Lethal Reaction

by Dawn Marsanne

  However, when he arrived he needn’t have worried as he discovered that access to the labs was denied as the storm last night had taken out some of the electrical circuits. They had lighting and air conditioning but that was about it. No extraction on the fume-hoods meant it wasn’t safe to do any work in the laboratories, no data could be run as there had been some sort of power surge and there had been some damage to one of the machines. In short, they were in bad shape. Electricians were on their way and they were hoping to have some things up and running by lunchtime, but in terms of the analytical equipment they would need to get some specialists in and they couldn’t guarantee to get here until later in the day, possibly tomorrow morning. The storm had affected other companies in the area apparently and electricians and technicians were at full stretch.

  Not even the internet was working at the moment as the power surge had affected the main router but Stefan Bucolski was confident that it should be back up and running by lunchtime. A message had come through from Brett to tell everyone that unless they wanted to stay and read scientific papers or work on some reports that didn’t require access to the server at work they could leave the site and come back at lunchtime to see how things were progressing.

  Most of the staff thought this was a brilliant idea and Brett was credited with being extremely generous in making this gesture. For Zac, it meant a reduction in stress levels for a while as he realised that Nick’s investigations would have to be put on hold. He half wished that he could invite him out for drinks this evening but he’d had a text back from Cole to say he’d organised some support as he called it for Wednesday evening and any earlier wasn’t a possibility. He impressed the importance of ensuring he could persuade Nick to agree to a night out on Wednesday. A refusal wasn’t an option.

  For Nick, the power cut was a serious blow to his plans. He had gone to bed last night feeling he was well on his way to discovering the identity of the sample in the amber jar. What a hammer blow it had been to find the equipment was out of action, why do things always happen at the most inconvenient time he asked himself. There wasn’t anything he could do here so he decided to go off down to the gym for a while, he felt exhausted but perhaps a few miles on the treadmill and some weights might wake him up a bit and take his mind off things.

  Perhaps things this afternoon would be getting back to normal but he wasn’t hopeful, usually, things took longer to fix than anticipated. He had considered asking whether he could take his sample over to the contract company where he had a friend called Gio who had done some work for them before. But it would look odd if anybody asked him what he was doing and he had to make up a story about his work being mega urgent. Billie would doubtless want to know what he was up to. Also if he was over there using their equipment then Gio would probably be hovering around and what if he saw the data. He was no fool and might spot what it was and realise it was very different from the sort of molecule he’d been involved with before. Having thought this through he decided patience was the best and least risky option.

  **

  Over in Bank Street, the duty solicitor James Bagshaw had arrived and he, along with Wayne, Sergeant Peters and another uniformed constable were gathered in one of the rather shabby interview rooms. Wayne lounged back in his chair, trying to look relaxed, occasionally tipping the chair back to balance it on the back legs whilst he held on to the edge of the table. Sergeant Peters gave the usual introductions and read the usual spiel about anything he didn’t mention which he later relied upon in court and she switched the tape recorder to record.

  ‘What were you doing in Persford town centre on Monday evening?’ she asked.

  ‘Having a quiet drink, then I was mugged,’ he replied, pointing at the large dressing on his head.

  ‘When my officers attended the scene they found some foil packages which they assumed to contain illegal drugs.’

  ‘Nothing to do with me, they must have been dropped,’ said Wayne confidently.

  ‘Those packages are currently being tested forensically and dusted for fingerprints and I think there is a distinct possibility we will find your prints on them,’ said Donna confidently. ‘You will then be charged with possession with intent to deal illegal drugs,’ she said and stared directly at Wayne. He made no comment but was looking slightly less confident by now. His solicitor continued to make notes on his yellow legal pad.

  ‘I don’t need to remind you that you are not a first offender, there’s hardly anything left you’ve not tried, illegally that is,’ she added.

  ‘I think you should stick to the matter in hand,’ said the solicitor, ‘rather than indulging in defamation of character,’ he said sternly.

