“I know. I guess I still can’t wrap my mind around the lengths they might go to save their asses.”
“Great lengths. You turned them down, so they go after someone close to you, see if you flinch. Next they will go directly after you. Promise me that tomorrow morning you will go straight to your Dean and President and get moving on a public announcement.”
“First thing.” My fear dissolves to regret. “Neil, I’m sorry for all this. I—”
He takes my hand and I feel his angst in the tightness of his grasp. He looks serious, straight at me. “I’m sorry I let this happen on my watch.”
I want to say that he shouldn’t blame himself, but he would not be the man who I love for his strength and commitment if he felt other than responsible for letting this out of Regnum, into the world.
We spend the rest of the meal talking about nothing in particular, avoiding anything that hints of science, dogs, and careers. I talk about the girls, he genuinely shows interest in my phone full of pictures. He’s planning another vacation, this time to Thailand. Still the eternal bachelor; even George Clooney caved, but Neil is content in his solitude.
Walking to the metro, it’s cold and I huddle around his arm. We haven’t been this close in years, in terms of involvement in a project, or physically. “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed this,” I say.
“It was so much more simple back in those days, wasn’t it? Our biggest concern was keeping enough data ready at hand to feed the beast if he came looking for blood. We didn’t even have to worry about funding. We had it made but didn’t realize it.”
“Guess we have a few things to be grateful to him for.”
“Nah,” we say in unison, and we laugh in the release of simpler times.
Friday, Day 5
A cry in the distance. A cross between a tormented baby and someone unscrewing the head of a cat. If you haven’t heard a fox call, you will consider calling the police the first time you do. I awake to this mating ritual shriek. Normally heard late at night, I’m happy for him that a spring morning brings out his animal instincts, but not happy when I see the late hour on the clock. I hovered through the night in that place where thoughts hang in a fog, but never fully dissolve, allowing a release into deep sleep.
Heading to campus, groggy, my phone rings. Haley’s number shows up. She rarely calls me unless there is something going on that she can’t handle, like an incubator alarm that she can’t silence or something leaking. She’s been trying hard to impress us all with her independence and ability to manage the day-to-day lab needs. “What’s up?”
“Hi, Dr. Winthrop. I’m at the lab, but my key won’t open the door and there is a big red security tag on the door that says ‘Do Not Enter, call security for further information.’ So I called them, but they told me they could not speak with anyone but you. Is there something wrong? Is there some kind of problem or contamination in the lab?”
“No, I’m sure they would have called me. It’s probably nothing. They do random security checks and I bet we left a door unlocked or something on that they think needs to be off.”
“Oh no! I always double check, and I’ve been . . .”
“Haley, it’s okay. Text me the number and I will call them. Why don’t you just go have breakfast or head off to your class. I should be there in the next ten minutes.”
“I can wait if you want.”
“Thanks, I don’t know how long it will take to sort this out.”
I’m awake now. My mind is racing; I can’t call my Dean until I can focus, one hundred percent. I arrive at our building, park, and turn off the engine. I don’t believe in coincidences, I hear Anna say. This has to do with Regnum. I sit and watch the bustle of life on campus. Students walking alone connected by their ears to their personalized gadget world. A few communicating the old-fashioned way, talking, laughing. I push the number on Haley’s text. Call? My phone asks. I tap again.
“Sergeant Valesco.”
“Hi, this is Dr. Winthrop. My lab over in Building—”
“Yes, Dr. Winthrop, we’ve been given instructions to ask you to call or go to the President’s office as soon as you arrive on campus.”
“What? Is there something wrong in my lab?”
“No ma’am, I mean I don’t know. We were just asked to keep it locked and deny access to anyone until we are notified by the administration that it’s all clear.”
“You can’t do that! We have work that can’t be interrupted. I-” This is not his doing. He is just following orders. “Sorry, I’ll call right away.”
“Yes ma’am. Have a good day.”
I text Megan, Jamie, and Haley: All, lab is closed for the day. Nothing to fret about. I’ll let you know when it’s open again. Let me know if there is anything urgent that needs to be done, as in it will waste money if we don’t do it today. No questions please, I don’t have any answers.
Megan: Got it, nothing to do
Jamie: ditto
Haley: the r46 cells need to be fed, but can probably wait a day
Me: Thanks all. Will keep you posted.
I pull up the Internet on my phone to search the university directory for the President’s office, and start to type, then back space, back space. Just out of curiosity I type Regnum, tap search. Their website pops to the top. I type Regnum recall, search. It takes me to a page that lists all of their recalls, of which, surprisingly, there are quite a few. I have to ask Neil if this is normal. The top one is FeLV vaccine, lot #170427. Due to suspected contamination, all vials should be returned to the manufacturer. No known risks to cats have been identified. A link to return instructions is provided. That’s it. No mention of risks to dogs, link to CRFS, or urgency. Bastards.
Strange that the no one called me about shutting down my lab. I check my recent calls, and apparently my Dean did call late last night, but I missed the notification. He left a voicemail. His message is friendly and short. “Hey Claire, can you come see me first thing in the morning before you head to the lab. No worries, just following standard protocol when a public relations issue is looming. I understand you’ve made some fascinating discoveries? See you in the morning!”
