by Terry Morgan
CHAPTER 41
Banda Book-keeping Services was the business Jimmy Banda had started fifteen years ago in the Nairobi suburb of Embakasi. But whenever he arrived late in the office he always felt he needed a good excuse ready in case Louise, his secretary of ten years, started to ask difficult questions about where he had been. On this occasion, Jimmy had been away for two whole days so he had had plenty of time to come up with his explanation.
As expected, Louise looked up from her old computer as he pushed open the door, went straight to the swivel chair behind his own desk and collapsed into it. Then he expelled a lungful of air as if he had just run a marathon. Appearing out of breath was all part of his ready-made excuse.
Unusually though, Louise, the reliable, mainstay of Banda Book-keeping Services, went back to staring at her screen as if he was not there. Jimmy found this even more unnerving as, still breathing heavily, he watched her fingers tapping numbers onto the keyboard.
"Did you finish Mr Kalinga's accounts, Louise?"
"Yes, yesterday."
"Did you send them off?"
"Yes, yesterday."
"I've been to Mombasa," Jimmy said, "Looking for new clients."
"We can't cope with the ones we've already got around Embakasi, Mr Banda." Louise said and continued with her typing.
Jimmy relaxed. He pushed a pile of paper and correspondence from one side of his desk to the other, switched on his own computer and then leaned back in his chair so far that his long legs extended half way to Louise's desk. In this almost horizontal position, he closed his eyes and relaxed. Louise glanced at him but then got on with her own work.
Jimmy Banda could relax because he was no longer the book-keeper. Jimmy had passed this job permanently to Louise and now ran Banda Investigation Services. One of his sources of business was Colin Asher. Jimmy was Colin's Kenyan sub agent.
"You're like a little ferret, Jimmy," Colin had once said.
Jimmy had thought he liked that description but had had to look up what a ferret was. He now knew it was a fast little animal with beady eyes and a fascination with going down dark holes. So, relaxing in the knowledge that Louise had no questions today, Jimmy quickly dropped off to sleep. But then his mobile phone rang. He'd just changed the ringtone to something with a heavy drum beat and so it made him jump. When he opened his eyes, Louise was watching him.
He dug into his suit pocket, retrieved it and put it against his ear.
"Banda Investigation Services," he said, "Jimmy Banda speaking."
"Jimmy," said the English accent on the other end of the phone. "It's David Franklin. Long time. How are you?"
Daniel, in Bangkok glanced at Anna, put his forefinger up to his mouth and smiled.
"Hey, long time," said Jimmy, "How are you?" It was a sure sign that Jimmy was struggling to remember David Franklin. Daniel gave him a reminder.
"How's my friend Colin? I hear you've just got back from Mombasa on an assignment."
"Ah, David Franklin, friend of Colin."
"That's me," said Daniel. "Are you busy at present?"
Jimmy shuffled the paper on his muddled desk and glanced over at Louise.
"Yes," he said, "Very busy, thank you."
"Could you squeeze in an assignment for me? I've already spoken to Colin about it and he has agreed you can invoice him direct. But it's bit complicated and Colin suggested I phone you direct to discuss it."
"Yes, I can squeeze it in," said Jimmy deciding he'd remember that phrase. It might come in useful sometime.
"But you don't yet know what the assignment is, Jimmy?"
"No, but I can squeeze it in for my friend Colin."
Daniel started to explain what he wanted.
"There is a company in Nairobi called Shah Medicals," he said. "I need someone to go in there, do a bit of ferreting around and try to speak to someone who works there - his name is Luther Jasman."
"OK, I'll go right now." said Jimmy and Daniel thought he heard a chair being pushed back.
"Hang on, Jimmy. Let me give you some background and what to do and say. The company is in Embakasi, close to where you are I think............"
"Yes, we are conveniently located near to many businesses," began Jimmy. Conveniently located was another phrase he'd learned from an Englishman.
".......and you will probably find it is an old established business that has recently started to expand......"
"Ah, yes, old Mr Shah. My mother knew him."
"That'll be him. Jimmy. But it's recently been taken over. I don't want to give you the details over the phone or it might compromise your detective work but...."
"Yes, I don't need too much at this stage or it can compromise my....."
"So try phoning. Ask to speak to Luther Jasman and say that Doctor Michael Stevens from Malaysia recently spoke to......"
"I'll just get some paper - Louise! - Pencil."
