Lethal Intent

by Cara C. Putman

  Quentin stood and popped over next to Dr. Kleme. “This commitment is why we’ve invested so much to hire the team of scientists and researchers in this room. It’s why I’ve circled the globe raising additional funding. It’s why so many of you have attended conference after conference to share what we’ve learned and have our findings tested by experts.” He spread his arms wide. “Our success is your success. It takes each of us, working together, to make the dream a reality. Very soon children will no longer fight for survival because of inadequate therapies.”

  He patted Dr. Kleme on the shoulder, and the older man moved to a vacant chair in the front row.

  Caroline wiped a finger under each eye.

  Anna leaned closer. “This is your first one, right?”

  Caroline nodded.

  Anna slipped a Kleenex to her. “It’s why I always carry a packet of these in my pocket. Dr. Kleme and Mr. Jackson always tug on all the heartstrings.”

  At the end of the meeting Anna glanced at her watch. “I have to be at the hospital at two. Let me connect with Brian, and then we can grab lunch. That work for you?”

  Caroline knew the rest of her day was free and clear. “Perfect.” She pulled a card from a slot in her portfolio and jotted her cell number on it. “Text or call when you’re ready, and I can meet you at the front desk.”

  “Great.” Anna gave her a quick smile, then slipped out of her chair and went up the aisle toward Samson Kleme and the man standing with him.

  Caroline headed the opposite direction toward her office, Quentin’s words reverberating in her mind. In her interview he’d said similar things about the mission, and it reminded her that it was a privilege to work for a company committed to curing others. It would get easier. She needed to give herself time to learn the job.

  Back at her desk she pulled up her research on Praecursoria’s history. For ten years it had been a combination research and public lab that provided genetic testing for a price. Science advanced so quickly that the results had to be tweaked all the time. Still, that part of the company had been at the forefront of the market, but when his son died Dr. Kleme convinced Quentin to focus on cancer research. When CAR T-cell therapies emerged as cutting-edge treatments, Quentin sold the genetic testing division to fund the move into this area.

  Her phone dinged. Anna was ready, and they agreed to meet at a small sandwich shop a few blocks away. Caroline walked, letting the sun warm her face even as the cacophony of traffic formed the soundtrack.

  When she reached the restaurant, Anna already stood in line. Caroline joined her, and five minutes later they were seated at a small bistro table. The restaurant catered to the professional crowd with a limited breakfast and lunch menu of simple, hearty soups, sandwiches, and salads. Anna had a cup of tomato soup and a Greek salad while Caroline opted for a Fuji apple salad. Caroline didn’t have time to worry about how to start the conversation because Anna dove right in. Soon they had covered how they picked their fields of study and careers.

  Caroline slid her half-empty salad bowl to the side. “How did you get affiliated with Praecursoria?”

  “I wanted a research experience that allowed me to test how much I liked medicine. One of my professors connected me with Samson. The company was much smaller and more unfocused then, when he was part of the genetic testing division. Working in that area confirmed I was passionate about preventive medicine. If testing could show us what might happen to a person in the future, I wanted to be part of curing identified problems. Otherwise, we were telling people their bodies were essentially ticking time bombs, and I don’t want to know that about mine.”

  “And that led to hematology?”

  “In a roundabout way. I started with oncology but became fascinated by the blood cancers and diseases during a rotation. The rest is history.” She pushed her empty soup bowl to the side. “Each year we discover more and more keys that unlock our understanding of disease. It’s mind-boggling. When I was in medical school, these discoveries were more science fiction than real possibilities.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin. “How quickly it changes.” She told a couple of stories about patients who’d been saved by the different experimental treatments, then gave her head a small shake. “Tell me more about you.”

  “I wanted to be someone with a job that mattered, but I couldn’t handle blood, which ruled out a swath of careers like yours.”

  “So you picked law.”

  “Or it chose me.” Caroline gave a little shrug. “I was good in those sorts of classes and it looked like a field where I could use my skills to make a difference.” Speaking of. “Do you know what HeLa cells are?”

  “HeLa? Sure, every researcher does. Why?”

  “I heard someone talking about them and the scientist who died.”

  “Sarah? Well, HeLa cells are named for Henrietta Lacks. He-La. They’re her cervical cancer cells, harvested before she passed away in 1951. They’re unique because human cells die, but hers continue to replicate. They’ve been involved in medical research breakthroughs ever since. I’m not sure how they would relate to Sarah though.”

  Caroline made a mental note to do some research.

  Anna’s phone vibrated, and she glanced at it. “Sorry, but this is a page from the hospital. Hate to cut our lunch short, but I’d better head that direction.” Anna started packing up her Greek salad.

  “Understand. Is there anything I can do to help with Bethany?” Caroline reached for the lid to take her salad with her.

  “Have any friends in the Virginia Department of Social Services who can fast-track her approval to be in the trial?”

  Caroline grimaced.

  “If it were that simple, my life would be easy.” Anna sighed. “I’ll let you know if you can help me knock down barriers.”

