Taming the Telomeres, a Thriller

by R. N. Shapiro

  Just before the metro doors open at the next stop, David snaps the laptop closed and slides it back into his backpack.

  “She checks out.”

  “Who checks out?”

  “Brittney, your meth-head tutor. I found a site called tutorme.com and her information is listed there, including her general college education and majors.”

  “You are one distrustful person, David. Really. A Google search on Brittney?”

  “Look, there’s a boatload of reasons to be careful when it comes to you. So, yeah, I am careful. Now remember, we visited Air and Space, Natural History, American History Museum and uh, what else?”

  Chapter 78

  Jimmy Bolts

  David stops by the farm after school. The smell of fresh pasture grass fills the air, especially since a light rain fell earlier in the morning. David indicates to Amanda that he wants to talk outside the farmhouse, not in it.

  "Are you still planning on hiring Brittney?" David asks as they stroll down the pebble driveway.

  "Probably. Why?"

  "I don't think you have to worry about her getting meth from Jimmy anymore."

  "How do you know that?"

  "It was pretty simple. He got an anonymous text message.”

  "David, what did you do?"

  David holds up his cell phone and Amanda reads the text message:

  Dude, you need to know something. Brittney’s a CI for the DEA. You have less than 48 hours to get out of town before the Feds start making arrests.

  “You sent that to him? What’s a 'CI'?"

  "Confidential informant. He's already gone. Told the next-door neighbor he was going to visit a friend on the west coast and he bolted."

  There's silence for a little while as they walk. Unseen insects rule the faltering light of day, making incessant sound as dusk falls.

  "Are you coming back to M.A? It seems like you've already decided you're not."

  "I don't know. You convinced me to begin searching for answers, and that comes first for me. Are you backing out or something?"

  "No. I think we're finally making progress. I'll check in with you tomorrow. But how are you going to graduate from M.A. if you just get tutored?"

  “Maybe I can take a test on each course if I don’t actually go to classes. Uncle Andy’ll find out. I don’t know why he’s still paying for a rent-a-cop to hang out on the porch day and night.”

  “Because he wants you protected, and I think it’s a good idea. Somebody’s watching you, it’s just a matter of who and why. See ya later,” David says as he walks toward his car.

  Chapter 79

  Personal Effects

  Before blowing off half a day of work on his portfolio of cases, Andy decided to organize his side mission to pack as much in as possible. Myra arranged an appointment for him to meet with the CEO of Biological Blood Services. He also has an appointment scheduled with Dr. Sid Vance, a respected professor at the Georgetown Cellular Biology and Biotechnology Department – one of his late brother's favorite professors. In the latter meeting he is hoping to pick up some illuminating information; in the former he is hoping to pick up Ron’s actual belongings.

  Because Andy has never been to BBS, he pulled up an online map to figure out exactly where the place was. Cabin John, Maryland. Hmm. Straight up Canal Road to McArthur Boulevard, bingo.

  The security guard at the gate confirms he is an approved visitor and waves him through. Andy navigates the large employee lot, parking close to the modern, three-story building with the small tasteful sign that says “Biological Blood Services.” He walks through the automatic double doors and toward the receptionist.

  "I have a 2:00 appointment with Mr. Jacoby. My name is Andy Michaels."

  "Oh, yes. I have you down here Mr. Michaels. It will just be a minute."

  Several magazines are neatly stacked on the modern smoked-glass reception table. There are two low-rise leather couches and several chairs. No one else is in the waiting area.

  "I’ll buzz you through now and Mr. Jacoby will meet you once you enter."

  Andy hears a buzzer as he nears the entry door.

  "Andy, it’s good to see you again. I met you at Ron’s funeral.”

  "Yes, I remember, and I appreciate you meeting with me today."

  "We’re in this conference room. I brought Ms. Hendrickson from HR with me to go over Ron’s benefits with you.” Andy notices that she has an accordion-style file of materials.

  "All the materials are in here,” she says. “Your late brother did have the right to continue a COBRA health insurance plan, for his daughter I mean. He also had an accidental death benefit that we provide to the employees at no cost. These papers show his beneficiaries."

  Then Ms. Hendrickson leans down beside the table and lifts up a large mesh bag. "These are the pictures and other personal belongings from his office. I'm sure you'll want these."

  Andy looks at both of them, but doesn't ask any questions. There is an awkward silence.

  Then, Jacoby says, "Do you have any other questions for Ms. Hendrickson?"

  "No, but I’d like to look at Ron's office if that's okay."

  "Ms. Hendrickson, I think that completes the HR side of things. I’m going to speak with Mr. Michaels for a few moments."

  “Nice to meet you Mr. Michaels, and my condolences to you,” Ms. Hendrickson says as she leaves the room and softly closes the door behind her.

  "I know this sounds funny, Andy, but we can't let you look at his workspace. Some of the work we do is classified and requires a security clearance. I'm sure you understand, being an attorney. Andy, your brother was a great guy. I'm so sorry about what happened. But you have to understand my hands are tied here.”

