They chatted on until Linham noticed the time and had to break off to make an important call.
“Trouble at the Mill, Professor. I’m afraid duty calls. Can you find your way out?” Two down and one to go, Ralph thought.
Back at college he called the Wellcome Trust only to be told that Dr. Miller was in Berlin at a Conference and would not be back for a couple of days. On reflection Ralph decided that it was fortuitous that Miller had been unavailable. He was much more likely to gain his cooperation in person than over the telephone and a few days one way or the other shouldn’t matter. Besides, it would give him a chance to think about the best approach to take.
***
Later that week Ralph took a call from Harriet Warner.
“I thought I would let you know, Professor Chalmers, that the University has received a formal letter from Claus Stein of Kramer Pharmaceuticals. It appears that I was right in trying to get Dr. Miller to evaluate Dr. Chen’s claims as they were also having some doubts. It appears that they have shown two scientists from MassBiologics the reports and they concur. It was fortunate that our team was so vigilant and responsible in highlighting our concerns.” She sounded unusually friendly, if a bit tense. He wasn’t surprised that she was now taking credit for having brought Chen’s bogus claims to light as self aggrandizement seemed to be her modus operandi. Naturally she didn’t mention her outburst after the meeting at Oxford or her threats to curtail his and Jack’s career over their actions at the meeting with Miller.
Ralph was relieved that Claus Stein had kept his promise to find a way of discrediting Chen’s work without highlighting the part Ralph had played. But Harriet had somehow made a 180 degree turn in her position. She was now saying that the reason for trying to get Miller to do the evaluation was because she was worried that Chen’s work was flawed. If memory served, what she really wanted was to get Miller to say that Kramer had got their money’s worth and shouldn’t be looking to Kingston for a refund because of the aborted project. Since Chen had been appointed and paid directly by Kramer, Warner had obviously latched on to the fact to support her position that he wasn’t employed by the University, hence putting the whole responsibility onto Kramer.
“That seems to be very good news for the University,” Ralph said with as much diplomacy as he could muster. Dean Warner had been against disclosure of the flawed report from the start in spite of urgings by Windham and Jack White, now that it appeared that Kramer was willing to assume responsibility, she seemed all to happy to jump on the bandwagon. Ralph wondered why she had bothered to call and tell him all of this and was waiting to find out what she wanted of him now.
“Yes it is. Naturally I wanted to make clear that Kingston was in no way responsible for Dr. Chen’s dubious findings. But as you seemed to be quite familiar with Dr. Chen’s dealings in Singapore, I may seek your support should there be any formal enquiries that may reflect on the University.” Ralph could almost hear the wheels of the internal enquiry beginning to turn. Stephen Chen was being thrown to the wolves and his part was to see that any offal was tidied up. The usual job of vultures, he mused.
“Naturally I am happy to assist in any way I can, Dean Warner. Just have your secretary send me a note outlining what you would like me to do.”
“I knew I could count on you, Professor Chalmers. After all, we are all on the same team.” Ralph cringed. Much as he hated Harriet Warner’s style, he was even more alarmed at the company line he had just taken. He supposed that he wasn’t so very different to any of the thousands of other poor souls out there who found themselves fighting for a place in the organizational lifeboat. He willed himself back to the moment as he realized she was still speaking.
“You must excuse me now as I have a meeting with the VC. Take care.” She rang off and Ralph sat there wondering how much more of this he could stand. Even if his whistle-blowing was not going to get him thrown out after all, perhaps he should still seriously consider that garret in Paris.
That evening he bought a copy of the local newspaper, the Surrey Comet. It contained an article about Stephen Chen’s murder which included a report of an interview with Harriet Warner and a photo of two white coated technicians leaning over some equipment. The article had been written by Simon Alford who had obviously been doing some digging. It mentioned Chen’s work as being of International importance and his having worked at the NUS. Harriet had obviously made her point about Chen having been employed by Kramer Pharma and that he was only using the research facility at the University as a courtesy. The article went on to say that the police were following up leads but that so far no major suspects had been identified. Simon must have got that from Linham, thought Ralph. But what struck him most was the quote from Harriet Warner.
Professor Harriet Warner, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at Kingston University, when asked to comment on a report in the French right wing daily – Le Figaro - that a girl who was murdered in Paris allegedly by a terrorist group affiliated to the Jemaah Islami in Singapore, was linked to Dr. Stephen Chen and to Kingston University, said that Miss Li was not and had never been a student at or affiliated with the University, and that the University has no knowledge of her private life.
So now it seemed that both Chen and Li Mei had been declared personae non gratis, and Harriet Warner was distancing the University, and herself, from anything to do with either of them as fast as her officious legs could carry her.
Ralph felt himself slump as he realized that it was down to him to ensure that the Chinese firm who held the vaccine was stopped from inadvertently killing hundreds of people. There was not the slightest doubt in his mind that both Kramer and the University would deny knowledge of anything to do with Chen’s overseas activities. And, he reminded himself, Stephen Chen’s killer was still at large.
