Antiphon

by B. L. Roberts

  When the nature of the assignment was spelled out, Bramboni’s antennae became even more active. At first he could not comprehend why the church should be concerned about a research laboratory, and was frustrated when his questions were initially stonewalled. It was only after he had made it clear he would not be interested in the job, unless he knew all the facts, that it was forthcoming.

  The laboratory was working on some sort of population control. If it succeeded, the population of the world would shrink drastically, and that would mean the market for soft drinks would likewise shrink. The soft drink company stood to lose millions, a loss that would be ongoing. This work had to be stopped. Bramboni soon reasoned, the church’s real motive, was to ensure its rich source of new followers, was not constricted by a shrinking population. It did not miss his thinking that it would also shrink the market for drugs.

  His preliminary research soon identified the owner of the island where the laboratory was based, and he set out to find out what he could about Mr. Frederik Sorensen. He would need to know more, before he could put together a plan of operation, but already his mind had raced ahead. Now, he had to inform the others he had accepted the assignment on their behalf. Half the money was in their hands, and he would soon tell them what each one’s task would be.

  The meeting came to an end, the others left to wait instructions, and to count the two million American dollars each took with him in the cloth bags. Matteo had intimated, there would be more money to be had from the project, than the one hundred million they had decided would be their fee. This two million was just living expenses for now. The rest, or what was left after expenses, they would divide later. They were admonished not to splash it around conspicuously.

  Bramboni had, by both careful planning, and not taking unnecessary risks, avoided being caught for any of his crimes, but he had had his close shaves, been lucky several times, and this had sharpened his wits. His lifestyle was luxurious, and he did not intend for this to change. He had no desire of spending any of his life in a stuffy prison cell.

  Already, he knew this job would not be easy. Someone as wealthy as Sorensen, did not acquire that wealth by being stupid. Bramboni had dealt with many wealthy people, some as clients, most as targets, and he knew better than to underestimate someone he was going to attack. The young man he had sent off to Sweden for a preliminary report, would be back in a week or so with more information, and he perhaps could then start working out the best way to approach this problem.

  His preliminary investigation had unearthed the story of the deaths of Sorensen’s parents many years earlier, and he filed that information away carefully. His employer would prefer not to have people killed, but that instruction had been qualified.

  “You will have to do, whatever it is you have to do. If this dreadful contraceptive eventuates, it will be the end of the world as we know it. It has to be stopped, and you have to stop it.”

  That had been clear enough. His assignment was to stop the research in that laboratory from going any further. It would be desirable not to kill people, but already Bramboni could see that this might become necessary. Sorensen had already lived through the experience of having his loved ones kidnapped, then murdered. He would be susceptible, and this would be his vulnerability. Bramboni thought he could see how to approach the problem, but it was not going to be simple. It would require careful planning, but first, he must learn all he could about his enemy. In his mind, Sorensen was already the enemy, someone to be defeated.

  His emissary sent to Sweden stayed longer than Bramboni thought would happen, but the man had reported by telephone, and what he had told Matteo, made it clear he was doing good work, and should continue. When he finally returned three weeks later, he produced from his brief case dozens of photographs. They showed the Sorensen residence, taken from many different angles, some with a high powered lens that picked up the security cameras, and the type of lock on the front gate. The place had been well thought out, but Bramboni picked some weaknesses immediately.

  Whoever designed this, was probably more concerned with privacy, than protection. There was one aspect of the security he would need to know, and he made some notes. Already a plan was taking shape in his mind, and he started writing down how it would work, and what gaps in his knowledge needed to be filled. The young man, who could speak halting Swedish, returned to that country two days later, with a list of instructions.

  Over the next weeks, a nondescript old Volvo might be observed, driving from the vicinity of the Sorensen villa to the airport, at various times of the day. The driver was swarthy looking for a Swede, and carried a stop watch, perched in his lap. The time for each trip was carefully noted, as was the time of day. Over three weeks, times were recorded for every day of the week, at one hour intervals.

  A small van, parked fifty yards from the Sorensen entrance, appeared to be empty, but through the one way glass in the rear door, a camera recorded everything going in and out of that entrance. The operator used several cameras, one fitted with a long, telephoto lens, and wrote down everything that transpired. The van changed its position from time to time, but always parked with the entrance in sight. It seemed a little unusual to neighbours for an unoccupied van to stand there for so long, but no one thought too much about it.

  Abello, Acerbi, and Balboni shuffled into the meeting room and waited for Mateo Bramboni to tell them why they had been summoned, but they had a fair idea. They were now going to have to earn those American dollars. Bramboni greeted them warmly, then opened his brief case, and drew out a bundle of papers, which he proceeded to distribute. A number of photographs, clipped together, came first, then a sheet, with numbers.

  Together they pored over the pictures, then Bramboni interpreted for them, the numbers. He outlined how the operation would proceed, occasionally stopping when interrupted, to go over a detail again. An hour and a half later he concluded.

