by Don Viecelli
The wind was picking up. He could see dust particles racing past his window. A dust storm was probably on its way. There was nothing on the surface to prevent the blowing sand and frozen ice crystals from building in intensity and obscuring all vision. The hurricane force winds would damage buildings with flying rocks and debris and stop shuttle flights during the worst storms. There was an element of danger in all of this that appealed to Ivan and others who chose to live on Mars—or anywhere in space for that matter. It also created opportunities of a lifetime for those willing to take advantage of them.
Ivan continued to look out the window at the building storm. He was determined to become the wealthiest and most powerful man in history. He could accomplish those goals now, he knew. Only time and age were limiting factors in his ambitions, but he had even found a solution for those, thanks to the doctors, for they had discovered a new anti-aging drug—the proverbial fountain-of-youth.
Ivan would sell the drug to the richest customers. He had already tested the market and sold a few samples to the members of his consortium who would help him monopolize the market. It was how he had financed Doctor Johanson’s research. He knew what the drug was worth and he planned to supply it on a limited basis for as long as he could. Once the word got out that such a drug was available, demand would become insatiable. No one wanted to grow old and die if he or she could prevent it. The social ramifications were immense. Governments would try to intervene. Ivan knew he would have a hard time keeping the drug to himself. So, he had recruited others to help him.
Ivan walked over to the wet-bar and poured himself another drink. He was stirring the ice when the door monitor announced a visitor. He looked at the screen and saw Wolfgang standing in the hallway holding a duffel bag. Ivan ordered the door to open and Wolfgang stepped inside.
“Welcome back. Can I get you a drink?” Ivan reached for a glass.
“No, thank you, sir,” Wolfgang answered, walking towards him.
Ivan set the empty glass back down and walked over to his desk. “How did it go?” He wanted the details.
“Everything went as planned. The security guard was no problem. I cleared security on the ring and broke into the lab. I found the drug vials, but the doctor arrived slightly ahead of schedule. I took care of him, blew up the lab and left. I disposed of the disguise on my way back. It won’t be found.” Wolfgang sounded confident as usual.
“Good job, Wolfgang. Give me the items.”
Wolfgang handed Ivan the duffel bag. Ivan opened the bag on his desk and took out the drug vials and the two memcards. He counted twenty vials and picked one up to examine. “Was this all of it?”
“Yes. They were all in the safe.”
“Too bad there wasn’t more. Doctor Johanson told me they were close to finding the solution to mass-production. Let’s hope the answer is on one of these cards.”
“What if it’s not?” Wolfgang questioned.
“Then we’ll have to question the daughter. She’ll know where it is. Her father would’ve given her a copy.”
“What do you want me to do?” Wolfgang asked. He was looking for his next assignment.
“I’ll tell you in a few minutes. Take a seat and let me look at these cards. I need to see what’s on them first.”
Ivan picked up one of the memcards and slid it into his computer system. The card was security coded, but Ivan had a software program that easily worked around it. Within seconds, the screen turned on and he found the file directory. There were numerous files. Luckily, the files were grouped by subject. Most were labeled ‘Test Results’ or ‘Production Records’. He picked the most recent lab test file and asked the computer to show the results. The medical terminology used was very scientific, but Ivan understood most of it. There was no mention of any change to the formula.
Ivan continued to search the computer files on the two memcards. The doctors had kept meticulous records. Every lab experiment, every drug test, every medical reaction to the drug and the entire production history were recorded on the cards. However, he noticed that the most recent production records were missing. He couldn’t find the files. The last two weeks of data were gone. Ivan searched the data records subdirectory. Several files had been deleted from one of the memcards. Ivan frowned.
“What’s the matter?” Wolfgang asked, noticing Ivan’s expression.
“Some files are missing. It looks like Doctor Johanson deleted the most recent production records.”
“What do you think he did with them?”
“He probably hid them,” Ivan replied. “He must have suspected something and decided to keep the latest findings secret.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“You better search the doctor’s home first. See what you can find. Bring me all his personal records.”
“Then what?”
“It’s time to talk to Ingrid. Search her home. We need those missing files. It’s the key to mass-producing the drug.”
“What should I do with the daughter?”
“Take her to my place outside of town. I’ll meet you there later. I have some business to attend to.”
“Okay. I’m on my way. Anything else, sir?”
“No. Let me know what you find.”
“I understand. I’ll call you when I have the woman.” Wolfgang left the room.
Ivan continued to study the files. It was amazing, really. The doctor and his daughter had worked for years on the discovery. Now that they were so close to success, Ivan was about to change history. No one would know who really invented the greatest drug of all time. He could even take credit for the discovery himself if he wished. It all depended on how Ingrid reacted to his demands. He looked forward to seeing her again. Should I share the wealth with her? Ivan thought. He decided it would not matter in the end. It was time to make his next move. It was all a chess game to him. A game he intended to win at all costs.