"Are you ready now? Good. Where was I? Tell him that Doctor Michael Stevens from Malaysia recently met their new chief executive - a man called Mr O'Brian concerning some possible co-operation on a student exchange for their new laboratory......."
"Mr O'Brian.....students......new laboratory."
"Yes, that's it. Get to know Luther Jasman, perhaps fix a meeting with him. Ask questions. You know how to go from there, Jimmy - you're a natural."
A few more facts from Daniel about Shah Medicals being linked with an organisation called Al Zafar and Livingstone Pharmaceuticals and that they seemed to be recruiting laboratory technicians and Daniel knew that Jimmy had understood. At least, it was enough for him to start. Jimmy had an uncanny knack of uncovering information and information was just what Daniel needed. What's more, Jimmy charged by the hour and as he didn't wear a watch, Jimmy's invoices were never extortionate.
"Haven't you got somewhere more important to go - the University for instance? You've got it far too easy, young man. In my day......"
So saying, eighty year old Tom left Kevin in the Richmond to return to his second hand book shop. Kevin continued to sit and read David Solomon's 'The Day of Reckoning' and was immediately engrossed in it.
It was as if Solomon had used exactly the same introduction to the history of population control that Kevin often gave his students. There were the mentions of the ancient Greeks, Plato and Aristotle, the words of Tertullian and those of Niccola Machiavelli.
"When every province of the world so teems with inhabitants that they can neither subsist where they are nor remove themselves elsewhere, the world will purge itself in floods, plague and famine."
Solomon mentioned Richard Hakluyt with his old English words of warning: "Throughe our longe peace and seldome sickness we are growen more populous than ever heretofore. Many thousandes of idle persons are within this realme, which, havinge no way to be sett on worke, be either mutinous and seeke alteration in the state, or at leaste very burdensome to the commonwealthe. "
There were others but not one reference to any counter arguments. Kevin would normally include at least some. Finally, though, Solomon mentioned Thomas Malthus and Paul Ehrlich.
But then came the science, the molecular genetics, the politics and the plan.
"We can now create new, highly pathogenic and transmissible viruses. We can use them for research to understand infection or we can use them in more practical ways such as for population control."
"But we need to retain our control over the methods we are developing so that we can decide how they should be used. We cannot rely on politicians who do not understand science.
"So we can and must develop a highly resistant bacterium or a virus that can be used to counter the ever-growing threat posed by the effects of overpopulation - the availability of sufficient food, of natural resources, of jobs and the space in which to live a decent and civilised life free of eternal conflict. Scientists must be granted the freedom to use technology to solve social problems of this magnitude. We are granted the freedom to use technology to improve life. But this only h
as the effect of increasing the population to unsustainable levels. Granting us the freedom to use technology to reduce the population to a balanced and sustainable level has to be the next logical step.
"We cannot allow politicians who do not understand modern molecular biology to continue to perpetuate the status quo for their own shallow, short-term reasons because politicians and religious leaders are to blame for the current situation. They turn their backs on the problem because they are too afraid to act. Scientists and technology must now intervene if the human race is to have a better quality of life in and beyond this overcrowded planet................"
".........but unless we want to destroy everything, we must have an available counter-balance, an effective treatment for our virus - a drug or a vaccine - that is ready and available in advance of the release of the virus to use selectively in order to retain proper scientific control."
Kevin re-folded the papers that Tom had given him and closed his laptop. Then he leaned back in the seat and rubbed his eyes.
Up to a certain point, everything Solomon had written was music to his ears. But then Solomon had gone past the point. What Solomon was advocating was that scientists decide who should live and die. That had never been in Kevin's plan. But perhaps that was because he was not a scientist, a virologist or a molecular biologist, but a teacher of social and economic history.
As he got up to pay for his lengthy lunch, he wondered what Solomon was doing now and it worried him that he might be one of the so-called associates that Mohamed El Badry had spoken of. But as Kevin walked home to his flat, he still did not know what to do.
Kevin's nerves were calmed by Larry Brown's phone call from Lagos that evening.
"I've spoken to WHO," Larry said. "I told them everything I know about the Nigerian deaths, about the doctor who has disappeared and about the fact that he was inviting local men to help test a new medicine for money - everything."
"That's good news, Larry. So when can we expect some proper investigations to start?"
"That is the problem, Kevin. I think it's very optimistic to assume that some sort of international system is in place that will take over and deal with it. You see, the WHO only works through the correct channels, which means it works via governments. And, as we know, the Nigerian government and the Kano State government do not see a few deaths from something that resembled influenza as particularly important - especially when they're dealing with Islamic insurgents from outside Nigeria who come armed with guns and bombs.
