by Al Cooper
- Indeed, there is always that possibility.
Hanson and Marvin were puzzled, staring. Finally the latter decided to throwing a new question.
- And could you say us something about the rest of the scars, of vaccines? ...
This time was Marvin who succeeded. He could corroborate it when he saw the Coroner's smile preceding his answer.
- I knew you would ask me that question. That's the most surprising of all!
- Surprising?
- I have identified several. Surely they have been vaccinated against some rare diseases in our time: measles, chickenpox, smallpox, tuberculosis.
- Are you sure?
- Completely. So much that it can be one of the key points. I've been thinking and just find a reason.
The coroner had crossed widely his powers borders, but Marvin and Hanson thought that time was well worth it. Beyond his desire for prominence getting they felt ridiculous sometimes, there was no denying that his knowledge, coupled with an unusual ability to think over, meant a extremely valid reference. So much that he was giving them a new approach to the case more complicated than ever had in their hands, the same that the boss had given them like routine. It was more than justified the coroner enjoyed his moment of glory, it was well deserved, so they did not stop him when he was decided to present his findings.
- The reason is that they had decided to take all necessary measures not to cause any kind of infection among indigenous - he changed of slide again appearing on the screen an image of an Amazon tribe - And that only makes sense nowadays among the most isolated villages of civilization, those who rarely have contact with the outside world - he changed of slide again, showing a detailed map of the Amazon - Our answer, whatever, should be here in the heart of Amazonia.
Hanson could not resist a joke to ease the tension of that moment.
- Excellent work, doctor, congratulations. I totally agree with you. Oh, and thanks for limiting our work area!
Coroner smiled again and marked again with the pointer.
- Do not claim victory. We are referring to an area of about two million square kilometers.
Marvin got up, shook hands with the coroner as way of congratulation.
- Your theory seems very successful, but there's only one way to check it - then went to Hanson - Come on, we have much work.
XVII
Hanson wanted to find out if any of the two deceased scientists had traveled to a tropical area in recent years. He collected data from their companies and also from airports and airlines, for examining in detail the information he had on his desk and then reaching a grim conclusion: in principle, at least officially, none of them had traveled to any suspicious area. In fact, in theory, it had just recorded an output of the United States by Klein to attend a scientific conference that took place in Johannesburg. And it had been over two years.
Also went through his head that may have traveled under a false identity, or even that they had done on a private plane and evading controls. But this hypothesis seemed to him preposterous, especially when he found where they had spent their holiday the last two years, the only time interval during which it made sense that they'd have gone that far. In the case of Klein it had been Miami, where he had a small but luxurious apartment. With respect to Olsen, he had been sharing a house on the outskirts of San Mateo, California. He was usually there with a friend who ended up confirming to Hanson that had maintained a relationship with the deceased for nearly three years, which had been broken six months ago. In the conversation he had with former Olsen boyfriend, Hanson concluded that he was not involved in any way and even was unaware of Olsen's work activity.
Hanson began to think that, despite the consistent and brilliant deduction which the coroner had arrived, he had perhaps gone too far with the track of the vaccines. Yet it was apparent that the scars were left by the vaccine, its inoculation made no sense to simply take a vacation south of the country. But the coroner's opinion deserved great respect for him. He had to admit that this guy was off the charts in his specialty, and even he had been able to become a great agent if he wasn't a gourmet who loved the pleasures of life and selected and relaxed environments.
It was the perfect time to propose Marvin they approach the Gary's talisman bar in order to seek an explanation that would fit some pieces of the puzzle. He not only agreed, but said he had read his mind and needed to rethink close to a few beers. Unknown reason, but both that seedy bar and the liquid element were part of the ritual that allowed their minds to explore new possibilities.
While they were watching television more by routine that by interest, where the only news for a long time seemed to be the president's resignation due to his illness for Feaks , Hanson caught up with Marvin about the disappointing results of his latest research. Marvin said aloud what both were thinking.
- Unfortunately I think this line of research is depleted, leads to a dead end.
Hanson finished his beer but not before making a comment.
- Finally it seems that things look better with a beer in hand.
But Marvin did not let him enjoy his sip, because before he ended made a remark that did not help him anything.
- Well, take other one at least because I need your help.
As he pronounced the words snapped out a picture of his pocket and placed it on the bar, in view of Hanson who cut short the drink to respond in his usual humor.
- Yours is much, man! You get out photos of the pocket as the magicians of the hat. Let me see what you have out there today ...
Hanson stared at the picture carefully, but the face of that individual meant nothing for him. Marvin felt compelled to lend a hand.
- Do you recognize him? ... Look closely, it is not easy, in fact it was very hard to me. Pay attention to his eyes and his sharp ears. If you identify it I'll pay you a beer.