  “Is there anything you are not happy with, or that needs more work?”

  “Is it necessary to keep them alive? It would be easier to kill them, and dispose of the bodies. He would never know.”

  Acerbi looked around at the others, who nodded agreement.

  “I thought of that, and agree, yes, it would be less complicated to deal with bodies, rather than keeping them alive, but that would not work. Sorensen will want proof of life, and he is not stupid. Don’t forget what happened when his parents were taken, then killed, after he paid the ransom.

  “We will be dealing with a very angry, and very rich man, who can access a lot of resources, and don’t think for a minute he will not put up some sort of fight. Unless he is certain they are living, this plan cannot succeed. We will have to keep them alive, and in good condition, and be able to deliver them, without Sorensen knowing who we are, or where we are from. We must remain anonymous, or he will never stop looking for us.

  “Unless you can think of something better, my idea of the island will work. No one lives there or visits, and there is no escape, without a boat. The camera and satellite phone will let us monitor them, and send pictures. When it is over, we give the co-ordinates, and they can be picked up. We stay invisible.

  “There is another thing. We will be paid one hundred million for this job, and sure, it might cost us a few million to do it, but do this right, and that is only the start, we can get a lot more than that. We will screw Sorensen to pay us as well. We can get the same from him, with no extra costs involved, if we make this look like a ransom job.

  “From what I’m told, he is trying to keep this operation of his, with that lab, a secret, and he won’t be telling anyone we want it shut down. People would want to know why, and he won’t even know about the other one hundred mill. we are getting. I will work out a way to get that money from him so he can’t connect it to us, but he will cough up. A hundred mill. is nothing to him. Maybe I’ll ask for more. This is going to be the best one-of deal we have ever had.
”

  The other men laughed.

  “So, you all have your jobs. Let me know of any problems. We have to get this right, no mistakes, so we will take our time, and plan it properly. We will not make a move until everything is ready, but we haven’t got forever, so get on with your jobs. Only tell those who need to know, what they have to do, and only use your own men for this, no ring ins, understood?”

  They nodded. The meeting was over. The four men filed into the adjoining room, equipped with a pool table and bar, with big chairs scattered around. Drinks were poured, but no one picked up the cues to play pool. They sat and studied the pictures and numbers, in silence, while they finished their drinks.

  Eventually they left.

  17

  “You are in a good mood today, has someone given you a present?”

  Frederik put his arm around his wife and spun her around, then kissed her before she could escape.

  “What do you mean, today? I am always in a good mood, and it is because I married you, I thought you already knew that.”

  Helena laughed as she ducked under his arm, and moved to the other side of the room.

  “All right, tell me what it is, and no nonsense about it being married to me. You have heard something that has made you happy, and I want to know what it is.”

  Sorensen had often wondered how his wife could read his mind. She seemed to have a sixth sense that let her home into his thoughts, or at least his moods, and he couldn’t fool her.

  “Yes, well, you are right. I have had some good news. They have made a break through at the lab.. Wong rang me today to tell me, and he was excited, and it takes a fair bit to get that man worked up. At long last, it looks as if we are getting somewhere, just when I was beginning to believe it was all going to be a waste of money.

  “Dr. Wong wants me to come over and have a look, so that he can better explain it to me. He tried over the phone, and I think I understand the general idea, but he says he wants to show me. This strain of viruses they have been experimenting with, seem to have the answer, or be the answer. I will have to get my head around it properly. I have to be sure in my own mind, that what we do will not have unforeseen side effects, or anything, for that matter, which is dangerous.”

  Helena gave her husband a speculative look.

  “You know, if word got out what you are trying to do on that island of yours, there would be one hell of an outcry. There are a lot of people who would not want the present situation changed.”

  Sorensen sighed.

  “Yes, I am aware. I thought about the ramifications, when we started this. There are many people with vested interests, but they all have this attitude for purely selfish motives. Big business makes huge dollars from big populations, and would see it as a disaster if they began to shrink. It would put a huge dent in their bottom line, and they would fight tooth and nail to stop us. That is why we keep it under wraps. What is at stake, is the world. Unless people stop reproducing like rabbits, there will be no world, at least not the kind of world we would want our grandchildren to grow up in.”

  Helena held up her hand to stop him, before her husband went any further. She called it ‘getting on his soap box’. They had discussed this many times before, had agonised over what the effects of her husband’s plan would be, she had heard it all before, and she agreed with him. The work had her blessing, but that didn’t ease her anxiety. If his plan worked, it would not be without enormous consequences. It might save the planet, but many people would be affected, and many businesses would suffer financial loss.

  “I can get away the day after tomorrow. It should only be for a day or so this time, I can’t imagine it will take Wong too long to get the details into my thick head. If there is any change, I will ring. There’s nothing important for the next few days is there?”

  Helena shook her head.

  “The boys will be home Friday evening for the weekend, as usual, and these days, they seem to amuse themselves, and not involve us, so I doubt if they will even notice you are gone.”

