The Malthus Pandemic
Page 70
CHAPTER 67
It was Anna who spotted Daniel first as he emerged with his black bag into the arrivals hall at London Heathrow's Terminal three. Colin stood back as she ran forward and tried to grab his bag as if to relieve his load. But Daniel dropped the bag and, instead, wrapped his arms around her. Then he kissed her. For the first time in his life, Daniel felt as if he was coming home.
"So much to tell you, Daniel," she said as they walked with Colin to the car park. "I have so many friends already and Colin has been so good to me. He even showed me how to use the London Underground."
"So do you like London?" Daniel said, still holding her hand.
"Yes," she said, looking up at him, "But so much better when you are here."
In the car, driving into London, it was Colin's turn.
"No news from Louise in Jimmy's office, Daniel. I phoned twice today. She didn't know where he was. She's not worried though because it often happens with Jimmy. So stop worrying for a while."
Then it was more questions and answers.
Had Daniel contacted Virex's president, Charles Brady, yet because Brady had phoned Colin's office, Asher and Asher, twice and was angry that he didn't have contact details for Daniel.
No, he hadn't yet reported back. He'd do it tomorrow. Remiss of him, perhaps, but it had been relatively unimportant.
Had Colin heard from Larry?
Yes, Larry had met Senator Mary Collis from New York. It had been a good meeting and Larry had spoken to her twice in the last two days. Problem was he was beginning to run short on fresh facts as he hadn't spoken to Daniel for a while. Daniel needed to speak to Larry urgently or the Senator would go cold far faster than it had taken her to get warm.
And what about Kevin?
Kevin just didn't seem to know how to deal with his few agreed tasks. Colin had found him frustrating and defeatist to talk to. But Kevin had brought in an old friend of his with connections - someone called Tom - and, good news, they had already had a meeting with Lord Peterson who chaired the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee. They thought the meeting went OK but Tom also wanted to meet Daniel. Yes, it was to be another meeting.
"But time is fast running out, Colin."
Agreed. And there was movement on the Nigerian front. Larry had got more details about the disappeared doctor. He had had an accomplice - and here's the interesting fact, Daniel - he was white and his name? Solomon.
And the other movement on Nigeria was with Kevin's Nigerian friend Tunje. Tunje had met with an Arab who had offered him money to go to Nigeria and help with the, so-called, project. Last information, two days ago, was that Tunje was willing to go out, check it all out and report back.
"They are using networks, Colin. Buying some, stitching up others and leaning on those whose sole motive is to make money. It's becoming very clear to me now. From what Jimmy found out this morning, Singapore is also on their lists. And I know who is involved, how he'll operate and probably why. But the one big question remains. Who can stop it? That's why I need to stop running around chasing geese. We need to regroup and identify the best route way to getting international law enforcement to do something."
From the back seat of the car, Anna then asked her question. She leaned forward. "And what about the boyfriend of the Thai lady I spoke to - Pim?"
In the front passenger seat, Daniel turned around and held Anna's hand. "Yes, and we've not even started on finding David Solomon yet, Anna. Do you want to go back to Bangkok so quickly?"
"Well, no - but perhaps yes. But only if we go together and I can help."
Daniel looked at Colin. They were in heavy, late night traffic on Hammersmith flyover, but Colin was looking out of the corner of his eye. "Anna would make an ideal partner, Daniel," he said quietly. "You need to formalise things, get a contract signed urgently, make it watertight so that neither party can get out of it."