  "Alright then. Thanks anyway," Andy says cryptically, reaching down for the bag of his brother’s belongings. He quickly exits the conference room.

  "I'm really sorry I can't do more for you…" Jacoby calls after him, but Andy keeps walking, because sometimes it’s just better to say nothing at all.

  Chapter 80

  Telomeres

  After stopping to get a latte Andy makes his way to the Cellular Biology and Biotechnology Center at Georgetown University and finds a parking spot. A few minutes later he is knocking on an office door on the third floor of the building. Professor Sid Vance opens the door and greets Andy.

  "Thanks so much for meeting with me. Ron talked about you a lot, and I was there when you presented him the Graduate Student Biology Award. I took a picture of you and Ron that day. Coincidentally, just today I picked up that same picture from BBS."

  "I’m so sorry about your brother, and your other family members too. I have to say, Ron was one of my all-time favorite students. I'm not exaggerating when I say he was a genius. I’ve never had a grad student develop a new technique, get a patent, and see it go into use. On a significant cancer detection technique to boot."

  Andy looks at the silver-haired man and his tortoise-shell glasses. He figures Vance is probably 65 years old, give or take a few years. Andy takes in some of the office surrounding him. Books of every nature involving cellular biology and biogenetics. Journal articles stacked up all over the desk, some folded open. Typical clutter for a serious scientist.

  "I'm really here to find out what Ron’s work was most focused on. I take it you’re familiar with BBS."

  "A number of our grad students are working there," Vance says with a knowing smile.

  "Anyway, I met with the CEO, Mike Jacoby. Nice guy, treated me fine. But he refused to show me where Ron worked because some of the research they do is classified."

  "Surely you're not surprised by that, are you?"

  "Actually I am. He never told me he even got a security clearance, which is weird. I’m his brother and we had no secrets – or so I thought.”

  "Well Andy, it's no secret that your brother developed biological technology that allowed medical doctors or scientists to analyze cancer cells in a sample of blood. That technology helped predict
tumor growth and doubling times."

  "Wait. I was hoping you’d explain some of this heavy-duty biology because I don't understand any of it. Would you be willing to take baby steps with me? I’m a lawyer, not a biologist."

  "Okay. Let’s see. You have to at least understand some basics about DNA, telomeres and telomerase. Each cell has a nucleus with chromosomes that package all the genetic information.”

  Vance stands up and points to a small color poster on the wall nearby, showing several strands of what looks like a DNA double helix. He is now pointing with his pen at a colorful strand of chromosomes. Hey, Andy thinks, I remember this from high school biology. But Dr. Vance is just getting started.

  “Each base has a pair with all the instructions needed to form our entire body structure. But in order to grow and age, our bodies have to duplicate their cells. Is this too heavy for you?" Vance asks.

  "My brain's turning to jelly, but go ahead."

  "So in cell division, every chromosome that is passed along has a special ending or cap which is called a telomere. It’s like the plastic tip on the end of a shoelace. But what controls the telomere tips is an enzyme called telomerase. A ton of biological research is being done on the role of telomerase enzymes.” Vance again points to the poster on the wall showing cell division.

  “Every time a cell divides, some of the telomere is lost. But telomere ends can have loss or addition. The loss during every normal cell division is an erosion, like reducing a wick. But telomerase enzymes can actually add to the telomere tip. It can add more available cell division sequences. We now know that fetal tissue has telomerase. Germ cells have it too. Sounds simple but we don’t know how to add telomerase to the telomeres to provide longer cell life.” Vance pauses for a second. “Are you still with me?”

  “Barely.”

  "Telomerase is the enzyme that can rewind or speed up a cell’s clock. And there’s a fine line between uncontrolled abnormal cell replication that happens in cancer cells versus wanting to have cells replicate."

  Vance finally sits down, quite satisfied with his lecture.

  “Wait a second,” Andy says. “Did I hear you say that telomerase can make regular cells last longer? That’s where you lost me.”

  “Look, your brother and hundreds, maybe thousands of researchers worldwide not only want to make telomerase somehow shut down bad cancer cell reproduction, which could potentially cure cancer, but they’re also studying how telomerase can replenish DNA sequences in the chromosome end cap – the telomere – so that more cell replications can occur without cell death.”

  “So, in cancer cells the abnormal cells just go crazy and keep dividing?”

  “Well, cancer cells are damaged at the telomere and that damaged pattern divides into tumors. So yes, and telomerase plays an active role in that, but we can’t control its impact on telomeres yet, we just know it’s there.”

  “If biologists could control telomeres in healthy cells, what would that do?” Andy asks, still seated in the old wooden chair in front of Vance’s desk.

  “He who tames the telomere tames cell death. The implications are immense. The cycle of cell aging could be manipulated. It may also help us understand why cancer cells go crazy.” Vance then adds matter-of-factly, “But there are big risks once we manipulate the telomeres.”

  “Why?”

  “Telomerase manipulation could inadvertently cause a future cancer in the manipulated cells. We don’t know.”

  "Switch gears a second. Can you tell me what you know about rapamycin and mTOR?"

