by Don Viecelli
Wolfgang waited until the detectives escorted Ingrid to the elevators and then pulled out his smartcom. He called Ivan and told him what happened.
“Do you know where they’re taking her?”
“Yes, they’re taking her inside the police headquarter building,” Wolfgang replied. “What do you want me to do?”
“What did you find at the doctor’s place?”
“I found some files and memcards. I didn’t find the agreement. I wasn’t able to search the woman’s house. The police were already there. That’s when the two detectives showed up. I followed them to the space depot when they left. They met the woman in a coffee shop. She must have called them.”
“All right. I’ll find out who they are. Bring everything you found to me. I need to look at them. We’ll deal with the woman later.” Ivan ended the call.
Ivan was perplexed as he sat in his chair in his office. He thought about what he should do next. He decided to call Captain Black at home.
Captain Black was sound asleep when the ringer buzzed. He sat up in bed and fumbled for his smartcom. “Hello? Who is this?”
“It’s Ivan. We have a small problem. It seems your detectives have found Ingrid. They took her to police headquarters this morning.”
Captain Black rubbed his eyes, still trying to wake up. “What do you want me to do?” Captain Black asked, expecting trouble.
“Let me know what Ingrid tells your detectives. Then call me back.” Ivan terminated the conversation without waiting for an answer.
Captain Black suddenly felt nauseated. He looked in the dresser mirror at the foot of his bed, his mind deep in thought. There was a worried frown on his face. He hoped this would all be over soon.
Chapter 8
Jack led Ingrid to a small conference room on the eighth floor of police headquarters. There were no outside windows, but there was a large mirror on one wall for one-way viewing. Tom offered to get some coffee, juice and donuts. Ingrid sat down in one of the chairs beside the table. She took off her hat and laid it down on the table beside her handbag. Jack asked Tom to also bring his files and computer on his desk.
“Make yourself comfortable, Ingrid. This shouldn’t take too long. If you don’t mind, I would like to record what is said here.” Jack sat down and turned on a video monitoring system. “First, I would like to say again that I’m sorry about what happened to your father.”
“Thank you. This is hard for me to believe. I didn’t expect anything like this to happen.” Tears welled up in her eyes. Jack handed her a tissue box. “When can I see my father?”
“You can see his body after the autopsy and forensic tests are done, but I must warn you, he was badly burned in the explosion. We had to identify him by DNA analysis.”
Ingrid looked even more pained. “Do you know what caused the explosion?” Ingrid asked wiping her eyes.
“Yes, it was caused by a small bomb, set off by the suspect who left the lab after he killed your father.”
“Are you sure he was murdered?” Ingrid asked hesitantly. “Nothing was said on the news about how he died.”
“Yes, we have evidence he was killed before the explosion,” Jack answered calmly, not willing to divulge any more details.
“Do you know who did this?” Ingrid asked regaining her composure.
“No, not yet. That’s one of the reasons we brought you here. Maybe you can help us find the killer. Can you tell me what your father and you were working on in the lab, and who might want him killed?”
Tom entered the room pushing a cart with refreshments, water, coffee and Jack’s computer. He sat down next to Jack. Jack poured himself some coffee and turned on his computer.
Ingrid hesitated for a moment. She took a bottle of water from the tray, removed the cap and took a drink. “I don’t know where to start. My father and I have been working on this project for many years.”
“Start at the beginning. Tell us what you were working on.” Jack loosened his collar and leaned back in his chair.
Ingrid began slowly. “My father was always interested in regenerative medicine. He got his doctorate in Neurobiology and Molecular Genetics at the Sweden Medical Institute. After a few years of medical research, he decided to work on anti-aging remedies and study the effects of weightlessness on cell structure. I followed in his footsteps and obtained my Ph.D. in Microbiology and Biochemistry. I worked with my father on special medical research projects for several large pharmaceutical companies. We developed over a dozen different drug patents for these companies before we decided to do independent research”
“Did anyone else work with you?”