Yikes. Dean Austin was on travel for the week, and I figured this would all be settled by the time he got back. He’s back early. How did he find out? What did he find out? Public relations issue? He is not going to be too pleased that I didn’t give him a heads-up. I should have called him on his cell on Monday to fill him in, damn it. Why is the President of the University involved? I close my eyes for a few moments and try to relax. It is going to be another long and complex day.
I dial the department’s main number. Mary, our department administrator, answers. “Oh, hi, Dr. Winthrop, how are you?” She is such a great asset to our department. She knows all of the staff, most of the graduate students, and a fair number of the undergrads. She’s everyone’s mom, loves her job, and is loved by everyone around her, as evidenced by the piles of cookies and other baked goods delivered to her desk around the holidays. Of course she leaves them out so we can all share in the sugar high.
“Actually, I don’t know. My lab is closed and I have no idea why. You have any clues?”
“Really? No, I don’t. But there was a message from Karen, you know, the President’s assistant? She said she wanted me to set up a meeting with you, Dean Austin, and President Abrams as soon as we heard from you.”
“Dean Austin? So he is back?”
“Yes, and Dean Austin asked me to put you though or send you in to his office as soon as I heard from you. Is there something exciting about to happen?”
I hadn’t even stopped to think of it that way in the last few days. It is a very exciting scientific discovery, and it’s such a relief to know that CRFS will stop, literally within days of halting the use of the contaminated vaccine. “I hope so. I’ll let you know as soon as I’m able.”
“Please do, I would love to post something in the department newsletter!”
Unfortunat
ely I think our department’s publication will get scooped. “Absolutely. I will make sure you get all the details. Will you tell Dean Austin that I will be there in about five minutes?”
“You don’t want to speak to him now?”
“No, I would rather talk to him in person. See you in a few.” I turn off my phone and put it in my purse and sit back. I crack a faint smile as it occurs to me that I will be meeting with my Dean and the university President, Nathan Abrams, today, and they will know what we have accomplished. The cat is out of the bag, so to speak. It is no small feat, and regardless of what Regnum is trying to do, they cannot deny or cover up all of the work that we did, and the magnitude of the discovery. My confidence renewed, I open the door to the crisp air and head towards our Department’s main building. Did I just feel a warming breeze? A few of my students pass and greet me; it’s good to be back in my world.
“Go right in,” Mary says, “he’s waiting for you.”
“Hello, Douglas. How are you today?” I ask as he gives me his usual one-armed hug and gestures for me to have a seat.
“Amused and curious. I take it what you are holding in your arms has something to do with the mysterious call I got from President Abrams last night. He said that he received a call yesterday afternoon from Regnum, the pharmaceutical company.”
“Ah.” I’m not sure what to say.
He joins me at the little table in his office motioning for me to take a seat. “And they said it was urgent that they meet with him, today, concerning one of his professors. You. Apparently he asked for details, but they were not forthcoming, except to say that they believe that you have research that directly relates to one of their products and that they need to discuss any release of information that may be of a proprietary nature.”
I burst out laughing. Douglas looks amused but not surprised. I nod as I lay two envelopes in the center of the table. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you earlier.”
“No matter,” he says. He has always been very matter-of-fact and unflappable. He slides one notebook out and opens it to the first page. “Want to give me the highlights?”
“Absolutely. This page summarizes all the data and findings.” I skim to the bold lettering CONCLUSIONS. “All the data show that without a doubt the cause of CRFS is the contamination of one of Regnum’s cat vaccines.”
“You mean dog vaccine.”
“No, cat. It’s got an extra promoter in it that affects the dog GR gene. You want the Reader’s Digest version or the extended books on tape?”
He is standing and putting on his jacket, then coat. “I’d love the long and detailed version, but we have to head over to the President’s office right now so you can tell us both.”
“Seriously. I really messed up the communication on this one, didn’t I?”
“Nah. We scientists have never been the best at the administrative stuff.” He’s letting me off easy. “It’s taken me years to master enough so I can run the department.”
“You’re being too kind. I should have—”
“Nonsense. Tell me what you can with the time we have as we walk over. Claire, my dear, I think your research has put us in a curious position.” He picks up the notebook, I pick up the other envelope, and he extends an arm to usher me toward the door.
“Good curious or bad?”
“I’m sure it will end up good, but based on the short conversation I had with Nathan this morning, Regnum’s lawyer—”
“Lawyer?” I interrupt. The elevator doors close. I’m suddenly feeling trapped.
“Yes, their lawyer was the one who called, and he said they have grave concerns about any movement forward without their consent.”
My heart is racing. “What did Dr. Abrams think?”
“He chuckled and said, ‘This is going to be fun!’”
We step outside and I am blinded by the bright sun. We walk quickly. I tell him what I can on our short walk to the Administrative building. I have less than two minutes on the elevator to tell him about our meeting with Regnum. I don’t tell him about their threats to Neil. I apologize, again, for leaving him in the dark.
