The Bluff City Butcher

by Steve Bradshaw

  “And those four areas needed for continuous replication in a normal cell are?”

  “Yes: the telomere maintenance, oxidative stress reduction, glycation, and helix supercoiling.”

  “So, LIFE2777 resurrected the early stage cell environment. I can tell now I will need to go back to school to fully appreciate what you are doing.” Jack waved off the wine. “Scotch on the rocks with a twist, please.”

  Medino smiled. “I’ll give you the basics tonight.”

  “Please do.”

  “Our bodies are composed of billions of somatic cells. They are diverse and specialized. Over our lifetime most are replaced several times. Skin, hair, and blood cells are replaced continuously through our lifetime. The heart, liver and kidney cells are replaced thousands of times. Brain cells are never replaced—we have all we’re going to get when we’re born.”

  “I understand the natural cell reproduction/replacement process is necessary for survival because we must be able to move out damaged cells.”

  “That is accomplished via cell replication—mitosis. In the last ten minutes, we replaced a minimum of 50,000 cells. At the moment, I am replacing cells faster than you.” They smiled at the extraordinary significance of his simple statement.

  Enrique fidgeted with his linen napkin as he spoke, folding and unfolding it with great care between thoughts. “I had very basic questions when I started. Why can one cell live longer than another? Why do they reach a point when they can no longer keep up? If the heart cell could be replaced as often as a skin cell, would hearts be stronger?”

  “Enrique, I think the logical answer to that question is yes.”

  “I agree. That would be the logical answer. I had to settle on some critical assumptions. Then I constructed my hypothesis. That is the scientific method.”

  “I understand that process.”

  “The number one critical assumption I made is the earliest genetic environment for any cell in our body is the most ideal environment to protect DNA and the replication process.”

  “That is a solid assumption. The older the cell, the more it moved away from that ideal state.”

  “My second critical assumption is the earliest genetic environment in any cell has more lifespan left and is the best performing cell.”

  “And your hypothesis?” Jack asked.

  “The resurrection and maintenance of an earlier genetic environment for any cell will extend lifespan and optimize performance of the cell, tissue, organ and organism.”

  “You have just defined the somatic cells of a newborn baby.”

  “Exactly. To be immortal, the objective is to maintain the biology of birth.”

  “A daunting task to say the least . . .”

  “I found in my research stimulating the creation of the ideal cellular environment is possible, but locating a young cell environment is a viable alternative.”

  “Does cell age variance relate to disease, aging, and death?”

  “Yes, to some extent, but it is more complex.”

  “What does LIFE2777 do?” Jack loosened his tie and leaned closer.

  “It stimulates natural cell biology and restores telomeres. It tightens the DNA double helix coil. It repels free radicals. And, it blocks glucose molecules from damaging DNA. This appears to be enough. LIFE2777 stops the aging dominos from falling.”

  “Incredible!”

  “LIFE2777 launches a life extending biogenic process.”

  “I think I understand the big picture.”

  “Jack, we must keep my personal use of LIFE2777 between us until we have accomplished our business objectives.”

  “How is that possible? The change in your physical condition is visible to all. It is miraculous. People you know will see right away.”

  “It is a miracle. Traditional healthcare practices produce miracles every day. Thus, I am a traditional miracle. I beat pancreatic cancer. I also diet and work out.”

  “Does your wife buy into it? How about family and friends and your oncologist?”

  “They do. There is no other explanation. We need to keep it that way.”

  “I am pleased to hear this—it would have been a problem. Over the last few months I’ve done a lot of research, Enrique. I’ve concluded any breakthrough that significantly extends human lifespan must stay under wraps until it is released globally.”

  “I know nothing about that, Jack. Please, where do we go from here?” Enrique looked at his watch and eyed the room as if he just realized other people were eating dinner. No one was in earshot.

  “You move into my place and we work day and night to lay out a plan.”

  “My bag is in the car.” Enrique started to stand but Jack waved him back down.

  “Enrique, everyone is going to come after us.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Our government can justify taking your discovery. They will say it poses a national security risk. Other governments and other companies will want to control the secret to biogenic immortality.”

  “I remember when President Bill Clinton announced human genome sequences could not be patented.”

  “It was after companies poured millions into proprietary R&D efforts. They would not have done so if they knew then they could not get protected positions to return value to their investors.”

  “Later the UCSC Genome Bioinformatics Group released the first working draft of the human genome to the entire world on the internet.” Medino patted sweat from his forehead. He leaned back with the eyes of a man robbed.

  “I will never forget that day,” Jack said. “The NASDAQ biotechnology sector lost $50 billion market cap in two days. A lot of U.S. companies and their investors lost millions.”

  “The scientists who made it all possible, they lost trust.”

  Jack reached across the table and gripped his arm. “I promise your discovery will not be taken from you.”

  Jack and Enrique stood and embraced and left the Crescent Club. Neither noticed the Liberty dime under their table. It had been dropped when they were seated. The KT-12 transmitter had a range of three-hundred meters.