“No, not on this project. Sometimes, in the past, we would hire an assistant or project manager to help run trials.”
“Why not on this project?” Tom asked while Jack took a sip of coffee.
“It was special. My father thought we should keep our work a secret until we were ready to announce our findings,” Ingrid continued. “Several years ago, my father decided to concentrate on DNA molecular cell regeneration, so we moved to the medical space lab on the moon where we could do our research in low gravity chambers. He wanted to develop a drug that the body could use to regenerate cells and slow down the aging process.
“As you might know, the human body is composed of about 10 trillion cells divided into about 200 different types such as muscle cells, organ cells, skin cells, etc. Cells require enzymes to live and grow. We experimented with various amino acids to see which produced the most useful enzymes and how to control them.
“The problem with life is that, eventually, something goes wrong and the cells begin to grow old and die. No one could find a way to stop or reverse the process, which occurs on a molecular level. We found we could slow it down with certain drugs, but we couldn’t stop it. We tried everything. We almost gave up. But then one day, about two years ago, my father decided to try a new process. That’s when we moved to Mars. He found that protein crystals grown in a micro or zero gravity environment could be produced in almost pure form. Using molecular engineering techniques in zero gravity chambers, we were able to produce a drug that causes cells to start growing and reproducing again. It doesn’t matter what type of DNA is present. If the cells are alive, the drug will stimulate enzyme production and the cells will regenerate themselves. The enzyme is called ‘Telomerase’. Scientists knew what it was, but no one knew how to turn it on in all living cells at once. Until now, scientists only knew how to turn it off, for example, to stop cancer cells from growing. It’s a revolutionary discovery. It will change everything about human life. It will change how long we can live!”
Ingrid paused to let what she said sink in. Jack and Tom looked at each other and tried to comprehend her story. Ingrid was telling them that she and her father had discovered the legendary ‘fountain-of-youth’. The immensity of the discovery finally hit home.
“I can’t say I understood everything you just said, but I do understand how someone might want to steal this discovery for himself,” Jack said after a moment. “Can you prove any of what you just told us?”
“What did you find in the lab?” Ingrid asked, taking another sip of water.
“The lab was pretty much destroyed in the explosion,” Jack answered. Most of the chemicals were vaporized in the heat and fire. The safe was open and no drugs were found. The memcards from both computer systems are missing. We analyzed the chemical samples and found traces of some of the chemicals you mentioned in your story. That’s about all. We’re running more DNA tests.”
“Do you have any samples of the drug you discovered?” Tom asked.
“No. The only samples we had were in the safe. Most of our data was on the memcards in the lab. My father kept backup copies at his home. Have you tried there?” Ingrid wasn’t ready to tell them about the memcard in the lockbox.
“We were too late. Someone broke into your father’s home and stole the memcards before we got there. We think he would have gone to your place next,”
Jack said, watching her face for any unusual reaction.
Ingrid looked surprised. She thought carefully about what to say next. “I kept some records on my computer at home. I was responsible for all test results and trials. I’m working on a research paper we planned to publish soon announcing our discovery. I also had a copy of the drug formula, but not the latest version.”
“What do you mean, not the latest version?” Jack asked with interest.
“The drug was very hard to produce. We could not make the drug in sufficient quantities for mass-distribution. The current cost per unit would be prohibitive—in the millions of denoms. That’s what we were working on the last few months. We were close to a breakthrough. My father was testing the solution. That’s why he was working in the lab so late yesterday.”
“How much of the drug do you think is missing?”
“There should have been twenty vials inside the safe. It took us six months to produce that amount. Each vial was filled with 50 milliliters of solution. We could produce about one vial a week. It was a very tedious process. We knew we had to find a better method before we announced the discovery.”
“Did you patent the discovery?”
“We were working on it. My father submitted the preliminary papers to a lawyer recommended by our private sponsor.”