An hour later, Ivan Hellstrom’s door alarm buzzed. It was almost 2:00 a.m. He looked at the monitor screen. Ivan knew who it was. He was expecting him. He opened the door from his desk. “Come in, Captain Black. What can I do for you?”
Captain Black walked over to Ivan’s desk. They did not shake hands. Captain Black took off his hat and sat in the chair in front of the desk without asking. He did not look pleased. “I need to know what the hell is going on, Ivan!”
“Certainly, Captain. Can I get you a drink?” Ivan asked, trying to be pleasant, although he really despised the man.
“Bourbon on the rocks, if you have it.”
Ivan got up, walked to the bar and poured the captain a drink. His bar was well stocked. He tried to keep it that way. “You know what happened on Ares tonight.”
“Yes, I know. You didn’t tell me two people would be killed,” Captain Black answered, obviously upset.
“It had to be done. The doctor wanted to cancel our agreement, and the guard was a liability. Now we have to find Ingrid and reason with her,” Ivan replied.
“This creates a big problem, Ivan. I have to investigate a double homicide and put detectives on the case.”
“I understand, Captain. I trust you’ll do what’s necessary to keep the real details of the discovery a secret.”
“It’ll be difficult. My chief detective is very good at what he does.”
“Then we’ll have to make sure he doesn’t tell anyone if he discovers the truth.” Captain Black understood his meaning. “What do you want from me?”
“I expect you to keep me informed. I’ll make sure you’re well compensated.”
Captain Black thought for a moment. He was in way to deep and there wasn’t anything he could do about it now. It was too late. He made a decision. “I’ll let you know what my detectives find out. Anything else?”
“No, that’ll do for now. I think we understand each other. I have something for you.” Ivan reached inside his desk drawer and removed three vials of the drug. They were worth at least fifteen million denoms on the black market
. Denoms were the universal currency, and five hundred thousand denoms were worth a year’s pay; so the three vials were equivalent to thirty years of high-priced labor. “These are for you. I’m sure they will make you feel better about the situation.” Ivan placed them on the desk in front of the captain.
Captain Black picked up the vials and put them inside his coat pocket. He thought about what he was going to do with the drug. He had it all figured out. He just needed a little more time. He shook Ivan’s hand and left the office. He didn’t trust the man, but this was part of the deal. He tried not to think about what Ivan was planning. He only thought of what he was going to do with the drug. It would change his life. It would make him young again. He could do things now he only dreamed about doing earlier. His conscience was clearing. Damn it all! He did begin to feel better.
Chapter 6
It was 2:00 a.m. in the morning. Wolfgang checked to see if anyone was in the hallway that led to Doctor Johanson’s condo. It was clear. There were no security cameras to worry about. It was too early in the morning for anyone to be roaming about, but Wolfgang was not taking any chances. He did not want to be seen.
Wolfgang walked up to the door and used an illegal decoding device to unlock it. The door slid open and he stepped inside. The hallway light immediately turned on. He turned it off and used his flashlight to find the room he was looking for.
The doctor lived in a two story, three-bedroom condo near the center of Marineris City. It was very spacious and well furnished compared to most residences in the city. The doctor had lived there for two years. His work-study was on the second floor in one of the spare bedrooms. Wolfgang found the room and entered. He closed the window blind that overlooked one of the park domes nearby and used his flashlight to see. The computer system was on a desk in the corner by the window. Next to the desk was a small file cabinet. Bookcases lined the walls and were filled with books and papers. Several pictures hung on the walls.
Wolfgang ignored the clutter. He found the computer and opened the memory drive compartment. He removed the memcard and put it in his bag. He searched all the desk drawers. He found some backup cards and took them also. He looked around the room for more information. He opened the file cabinet and searched the folders. He pulled each file that was relevant and put it into his bag. He took his time and was thorough. He didn’t want to leave anything important behind. When he was confident he had searched every drawer and file in the room, he proceeded to the second bedroom.
Wolfgang searched the room. There was nothing of interest. He entered the master bedroom and closed the window blinds. He searched the bedroom closet and drawers. He found some jewelry and spare change. He left them where they were. He looked for a wall safe and found nothing. He went back downstairs. Wolfgang searched every room. There was nothing to find. Apparently, the doctor spent most of his time at the lab and did not keep a lot of work related records at home. Maybe the memcards would have what Ivan needed.
It was time to leave. Wolfgang looked at his watch. It was half past two in the morning. He had been in the house for thirty minutes. It was time to visit the daughter’s place. He was looking forward to it. He hoped she was home. It would add a little more excitement to the evening.
Wolfgang left the doctor’s place and took a commuter train to Ingrid’s home. She lived across town near the edge of the city. It only took fifteen minutes to make the trip. He entered the enclosed walkway that led to the condo building. As he approached nearer, Wolfgang noticed a police officer standing outside the doorway of the daughter’s building. He was careful the officer did not see him. Shit—what’s he doing here? Wolfgang thought as he peered around the corner. It looked like the officer was guarding the entrance. Wolfgang wasn’t sure what he should do. He hid behind a dark corner and decided to stick around for a while to see what happens. He calmly leaned his back against the wall and waited.
