The officer looked him up and down and at the bag he was carrying. “Sir, as you can appreciate, the captain is extremely busy now and…”
“Just tell him Antonio DeAngelo needs to speak with him on a matter of importance.”
“…uh …One moment, please.” The officer walked a few yards away and spoke into his radio, “Sir, I am sorry to bother you, but there is a gentleman by the name of Antonio DeAngelo who says he needs to speak with you on a matter of great importance… Thank you, sir.”
He walked back to the door with a peeved look. “You will find the captain in the dining room on the 2nd deck,” he said sharply and turned away. Antonio boarded the ship and proceeded to the elevator.
The captain, Lucania Papadakis, was waiting at the elevator when Antonio emerged. “Antonio, what a pleasure to see you again. How long has it been”?
“Oh… well… at least two years.” They embraced as only old friends could. They disengaged and Antonio spoke, “Luke, I know you are under extreme stress with the recent circumstances, so I will be quick and brief.”
“Thank you, Tony, I appreciate that.”
“I happened to be sitting in the coffee shop, observing passengers disembarking when I noticed a rather odd situation.” He finished the story and held up the bag. “So, I have collected these things and am bringing them to you. I suspect you have an investigator coming and so, I thought I would leave these with you to do with them what you want.”
Luke nodded, “You’re right, there is an investigator arriving from Washington in a few hours, although the preliminary report is a heart attack.” He looked at the bag. “I don’t know what to make of this, but let me finish checking my manifest and when the thirty or so passengers that left have returned, hopefully, we can identify who this was by their absence. In the meantime, thank you for this, Tony. It is a rather strange event.”
“My pleasure, Luke. Thank you for seeing me.”
Tony headed back to the elevator. “Tony,” hollered Luke, “can you leave your info with the officer at the door in case we need to contact you.”
“Of course, …no problem.”
***
Marty laid in bed completely exhausted. The jet lag, together with the events, had completely drained him.
Myra snuggled up to him. “What happens now? Wasn’t one of your main undertakings to sway the congressman’s resistance to the approval process of the FDA?”
Marty sighed, “Yes… and I have no idea where we go from here. I guess I will just carry on and spend the time meeting with Norm. He was my other project anyway. But right now, I need sleep. I’m sorry… I planned on our first night on board being a little different.”
Myra chuckled, “Yes, I saw the champagne in the fridge. Don’t worry, we’ve got seven more nights. Just get a good sleep.” She leaned over and kissed him, but he was already gone.
Chapter 12
Kelly parked the car and entered the Fox and Hounds. She scanned the room and not seeing Nancy, found a booth in a corner and settled in.
The waiter was blocking her view of the door as she ordered and Nancy popped out from behind him and startled Kelly. “Make it two of whatever she ordered,” said Nancy.
“Hi, Deb,” muttered Kelly.
“Oooo… Thanks for the enthusiastic greeting.”
“I’m sorry, Nancy,” Kelly said as she burst into tears.
Nancy moved around to the other side and held Kelly. “What is it?” asked Nancy.
“I wish I knew,” answered Kelly, “I have this feeling of impending doom, but it’s based on nothing… Well, not really nothing, but it probably is silly.”
“Let’s start at the beginning,” Nancy offered.
Kelly smiled, “I don’t know where the beginning begins. I started in the pharmaceutical industry with all the ideals of a teenager. Oh, to be able to work for the ‘good of mankind’ in the healing of disease. Could there be a better aim in life?” She stopped to blow her nose.
“For many years, I accepted the premise that with all their medical professionals, scientists, and research capabilities as well as the protection of the CDC and the FDA, Big Pharma was working for the betterment of mankind. As I worked my way up, it became obvious that Big Pharma was working for the big bucks and was not only big and strong, but it would entertain no competition and certainly not allow anything or anyone to jeopardize their profits.”
The waiter arrived with their drinks and menus.
Kelly continued, “As science progressed, both the natural health industry and Big Pharma continued to uncover cures drawn from nature’s secrets. They were not patentable, but with Big Pharma’s resources, the secrets were able to be synthetically manufactured, which brought with it all the side effects that we see on television.”
Nancy interrupted “What do you mean ‘on television?’”
“Well, after much wrangling in Washington, the compromise with the FDA was that as long as the drug companies disclosed some of the side effects, that was enough warning for the public and the drug companies to launch their products. In other words, don’t wait for the long-range research results. Subsequently, legislation was considered that would allow the drug companies to not have to fully disclose the results of their product research.”
“You mean that they could ‘cherry pick’ what they disclosed to the public?” asked a shocked Nancy.
“Exactly,” responded Kelly, “people like Norm Arthur of COSM were considered ‘loons’ that still believed in medieval treatments and were denigrated without mercy and paid for by Big Pharma with their obscene profits and protected by the largest lobbying budget in Washington. As a result, natural medicine has been pushed to the outer edges of healthcare and are almost legislated out of existence.”
“Why hasn’t the medical profession helped?”
Kelly sneered, “With what they receive from the drug companies, plus virtually no training in natural medicine, they are just as blind and biased as Congress.”