Hanson was slow to react.
- Damn, Marvin! Have you brought a photo album of youth? This guy is Sheridan, when he was younger. By sure!
- Exactly. It also took me to recognize him, even though I played with advantage.
- Where did you find the picture?
- At his apartment, it was the only interesting thing I found.
- Only? I don’t think this photo get out us of any trouble.
This time it was Marvin who finished his beer and stared at Hanson, smiling. Hanson knew that the attitude of Marvin was the prelude to something important he had to say. So he returned his glance.
- Come on, Marvin. You don't let me drink this beer in peace! I think the least you can do is dropping your bomb as soon as possible.
- I have found Sheridan, just because of this photo. At first I explored in psychiatric and in the files of persons who have disappeared recently, without success. Then I realized that sometimes, unfortunately, too often, trees we don’t let see the forest and I had an attack of lucidity.
- And I'm getting a fit of impatience.
- It’s Owen. Sheridan is Owen.
- Are you sure?
- Yes
- The one that disappeared more of five years ago?
- The same. I contrasted his photo. Also, I confirmed that he came a year ago on a flight from Manaus, Brazil, in the heart of the Amazon.
- I can’t believe it! No way!
- As more you'll wonder at the instant you know when this picture was taken.
- Twenty, maybe thirty years?
- Just because I managed to recognize the picture, because, as you've seen little or nothing to do with the Owen that we met in the park. The picture was made just two months before his disappearance.
Hanson stared Marvin with astonishment and disbelief face.
- So much must have suffered this man to be so deteriorated in so little time! - Hanson snapped. They laughed a good tim
e. Marvin enjoyed especially those strokes of humor of his mate in the most tense moments -
- Yeah, his appearance was that of an elder!
- Well, I think it's time to write the damn report.
- Let it stay for tomorrow, okay? I think that is fine for today. We have already suffered too many emotions.
Marvin asked Gary two beers more.
XVIII
They wrote and delivered the report to the boss the next day. They soon heard from him, he called them to his office only a few hours after. Every time they had to approach the domains of the boss felt like helpless children unfairly treated by his father. But this time they could breathe easy, they had gone too well their duties.
As they entered, they didn’t need to wait to be directed speech. He had very bad aspect, even worse than usual. He looked them in an inquisitive way with a background of contempt. What had to come then almost leftover, the storm lurked to fall in torrents over their heads. It was clear that that man felt a special sympathy for them, this time there seemed no reason to anger, they had made significant progress in one case for which no one would have a penny.
The boss seemed to be reading the report, when in fact he had long ago read it. Rather it seemed he was looking for an excuse to throw a speech.
- I suppose you remember the ultimatum that gave you the other day. - Were his first words to the agents -
It had started even worse than predicted by their bad omens. He sighed deeply and continued.
- You had on your hands the opportunity to prove if your medals from the past had been collected in a fair and meritorious way - Hanson looked away trying to contain his anger. The boss sighed deeply again before continuing - You have had it, yes. Because I have given it to you, not because you had neither deserved nor earned. I've done it for you do not remain any doubt about Jack Edwards is an integrity person who always gives more of one opportunity to those who don't deserve it - they had never seen him speak so biased. Now was clear that man not only wanted to keep them out of the case, but trashing them - Truth be told is I hadn't confidence in you, and you ended up giving me the reason.
Marvin interrupted the boss, he was acting in a cruel and unfair way. Their report, at least, showed their honesty and ability to work.
- I get the impression that you have not read the report in detail.
- Damn, what is at stake is your ability, not mine! - He said gesturing ostentatiously with his arms and raising his voice. Then he paused and continued - The report does no clear, absolutely nothing. I don’t care what the coroner says. He has some bad days, more than would be desirable. I care a damn about the bullshit of vaccines, or where they have gone on vacation. And, about Sheridan, this is another case, nothing to do with ours. Do you not know what you have written? What relationship is there between Sheridan, Owen or whatever and death of the doctors Klein and Olsen? The report does not conclude that there is absolutely any.
- It is obvious that there're many loose ends to tie. But we believe there is every reason to believe that both cases of disappearances and deaths of the two scientists are related. - Hanson argued, as a defense -
- Assumptions? In this department, at least while I'm in front, no assumptions, just the facts. Objectively speaking you have nothing, agents, absolutely nothing. You know what I am going to do? First, pass the information on Owen, all you have achieved of a certain interest, to other colleagues who will make good use of it, certainly better than you. And in much the case at hand, take it for closed.
- But ... - Marvin tried to replicate but the boss immediately aborted his words -
- Case closed. From your report concludes that there is no reason to investigate further. You take over a month dizzy partridge, to reach a conclusion that was obvious. You can get out, that's all.
