake then I don’t think there’s any other choice.”
“You can’t stop the terrorists, but if you tell Linham what you know then at least he could warn the Singapore Government or at least relay the information to Interpol or whoever does that sort of thing. I doubt you can do much to influence what that Chinese firm decides to do and perhaps Miller could use his influence with the WHO and the Wellcome Foundation. You remember, at Henley he told us that his team was up for the Nobel Prize so that should give him a bit of kudos,” said Katie.
Ralph could see that it was his only option. Harriet Warner and the University were small players. They would never back him, let alone support his determination to take action.
“I could lose my job over this, Katie,”
“Well, it’s time you thought of a new career. You could always come to Paris. We could live in a small garret in Montmartre. I’ll be a waitress in a café and wear one of those black lacy pinafores and you could paint. How about it?”
“It’s no joke, Katie. But you’re right. Look I’m whacked out. I’ll get some sleep and then tomorrow I can decide how to play it.”
“Goodnight Ralph; and remember, it’s just a job. You have to be your own man when it is all done and dusted.”
________________
Chapter 12
“What you are suggesting comes under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998,” said David. “My area is Jurisprudence so I’m not an expert, but I can tell you that you are only protected if you reasonably believe that the disclosure is in the public interest.” David Walker was a friend and colleague, and someone Ralph could rely on to give him an impartial opinion. He wasn’t looking forward to being labeled a whistleblower.
“I know I don’t need to tell you that you need to think this through carefully, Ralph. And, of course there is the University’s internal procedure. Technically, you should exhaust that before taking information to third parties.”
“It would just take too long, David, and if I go that route I can’t be certain the information would actually get out.”
“Well, of course it’s your decision, but I must impress upon you that this area is a minefield. But knowing you, that won’t matter if you’ve made up your mind.”
They chatted on and Ralph assured his friend that he would be cautious.
***
Ralph made the call to Claus Stein. After the usual exchange of pleasantries, he explained his concerns that Chen’s claim to having achieved a break-through on the SARS research was at best flawed and most likely false. He explained about Richard Windham’s internal report and that this was also supported by Chen’s deputy, Jack White. Stein expressed his surprise that this information had not come through official University channels and was intrigued as to why Ralph had chosen to approach him directly.
“I appreciate the risk you are taking in bringing it to my attention, Ralph. Naturally I’m disappointed, not only for myself, but for my shareholders. It isn’t the first time one of our research partners has gotten greedy and tried to speed up the process. But selling our work to a competitor, well that’s a first for me. I have a pretty good idea who the Chinese firm is that you mentioned, but I can see no way that I can put a stop to any trials they might decide to carry out. I guess in hindsight I should have kept a closer eye on things instead of relying on what Stephen Chen told me, and for that I take my share of the blame. Kingston isn’t exactly what you would call ‘a deep pocket’ so it is unlikely Kramer will sue; any benefit to us wouldn’t outweigh the bad publicity.”
I’m sure the University will be relieved to hear that,” Ralph interjected.
“Let me handle this from my end, Ralph. I don’t have to warn you that if this leaks to the press or media then things could get nasty. But you can rest assured that I will put a block on any further use of the vaccine by Kramer. And thanks again for the heads up.” Ralph could picture Claus sitting back in his palatial office overlooking the Thames. He looked around his own modest office fondly and wondered how long his name would be on the door.
“I feel better knowing that at least more lives won’t be put at risk,” Ralph said.
“You know, Ralph, us old oarsmen have to stick together. You take care and leave it to me. When all this has blown over we’ll have to take a double out on the river. I’ll bet we can still show those young Turks a thing or two,” he gave a warm chuckle before reassuring Ralph that he would cover the bases, at least so far as Kramer was concerned. It was time to pay another visit to Inspector Linham.
***
Linham gave Ralph a warm welcome and listened as Ralph explained how Chen had falsified his reports in order to convince the manufacturers that the vaccine was ready for trials, and that he had also given that same information to the terrorist group in Singapore. The Inspector sat back and sucked on a briar pipe that had not seen tobacco for at least 20 years. After a pause he put the pipe down on the cluttered table.
“I can see a terrorist group putting pressure on a government by arguing that they had a vaccine
that could be used in the event of a SARS outbreak and either selling it to them or using it to leverage something they wanted. But how certain are you that they have it?” The Inspector could not remember if Ralph knew about the documents concerning the JI in Singapore that he and Wilson had found in Chen’s apartment, and he was taking no chances. Interpol and his boss had been giving him a hard time over this whole terrorist business and the last thing he wanted was Ralph Chalmers getting involved; his being in Paris when Li Mei was murdered was involvement enough.
“It was in one of the papers that Richard Windham found in Chen’s office. I thought that you would have been given sight of them by now,” said Ralph.
“Not yet. I shall need to make a call to your Professor Warner to jog her memory. But aren’t you stepping out of line here a bit, Professor? Is your University aware that you’re passing this information about their internal affairs to the police?”
“Not exactly. But peoples’ lives are at stake and I felt I had no choice but to try and do something to prevent it.” Having said it, Ralph felt that he was starting to sound a bit self- righteous.
“Well I suppose some might call it whistle blowing. I’d call if ‘balls’ myself.” Linham noticed Ralph flinch at his use of the vernacular, but went on. “There’s not much of it about these days as far as I can see. But credit to you, sir. Rest assured that I’ll pass this on to the chaps at Interpol. They should find it most helpful.”
Ralph felt pleased and at the same time slightly embarrassed by Linham’s accolades. He changed tacks by reiterating his views about the possibility of Miller having been involved in Chen’s murder. The Inspector leaned forward and opened a bulky file.
“Funny you should bring that up, Professor. I had a call just this morning from Oxford Constabulary and it seems your Dr. Miller came in and gave them a full statement about his work with Stephen Chen in Singapore. But I still fail to see how that implicates him in Chen’s murder. What possible motive could he have? He has a nice cushy job, from what I gather he’s in line for the Nobel prize and he has a sick wife he’s apparently devoted to who relies on him completely; Alzheimer’s I believe she has. I understand that’s what his work is about. It just doesn’t make sense that he would risk all of that over an old feud. No Professor, I think you’re on the wrong track there.”
Murder at Seething Wells (The Ralph Chalmers Mysteries Book 5) Page 13