"WHO are not even coming clean on the Thai cases, although I think they've uncovered something. If they have, they're not saying what it is. Certainly not to me. I'm a persona non grata you see - an outsider - someone who tipped them off but not someone they are able to deal with on an official basis. The answer might be to get the US or UK government to ask questions but in my case I'd probably need to go via the US Ambassador here. It could all take time."
Kevin's nerves took another turn for the worse and he decided to admit it.
"But I'm becoming very worried now, Larry. My fear is that the Malthus Society will get dragged into this, which means I might get dragged in. I'm starting to fear a knock on my door at midnight."
And then he started a long explanation about the online message from "Solomon" and of tracking down a paper called "The Day of Reckoning" written by David Solomon.
"What was the name?" asked Larry, thinking he'd heard it somewhere.
"David Solomon," confirmed Kevin. "I think he's from Boston."
Larry was trying to place the name but Kevin was still talking. It was not until later that Larry finally made the connection with Biox and Josh Ornstein.
"You see, Larry?" Kevin finally concluded "I think there is far more to this than you and I can deal with. I just don't know where to turn."
"I have an appointment, Louise," Jimmy Banda said. "I might be gone five minutes or five hours."
"Yes, Mr Banda," Louise glanced up from her computer screen for a brief second to see Jimmy removing his tie and undoing the top button of his shirt.
"But I need to make some confidential phone calls first," he added.
"Go ahead. Mr Banda. If you go outside I won't be able to hear."
"Yes," Jimmy said and went out.
On his mobile, Jimmy found the number for Shah Medicals, asked to speak to Luther Jasman and was told to phone another number. This second call was answered by a man who said that he was that person - Luther Jasman. Jimmy knew immediately he was speaking to a Kenyan Asian.
Jimmy span him the yarn about a meeting with a Mr O'Brian and student exchanges
"I see," said Jasman doubtfully, "I would need to check."
"But I already checked with Mr O'Brian," said Jimmy, doing what he often did best - lying through his teeth. "Mr O'Brian said it would be OK. Can we meet?"
"I don't know."
Jimmy now recognised a man with no authority. More made up stories would be well worth trying. "We've also discussed it with your parent company, Al Zafar? Shah Medicals is becoming a very big company now."
"Yes, I see." Jasman resolve was breaking a little.
"Can I come over to see you? I wouldn’t keep you long."
"We don't have visitors here. We have tight security."
"Mr O'Brian seemed to think it would be OK."
"He's not my boss."
"But I also heard you were finding it difficult to recruit good technicians."
"Yes, it is making it difficult for us to do what we have to do."
"So use some students - that was Mr O'Brian’s idea."
"But he's not my boss."
"But Mr O'Brian had already discussed it with Al Zafar. Who do you report to? I will speak to him directly."
"Well, maybe we should meet."
Jimmy smiled to himself. "Shall I come to your laboratory?"
"Oh, no, no."
"Of course - tight security. Never mind, my friend runs a bed & breakfast house by the social hall - Nyayo B&B. Do you know it?"
"Yes, I have passed it."
"So, this evening after work? At six." said Jimmy. Then he went back inside his office.
"Louise," he said.
"Yes, Mr Banda."
"I remember an article in the Daily Nation about Shah Medicals. Did you see it?"
"Yes, Mr Banda. A takeover. We lost their book-keeping business."
"That's it, Louise. Any chance you could find the paper?"
"It was weeks if not months ago, Mr Banda."
"But do you remember anything?"
"Yes, it was taken over by an Arab company called Al Zafar. Their owner, Mohamed Kader came here. It was he who decided they no longer needed our accountancy services."
"Yes, I remember that, Louise. Anything else?"
"Yes, the boss of Livingstone Pharmaceuticals also came and visited them.."
"Ah, yes," said Jimmy, "Greg O'Brian."
"Yes, Mr Banda. You have a very good memory."
"I'm going out, Louise. I might be gone for an hour - perhaps longer."
Jimmy's car was parked around the corner from the office. Covered in red dust, he had meant to wash it but it would have to wait because he now wanted to find the premises of Shah Medicals. That they had had the audacity to take away the book-keeping business was largely what made Jimmy grind his gears and speed off.