_________________
Chapter 13
Ralph drove through the uninspiring outskirts of the City of Oxford. He was determined to get support from Ryan Miller in preventing further use of the flawed vaccine. In this part of town there were no ‘dreaming spires’ to marvel at or serious looking students in gowns riding their bicycles down cobbled alleyways for a discussion with their tutors. Since the 13th century people had set up homes on the outskirts of the City where they could scratch out a living and gain some protection from thieves and villains. He remembered that Headington, his destination, had been a Royal Village in the Saxon period. Nothing much had changed. The butchers, bakers and candlestick makers were still set up to ply their trade. Clusters of small shops served the locals but competition from the large out of town super stores had forced many to close down. The shoppers had gone elsewhere and the place now looked drab and run down.
Ralph had not been concentrating when he had come along with Harriet and Jack to see Miller and nothing looked familiar. He glanced down at the AA City map precariously balanced on his lap while negotiating road works that added to the congestion, but the scale was too small to be of much use. He nearly missed the small blue and white sign announcing Wellcome Centre for Disease Research, Headington, Oxford. He had phoned earlier that morning and Miller’s secretary confirmed that he was back from his conference in Berlin. Ralph declined the offer of an appointment sensing that a surprise confrontation was the best approach. The car park was full and he had to park on a hatched line, hoping the owner of the dirt streaked Volvo that he blocked in would be working late. It was a cold damp afternoon and it reminded him of his rowing days at Cambridge when training became something to endure until you could get back to the boathouse for a scalding shower, a buttered bun and a mug of hot tea. He turned up the collar of his Burberry coat as he stepped into a rather clinical reception area. He knew that Miller’s office was on the third floor, and tipping his hat to the receptionist and remarking on the awful weather, he strode purposefully over to the lift. A young man in a lab coat with a large badge and ID photo clipped to his lapel got in and stood next to him and nodded.
“Managed to get tickets
for the Burns Night supper over at Eynsham Hall for this Saturday. They’ve still got a few left if you’re interested.”
“Yes, well, thanks for the tip,” said Ralph, relieved that he had been taken as a colleague and not an interloper.
“Third floor. This is mine,” said Ralph stepping out onto a brightly lit corridor.
“Only quarter of an hour by car. Might see you there.” As the doors closed, Ralph puzzled over this last remark until he realized the man was talking about the Burns event. If only that were the only thing to ponder, he thought. But he was outside Miller’s office and without knocking he turned the handle and walked in.
“Professor Chalmers.” Miller looked surprised as he stood up. “I’m sorry, did we have an appointment? I’ve just got back from Germany and things are a bit chaotic.” Ralph could see that Miller was struggling to regain his composure. “Reception never rang.”
“No. I wanted to see you on an urgent matter and took the liberty of coming straight down from London.” Ralph cursed himself for the apologetic note in his voice. It was not what he intended but after all, he did want Miller’s co-operation and support and a bit of humility might smooth the way.
“It must be important for you to rush up here on spec like this,” Miller said as he buzzed for his secretary to bring in some tea. “Please, have a seat,” he motioned to a chair beside his desk and took Ralph’s coat and hung it on a metal coat rack next to a quite similar one, presumably is own. Over tea Ralph explained why he wanted his help. When he had finished Miller looked puzzled.
“But, if as you say, and I confess it comes as no surprise to me, Chen had already sold information about this potentially dangerous vaccine to some Chinese outfit, I don’t see what we can do about it, especially as they have probably worked out how to get it approved,” he said, looking intently at Ralph.
“I rather hoped you might use your standing in the research community and position here at Wellcome to put pressure on the Chinese.” He waited as Miller pressed the tips of his fingers together and seemed to be mulling over the implications. He was not going to be easily drawn in to what for him would be a difficult and time consuming affair.
“I can see where you are coming from, and if what you say is true you have my sympathy. But you should be talking to Claus Stein about this, not me. Kramer is the one with the deep pocket and they are the ones who funded Chen’s research, so you really need to be talking to them. They fund some of our work as well. As a matter of fact, Claus Stein has been a major supporter of my work on Alzheimer’s. I don’t mind giving him a call if you like.”
Ralph could see that Miller was sidestepping his efforts for direct help. Perhaps it was the drive down, the wet weather, Harriet Warner’s efforts to shed responsibility for Chen’s lies, or meeting that young researcher in the lift, reminding him of happier days, or a combination of all of those factors, but as Katie would say he ‘flipped’.
“Look, aren’t you being a bit callous in all this? You as much as anyone have profited from the deaths of those innocent people in the Singapore trials. Chen lived the high life, a Chinese firm stands to make a fortune with a flawed vaccine, terrorist groups are likely to hold governments at ransom, and you are sitting in a comfortable office with every prospect of being awarded a Nobel Prize.” He paused for breath, surprised at his sudden outburst before continuing. “Claus Stein has promised to do what he can, but you could at least make an effort to avert the prospect of more innocent people being killed.” He sat back trembling with emotion.
Miller looked ashen. Ralph couldn’t tell if it was anger or fear. Probably a bit of both. He suddenly remembered that Miller had, at least for a time, denied knowing Chen. He leant forward and pointed an accusative finger.
