by Davis Bunn
“I understand.” Reed scribbled hastily at the bottom of his instruction sheet, then swiveled it around so Elena could read: Dwight is not alone.
“I really must insist on knowing what is going on and why you’ve approached me,” Chester went on. “I have to warn you. If I don’t like what I hear, I won’t tell you a thing. Debts can only take you so far, Reed. You didn’t break the law to help me.”
“No. All I did was save a friend from professional ruin, and put my own job on the line to do so.”
Dwight’s voice trembled with the strain, but he held his ground. “I would hardly be a decent professional if I broke our code of ethics, much less the law.”
Reed looked at Elena and silently mouthed two words. Your call.
Elena rose from her seat, rounded the table, and pulled out the chair next to Reed’s. “Dr. Chester, my name is Dr. Elena Burroughs. I’m a clinical psychologist, with a particular focus on dream analysis. For the past week—”
“Wait, I know you. You’re that woman on the news conferences. About the crisis.”
“That is correct. And this is why I’m calling.”
“But the drug Reed called me about, SuenaMed’s new product, it’s for the treatment of ADHD.”
“And if that is all it does, then we have no further interest in the matter.” Elena took a long breath. “Dr. Chester, what I’m about to tell you is extremely confidential. If any word of this conversation leaks out, I could be killed.”
There was a silence, then, “Reed, is she on the level?”
“The answer is definitely yes. And both of us are potentially facing the most extreme risks,” Reed said.
“In that case, the best assurance I can give you is what I said at the beginning of this conversation,” Dwight Chester replied. “We are in the business of keeping secrets.”
Elena said, “Recently we have been alerted to the possibility that this entire sequence of events is a scam.”
“What, the dreams?”
“The dreams, the crisis, everything.”
“How is that possible?”
“That is why I’m calling. We need further evidence. This requires our investigating two different directions, and doing so with all possible speed. Have you heard about the latest dream?”
“Two days,” Dwight replied. “It gave me chills.”
“One direction has to do with uncovering how this dream manipulation might have occurred. If it happened at all. SuenaMed has been at the heart of these events from the beginning. This is why I asked Reed to call. I have just two questions. First, would you please review the clinical trials related to SuenaMed’s new drug to see if there is any hypnotic quality, anything that suggests it might carry the power of altering the patient’s dream state. And second, is there perhaps another of SuenaMed’s products that has shown such psychotropic qualities? We are looking for something that could be secretly administered, something that leaves no trail whatsoever.”
There was a long pause, then the director asked, “You said your investigations were taking two directions. What is the other one?”
“We need to determine whether there is evidence of financial market manipulation.”
Dwight’s tone grew more worried still. “If you’re talking about somebody big enough to rig international markets and topple governments, this would have to be somebody a lot bigger than SuenaMed.”
“We agree.”
“Any group that big, they’d have all the power in the world to cover their tracks. That is, if they exist.”
Reed said, “Which is why we’re taking such precautions.”
Elena added, “We are trying as hard as we possibly can to identify the group without alerting them to our search. Your help could be vital.”
“Okay. Give me fifteen minutes, then call me back.”
When Reed cut the connection, he said, “Dwight is correct. Our chances of uncovering evidence are almost nil. Especially given the time constraints.”
The idea she had first sensed on the pathway grew into crystal clarity. “Can we set up a safe call with Agatha Hune?”
“Of course. But if she had such evidence, don’t you think . . .” His gaze tightened. “It’s the next part of your idea, isn’t it?”
She nodded slowly. “I think I may have found a way around that particular mountain.”
• • •
Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Chester resumed the call by saying, “The FDA approval process for new prescription drugs follows a very concrete series of stages. Following the preliminary lab studies, all new drugs undergo extensive animal trials before being administered to human patients. These patients are carefully monitored, and all results must be divulged to the FDA committee responsible—”
Reed broke in: “Dwight, we are chasing shadows. We need the ninety-second version.”
“Right.” There was the sound of shuffling papers. “SuenaMed’s new product is going into worldwide release next week under the name of SuenaMind. Or it will, if the economy doesn’t explode in our faces. SuenaMind is a revolutionary new method of ADHD treatment. It is delivered as a nasal spray, administered once every two weeks.”
“The timing works,” Elena said to herself.
“Excuse me?”
“This entire sequence of dreams could fit within the time frame of one dose.”
“But there is nothing in the experimental evidence to suggest it can affect the dream patterns of patients,” Dwight said.
Reed demanded, “You are sure of this?”
“This is what I do. The clinical trials for SuenaMind are totally clean. No known side effects. Excellent short- and long-term results.”
Reed gave her a long look, disappointment etched into his features. “This is not what we had hoped to hear.”
“Sorry. But I have to tell you, this is as clean a study as I’ve ever seen.” There was the sound of more papers being shifted. “The only thing that is even the least bit curious is how long it’s taken SuenaMed to bring the drug on line.”
