The Malthus Pandemic
Page 58
CHAPTER 56
When in Lagos, Larry had tried to fix a meeting by email with New York Senator Joe Fisher but, just as Larry landed at JFK, New York, the news from his office was that he was in Washington. So, too, was the other New York Senator, Mary Collis.
He emailed both of them again telling them he was a doctor working for the US Embassy in Nigeria. He said he had evidence that the hundred recent deaths in Kano were caused by a new strain of influenza virus and that he believed it was part of a deliberate plot to spread the virus as a form of population control. He had spoken to the US Ambassador to Nigeria but had got nowhere. Would they please check with WHO Geneva for further evidence about the virus.
As he clicked 'send' he knew he had made it sound as if he was a crackpot.
And even if they decided to check him out by contacting the US Embassy in Abuja they'd have got nothing except confirmation that Doctor Larry Brown worked for the commercial services section in Lagos, had only been there for two months and had gone AWOL.
He thought about contacting the press with the story but decided against it thinking that it needed to stay within circles that could do something not circles that fed on sensation or sought live interviews and quotes.
Larry did not even go outside JFK Airport. Instead, he flew to Washington.
In the UK, Anna had not heard from Daniel for two days. She phoned Colin to say she was worried and to ask if he had heard anything. Colin said he hadn't but that if he did he'd not only tell Daniel to phone her but tick him off. "Daniel is well known for going quiet when he's working, Anna. Otherwise, are you OK? Finding your way around London?"
"Yes," Anna said. "Too many Thai restaurants in Queensway. I already have many friends."
In Bristol, Kevin had finally fixed a day and time to meet his Member of Parliament. Not having voted for her he was none too enthusiastic, but he had promised to start somewhere. He met Tom Weston for lunch and brought him up to date. Tom listened to Kevin's tale of his meeting at the Cumberland Hotel with Larry from Nigeria, Colin from London and Daniel and by the time he had finished, Tom had drunk two pints and finished off a ploughman's.
"So," Kevin finally said, sitting back to drain his glass. "What the fuck do I do?"
"Bloody hell," Tom finally said. "All hell breaking loose. As for our local MP, I wouldn't hold out much hope there. She's only interested in re-election. Why don't you speak to the Chair of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee - Lord Peterson."
"But I don't know him," said Kevin.
"I do," said Tom. "I'll call him."