  They stood and Caroline led the way to the door. “I’m still new, but can you tell me one thing about Samson and Quentin?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Should I be concerned about the company having a culture of cutting corners?”

  Anna stopped on the sidewalk. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m not sure other than Samson seems inclined to push past the FDA limits as I understand them.”

  “He gets passionate about the work, thanks to losing his son.” She swallowed hard. “I lost my husband in an accident six months ago. He never even knew I was pregnant.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Caroline hated how tongue-tied others’ grief made her.

  Anna waved the words away. “It’s a chapter in my story, but it helps me understand Samson in ways I didn’t before. Even so, he knows the risks of pushing too hard and fast.”

  “I guess I’ll keep reminding him.”

  “I would.”

  They went their separate ways, and Caroline had a sense Anna could become more than a work acquaintance. As she walked back to the office, she prayed for a way to be made for Bethany to participate in the trial and for the next stage to be approved quickly by the FDA—keeping everyone legal.

  There were many more kids like Bethany who needed options. That meant Caroline had to do everything she could to propel the research through the FDA’s process.

  The better she understood the science, the better she could do her job. She’d start with a visit to the lab. When she reached the research wing, it was slowly coming to life after lunch.

  All of the doors off the main hallway were heavy fire doors with small windows inserted at a level she could see through when she stood on tiptoe. In the first, Dr. Kleme looked through a microscope. Beside him, Brian Silver brushed his long red hair from his face and adjusted his glasses. She lightly tapped on the door, and a woman about her age glanced up, then came toward her.

  “Can I help you?” The woman gave off a vibe of indifference, as if Caroline was an annoying disturbance.

  “I’m Caroline Bragg, the new attorney.”

  “Yes, I know.” The woman waited, but Caroline determined to wait longer. “Lori Clark. I run the day-to-
day in this lab while those two think big thoughts.”

  “Nice to meet you, Lori.” Caroline extended her hand, but Lori just stared at it. She pulled it back. “Is this a sterile lab?”

  “Yes.” The woman closed her eyes, then stepped into the hallway. “Look, we’re busy, so can you just tell me why you’re here?”

  “I need to understand the process and the status of the research you’re working on.” She shrugged and smiled. Maybe she could appeal to her solidarity as a woman. “I’m the new girl and need all the help you’ll give to get up to speed quickly.”

  “Really the guys are the ones you need to talk to.” Lori looked back through the window in the door. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

  Before Caroline could respond, Lori swiped her keycard in the door and slipped back into the lab, shutting the door in Caroline’s face.

  What exactly was going on in there that they wouldn’t tell her about?

  Chapter 5

  Friday, April 23

  At the end of her first week, Caroline’s accomplishments included finding the women’s restroom and figuring out how to dial out. She’d also started understanding the science behind Praecursoria’s research, but it had taken some intervention on Quentin’s part. Before that, she’d encountered an element of secrecy, or at least intent to razz the new girl. Maybe it came from the scientists’ race to reach the patent office ahead of other companies, but it had been difficult for Caroline to get actual access to the labs. She’d told Quentin that if she didn’t comprehend the depth of what happened there, she could miss something important for the various trials and patent applications.

  There would be layers to uncover for years to come. It was amazing to be part of a team that pushed the envelope of what was possible. She’d gotten chills a few times as she’d met with different researchers.

  When Caroline entered the break room Friday morning, a group clustered around the overpriced cappuccino machine. She clutched her Morning, Gorgeous mug and considered elbowing her way in.

  She recognized Brian Silver, the redhead who worked with Samson Kleme and the late Sarah. He acknowledged her with a brief nod as he moved toward the door. “There’s a priority meeting at ten.” He pushed his thick, dark frames up his nose, dislodging a shock of hair that flopped along his forehead. “You’ll be there, right?”

  Caroline mentally ran over her calendar. It was already nine thirty, and she hadn’t heard or seen anything about a meeting. “Where?”

  “The conference room, I think.” His gaze darted away, and she stared at him so hard she felt her nose crinkle.

  Great. That always made her look about fifteen, not the image she wanted to portray as she proved her value. “No problem. I’ll check with Quentin’s assistant. She’ll know the details.” She gave the man a smile then eased toward the coffeemaker. “But first, coffee.” She paused. “Are you doing okay? I mean, after the death of your colleague?”

  He glanced at her and then away as he cleared his throat. “She’ll be hard to replace. She had that unique ability to take a crazy, science-extending idea and apply it in the lab. She and Samson were unstoppable.”

  “I’m sure you were in the mix.”

  His lips tipped slightly on the sides. “I thought we made a good team. Now I’ll carry forward her research around CAR T therapies. She had exciting early results.” He nodded toward the door. “Quentin has special guests today. It’s another set of parents begging for access to our therapies.”

  “Does that happen often?”

  “Often enough. Quentin’s got a soft heart for the right sob story. The challenge is everyone who comes here has a heartbreaking photo of a kid.” He shook his head. “Doesn’t mean we can help. See you at the meeting.”