“Explain what that means, please.”
“We were alerted to this product’s potential eight years ago. That’s part of the FDA approval process. The instant a drug moves from lab work to animal testing, we are notified. Normally it would go from there to first human trials in about a year, perhaps two. SuenaMind took seven. Seven years would generally indicate there was a serious flaw, one that sent them back to the labs. In this case, four years ago SuenaMed’s director of clinical trials died suddenly. We were notified that the final report would be delayed. That was the last we heard from them for, let’s see . . .”
There came more sounds of pages being turned. “It was eleven months before they responded. Then a new product director was brought in. I have the letter of notification here in front of me.”
“Rachel Lamprey,” Elena said, her voice hollow.
“That’s the lady. We immediately lodged a second official query with her. This is standard ops. Sometimes a delay means the drug company has reformulated the product to overcome side effects that emerged in the animal testing phase. But the lab results were clean, so I have no idea what happened here. In any case, Ms. Lamprey’s new team was already moving at lightning speed. Within four months of her coming on board, the group filed their initial clinical trial report and moved into large-scale trials. As soon as these reports began confirming what the preliminary results had shown, their PR team started the first round of promotions, getting the medical community hungry for the product. Eight months ago, the initial license was issued. The rest you probably know. We have received notice from two other companies that they’re working on their own products, but this is normal with any drug that has the potential of reshaping the market. Which this one does. SuenaMind will have the field to itself for at least two years, possibly three. Their profit potential is huge—we’re talking billions.”
Elena shook her head. This was not what she needed to know. She searched hard.
“Yo
u still there?”
“We’re here,” Elena replied. “Dr. Chester, one final question. Do you have any idea how the original team director died?”
“Sure, I can tell you precisely. The companies are required to file all such reports, in case we learn at a future date that the demise may be related to chemical exposure. Here it is. He died of a seizure that led to heart failure. The autopsy report suggested a latent epilepsy.”
“Thank you, Dr. Chester.”
“About your other question. SuenaMed does no research in psychotropics. Never has. Sorry I couldn’t be of any more help.”
Elena was already reaching to cut off the laptop. “This is exactly what we needed. Good-bye.”
Reed eyed her doubtfully. “Really? It sounded like a total failure to me.”
“Just the opposite.” Elena reached for the instruction sheet, flipped it over, and began making notes. “I need to talk with Agatha Hune. Now. There isn’t a moment to lose.”
22
When the Federal Reserve bank executive came on the line, she said, “I’m glad you set up this call. I needed to speak with you as well.”
Elena asked, “Are we secure at your end?”
“This is the phone for a café in the ground floor of my building.”
“Reed says we shouldn’t use any phone a second time.”
“This is the man who called earlier on my private line, yes? Do I recognize his name?”
“Reed Thompson was formerly chief of the White House Council of Economic Advisers.”
“Of course. He believes the threat is real?”
“More with every passing hour.”
Agatha Hune released a breath. In the background came the clatter of dishes. “That is very reassuring.”
“Can you run a check through official channels without it coming back to you?”
There was a moment’s pause, then, “Theoretically, yes.”
“We need to know if there have been any unexplained deaths over the past two or three weeks within the ranks of senior international bank executives.”
“You need to be more specific. What banks?”
“I have no idea. Big. Regional powerhouses.”
“Any specific symptoms I should be looking for?”
“Unexplained seizures. Heart failure. Possibly diagnosed as an epileptic attack.”
There was a pause, then, “Like the dreamer in France.”
“That’s right.”
“Drug related?”
“If we’re right, autopsy and blood work will have come back clean.”
“Other than establishing a pattern, why is this important? Vague evidence will only take us so far, and the clock is ticking.”
“If this is a scam where dream manipulation plays a role, we are talking about a drug whose impact on the patient is so powerful it dominates their most basic subconscious urges. It would be logical to assume, well . . .”
“They could also induce deadly seizures.”
Elena fought down the stomach-churning queasiness. “We need to hurry.”
“I am all too aware of the time pressure. Are you done at your end?”
“Yes.”
“Because I have an issue of my own.”
“I thought you might.”
“Jacob Rawlings wants to hypnotize me. Apparently on your instructions.”
“That’s correct.”
“I dislike the idea intensely. Especially given everything else that is happening. It smacks of just more mental exploitation.”
“Jacob will give you very specific instructions. All to do with supplying us with crucial evidence. He will instruct you to override other commands and remember.”
Agatha was silent.
Elena went on, “If SuenaMed is manipulating our dream states, they must begin with commands to forget we have been told anything. There also has to be something they use as a trigger. I have these vague recollections of a faceless messenger at my door.”
Agatha spoke very slowly. “All I remember is the ringing of a phone and the feeling of terrible dread. I don’t want to pick it up. But I must.”