Nancy looked strangely at Kelly, “Wait… Why are you still working in the industry if you know all this?”
“Because I have been coopted like everyone else. When I came into this business, the remuneration and perks were above average and the opportunities unlimited. I heard the rumors, but I couldn’t bring myself to imagine the scope of the evil required to believe them. I was not able to imagine that corruption could go to this level.”
“…and now?” asked Nancy.
Kelly pondered for a moment, “I don’t know. I haven’t cemented my thinking. I just had something happen to me today that has caused me even more reason to be concerned.”
Nancy frowned, “What?”
“You probably haven’t heard yet, but Congressman Chet Barnes died last night on the cruise, supposedly of a heart attack.”
Nancy jumped up and moved to the other side of the booth, “What? …what do you mean, ‘supposedly?’”
Kelly looked up from her drink, “Well, first of all, there has been no autopsy as yet. Secondly, and this is strictly my speculation. At the time Mr. Chiles received the call this morning about the congressman, a cellphone in his desk rang. I was just going out the door and he thought I was gone. He pulled out the cell and said, ‘I just heard. It will be wired shortly,’ and then he threw the cellphone in the garbage.”
They stared at each other. Finally, Nancy whispered, “You don’t think… no… he couldn’t… he wouldn’t.”
“Can you think of anything else that could mean?” asked Kelly.
Neither spoke for a long time, then Nancy ventured… “Do you think Mr. Cooper could be involved… and… oh, my God… what about Pam?”
“I don’t know… I don’t know anything except that we better keep this to ourselves. I don’t think we should pursue our little plan for now.”
“For sure,” agreed Nancy.
Cagily, Kelly tilted her head, “Let’s just lay low and see what develops.”
***
It was
early morning as the helicopter settled noisily onto the pedestrian area around the gangway and Dr. Clay Dearsome of the U.S. secret service jumped off to be met by Antonio DeAngelo.
“Dr. Dearsome?” inquired Tony, extending his hand.
“Yes,” yelled the Dr. over the thrashing blades. They shook hands as they started walking toward the gangway, “I’m Tony DeAngelo. Luke… uh… Captain Lucania Papadakis asked me to meet you. As you can understand, he is rather busy.”
Dr. Dearsome nodded, “Of course. What is the situation?”
“Well, first, I am not privy to a lot of information, but my understanding is that there are some diplomatic and legal niceties to clean up before the cruise can continue.”
“Yes, and I hope I can clean those up in the next few hours,” offered Dr. Dearsome.
Tony looked at him curiously, “You are with the secret service… Right?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t think this had that kind of priority.”
Dr. Dearsome glanced curiously at Tony, “Well, first of all, he was a congressman. Secondly, he was a ranking member, that chaired a powerful committee and thirdly, he was apparently a very healthy specimen with no sign of health problems.”
Tony pondered for a moment and then, as they were boarding the ship, he tugged at Dr. Dearsome’s sleeve, “May we talk for a moment?”
They both stopped. “Last night when the ship docked…” and he continued to tell the story. “…. So, I have given the items to the Captain. I wanted to tell you this myself because you will hear it from Luke and I didn’t want you to think I was holding back. I have no idea if it has any significance at all, but I thought everyone should know.”
“I am curious, Tony… may I call you Tony?”
“Yes… Yes.”
“What made you notice all this in the first place and why did you follow it up when there was no reason?”
Tony smiled, shaking his head, “I am an old retired cop. Once a cop, always a cop. It’s just ‘second nature.’”
“I’m impressed,” said Clay, “could I impose on you to join me for the next few hours. I could use a ‘backup’ with your ‘eyes.’”
“Of course, let me make a couple of calls to clear some stuff.”
“You realize that you will be under conditions of secrecy.”
“Of course.”
Clay extended his hand “Great. Let’s get to work… and call me Clay.”
***
All the involved dinner table patrons, as well as Dr. Clay Dearsome and Antonio DeAngelo were assembled in the executive dining room as the captain, Lucania Papadakis, arrived.
“I sincerely hope that this meeting will enable me to continue the cruise,” huffed Captain Luke.
Dr. Arthur Kenmore jumped up, “Hear… Hear. I personally have had enough of this bureaucratic nonsense. We are American citizens and…”
“Sit down and shut up!” thundered Clay, “I have had enough of your ill-tempered outbursts.”
“Who are you to…”
“I am Dr. Clay Dearsome, special investigator with the secret service and that gives you enough of who I am… now what I am… is in charge of this meeting and you, as an American citizen. Now… please, sit down and respond only when you are asked. Do I make myself clear?”
Dr. Kenmore unsuccessfully tried to stare down Clay, then turned and sat down with a “hrumph.”
“OK. Let’s get started. First of all, Captain, unless something extraordinary emerges, I really don’t see any reason you won’t be able to continue the cruise after this meeting.”
“Thank you,” burst the captain.