  Unfazed by the solicitor’s intervention Donna continued, ‘I’ve been looking at your record, you are currently serving a suspended sentence for handling stolen laptops. If you can be shown to have been dealing or possessing drugs, of whatever category, you will be looking at a prison sentence,’ and she raised her eyebrows at Wayne. He remained silent but had stopped swinging back on his chair, he was listening intently.

  ‘Who is your supplier?’

  ‘No comment,’ replied Wayne.

  ‘Your co-operation in this matter will cut you some slack with the prosecution service, we need to know who the big boys are, they are using you. Can’t you see that?’

  ‘No comment,’ replied Wayne.

  ‘Take him back down to the cells,’ instructed Sergeant Peters. ‘Don’t go away, we will speak to you later,’ and she made the necessary remarks to the tape and stopped the recording.

  **

  By lunchtime, the electricians had managed to get the extraction system working again so it was safe to go into the labs. Stefan the IT expert had reset the internet router and the company server was working again so it was business as usual as far as desk work and record keeping. However, the analytical equipment was still out of action and they had no firm commitment on when the technicians would arrive. Everyone apart from Nick was being pragmatic about it, nothing could be done it was just one of those things. Inwardly Nick was seething, he felt he was so near and he was being thwarted right at the last minute. But he had to have evidence, he’d never been in this situation before. He went through the possibilities. What should he do if his suspicions were correct? He needed to write it all down so he wouldn’t get flustered. He needed to talk it through with someone he trusted, it was no good marching straight into Brett and presenting his case, he would just laugh at him, that was assuming he was even free to speak to him. Also, he needed to do it in such a way that Zac wouldn’t be suspicious. It had to be accomplished as if Nick was just carrying on with his normal day. Nick thought that the best option would be to tell Billie, after all, she was his supervisor and from the short time he’d known her he did feel he trusted her, she seemed a genuine sort of person. Also, they often had to discuss work plans and so on. If they went off to a meeting room to talk through progress nobody would suspect.

  Although there was some laboratory work they could do it was limited as there was no possibility of getting any data so weren’t able to assess how their reactions were progressing. Naturally, science was progressing at a more relaxed pace and some people took the opportunity to catch up on paperwork. Zac seemed quite laid back throughout all this, he wouldn’t be working late tonight thought Nick. Towards the middle of the afternoon, Zac wandered casually over to Nick.

  ‘Nick, have you got a minute?’ he asked.

  ‘Sure, not exactly busy this afternoon,’ joked Nick.

  ‘No, quite. The thing is I’ve been wanting to speak to you since the get together we had on last Friday,’ he added. Nick looked a bit puzzled but continued to listen.

  ‘I was a bit sharp with you on Friday evening. I realised you were only being friendly and trying to get to know me,’ Zac was turning on the charm now. ‘After all, it was you who should have been stressed with me, you were the one who’d had all the hassle of organising the evening and so on.’
>
  Nick just shrugged and waved away Zac’s comments muttering something inaudible.

  ‘So, I want to make it up to you, buy you a drink, then we can have a proper chat, what do you say? Wednesday would be a good night for me.’

  ‘Well, er, I, yes, I suppose so, I mean thanks, that’s good of you, I was worried I’d really upset you,’ said Nick, feeling a bit lost for words at this complete change in Zac’s personality. He wasn’t exactly thrilled at the prospect of an evening with Zac who seemed to change depending on which way the wind was blowing. Was he up to something? Nick didn’t know but he’d not had much alternative other than to accept, Zac had put him on the spot and he didn’t want to raise suspicion by refusing, he had to keep things ticking along until he could make his final move.

  ‘Yes, Wednesday, that should be fine, where do you want to meet up? Not the Friday night venue though, I thought it was a bit pricey didn’t you, although we weren’t paying of course,’ and Nick laughed nervously, he felt he was babbling a bit, it was just that Zac seemed to have wrong-footed him slightly.