Elena recalled the dismay and the powerlessness she had felt as she had approached the door and the messenger. “It’s highly unlikely we can override something this forceful. So we’re trying to do the next best thing.”
Agatha’s voice carried the deep tremor of a strong woman brought to the brink. “I’m so frightened.”
“I understand. So am I.” Elena fought a second surge of nausea. “But if it’s any consolation, I’m going to undergo hypnosis as well.”
• • •
The inland waterway was caught in the vise of another tropical deluge as Elena crossed the causeway bridge in Reed’s car. But as she entered the barrier island and turned onto the road leading north along the bayside, the pounding of rain on the car’s roof abruptly ceased. The effect was as gentle as it was jarring. To her left, the inland waterway was lost behind a dark curtain. The rain fell with such force that she could hear the constant hiss through her closed window. To her right, the fading light of day illuminated a world of brilliant hues. Water cascaded from every roof, every leaf. The air was impossibly clear. She rolled down her window and savored the humid rush of fragrances.
The church parking lot was almost empty. Elena locked Reed’s car and followed his directions to the church offices. Bob Meadows, Jacob’s former roommate, was waiting for her in the lobby. Elena greeted him, then told the receptionist that Reed Thompson had called. The woman smiled, assured them everything was arranged, and led them down to an empty office.
When Elena had shut the door, she said, “Sorry about the subterfuge.”
“I’m still having nightmares over getting shot at.” His pudgy chin wavered slightly as he tried for a smile. “How are you, Elena?”
“Pressured. Worried. But calm.” She imagined her own smile was hardly more genuine. “That probably sounds schizophrenic.”
“It sounds like a woman holding up under intense pressure.”
“I am. Both the pressure and the holding up,” she confirmed. “Thanks to the prayers of a lot of good people.”
“How do you want to do this?”
“To be honest, I’ve never been hypnotized before.”
“I have a good deal of experience, as I told you on the phone. I find hypnosis can be useful in dealing with certain issues. Why don’t you sit on the sofa there, in case you feel a need to lie down.” He pulled over a chair. “I was not able to convince Senator Suarez to participate. Hardly a surprise. His character is defined by maintaining control.”
“Which is no doubt why these experiences have left him perpetually angry.”
This time his smile came easier. “It would hardly be professional of me to say that a certain patient has been angry since birth. Are you comfortable?”
“Yes. Thank you for coming.”
“To be honest, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. I was happy you asked. It’s good to be able to do more.” He pushed the coffee table to one side and pulled his chair in closer. “Though I was surprised you didn’t ask Jacob.”
“He needed to get back to Atlanta.”
“Yes. So he said.” He extracted a gold watch from his pocket. “He also said you had taken up with another gentleman. Jacob actually sounded jealous.”
“A pocket watch? Are you serious?”
“The tried and true works best sometimes. And you have just changed the subject.”
“When I was in Atlanta, I asked Jacob to pray with me. He refused.”
“A world of answers in those simple words.” Bob shook his head. “Jacob has spent his whole life fighting to have his way. This entire episode has been harder on him than you can possibly imagine.”
Elena heard the man’s apologetic tone, and said, “You are a good friend, Bob.”
“I try to be.”
“I’m sorry for all the trouble we’ve caused you. But I’m glad Jacob brought you into
this.”
“I’m glad too. Very glad. I mean that sincerely.” He wound the watch in slow, smooth motions. As he did, the engraved gold face caught the light and flickered in Elena’s eyes. “It’s remarkable how much has been packed into the past few days, isn’t it? So many things to work through. It makes you so very tired, doesn’t it? I imagine you would like to just set all those thoughts and concerns aside for a while. And the travel, down to Miami and up to Atlanta and to and from the university where you teach. You’re still teaching, aren’t you, Elena?”
“Yes. And there’s Orlando.” She felt as though her tongue was thickening, making the words hard to form.
“Orlando, of course. So much travel. And so many thoughts. All of them whirring about, leaving you so tired at times. There’s nothing you’d like more than to set all these thoughts and concerns aside, and just relax, relax, relax . . .”
Elena wanted to tell him that the watch was spinning so hard he was going to drop it. But suddenly she was unable to shape the thoughts, much less the words.
23
The retired female police officer settled herself comfortably on Elena’s screened porch. “Great view.”
Reed had told Elena that the woman had been in the Sunday school class, but she did not remember her. “I can’t thank you enough for coming.”
“I’ve been watching the evening news and feeling more helpless than I have since my husband became ill that last time. It’s good to have a role to play.”
Dorothy was in her late sixties and heavyset in the manner of a woman who valued her own strength. Elena found her presence very reassuring. “I’m afraid you’re in for a very boring night.”
“I’ve been on more stakeouts than you’ve had hot dinners.” She pulled knitting needles and yarn from her bag. “You just go get ready for bed.”
“You know where the tea and cups are.”