What Jimmy found as he skidded to a halt in a side street of the Bakker Industrial Estate was the same, nondescript double-storied concrete building that he remembered. But it now had rows of dark-green painted windows and a green double door with a shelter made of corrugated steel. And someone had also built a head high chicken wire fence linked by concrete posts around it. But the gate was open so Jimmy got out of his car and walked up to the door. No-one seemed to be around.
The green, hand-painted sign on the door said: "Shah Medicals" and, beneath, in smaller print "Part of Al Zafar Agencies Ltd."
Jimmy took his mobile phone from his
pocket and photographed the door with its name-plate. Then he returned to his car and photographed the entire building. No-one had come or gone. Other than a van parked outside an industrial printing company's premises and two men fixing a wheel on a motorcycle, the road was muddy from recent rain and deserted.
But as Jimmy started his engine he noticed that the rear of the building looked as it had been extended backwards into the side street behind. It had not been there when Banda Book-Keeping Services looked after old Mr Shah's accounts. Deciding it was worth another look, Jimmy drove off, doubled back into the road behind and stopped again.
The building from this side now looked more like a small warehouse. It had a loading area with a wide door open to the inside. And through the door, rows of fluorescent strip lights reflected off white-painted walls, floor and ceiling. And, standing on the floor, were three large, shiny, stainless-steel tanks. Plastic tubing ran along the floor and two men in white coats and hats sat side by side at a desk. Behind them was what looked like an office or laboratory lit by more strip lights. Perhaps, Jimmy thought, this was where Luther Jasman worked.
Jimmy, pretending to use his mobile phone from his car seat, took more photos. No-one seemed to notice him.
Thinking there was nothing to lose, Larry Brown phoned the WHO again. This time he pushed harder and, giving his US Embassy Nigeria credentials, demanded to speak to someone in authority - "Even the Director General herself - this is important." Finally he was told to phone back in an hour to speak to Richard Lacey.
Even so, he then had to wait, holding the line to Geneva while the DG's adviser was traced and came to the phone. Then, after reminding Richard Lacey of the problem he'd identified in Nigeria and listening to what Larry perceived as just polite thanks for his diligence, Larry laid into him.
"That's kind of you, Mr Lacey but what would you say if I suggested that what we have here is blatant criminality? And what would you say if I suggested a conspiracy to deliberately spread a virus like SARS with no known cure with the intention of wiping out hundreds, thousands or perhaps millions of people. If it was a country doing this to another it would be called a declaration of war or genocide. But if it is a private company doing it because they had a treatment or a vaccine ready to launch to make huge profits from, then what would you call it? Good business?"
"I would call it a very unlikely scenario, Doctor Brown. Where is your evidence? And what company would have the resources to do such a thing, let alone be so secretive and unethical as to contemplate doing it?"
"OK, Mr Lacey. Let me put to you another scenario. Infectious disease researchers and virologists are fond of saying that microbes do not respect barriers. So who makes the rules to control researchers who might be tempted to go the extra mile and deliberately engineer a virus for so-called experimental reasons? Does your organisation, The World Health Organisation have any say? Does it set any standards? Does it have an opinion? Do you have an opinion?"
"Yes, Doctor Brown we have had discussions?"
"Where? When? What were the conclusions? I've looked and I can't find them."
"It's very sensitive, Doctor Brown. We have to be careful. We do not publish everything."
"Yes, but don't you have responsibilities as well, and especially a responsibility to protect people. Isn't that precisely what the WHO was set up to do?"
"Yes, of course, and, as I've said, we do discuss the matter."
"With whom? And is it behind closed doors?"
"Doctor Brown, we're very grateful to you for bringing these cases to our attention but I'm not able to explain what we do or how on the telephone. I suggest you talk to the relevant US authorities."
"But this type of work is taking place, Mr Lacey. There are scientists out there right now sat in laboratories changing and modifying viruses for so-called experiments. What I am asking you for is information on the controls placed on someone or an organisation wanting to create a new human virus just for the intellectual challenge? Where are the regulators? What exactly has been put in place to stop an individual or a criminal organisation from engineering such a virus, having a vaccine or drug already available and then releasing the virus to make a huge profit?"
In the end, Larry got nowhere with his discussion - except a small promise and an indication that there were, perhaps, some other things that Larry still didn't know about.
"I'll ensure your views are brought to the attention of the Director General, Doctor Brown. She is already very grateful for the information on the Nigerian cases that you have been providing. We are naturally aware of something going on here but are unable to comment further at present."