Clay continued, “Our first medical opinion is that this was simply a sudden heart attack. We have taken some samples and they are on their way to be analyzed. We have been informed that holding the cruise or the passengers would not serve any purpose. However, we have an issue that has arisen.”
Heads snapped up. “The captain has informed me that there is one passenger missing. Last night, before the order to stop anyone leaving the ship, thirty-one passengers signed out and only thirty returned. We don’t know if this has anything to do with anything, but it is an anomaly.”
Pam raised her hand.
“Yes… Ah… Miss Styles,” he said, looking at his notes.
“Do you have a picture of that passenger?” asked Pam.
With a raised eyebrow, Clay answered, “Yes. Why?”
Pam hesitated.
“Miss Styles?” queried Clay.
Pam looked around the room. “Have any of you told about the accident with that guy at the next table.” Everyone looked quizzically at Pam.
“What accident?” prompted Clay.
“You mean the guy that stumbled into our table?” asked Marty.
“Yes.” replied Pam. She started tearing up, “I saw something. I don’t know if it is anything at all.”
“Tell us, please,” urged Clay.
She started with the telling of the strange feeling she had when she boarded and the encounter in the hallway and, finally, what she had witnessed during the fall. Silence followed her revelation, with everyone staring at her, dumbfounded.
Clay cleared his throat, “Miss Styles… Do you think you could recognize him if you saw him again?”
“I think so,” she murmured. Clay reached into a file, pulling out the passport picture from the ship files.
“Please, look at this, Miss Styles.”
Pam looked at the face. She jerked back… “That’s him.”
The room exploded with exclamations. Captain Papadakis locked eyes with Antonio and nodded, both recognizing the discovered clothes that were found were those in the picture.
“I guess I don’t need to tell you that this considerably alters our assumptions,” stated Clay, “I will need to contact Washington for further direction.” He turned to the captain, “I don’t see that this should delay your departure much longer, but I think we need to have these folks flown back to the U.S. for some debriefing. Before we leave, I would like to talk to the passengers that were seated at the other table.”
“In that regard,” said the captain, “we have found what appears to be some confusion with the seating. Although the concierge podium and the names on the table were the same, the original seating plan is different. It appears that someone switched the tables.”
Clay shook his head, “Well that does it. Since the medical people have signed off on a heart attack and released the body, all of you that were at the dinner table need to fly back together with the body and myself immediately. We need to be in U.S. jurisdiction before someone changes their mind.” Clay turned to Marty and said, “I would prefer to fly on a private charter, rather than take the risk of alerting anyone. Is that possible with your company and we can cover the cost later.”
Marty jumped up. “Please excuse me. I will make a call,” he exclaimed and rapidly walked outside, punching out a call to Derek Maurrel.
“Remember, you are under strict secrecy.” yelled Clay.
“Marty. What can I do for you?” answered Derek.
“Derek, we have a situation here.”
“Go ahead.”
“It seems there are some issues with the death of Congressman Barnes.”
Derek sucked in a breath, “What kind of issues?”
“Some serious questions about events before the supposed heart attack.”
“…supposed heart attack?”
Marty took a deep breath, “The Secret Service guy is saying that our entire dinner table attendees must return with the body.”
“What? Why?”
“Well, for starters, I am sworn to secrecy, but there was an unusual event during dinner that involved the congressman, and now there is a passenger missing that was involved in that incident. We need to arrange a charter for us all.”
“Crap… OK… What city are you in?”
“We’re in Split, Croatia.”
“All right, I’ll get back to you.”
***
Derek slowly left the office and headed for the stairway to Tom Chiles’ office. He was not looking forward to this meeting. Tom never liked bad news, but this was more than ‘bad news.’
Kelly glanced up as she saw Derek head towards her desk,
“Do you need me, sir?”
“No. Is Tom in?”
“No. He said he would be in later.”
Derek paused, “We need a charter plane arranged immediately for all our people on the cruise.”
Kelly tried to appear nonchalant. “Yes, sir. Where would the pickup be and for how many?”
“Call Pam and get the details, then call the charter companies on file and make the arrangements.” Derek started back downstairs as he was calling Tom. He got the recording. “Tom, we have some serious developments. Call me ASAP.”
***
Pam’s cell buzzed as Marty walked back in the room.
“Hi, Kelly.”
“Pam… I’m calling you on my cell. I just got some directions from Mr. Maurrel. He told me to arrange a charter immediately from wherever you are, for all our people and maybe others. What’s going on? Do you know about this?”
Pam walked away from the group. “There are some things I am not able to talk about, but yes, I do know about this. I’m just talking to the secret service officer and I will get back to you.”
“OK.” They both rang off. Pam walked back to the group, looking at Clay Dearsome, “That was Kelly, Derek Maurell’s executive assistant. She is ready to order a charter back to Dallas for us all. I told her we would confirm shortly.”
Clay nodded his head, “Great. I am waiting for a call from Washington.”
Dr. Kenmore, who had been extraordinarily quiet since the ‘smack down,’ finally came alive. “I don’t plan on leaving the cruise. We have just begun…”
Murder by Prescription Page 12