“And who is your private sponsor?”
“His name is Ivan Hellstrom. He owns a large pharmaceutical company called SpaceMed. He’s based right here on Mars. We met him at a medical symposium last year. He was very interested in our work and offered to help fund our research.”
“I know of him,” Jack said. “He doesn’t have the best reputation in the business from what I’ve heard. What did he do for you?”
“He provided funds for our research, and he recommended the lab on the Ares space station. He helped with our trials, and he offered to process our patent with his lawyers. We signed an agreement.”
“What were the terms of the agreement, Ingrid?”
“We keep all rights to the discovery. Ivan helps us trial the drug and everything is kept confidential.”
“Do you have a copy of the agreement?”
“Yes, my father gave it to me for safe-keeping.”
“What happens after the trials?” Tom asked.
“Ivan wanted my father to let SpaceMed produce the drug. He offered to sell the drug through his channels of distribution and market the drug when it was approved.”
“What did your father tell him?” Jack asked, interested.
“He wanted to think about it before he made a decision.”
“Do you think Ivan was involved with stealing the drugs?”
“I don’t believe so. He seemed very helpful to my father and I.”
“Does he have a copy of your formula?” Tom asked.
“Yes, he needed a copy for the patent process.”
“All right. We’ll check it out,” Jack said. “Do you know anyone else who might know about your discovery we should investigate?”
“No, I don’t,” Ingrid replied truthfully.
“Why did you call your father just before he died?” Jack watched closely for her reaction.
“I wanted to see how he was doing. He’s been working pretty hard lately, and I was getting concerned.” Ingrid decided not to tell Jack the real reason for the call, at least for the time being.
Jack noticed a slight hesitation on Ingrid’s part, but decided to move on. “I would like to ask you some personal questions, Ingrid, if you don’t mind.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Was your father married? Are there any other family members?”
“Yes, he was married. My mother died when I was in college. She had an incurable disease. My father never got over her death. He never remarried. I was the only child.”
“Are you married? Any children?”
“I was married once, after college. We divorced soon afterwards. We both realized it was a mistake. We didn’t have any children.” Ingrid paused, not willing to say more.
“What year was your father born?”
“He was born in 2009,” Ingrid answered knowing the next question. “He was 85 years old.”
“What year were you born?”
Ingrid smiled briefly. “I was born in 2034. I’m 60 years old.”
Jack and Tom glanced at each other and looked back at Ingrid.
“Do you have any proof of your age?” Jack asked.
“Yes, here is my ID,” Ingrid answered, pulling the ID card from her purse on the desk. “You can check the databank for my birth date, schooling and other personal information.”
“Ingrid, you look like you’re no more than thirty years old. Your father’s DNA analysis shows him to be in his early forties. How do you explain that?” Jack asked, looking her in the eyes.
“My father wanted to fast-track the human trials. We started taking the drug two months ago as was part of the trials,” Ingrid answered. “We…”
“I didn’t think you could do that with experimental drugs,” Tom interrupted.
“We ran the drug through the molecular test simulator first,” Ingrid continued. “The results were 99.999 percent safe. There were no predicted side effects on molecular cell structure. Then we tested the drug on live animals such as rats, mice and monkeys. The results were spectacular. It works on animals too. We monitored them for months. We took DNA samples and analyzed them. Everything looked normal. We were confident the drug would work as predicted and there would be no harmful consequences. Besides, there’s no current law against testing drugs you develop in the lab on yourself if it is documented properly. We assume all risk. The courts have upheld this type of testing for the last fifty years.
“My father decided to test the drug on himself first. I monitored the results. He was fine. His cells began to regenerate quickly. That’s why your DNA tests show him to be much younger. He took enough of the drug to reverse his age by forty years.
“Then I took the drug and it worked the same way. My body is now the same age as when I was in my early thirties. You can take a DNA sample from me and have it tested. There is no other explanation.”