*****
Jack and Tom reached Doctor Johanson’s home around 4 a.m. The sun would not be visible for another two hours. They could hear the wind blowing outside the walkway as they approached the building, but they could not see anything through the dark windows. They reached the building entrance and walked inside. The doctor’s place was on the third floor. They took the elevator. They walked down the hallway to the door marked 315. Jack and Tom put on their gloves. Jack tried the door, but it was locked.
“Do you want me to find the building supervisor?” Tom asked.
“No, I have a key card.” Jack pulled out a special card he carried with him and inserted it into the keypad. The door slid open and the hallway light came on.
Tom looked amazed. “How can I get one of those?”
“You have to get special clearance to carry one of these cards. Judges don’t like us breaking into homes without proper search warrants, so they don’t hand too many out. I had to pull a few strings to get one.”
“It figures. I’ll have to see if I can get one.”
Jack walked into the hallway first. The lights turned on. He glanced around. Nothing looked out of place. He walked into the kitchen. “Why don’t you check upstairs? See if there is a home-office or computer system somewhere.”
“Okay. I’m on it. No snacks while I’m working my tired ass off upstairs.” Tom trudged up the stairs. Jack ignored the comment. He was getting used to Tom’s sense of self-deprecating humor.
Jack continued walking through the kitchen to the dining room and into the living room. The place was spacious and well furnished. The pictures on the walls were modern and there were small works of art on every table and in every corner. The doctor must have been a collector of fine art. He certainly lived well, Jack thought. Nothing looked missing or out of place. The rooms were decorated very tastefully, as if done by an interior designer. He wished he could afford to live in a place like this. Everything looked expensive.
“Jack, you better come up here!” Tom yelled from upstairs. He sounded excited.
Jack raced up the stairs. He found Tom in one of the bedrooms—only now it was a home office and it was a mess.
“Somebody beat us here. The memcards are gone. It looks like this room has been searched. All the drawers have been removed and emptied.”
“Looks like we’re too late.” Jack was annoyed with himself. He should have sent a policeman to guard the place, but there was no way of knowing when the break-in occurred.
“Do you think it was the killer?” Tom asked as he looked at the loose papers and files scattered about the room.
“Maybe. He was obviously looking for something.”
“Do you think he found it?”
“No way to tell. Remember the missing memcards? He took those from the lab too.”
Looking around, Jack suddenly became distracted by a digital picture frame sitting on the desk. He picked it up. It was a picture of Doctor Johanson and his daughter, Ingrid, at some black-tie ceremony. He repeatedly pushed a button on the bottom of the frame and glanced through a dozen pictures that appeared on the screen one at a time. In one of the pictures several people were standing around in the background. The doctor and his daughter were smiling broadly. It looked like they must have won some award. The picture was unmistakable. Doctor Johanson looked like he was in his early 80’s. His daughter looked like she was in her late 50’s. They did not look like the same people whose pictures he had recently seen from the security camera on Ares or on the doctor’s smartcom. But it was the picture of the people in the background that concerned Jack the most. He thought he recognized one of the faces, but he needed to be sure. He removed the memcard from the bottom of the frame and put it in his pocket to take back to the office as evidence.
“What did you find?”
“A picture of Doctor Johanson and his daughter. It may be useful for comparison purposes.” Jack decided to keep the rest of the information to himself for the time being. “I think I better call the police officer I sent to Ingrid’s place. If someone broke in here tonight, he might try to
do the same at her place.”
Jack pulled out his smartcom and dialed the police officer he sent over to Ingrid’s home. When the officer answered, Jack asked if the daughter had showed up. The officer said no. Jack then asked if anything looked out of the ordinary as if someone had broken in recently? The officer said no, not that he could see and that nobody had been to the place while he was there. Jack told him what happened at the doctor’s place and to be on the alert. Jack said he would be there within the hour.
Jack and Tom continued to search the doctor’s home. They did not find anything useful, just some miscellaneous notes and files on the doctor’s previous work on regenerative medicine; nothing about a new drug that would reverse the aging process. The missing memcards and files were a blow. Jack chided himself again for not putting this place under surveillance immediately. Jack needed hard evidence on whatever the doctor was working on. Someone was making things difficult for him and Jack was getting impatient. He needed a break in the case.
“We need to call CIT in for dusting. Maybe they can find a print or something we can use,” Jack finally said.
“Do you want me to make the call?” Tom was clearly enjoying this, Jack observed. Maybe he will make a good detective after all.
“No, I’ll do it.” Jack pulled out his smart com and called the Crime Investigation Team director, a guy named Ted Little. The name was misleading. Ted was the largest black man Jack had ever worked with on the force. The man was huge; almost six feet 10 inches tall and a former football player in college, but he also had the sharpest mind and the biggest sense of humor of anyone Jack knew. Maybe Ted had found something at the crime scenes on Ares he could use.