“It’s okay, happens all the time that a researcher takes their results to an outsider before informing the machine grinding behind them.”
“I’m so sor—”
“I did it plenty of times myself.” He smirks.
Nathan’s office door is open, and we half say hello to Karen as he waves us in. “There’s the woman of the hour! Come in, come in. Would you like some coffee, water? I have Scotch in my drawer.”
“You do?”
He shrugs. I’ll never tell. “Hello, Dr. Abrams, good to see you again.” He’s a big guy, six-foot something, and gives me a bear hug. We’ve known each other for ten years, since he was Dean of my college. I’ve been to his house for dinner with his wife Katherine and him, I’ve watched his children grow up as they dashed through the dining room and through the changing photographs on his desk. But I always give him his due and shift to the formality of the university structure when the situation warrants.
“How’s Chris? How are the girls?”
“Good, good. It’s been forever since I’ve seen Katherine. Please give her my love.” She had ovarian cancer a number of years ago. Caught early by a very lucky ovarian cyst that encircled the tiny tumor and then bloated itself with fluid so it couldn’t be ignored. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been in touch. How’s she doing”?
“You have teenagers—you know your life is not your own! She is doing great. Just passed the five-year mark of clean PET scans. We will plan a dinner celebration once we clear up this mess.”
“Wow, five years. I’m so happy to hear that. It would be great to see her, and you, outside of these walls.” I feel sheepish. “So you see it as a mess? I was hoping you’d see the humor in it.” I glance at Douglas.
“Oh, I do. This is going to be an intriguing challenge, but it is a mess right now as we have to deal with the pain in the ass lawyers from Regnum. But they tell me you have made a significant discovery. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Another demonstration of why he was chosen to be President. He is smart, thoughtful, and supportive of his staff. And he recognizes when research outcomes have the potential to become big news.
“I would like us to spend the remaining time before they get here, though, going through everything: the science, the administrative and regulatory requirements, and even the ethical considerations—Oh, hi, Laura, come on in and join the fun.”
I turn to see Laura Dechaines, Lead Counsel for the university. I’ve met her at a few university functions, but she has no reason to know me, until now.
“Hello Nathan, Douglas, and”—turning to me with a welcoming grin—“Claire, the woman of the hour! I’m looking forward to working closely with you in the next few days.”
That’s the second time I’ve been called that in the last five minutes. Clearly, there have been some discussions on this campus about me that I have not been privy to. I’m starting to feel very uncomfortable with Nathan’s “before they get here” comment.
I hand Nathan the other envelope, and walking over to the small conference table at one end of his office, he asks us to join him. He bellows to Karen to bring in any of the paperwork that she has been able to gather. She too offers us coffee, water, and soft drinks after handing him a file folder.
“No Scotch though.” Nathan winks at me. “We have to work. Besides, I think I drank it already.”
We all sit, and for the next hour, go carefully over all the details. After reviewing all the data and the summary report, Nathan opens the file folder from Karen. “Now for the paperwork,” he says. Laura and he want to verify that I have filed all the proper paperwork to obtain permission from the university to conduct the research. Check. Provided routine reports to my department on the progress? Check. Ensured that any funding—Neil’s money—was properly recorded and fees divvied up to the appropriate university coffers? Painfully . . . c
heck.
Laura asks why, when we were certain of our results, I contacted Regnum before contacting anyone at the university. I explain that I didn’t contact them, that my funding source did the initial contact, as we felt it was critical for Regnum to immediately pull the contaminated vaccines. Why did I then meet with them a few days later, again without informing the university? She seems a bit peeved, Douglas seems to be chagrined, but Nathan is non-fazed. I apologize for blindsiding them. I didn’t think it through properly, and admit that I should have brought them into the loop at the beginning.
“No big deal,” Nathan says, putting his hand on my arm. “We just need to make sure we have all the answers and our script for when they get here.”
There it is again. “Who constitutes they?”
“Oh sorry I didn’t tell you. Regnum’s legal team and Chairman are on their way from DC and scheduled to meet with us after lunch.”
Laura nods, confirming my impending doom. “Yes, they are on the way, and I think that Nathan and I should meet with them first, then bring the two of you in. I think I have all the facts that I need.” Seeing the anguish on my face, she looks directly at me and says, “Don’t worry. We are all in your court and have your back. We just need to make sure that we are not putting the university in any danger of a lawsuit, unfounded or not, and that we are solidly in position to make a public statement.” She must see me as I struggle for words. “That is where we are heading, correct?”
“Actually, that is exactly what I was intending to do this morning. I was going to contact you”—I look at Douglas—“and request that we start the ball rolling to meet with whomever to begin the process for going public. Guess I’m a day late.”
Douglas stands with a broad smile, breaking the tension. “I’m starving. The University Club? My treat.”
“Sorry Doug, I have to give the Governor’s office a call about this, but I’ll be back over at one when Regnum gets here.” My eyes must have tripled in size, so Laura says, “It’s a state university, so we are obliged to tell them of any potential litigation issues or discoveries worth noting, and I would say this qualifies as both.”
Decoded Dog Page 24