  Twenty-Four

  “Most people who enjoy life can't get enough of it. Those who claim they don't want to live longer than is natural will go to the ends of the earth to cure themselves of cancer, heart disease, and injuries when they are stricken. Modern drugs, surgical techniques, and diagnostic tools are all life-extension technologies very few people refuse.”

  Unknown

  * * *

  They would spawn the most powerful, evolutionary tsunami on the planet since fire. By the end of January, Jack would be up to speed on all the relevant aspects of Medino’s life extension breakthrough. He would know the range of applications critical for the development of the strategic plans. There would be two—public and private.

  Jack would engineer a masterful plan to protect and introduce unprecedented life extending medical treatments. The two would be prepared for hostile takeover attempts from threatened corporations, private interests, governments, and covert operations. They would expect offensive strikes as soon as word got out. Incursions would be aggressive and sustained. Knowledge of their new science would transform everyone into a potential enemy. The risk of losing the technology would always be great, and the risk of losing their lives even greater.

  Enrique moved into Jack’s penthouse. They were together every waking moment for the next eight weeks. Jack’s place was atop the Exchange Building in Downtown Memphis. The private elevator opened on the twelfth floor to a spacious reception area—twelve-foot ceilings, cream walls adorned with expensive, modern art, white sofas, plush arm chairs, polished brass lamps, and large plants lining the dozen windows with a panoramic view of the Mississippi River and the Memphis skyline.

  Behind the reception desk an impenetrable glass wall ran the width of the building. On the other side, walls were populated with awards, recognitions, issued patents, and capitalization events—a half billion raised. Pa
ssage through the thick glass doors was electronically controlled and laser protected. Beyond the office suite along the west side were Jack’s well-appointed living quarters. Enrique took the east half for his office and private residence. A condo in Nashville remained his primary address because he would return often to continue R&D at his farm in Davidson County.

  On December 21, 2004, two companies were formed—LIFE2 Corporation and BelMed Research, LLC. By January 31, 2005, Medino would retire from Vanderbilt, and Bellow would exit all other business interests.

  As agreed, Jack invested $10 million and served as president/CEO for both companies. Enrique transferred all IP to BelMed, and he served as chief technology officer and medical director. All R&D would be conducted at secured facilities at Medino’s farm in Davidson County. The LIFE2 corporate headquarters in Memphis (the downtown Exchange Building) would release Series A Preferred Stock and raise $50 million in working capital. The investor meeting was scheduled March 15.

  Sometime in January 2005, a meeting was held in Destin, Florida. Seven high net worth medical technology investors discovered two biotechnology companies were established by the world-renowned entrepreneur Jack Bellow and an unknown molecular biologist/geneticist from Vanderbilt, Dr. Enrique Medino. They thought it odd a man dying of pancreatic cancer would have interests in two startups. Even more curious was the fact that Jack Bellow invested $10,000,000 of his own money in the ventures.

  The sharks were hundreds of miles away, but they smelled blood in the water.

  * * *

  March 1, 2005

  Dear Prospective Investor,

  Through the Whiterock Bank of America (or WBA), LIFE2 Corporation (or the COMPANY) is offering 10,000,000 of our shares of Series A Preferred Stock, solely to accredited investors, as defined under Rule 501 under the Securities Act of 1933, at a purchase price of $(___) per share. We reserve the right to increase or decrease the number of shares of Series A preferred stock, to approve or disapprove each investor and accept or reject any subscription in whole or in part in our sole discretion.

  The LIFE2 Corporation cordially invites you to attend a meeting with the founders and executive management on March 15, 2005. You will join a select group of private investors at the Crescent Club for a presentation of the company and discussion of the investment opportunity that will close April 1, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. CST.

  The company was formed in December 2004 to enhance the quality of the human life experience through the development of innovative solutions. On February 15, 2005 the LIFE2 Corporation entered into an agreement with a proprietary research group obtaining the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize a non-invasive biotechnology solution for the treatment of osteoarthritis, the number one degenerative condition affecting an aging world population.

  The Ossi2™ product received CE mark, cleared for European commercialization later this year, and the PMA-IDE application has been approved by the FDA with clinical studies in the U.S. scheduled to begin the first quarter of 2006. The Ossi2™ product has been shown to restore articular cartilage in six months for level one and two osteoarthritis patients.

  The investor meeting will be at the Westin Room at the Crescent Club in east Memphis. The reception will begin at 5:00, the business meeting at 6:00 and adjourn at 7:00 p.m. with founders and management team available until 9:00 p.m. (schedule enclosed)

  Tiff Hansen, Executive Vice President of LIFE2 Corporation will contact you personally to arrange delivery of the Private Placement Memorandum (PPM), or to remove you from the list of selected investors at this time.

  * * *

  Jack Bellow

  President/CEO

  LIFE2 Corporation

  Twenty-Five

  In one hour, $23 billion would be represented by those around the polished walnut conference table in the Westin Room at the Crescent Club, three months after Bellow and Medino formed the LIFE2 Corporation and on schedule for the $50 million raise needed for the first phase of their veiled business plan. They would offer twenty-five percent of the company to a select group of high net worth investors. There would be no room for institutional or venture capital money.