  After inserting a pod and waiting for the coffee to spew from the spout, she left the kitchenette and headed down the hall. The break room was close to the four labs, all of which were tucked behind the executive suite at the back of the building. The sterile labs required the researchers to wear what looked like space suits as they worked on turning adult stem cells into lifesaving therapies. What had been a maturing company had started over with new focus on CAR T and other experimental therapies.

  Her role? Secure patents for the research and contracts for the therapies. Provide guidance on the regulatory processes. She’d barely wrapped her arms and mind around everything that was in the development stage, not to mention what Praecursoria already had in trials. With three research teams in FDA trials and two more ready to apply, she needed to attend the leadership meeting in case it had anything to do with those.

  Maybe everyone was off because of the pall that hung over the office. An email had arrived that morning announcing services for Sarah Hill. Though Caroline had never met the woman, her death had to cast a shadow over those who knew her, because she was only in her late forties. Too young to be gone.

  Before returning to her office, she took a quick detour to Quentin’s suite and his assistant’s desk. The twentysomething’s blonde hair was slicked back in a French twist. Her perfectly manicured nails, in a vibrant red that matched her lip stain, tapped away at her keyboard as Caroline approached. The door to Quentin’s office stood open, and a murmur of voices flowed from it, the words indecipherable. Caroline took a step closer, but Lillian looked up and stopped her with a death stare.

  “No one can go in there.” The young woman’s voice matched her gaze, firm and unyielding. Had she taken a class to perfect that?

  “But the door’s open.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” The woman stood and walked to it before pulling it shut. She settled back at her desk and returned to her typing.

  Caroline waited a moment. “Do you have the agenda for the ten o’clock meeting?”

  Lillian frowned and clicked the mouse a couple of times. “You aren’t invited.”

  Caroline tried to hide her wince. No need to be so blunt. “Is it about the trial applications?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  It was Caroline’s turn to use her version of a death stare. “You can tell me or I’ll ask Quentin.”

  The door opened, and Quentin swept them with a quick look. “Everything all right?”

  “Caroline had a question but is leaving.” Lillian smiled sweetly, the look as fake as saccharine.

  Caroline forced a smile. “Getting info on this morning’s meeting.”

  He nodded, then gestured toward his office. “Have a minute? There’s a couple I’d like you to meet.”

  “Absolutely.” She walked past Lillian and followed the CEO into his office.

  A couple sat on the brown pleather loveseat beside his desk. A box of Kleenexes rested on the small wooden coffee table in front of them, a stack of Praecursoria brochures artfully arranged on its surface. The woman gripped the man’s hand. She had the look of someone who hadn’t slept well in months, maybe years. He held tight, their wedding bands flashing in the light, as if he could keep her from drowning in a storm. In her other hand, the woman clutched a sodden tissue that had mascara streaks across it. As she noticed Caroline, she leaned into her husband and seemed to shrink, while he seemed to grow larger and more protective.

  Caroline swallowed as she imagined what had brought them here. She glanced at Quentin and murmured, “What have you promised them?”

  “Nothing yet.” He gave the couple a reassuring smile as he stopped Caroline with a light touch on her arm. “But we will help them.” His jaw firmed, and a glint in his eye warned her this was nonnegotiable. Then his charisma bubbled to the surface as he motioned her forward.

  She hesitated and he glanced at her. “Is this related to the trial Ms. Hill was working on?”

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “Because if it is, we might not be ready yet. Are we approved to begin trials? Let Brian Silver make the transition before we promise it to anyone.” Surely that was reasonable, but as she looked at the couple, their demeanors indicated they might not have time to wa
it.

  “It’s not connected, nor would it matter if it was.” He turned to the couple with a charismatic smile. “This is my right-hand gal, the one who makes sure everything stays on the legal up-and-up.” Caroline cringed at his characterization but forced a smile anyway. “Caroline Bragg, I’d like to introduce you to Mary and Michael Robbins. Their son Patrick was here four months ago for testing. Other CAR T-cell therapies bought him time but have stopped being effective. So they’re back to see if one of our new therapies will work better for him. I’m pleased we have one to suggest.” The warning in his eyes dared her to challenge him, but she had to.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you both, and I hope we can help your son.”

  Mr. Robbins straightened as he met her gaze. “We’re grateful for the chance to pursue a miracle for our son.” He edged his wife to the side, then pulled out his wallet. “Here’s a photo of him a year ago in remission.” He held the photo out to her, and she saw the gap-toothed grin of a young man in a baseball cap that was too big for his head with a bat slung over his shoulder. “He doesn’t look like that today. Not since the cancer returned.”

  Mary Robbins reached out and caressed the boy’s image. “We’re willing to try anything to get our son back.” She eased the photo from her husband’s hand and held it out to Caroline. Then she pulled up an image on her phone. “This is what he looks like now. He’s dying.”

  The words were stark. Yet the woman didn’t flinch or blink them away.

  Caroline took the photo and felt the image of the little boy sear into her memory. The two photos could have been of different boys. In the first he had a big toothy grin. In the other he sat on a couch with a blanket, his active leanness reduced to skin and bones. While he tried to smile, no energy radiated from him. Her heart crimped at the radical change.