While Henry was in hospital, Melonie and her mother Dorothy had willingly looked after Charlotte in their own home. They had undertaken this without invitation as Henry had been delirious and in isolation. Only when he was released from quarantine did he learn of the Kostermanns’ generosity.
As Henry stared at Melonie, the love he shared with her burned in his breast. Though the love he had for his mother would never diminish, this was a different kind of love. Just the very touch of her skin made him shiver. Now that he had been freed from isolation they had hugged and kissed. Like star-struck lovers they had held hands and chatted for hours. Henry was certain this was the girl he was going to marry. Marriage though would not be easy. He couldn’t abandon his mother to a nursing home, for she had paid dearly to save Henry from his father.
“What’s troubling you, babe?” asked Melonie sensing Henry’s tension.
“They said that I could go home in a day or so, but I don’t feel strong enough to cope myself, and with mum as well.”
“Oh, don’t bother about that, I’ve got the best news on that front. Charles Cooper is coming to see you tonight, with a surprise for you.”
“What surprise, the sack?”
“Nooo, silly. I don’t know exactly what he is going to say, but I know it’s not the sack. What I do know though is that Cooper’s feel really bad about this terrorist thing, and the firm genuinely want to help everyone who’s been affected by the epidemic. I told you that Viktor Czerny and Brian Burford died, along with some other people from the lab, didn’t I?” Said Melonie smiling brightly. “Well, Cooper’s are going to ensure that their families will receive their loved ones’ pension, and they’re going to pay to get all their kids through college. Pretty neat, eh?”
“I’m glad, I’m sure Viktor and Brian would approve too.”
***
Charles Cooper arrived at the St. Luke’s Hospital; it was just after 8.00pm. A number of journalists and cameramen were waiting for him as he got out of his car. He had nothing to say about his reason for visiting the hospital. Like the consummate professional he was, he directed their questions away from what he wanted to keep private, to that which was for public consumption. To the media people he outlined the company’s response to the bioterrorist attack, the scholarship funds, the donations to influenza research and then asked if he could visit the sick alone. It was a deal, they had their copy, and Charles had his privacy. There were still four of his employees in the hospital and Henry was the last he visited that evening.
“Good evening Henry, how are you feeling?”
“I’m good Mr Cooper, I’ll be going home in the next day or so.”
“That’s great news. That’s something I wanted to speak to you about. Melonie here has told me that your mother is not very well. She suffered a stroke a while ago I understand. Well, we thought that we might be able to help you there. I’ve organised some nursing care for your mum, so you don’t need to worry about that. They will come along in the morning and help you get your mum up, look after her during the day and then leave once they have helped your mum prepare for bed.”
“That’s really good of you.” Out of the corner of his eye he saw Melonie smile. “That will help me a lot.”
“When Melonie took us to see where you live, the board and I thought that you and your mum might be better off living in your own home, rather than renting. Somewhere that has more suitable facilities to cope with your mum and her illness.”
“I don’t want mum in a home Mr Cooper.”
“No, of course not, you need somewhere with enough room to move the wheelchair around the house, and in the bathroom, somewhere on a single level with no stairs. We thought that we’d get a place built for you, somewhere near the lake, with a good view.”
“Gosh Mr Cooper, I don’t know what to say, thank you.”
“We’re just lucky to be in a position where we are able to help.
“We can sort out a better vehicle too, so that you and your mother can get about a little more easily.” As Henry motioned to rise Charles Cooper beckoned for him not to get up. “Conscientious and hard-working employees like yourself should be rewarded. Melonie has told us a lot about you Henry, so it’s our pleasure to help.”
“Thank you, Mr Cooper,” Henry stuttered, now flushed with embarrassment.
“That’s OK Henry, I’ll get off now and we’ll see you again when you get out of here. Goodnight Henry, rest well now.”
As Charles Cooper left the room, Melonie almost jumped on Henry, showering him with kisses.
“Will you marry me, Melonie?” Henry croaked.
30. Biotechnology versus Bioterrorism
Antigens, such as disease-causing organisms like bacteria or viruses, all have surface-active molecules that trigger an immune response. Antibodies, our natural defence against infectious agents, seek out and destroy such antigens. Like interlocking jigsaw pieces, antibodies are specific to each antigen. Once antibodies have been made, the body’s ability to make more lies dormant until the same antigens reappear. If such bacteria or viruses reinvade the body in this sensitised state, then more antibodies are made and the disease-carrying organisms are destroyed.
Vaccines contain antigenic material that stimulate the body’s defences to produce antibodies, which will in turn attack the disease-carrying organisms and destroy them. Traditionally vaccines took from 12-18 months to produce, so cannot be manufactured fast enough to assist a population caught in the midst of an epidemic. However, today there are many new techniques being developed that might generate large quantities of vaccine in much less time, including the culture of viruses in animal cells and reverse genetics to form the H and N proteins present on the surface of the flu virus.