“Furthermore, I think that you spoke to Chen at Seething Wells and knew what he was up to. You chose not to say anything because you simply didn’t give a damn about people dying because of your desire to keep your reputation intact. I think it is disgraceful. And if it turns out that you did not return to your hotel with your colleagues immediately after the event, then you will have some explaining to do.” Miller was obviously stung by Ralph’s accusations.
“Keep your voice down. And stop being so bloody sanctimonious. You’re not the only one with a conscience. I have to live with my mistakes and pay a damned high interest rate on them. My life’s work is to find a cure for my wife’s illness. And you come in here accusing me of not caring.”
Ralph was a bit knocked back by Miller’s reaction. For a moment he hesitated, but then he remembered the image of Li Mei, an innocent girl shot in cold blood on her apartment steps, Chen lying in a pool of muddy water by the Thames, and people queuing up to receive what might well be a lethal injection. He stood up.
“Tell me, did you or did you not speak to Stephen Chen at Seething Wells?” The words had just come out automatically. He felt as though he was in some awful courtroom facing the accused. To his surprise Miller slumped in his chair and folded his arms. His eyes were closed and it was some while before he spoke.
“I hadn’t seen Chen for years, not since Singapore. And then there he was, smiling and joking as though nothing had happened. I expect it was the same smile he used when selling his information to the Chinese and persuading Claus Stein that he had made a breakthrough with the SARS vaccine. The man was laughing at everyone, including me.” He paused.
“What did you do?”
“He invited me back to his apartment for a night cap. That sounds funny now; a night cap. If only I had gone back to the hotel with the boys,” Miller gave a rueful smile as he continued. “I can tell you I was bloody livid. As we walked along the riverbank he told me how he had conned Claus Stein and sold a useless bunch of data and information to this big Chinese firm. I can hear him gloating now. I argued with him that he had to put a stop to things before the Singapore disaster repeated itself but on an even bigger scale. I even tried to appeal to his ethical responsibilities and the disgrace it would mean to his parents. But he just laughed and said it was a dog eat dog world and he was going to use the money to set his parents and himself up somewhere on the Mediterranean coast.”
“Why didn’t you just leave him and go to the police, or tell the University?”
“Marvelous thing, hindsight. Besides, I had no proof. Who would have believed me?”
“Did you go in to the apartment?”
“Yes. I suppose I thought I could talk him round or at least get some proof. Although to be honest, I don’t think I was thinking that clearly.” They were both silent. The scene Miller had painted was only half complete.
“It was a very elegant room if a bit modern for my taste.”
“Did you manage to persuade him to stop?”
“No. He just laughed at me. Said I was naïve. He fixed drinks, whiskey and water, like the good old days back in Singapore, he said. He said he had a proposition for me. He wanted me to validate his claims. He said it would be a sort of insurance policy and give him time to close a deal he was working on with some terrorist group in Singapore.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him he could go bugger himself. That he must be out of his bloody skull. He threatened to tell the Nobel Prize Committee that I had been the main drive behind the trials that killed all those people in Singapore if I refused. He said it was my choice: either I went along with his plan or else he would see that I was disgraced, thrown out of my job and that I’d have to put my wife in some third rate nursing home.”
For one moment Ralph sympathized with Miller. “But you could have called his bluff or even taken the consequences. There must have been some way out.”
“Hindsight, Ralph, if only – if only. We argued. I suppose I lost it. I threw my whiskey at him and he fell back against his chair and it turned over. I can see it now. It was one of those modern things, all glass and chrome. I heard a loud bang when his head hit the polished wood floor.”
“Did you try to get him up or
call the ambulance or something?”
“No. When I saw that he was unconscious, I panicked. But I swear I didn’t know he was dead. I put the glasses back on the side. The damned CD was still playing. I dragged him out through the side door and onto the walkway outside the apartment. I can still hear the click as it shut behind me. It must have been one of those security doors. Then I saw this old skiff tied to the side, so I put him in it and rowed upstream to a jetty I remembered seeing when we walked along from Seething Wells. I thought someone would see him there. The rest, as they say is history. In less than two hours I had gone from being a sensible scientist to a murderer.” Miller sat back holding his head in his hands and rocking backwards and forwards while Ralph tried to take in what he had heard.
“You realize that we must go to the police.”
“Yes, of course. I’m actually relieved now it has all come out,” Miller said with a grim smile. “Don’t worry, I’ve made a written confession and there’s a signed copy in my desk drawer.” He reached in and pulled out a grey folder and gave it to Ralph. “You might want to read it while I make a private call to my wife. Then we can go down to the local police station. It’s just down the road.”
Ralph agreed to wait while Miller went to make his call. He read the confession which covered most of what Miller had just told him. Through the large plate glass windows he could see that the afternoon mist was thickening and he wondered if it would mean an overnight stay in Oxford. A visit to the police might turn out to be a long affair. He checked his watch and reckoned that it was at least 10 minutes since Miller left. He wondered if Miller’s wife was even capable of understanding whatever he had decided to tell her. After another 5 minutes when he still hadn’t returned, Ralph decided he had better go and look for him.
Murder at Seething Wells (The Ralph Chalmers Mysteries Book 5) Page 14