  Frederik laughed. How things had changed as the boys had grown older. No more ferrying them to football matches, or driving them around, although most of that burden had fallen on Helena, because of his workload. Young Viktor was nineteen now, had his own car, the Volvo they bought him for his eighteenth birthday, and they were satisfied his attitude to road safety was sufficiently sensible he would not kill himself, or others.

  Michael preferred to accompany his older brother, if he was allowed, and the two frequently would disappear for hours, visiting friends. Frederik had wanted to employ a chauffeur for his sons, as a bodyguard, someone like the one who protected Helena, but Viktor was aghast at the idea.

  “Dad, we are not babies. I can drive myself. I want to drive, I like driving. I’m not having anyone drive me around. Is it so you can keep an eye on me, find out where I am going?”

  This had not been Frederik’s idea at all, but in the end, he had given up the idea of a chauffeur, and just impressed on his son to take care. Maybe he was worrying too much, he did not want to unduly alarm his boys by suggesting the bodyguard. Viktor was a strapping lad, very strong for his age, and his karate classes had taught him self control, and how to handle himself. Michael was no slouch either. He had to stop worrying, and let them get on with their lives.

  “There are one or two things I have to take care of here, but I have told Mikhail to be ready for Thursday morning.”

  Mikhail, his chief pilot, would ensure the Gulfstream had been fuelled and checked, and flight plans lodged. Sorensen rang Dr. Wong to advise him his timetable.

  Early Thursday afternoon, Sorensen stepped out of the helicopter, to be greeted by the doctor, who shook his hand profusely, and beamed.

  “So happy you are able to come so quickly, Mr. Sorensen. It is wonderful that I can give you good news, about what all your money has achieved.”

  Wong felt a deep sense of obligation to his employer, and that he could finally show something worthwhile for the investment, made him beam.

  “First, some light refreshments, then we visit the laboratory.”

  Several hours later, and settling down for the night, Frederik’s mind was buzzing with what he had just observed. He didn’t understood all the technical information Wong had thrust on him, Wong and that young scientist, Georgio Scarletti, who apparently had been responsible for the experiments that lead to the breakthrough. They had isolated a strain of virus that had successfully caused genes triggering the reproductive cycles, to become inactive in several animals, without apparently otherwise damaging the animals.

  It had worked, first of all on mice, then rabbits, then dogs, and finally the biggest test, on the Colobus monkeys Sorensen had sourced from Kenya. Wong would have preferred to test the virus on Chimpanzees, whose genome was closest to humans, but Frederik had said no. Chimps were endangered, and he didn’t want to be responsible for rendering any infertile, besides, they were almost impossible to source.

  The rain forests of Africa were home to numerous Colobus species, spread throughout fifteen countries, and buying them in Kenya had presented no problems. The monkeys spent a few months in quarantine, but now were thriving in their enclosure on the island. He understood it would be still some time before the final results of the tests were known. Wong, undecided on a name for the virus, suggested Frederik might like to name it, but he was in no hurry to do this.

  An even bigger problem still lay ahead; how to carry out proper tests, on humans. This was the issue now occupying his mind. Since first stumbling on the concept of a broad based contraceptive, Frederik was acutely aware of the ethical issue that was raised when imposing it on people, without their consent. It had to be done. He had salved his conscience by arguing it was for the greater good, that the earth would be a better place, and this was the price to be paid to achieve this. Better no babies, than babies that starved
, or died in military conflicts.

  The ethics issue now came sharply into focus. It would soon happen! Wong had suggested volunteers, but he had discounted this idea. They would never find enough people willing to undergo sterilisation, to make the test meaningful. An entire community needed to be tested. Besides, keeping the tests secret, using volunteers, would be impossible. Preventing the women from telling friends? No chance, word would be out in no time.

  Dr. Wong had arranged for him to spend the next day going into details of the experiments, to explain what had been learned, and what problems still needed to be resolved. The virus, he said, appeared to be robust, and replicated itself rapidly in the bodies of the animals tested. They had yet to see how long it would survive in environments such as water holes, or even when exposed for prolonged periods in air. Work still was to be done, but the answer was very close.

  Another problem, was controlling the virus, preventing it from spreading into areas it was not required. There needed to be a vaccination or antidote available, in case the virus proved to be so virulent, it raged, when released into the environment. Questions kept popping into his head. For how long would the virus remain effective after release? Would it remain a constant, keep acting the same way, or could it evolve into something else?

  Frederik was playing with fire, and he knew it. His original idea could turn out to be a Frankenstein, or it could serve the purpose for which it was intended. They had to know. Testing was the only way to find out, thorough testing, and they had to do this, before proceeding any further.

  The next day was spent in the laboratory with Dr. Wong, and Frederik raised the question of human testing.

  “Doctor, before we can release this, we must understand where it will finish up. Will this virus spread quickly among a population? Will it run rampant? Will it affect everyone, or only some? How long will it last? Will it have side effects on humans? We must proceed with great caution.”