The discovery of Mariah Toombs’ resistance to the disease was vital for the immunologists who didn’t need to undertake the first stages of the more classical approach to the production of an antiserum. However, it would still take the best part of six months before the CDC and Walter Reid Hospital would have a viable vaccine for anything other than experimental trials.
***
Captain Phillip James was now leading a team of technicians trying to identify how the virus was introduced into the manufacturing processes of the Meadowsweet air fresheners. Samples taken from the plant soon isolated the source of the contagion as the drums of lavender oil. Other fragrances were not affected although this was little consolation for the company. But just how the protein solutions containing the viruses came to be in the lavender oil was not so easily determined.
Working closely with Phillip James was Special Agent, (SA), Jim Colosmo and his team of investigators from the FBI’s counter-terrorism branch of the National Security Service, NSS. Behind them were officers from the CIA, Interpol, and Britain’s MI5. The main purpose of SA Colosmo’s team was to gather intelligence about the perpetrators of the crime and recover evidence from the Meadowvale plant. Post 9/11 the controversial U.S. Patriot Act granted the FBI increased powers to identify potential terrorists and investigate their activities both in the United States and abroad. The involvement of foreign nationals in the current attack was suspected soon after the onset of the epidemic and so a multi-agency task force had quickly been created and they co-ordinated the investigative activities on the ground at the Meadowvale plant.
“Why was the proteinaceous virus fluid put in the lavender oil drums and not in the fragrance feed?” asked Phillip James of the aerosol plant manager, Jonathan Wallace.
Jonathan paused for a moment. “I can only suspect that it was too public, the whole process is monitored by CCTV. Anyone interfering with the fragrance holding tank would be discovered, whereas the cameras don’t cover the essential oils store. Sadly, for us, only someone who worked at the plant would know that.”
“Can we screen the security tapes for the last three months?” enquired SA James Colosmo.
“Well, the camera system isn’t a security system it is a quality assurance system. There are no
tapes, just a bank of digital hard drive units. We only store a week’s data before the disc drives overwrite the data. As I said, it’s for quality assurance we have no need to retain the data if there’s no quality control problem.”
“Bugger, I thought we might have the bastard on tape.”
“I’m convinced he won’t be, Jim. It’d be too risky. The CCTV feed and all the other sensors for the plant are monitored in real time, 24 hours a day. Anyone messing with the system would be seen.”
“OK, but we’ll need to interview all the quality control staff, just in case.”
“Not a problem.”
“If we assume that it was the stock lavender oil that was tampered with, how could they do it?”
“They would have to be aerosol plant workers, only they have the security swipe cards for the store.”
“Those are part of their identity cards?” asked SA Colosmo.
“Yes, everyone in the plant has an ID card they have to wear at all times. The magnetic strip on the back of the card holds a code that allows them access to their work environment, but little else. So, someone from the admin office couldn’t get into the essential oil store.”
“What about management and quality control staff?”
“Yes, some would have clearance for the store. I’ll get you a list of all the cardholders.”
“Excellent.”
“I can do better than that, the security centre computer stores all the access entry identities. I can give you a list of all the people who entered the store for the last twelve months, if you need it.”
“Why so much security for a fragrance oil store and not for the main process line?” enquired Phillip James.
“Firstly, we don’t see the main process line as a security risk when most of it is automated. We only monitor it because it is automated and if the quality of our product diminishes, we’ll be able to see which part of the process is at fault. There’s tighter security for the store because it holds about twenty-five million dollars worth of essential oils. It’s an aromatherapist’s Aladdin’s cave. We’ve dismissed people in the past for stealing the oils, some of which are worth a king’s ransom. Shall I get you details of the two people dismissed for theft?”
“Yes. And I’ll get our team to investigate them immediately.”
“I understand that one of them, Colin Morton, has been in prison for the last six months, and the other one, Hugo Alcorn, couldn’t gain access to the plant without being seen.” Volunteered Wallace “There is no down time in this plant, it continues 24/7 and the ID cards are changed every six months, so I don’t believe either of them is the culprit. I don’t think they could get into the Meadowvale plant without being spotted.”
“Not all criminals come in via the front gate, this plant’s huge they could easily get through a perimeter fence,” said Colosmo.
“That’s true, but they couldn’t access most of the sensitive areas without getting caught.”
“You seem very confident at that Mr, Wallace.”
“Yes, completely confident. Each access card identifies its owner, so if a past employee fails to hand in his card or they somehow duplicate a card and use it after they leave C & W Cooper’s employ, then the computer would raise the alarm if that swipe card was used. It’s fool proof, and has been successful in reducing the number of thefts from the plant since we first started to use the system four years ago.”