They left that office with the feeling of being subject to persecution at the professional level difficult to prove. What could they do? Complain to a superior? They would win the final wrath for the rest of their career, they would be set aside as dross the department. They did not understand how anyone could be so miserable, anyone who read such report would deduce at least the interest of following the investigation. As much as he hated them, work was work. What interest could have Edwards in filing a case like that? ...
They had been partially answered their question if they had seen how their boss partially falsified his report, obliterating references to the forensics study and Owen's trip from Manaus, before turning to his superior for review and subsequently closed.
Marvin and Hanson spent two of the worst days of their life. Even Hanson, who usually had the ability to be isolated from his work problems, was affected in such a way that his sense of humor disappeared like magic. Meanwhile Marvin was broken. He had laid out in that case to escape his emotional plight, and all he had achieved from it was sinking a bit more. So that morning when the phone rang in their office, neither of them was in hurry to get it. Hanson finally picked up the phone to ask, in a tone of apathy.
- Hi, agents Marvin and Hanson.
- Two in one? No way! Aren't you going to get me out of doubt? ... - Replied the other side a woman's voice which sounded sweet, friendly, close. That seemed to wake up Hanson a little from his lethargy -.
- Sorry. Stuart Hanson, miss. Or lady ...
- Miss, Mr. Hanson, and hopefully for a long time. This is Kelly Adams, Department of Biotechnology of the FBI.
- Biotechnology? I had no idea about the existence of such department, and unless it was lucky to have there a woman with such nice voice.
- Well, I just know something about you.
- Do not tell me, you play with advantage! - Laughter was heard across the telephone -
- I mean you are a flatterer. I will have to be careful! - This time it was Hanson who returned the laughter -
- Quiet, you're in good hands. What reason do I owe the pleasure of your call, Miss Kelly ...?
- Well, I have in my hands you report.
- Report? What report are you referring to?
- Maybe I was wrong office.
- Huh? No, no, wait, I'm somewhat surprised.
- Perhaps agent Marvin and you have not written a report about the case of the two scientists who have committed suicide recently?
- Well ... yes ... but I don't understand how it has come into your possession.
- It's simple. All reports in which appears something related to Biotechnology, end up going on here.
- Ah, okay. However, even thanking you, I don't understand your interest. Our boss has closed the case.
- Don't worry about that. Now I can officially say that has just been reopened. What surprised me is the second report.
- Second report?
- Yeah, apparently, as your boss has told us, you gave him a first report, which came here originally. This morning arrived the second.
- The second?
- Agent Hanson, what happens now? Have you had a bad night?
- Tell me, what's the difference between the first and second?
- Are you kidding me? Who has written this report?
- Well ... we ... I guess.
- Are you playing with me? Maybe your boss was right when he branded you as incompetent. There are some subtle differences between the first and the second like the reference to vaccines.
Hanson realized at the moment that someone had tampered the damn report, but then, being asked by his superiors and in order to avoid any suspicion, certainly he had been obliged to facilitate them the original. And it was obvious who had done it. But, facing his boss they had nothing to gain, so he was forced to seek a commitment response.
- Ah,... yeah, yes, ... sorry! It is because I thought that they had sent the first report to the trash, not to you. Simply the boss didn’t considered appropiate that we mentioned the issue of scarring, as irre
levant.
- Irrelevant? In my opinion is a very accurate assumption.
- The truth is that ... then he rectified requesting us a second report.
- Thank God! I was beginning to think I had the wrong person.
- I'm glad someone believes that our work has some interest.
- Have any? ... It's a great job, agent Hanson, otherwise I wouldn't be talking to you. We need to talk.
- And our boss?
- He's aware of course, but he no longer has this issue
- What about us?
- You do, of course. During the next weeks you'll be working for my department.
- Not sure as happy I am to hear this news and not just because it comes from you.
- I can imagine. Listen, it's ok we meet tomorrow morning?
- Yeah, of course. Where?
- Don’t worry, I'll come to your office.
- Thank you, ok.
The next day Marvin and Hanson waited expectantly the visit of Kelly Adams. It meant something more than an unexpected support to move forward with the case. Kelly had made them regain confidence in themselves and in their way of working, at the same time that she had discovered, unconsciously, the dirty tricks of his boss. As Hanson was reflecting about his attitude and the reason that had led him to manipulate their report, he saw from distance the figure of his colleague David Bell, a few steps ahead of the silhouette of a stylish and slender woman whose features from afar not happened to see. David loved to boast about his conquests, was not the first time he approached to their office to presume introducing his latest pickup. Not a bad guy, but Hanson saw him as childish and braggart.