  ‘Well, I’ve been thinking about that, there’s a good pub over on the edge of the town, past the university, you follow the river then over the ring road and it’s not far from there.’

  Nick frowned slightly, that was a long way out and wasn’t that going out to that rather rough area, Millfield or something, he couldn’t quite remember what it was called, he’d never been out that way.

  ‘What’s this placed called then?’ asked Nick.

  ‘The Wheelbarrow,’ replied Zac.

  ‘Oh, well I hope it’s good if it’s such a long trek. I’ll meet you there then. I’ll probably get the bus into town and then walk. Better make it 8 p.m. if I’ve got to get all over that way.’

  ‘That’s great, someone told me it’s got a good atmosphere and the beer’s cheap!’

  ‘OK, it’s a date, tomorrow evening then. And thanks, we can have a good chat about things, time we got to know each other. There’s hardly been any time to do that since you started to do that,’ added Nick then stopped as he realised he was going on a bit, and sounding nervous. There were a few moments of awkward silence, then Zac spun around on his heels and headed back into the lab.

  Nick’s eyes followed him. Well, that was a strange moment he thought to himself. Did Zac suspect him? He was playing it very cool if he did. They were like two boxers sizing each other up before a fight. Zac’s aim was probably to find out what Nick knew. He would have to keep his cards close to his chest.

  Chapter 26

  Over at Bank Street, the police were preparing to charge Wayne with drug possession and drug dealing. His fingerprints were all over the foil wrappers. They still hadn’t had the analysis back about the actual drug but they were hoping for that soon. They were hoping that with a bit more pressure on him he would be persuaded to give them some more information.

  ‘Right, Wayne, your fingerprints were all over those foils containing the drugs, so I’d like an explanation,’ said Sergeant Peters. She was now joined by members of CID, Detective Inspector Chris Mills, specifically from the drug squad and Detective Sergeant Andy Walters. CID was involving the drug squad as it appeared that Persford was soon going to see an even higher number of drug-related crimes. Detective Sergeant Andy Walters led the questioning.

  ‘Hello Wayne, I hope you appreciate the seriousness of the position you now find yourself in. Committing an offence whilst on a suspended sentence is very serious.’

  Wayne looked at the ceiling, his solicitor doodled on his legal pad.

  ‘Who supplied you? What’s going on?’ asked DS Walters.

  ‘No comment,’ replied Wayne stoically.

  ‘That attitude is going to ensure you go straight to gaol, I think you should work with me on this,’ offered DS Walters.

  Wayne just shrugged. DS Walters decided silence was the best option for a few seconds.

  ‘What’s it worth to me,’ asked Wayne, looking more worried all of a sudden.

  ‘Well if there is an increase in serious drug problems starting to raise its ugly head in Persford and you can help me break into it I’m sure we can reduce your charges in some way.’

  Wayne was silent, he was obviously trying to work things out in his head, he had been tempted by the lure cast out to him.

  ‘All I know is that some blokes met me and gave me ten packets like you found and told me that there would be lots more available if I started doing good business so to speak.’

  ‘And where did you meet these guys, who introduced you?’

  ‘Can’t say, and I don’t know their names or the name of their boss.’

  ‘Well that’s not good enough, call that information?’ and DS Walters got up and strode around the room. ‘You know more than you are telling me,’ and he banged the table.

  ‘Do not intimidate my client,’ shouted the solicitor.

  The detective sat down again.

  ‘Wayne, just think about what it will be like if you go back inside. Prisons have got a lot rougher since you were last inside, don’t you watch the news?’

  Silence ensued. The air was hot and stuffy and Wayne smelled rather stale after his night in the cells.

  ‘All I know is that this bloke said there was going to be a ready supply as he had found a factory, local like,’ Wayne looked pleadingly at the detective as if this was enough.

  ‘A factory? What’s that supposed to mean, someone in a garage or something?’

  ‘No, a proper outfit, someone professional he said, a chemist, or something,’

  ‘A chemist, well that’s marvellous, that should help us enormously,’ sighed DS Walters.