  The LIFE2 Series A preferred stock offering would close quickly. Invitations to the “dance” were successful. The six targets were coming, with minimal political trash tagging along. Jack prided himself in the management of investor interests. Someone had to believe enough for everyone else. Only then would risk be taken.

  Their primary objective was to look like every other medical startup business with a narrowly focused technology. Rather than launch “life extension biotechnology” day one and lose control, LIFE2 would solve one medical problem interesting and lucrative enough to attract $50 million without a deep-dive investor inquisition. Only Jack and Enrique knew the money raised would be used to put strategic infrastructure and controls in place to establish global distribution for the ultimate release of the most significant discovery of all time. This night, billionaires expected Bellow to oversell an unproven but promising orthopedic biotechnology breakthrough.

  They began with heavy hors d’oeuvres and an abundance of alcoholic beverages to stimulate standard business rituals: enthusiastic greetings, artful mingling, positioning, and anticipation. The agenda was predictable. Jack welcomed investors, introduced the company, talked about the technology, and explained how it addressed unmet needs. He sold the investment opportunity and introduced Enrique Medino. Like all scientific gurus, Medino spoke from the stratosphere. Investors smiled and did not understand a word. Later, Jack translated and drilled down the private placement memorandum.

  At the end of Jack’s presentation their corporate attorney reminded investors all preceding information might be wishful thinking, untrue, or impossible to accomplish. He encouraged them to disregard or to interpret all preceding information at their sole discretion. And he reminded investors all forward-looking statements were subject to change and represented management’s best efforts which might not be accurate or enough to avoid catastrophic losses.

  By 8:00 p.m., $50 million was committed, and only two sharks got in the pool.

  Part Three

  FOUR PATHS CONVERGE

  Twenty-Six

  “Gentlemen, thank you for coming again. A lot has happened since our August meeting. It now appears “Adam” has a growing interest in me and my family. I believe he is working up to killing all of us.”

  Albert Bell unfolded a handkerchief, touched his forehead, and placed it on the edge of his desk. “We are only in November and there are two more killings which appear to be connected—Panther McGee and Raymond Munson. Detective Wilcox has maybe six more, Dr. Sumner thirty or more, and Carol Mason has found a dozen. She is just getting started with the MPD/Tribune collaboration.

  “I have asked you here because the time has come for me to share all the pieces of the puzzle I have.”

  Elliott and Tony were waiting for this moment. Revelations from the August meeting established the fact Albert Bell had a twenty-five year history with the Bluff City Butcher. They wanted to understand the relevance.

  “Some time ago, I asked Max for help on what I thought was a personal matter. We met first in July and then again in September. His investigation took him to Carrollton, Texas, where he uncovered startling information that may be important. I want you to have this information. Max, please continue.”

  “Albert, we’ve not spoken since my last report. Is everything on the table?”

  “Yes, Max—everything.”

  Max downed his drink, walked to the popping fire, and lit a cigarette. After a few thoughtful puffs he tossed the match into the fire and turned to Elliott and Tony. “In July Albert asked me to locate a woman from his past, a Miss Betty Duncan.” Max paused. He struggled for the right words to minimize embarrassment for the patriarch.

  Albert would have none of it. “I had an affair in El Paso with Betty Duncan from December 1967, through February 1968. At the time I was separated from my wife.
Before the final divorce papers were signed, there was reconciliation. I’m not proud of my behavior. Please continue Max.”

  “Albert went to El Paso in April 1968, to properly end his relationship with Miss Duncan. Before he could speak she informed him she was pregnant. Albert’s news regarding the recent changes in his marital status was disappointing to Miss Duncan but accepted. Shortly thereafter, she disappeared. All efforts by Albert to locate her failed. Later, my firm learned Miss Duncan had given birth to a boy in Pecos, Texas. She then relocated to Carrollton where she married Harry Tucker in 1972. They lived at the Silver Horseshoe Mobile Home Park.

  “Something terrible happened in 1982. It is still unresolved. Betty, her husband Harry, a Texas Ranger, and a friend of the family Ken Stahl, and Betty’s son vanished. All personal belongings were left behind except her son’s clothing. According to police reports Tucker’s pickup truck and the Texas Ranger’s vehicles were missing.

  “I flew to Dallas last week and met with the Carrollton police to review the case file. Since we’re talking about something taking place twenty-six years ago, none of the homicide detectives who worked the case were around.”

  “Get anything meaningful?” Wilcox asked.

  “The property at the mobile park was cleaned up. The inside of the mobile home was cleaned—washed floor to ceiling with Clorox. The dirt around the mobile home had been raked. Found only a few boot prints, zero tire tracks.”

  “What was the date they went missing?” Elliott asked.

  “October 17, 1982.”

  Wilcox sat up in his chair.

  “I know the date is important gentlemen, but there’s more,” Max said. “Last week my team went out to sweep every square inch of property with the most sophisticated detection equipment available. All hell broke loose when our people got under the mobile home. They picked up on something and started digging. Five feet down they came to the top of a skull. It was time to call the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office.