“Excuse our obstinacy on that point Mr Wallace, but if there is a flaw in any security system there will always be criminals who’ll find a way to exploit it.”
“I’ve no problem with that, Special Agent Colosmo; I understand that every stone must be turned over.”
“You’re dam right on that score; this attack has breached our nation’s security. We’ll hunt the culprits down whoever and wherever they are, you can rest assured on that,” said Colosmo abruptly.
“Sorry that I appear so dim, agent Colosmo, I don’t mean to cause offence. I’ll call my secretary and organise all the security and quality control data we have, and anything else you need.
***
The initial task of the FBI agents, to identify anyone who had left C & W Cooper recently or who had been sacked, together with anyone else, who might have had a grudge against the company, was achieved very quickly. Three possible names immediately popped up on the investigative radar: Hugo Alcorn, a section supervisor in the air freshener plant who had been dismissed for the theft of materials from the plant; Fredrick Powell, a storeman who had left very suddenly after the influenza outbreak at the Meadowvale plant; and Samuel O’Hagan, who had been dismissed for the sexual harassment of office staff earlier in the year. O’Hagan had written threatening letters to the head of the personnel department, who had then orchestrated his dismissal.
Sixty FBI officers were outside the house belonging to Hugo Alcorn. Thirty-five of them were clad in black assault clothing, similar to police SWAT officers. They had completely surrounded the property earlier that morning, while it was still dark. SA Colosmo had parked his car 50 metres down the street and was waiting with the 25 other FBI agents for Alcorn to leave for work. Jim Colosmo had already discovered that despite Alcorn’s early dismissal from C & W Cooper, he had got a job in his brother-in-law’s bakery leaving home every morning at 05.00.
The instant that Alcorn had shut the front door behind him, 10 FBI agents rushed towards him. With Jim Colosmo shouting a warning that armed FBI agents had him surrounded, Alcorn froze on the spot. Once the command to lie on the floor was given, he immediately complied.
“What’s this all about? I’ve done nothing,” exclaimed Alcorn, as he was handcuffed behind his back.
Colosmo read Alcorn his Miranda Rights: “Do you understand these rights sir?”
“Yes, yes. But what’ve I been accused of?”
“You are under arrest for the possible involvement in terrorist activities against the US.”
“What? Terrorism? I’m a baker, not a bomber.”
“Sir, we have a warrant here for your arrest and to search your house. Are there any other people in the house?”
“Yes, my wife and daughter, they’re still in bed.”
“Unlock the door Mr Alcorn, then you and I can raise the rest of your family and the search of the house can then commence”
Though Alcorn’s seventeen-year-old daughter Jennifer was compliant, his wife, Alison was not.
“What the fuck are you doing with my husband? Get the fuck out of my house,” she screamed.
Colosmo explained why they were there, and showed her the search warrant. Alison was unimpressed.
“I don’t give a fuck what pieces of paper you’ve got, you have no right to wake us up at five in the morning and treat us like vermin.”
“Ms Alcorn, we have every right. And if you do not comply with this order,” explained Colosmo, “you will be handcuffed too and forcibly removed from the premises.”
Alison Alcorn rushed towards Colosmo with her fists raised. She was a very large woman, perhaps 120 kilos. She was dressed in only a thin nightdress that was far too tight. Patches of sweat under her arms had, over time, stained the material yellow. Her body odour was rank and overpowering. Colosmo deftly stepped to the side and caught the rampaging women by her wrist. With a simple twist he had the woman in a very painful arm-lock. Alison Alcorn screamed in both pain and rage, but before she could turn towards her attacker, another FBI agent had immobilized her other wrist.
“You fucking arseholes, leave me alone. I’ll sue you for this!” Then the raging woman made her second error, trying to head butt Colosmo. He, though, had seen it all before. Simultaneously stepping backwards and pulling a handful of her hair. She immediately fell forward, her fat torso hit the floor first and then her chin. She rolled over onto her back and attempted to spit blood and saliva at Colosmo. It missed.
“Get that thing out of here,” Colosmo commanded. It took four agents to drag her downstairs and out of the house. Defiant to the end, s
he cursed the agents and tried to kick them all the way. Outside she was wrestled to the ground a second time, and for decency was covered with a blanket from the trunk of Colosmo’s Chrysler.
Upstairs, Hugo Alcorn apologised for his wife’s behaviour. Every officer left in the bedroom looked down at the now-seated husband with pity. A female officer took the daughter out to the car. She ignored her mother completely and sat with the officer in silence.
The FBI officers searched the house from top to bottom, and although they pulled up loose floorboards, they found nothing. The garage and two garden sheds were also clear. A patch of recently disturbed soil in the corner of the garden was dug up. It proved to be the grave of the family cat.
Crystal Ice Page 35