  "Ah…I thought you said you knew nothing about biology? Rapamycin is an interesting macrolide derived from a bacterium.”

  “I really don’t know biology, but it’s something Ron talked to me about.” Andy is stretching the truth a bit, but figures it may extract more important information from Vance, making his little white lie worthwhile.

  “There’s lots of cellular biology going on involving rapamycin. It makes a defensive chemical with some interesting properties. The TOR just stands for ‘target of rapamycin’ and the M stands for ‘in mammals.’ There were a bunch of recent studies of mice that showed when the mTOR in cells was manipulated, the mice lived 15 percent longer than the non-treated mice. Another study showed that the life cycle of mice was increased by a third with mTOR, when the rapamycin was transfused into the blood plasma.”

  "How recently has rapamycin been tested on mice, like the last few months, a decade ago, or what?"

  "I know it was discovered several decades ago but the studies relating to extension of mice lifespan are fairly recent. It has caused a lot of excitement. Kind of like cord blood. Ron began studying that too when he was still in my classes.”

  “What’s cord blood?”

  “Umbilical cord blood. It’s full of stem cells. They were simply discarding much of it at the neonatal hospital next door. Your brother arranged to get cord blood they were tossing out.”

  “I don’t get the connection.”

  “Cord blood is loaded with stem cells. Super cells. The DNA in stem cells can form every part of us,” Vance says, pointing first to his chest, his left arm and then his head.

  "Dr. Vance, you have really been gracious. Thanks for meeting me. I may come see you again, would that be okay?"

  “Sure, no problem.”

  Andy has a lot to think about.

  Chapter 81

  Self-addressed

  Myra drops the overnight box on Andy’s desk, just like many other packages they receive several times per week. He checks the return address and finds it’s his own. Odd. Opening it, he reaches inside and finds a small knapsack. Inside the bag is an unsealed envelope addressed to no one, and he quickly unfolds the paper inside.

  * * *

  Dear Uncle Andy and Aunt Barbara:

  If you're reading this it means I'm gone. I want you to understand that so many things have happened that no matter what I do, I can't understand them. I thought everything would be okay until Kent died. That left me with no more hope. I don’t know if this is legal, but I want everything to go to Justin and tell him I love him and I love you guys too.

  All my love,

  Amanda

  * * *

  Tears well up in Andy's eyes. He finds the hand necklace also inside the envelope. Was this left by Amanda at the B&O trestle?

  Andy places the note in a small folder and puts it in his one desk drawer that has a lock, where he keeps important personal papers. He puts the necklace in a separate envelope and places it in his pocket. Picking up the overnight pack, he studies the return address again. He never knew Amanda had any personal belongings at the trestle, and he had been wondering if and when any railroad representatives might learn of his niece’s identity and come calling. Surveying the backpack from all sides, he locates no identifying label or name anywhere.

  How did someone know to send this to me? Andy wonders.

  Chapter 82

  First Mediation

  The video interview of the mother describing her daughter Lauren is playing on a large monitor at the end of the conference room. Next to Andy, Mrs. Richmond has her head down and is dabbing her eyes with Kleenex. Beside her sits her husband. Angie sits in a chair behind Andy, providing him support if materials are needed. On the opposite side of the table sits Franklin and two representatives from the airline. And at the head of the table is Mediator Harris, the retired D.C. judge.

  At the very end of the emotional presentation is a picture of the Richmond family at Lauren’s college graduation, and superimposed along the left side of the screen are the damages they are claiming.

  "As you know, we’ve submitted our settlement demand, and we’re here in good faith, ready to resolve this case. Does anyone have any questions?" Andy asks.

  Judge Harris looks around with raised eyebrows and repeats, "Any questions?"

  Franklin shakes his head.

  The judge continues. "I spoke with the airline's representatives before we started, and
they are not going to make any opening remarks. We really appreciate your presentation, and Mr. and Mrs. Richmond, I want you to know we’re so sorry for your loss. My job today will be to bring the parties together in a settlement. We're going to split up into separate conference rooms, and I'm going to discuss matters with the airline representatives first.” The judge stands and motions to the defense side of the table, and they walk out, closing the door behind them.

  "Is this how these are always done?" Mrs. Richmond asks Andy.

  "Pretty much, yes. After opening statements we both camp out in separate conference rooms and the mediator shuttles back and forth."

  After a couple of hours of conveying offers and demands and prodding each side, the mediator returns to Andy’s conference room one last time.

  "They’re saying this is their line in the sand. Why don't you guys talk about it," he says pointing to the number on his notepad, "and I'll be out in the hall. Let me know if we’re going to get this settled."

  The mediator leaves the room. Andy has written down the number on his notepad and circled it.

  "Well, it looks like their top number is $4.3 million."

  "I thought you said we wouldn’t accept less than $4.5 million," Mr. Richmond replies.

  "That's the number I wanted to get for your family. However the question is whether you want the bird in the hand, so to speak, or you want to fight them. Based on my experience this is a significant wrongful death settlement offer. Obviously no amount of money will bring her back or take the pain away."