  ‘Well there’s lots of chemists around here aren’t there?’ said Wayne petulantly, ‘loads of science companies? Persford’s known for it, loads of clever dicks around.’

  ‘The only dick I can think of at the moment is sitting right in front of me,’ said DS Walters.

  ‘There is no need to be rude to my client,’ said the solicitor, beginning to lose his patience.

  ‘That’s all I know,’ said Wayne, ‘if I knew anything else I’d tell you,’ and he opened his palms towards the sergeant.

  ‘Take him away and charge him, Sergeant Peters,’ said DS Walters.

  ‘What about leniency?’ protested Wayne as he was led away, ‘don’t I get some credit for that?’

  ‘Ha!, in your dreams,’ scoffed Andy Walters, ‘in your dreams.’

  The door to the interview room closed and Andy Walters sat there. Well, that was an interesting conversation, but did he believe it? Wayne wasn’t very bright so he wondered if he had the imagination to make up something like that. He looked seriously rattled when he mentioned going back inside prison. He needed to think about this and report it to the drug squad to see whether they felt it had any credence.

  **

  With no prospect of obtaining any data, the chemists at BioQex finished work rather earlier than usual. It had been a frustrating day for Nick, he was no further forward with his investigation. There wasn’t much point making a very early start tomorrow as there was little chance that the technicians were going to arrive early to fix the machines. The other problem was that once the machines were fixed there would be long queues for data, the room would be full of people coming in and out logging in their samples and Nick really wanted to choose a quiet spell so he could run his data on Zac’s samples and collect the printouts without anyone observing him. As for examining the data, he would either have to go down to a quiet area or bring it home with him. He’d been working this out whilst he drove home and so he felt quite depressed on entering the flat, he had another tense day ahead and what’s more, he had that drink with Zac to look forward to, or dread as the case may be. He’d googled The Wheelbarrow and there was very little about it, just an address listing in the yellow pages, no actual website. He looked on street view and it looked a real dive from the outside and the surrounding area didn’t look so hot. In general, Persf
ord was a very affluent smart town, it had attracted many people over the last few years due to the expansion of the science park, but like all towns, it had its less salubrious areas, not all the residents were highly qualified people. The area around the pub looked to be largely residential streets, mainly terraces and the houses didn’t look in such good repair, with one or two discarded fridges in some front gardens. A very strange choice indeed, the beer better be good he thought.

  Polly arrived back at the usual time and was pleased to see Nick had made a start preparing dinner. They had a routine of deciding the previous evening what they planned to eat based on what they had bought at the weekend. Then the rule was that whoever arrived home first made a start on the meal.

  ‘Hi, Nick,’ shouted Polly as she hung up her jacket and slipped off her shoes. ‘Smells good, so pleased you’re back early, I guess things are still not sorted out at work after the power surge?’

  ‘Well we’re getting there, labs are operational again but we still can’t run any data, and we don’t know when tomorrow it’s going to be fixed. It’s really annoying,’ sighed Nick.

  ‘Well never mind, make the most of taking things a bit easier,’ suggested Polly.

  ‘Hmmm,’ murmured Nick, sounding completely fed up.

  ‘Nick, what’s the matter, you seem rather out of sorts?’ asked Polly.

  ‘Oh, it’s nothing, it’s just been a bit frustrating.’

  ‘You’re sure there’s nothing else bothering you,’ and she paused, ‘you’ve not been told off for chatting too much have you?’

  ‘No I have not!’ shouted Nick, ‘and I wish you wouldn’t keep saying that, I do not gossip.’ This time it was Polly who murmured “Hmmm.” Nick managed to calm down and continued, ‘well if you must know, Zac has asked me to go out for a drink with him tomorrow evening,’ said Nick with little emotion.

  ‘Well that’s great, isn’t it?’ said Polly cheerfully, ‘you keep saying you feel you don’t know anything about him and he’s a closed book. Perhaps he’ll loosen up a bit if you get him on his own?’