“We would like to do that, Ingrid,” Jack said. “It would help collaborate your statement. How much of the drug do you need to take? How does it work?”
“One vial will reverse a normal human body’s age by about ten years. We found we could take one vial every seven or more days apart. Any sooner, the extra drugs are ineffective. It takes about a month to complete the process. After taking the drug, the body becomes very sleepy. You will sleep for up to eighteen hours a day. Then you get very hungry and must eat large amounts of protein and drink lots of water. You begin to feel younger and stronger almost immediately. You have more energy. You begin to feel healthy again. The aches and pains of old age diminish. You feel young and alive. It’s almost indescribable.”
“How long do the effects of the drug last?”
“We’re pretty sure the effects last for up to ten years for each dose taken at the proper intervals. We didn’t stop the aging process. We only reversed it. We have a lot more work to do to find the answer to eternal life, Jack.”
“How young can you become?” Tom asked, almost mockingly.
“The drug will only reverse the aging process to human maturity, between the ages of 18 and 22. It has no affect on people younger than that. We cannot make you into an adolescent, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Ingrid replied defensively.
“That’s too bad,” Jack joked to lighten the mood in the room. “That was one of my best times in life. All right, I think we’re done here. Tom, why don’t you take Ingrid to the forensic lab to see her father’s body. Then have Doctor Zheng take a DNA sample to run some tests. We need to verify your identity for our files, Ingrid.
“I will talk to Captain Black and fill him in. Then I need to get some rest. I haven’t had any sleep in over 24 hours. You need some sleep too, Tom. You’re getting crank
y.
“Ingrid, I don’t think you should go home for awhile, at least not until we find out what happened to your father. I need your security code so I can open the memcards and view the files from your computer. It will help build our case.”
Ingrid wrote down the code on a piece of paper and gave it to Jack.
“Thank you. Tom will arrange to take you to a safe place for your protection. If you will excuse me now, I must leave.”
Jack got up from the table and shook Ingrid’s hand. “Thank you for your cooperation, Ingrid. It was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we can resolve this case quickly. I’m sure you have a lot on your mind. If you need anything, just call me. Here’s my card. I’ll talk to you again as soon as I can.”
Jack noticed the look in Ingrid’s eyes. It looked like too many things were happening at once, none of which were good. It was a look Jack had seen all too often in his line of work. He tried to reassure her with his handshake and let her know things would work out eventually.
“Thank you, Jack,” Ingrid said softly. “Please find the person who did this to my father.”
“We will, Ingrid. Try to eat and get some rest. You’ll feel better.”
With that, Jack turned off the recorder in the room. He transferred a copy of the file to his computer. He deleted the original file on the monitoring system. He picked up the memcards on the table and put them in his pocket. He told Tom he would keep the cards in his office. Then he left the room. He walked directly to the elevator and went to the top floor to meet with Captain Black. The captain should be in his office by now. It was almost 8:00 a.m.
Captain Black heard a knock on his door. “Come in,” he said loudly.
“Good morning, Captain,” Jack said as he walked over to the captain’s desk.
“Good morning, Jack. Sit down. What have you found out so far?”
Jack took a seat in front of the desk. The captain looked haggard, like he didn’t get enough sleep last night.
“We’ve been up all night working on the case, Captain. The two bodies are in the forensic lab. We confirmed the identity of the body in the explosion. It was Doctor Leif Johanson. Someone broke into the lab and killed the doctor. He died from strangulation, before the explosion. The dead security guard was named George Riley. He was killed approximately one hour before the break-in. He was shot with a laser-pulse gun, probably after he answered the door and let the person in. There was no sign of a struggle, which means the guard may have known the killer. The killer disguised himself with a facemask to look like the guard and used the guard’s ID card and clothes to get by security on Ares and break into the lab. We have video evidence on the killer and the break-in. I’m still working on the motive.”