Dear Dr. Macintyre,
Thank you for arranging the meeting with Bledsoe Research Institute.
Bledsoe. Sara had known about Bledsoe.
Kayla read on:
According to Wilkerson Hospital files, this company has been doing research with the hospital’s approval for the past twelve months. As you know, we want to make sure every aspect of the facility’s research is legitimate and acceptable. I will report back with my findings.
From what Kayla could determine, David wasn’t turning to research as an alternative career. Wilkerson must have designated him the doctor in charge of Bledsoe, to ensure the facility followed research guidelines. So why was this document on the computer Sara used at Bioethic Coalition? Hadn’t she trusted the people at Wilkerson with her correspondence?
Still pondering the question, Kayla openedCCchrono.doc. It was not a letter nor was it on letterhead. The text read like a journal.
August 12 - Supporters of Bledsoe are a compilation of scientists and doctors. Their goal: to correct and/or thwart genetic deformities. However, their research includes testing on animals. Must look into humaneness of said testing.
September 15 – Allowed limited access to Bledsoe facility. Very clean. Rats only, within approved standards, though any animal testing is wrong, in my opinion. Met Dr. Harkowsky who designed GDDS. Must discuss H with David Macintyre.
Kayla opened the Internet on her cell phone and searched the acronymGDDS. She landed on one possibility:General Data Dissemination System,a process for the International Monetary Fund.Did Sara’s death—didallthe deaths—have to do with money, as Trask had intimated?
No, the money angle didn’t feel right. David was involved, and he had plenty of money.GDDShad to refer to something in the science or medical fields. She continued to read.
October 22 – David Macintyre in favor of GDDS. Promises no human experimental subjects. Says facility is testing to see if mutations can be stopped. Not sure why Wilkerson has any involvement with this venture. Does not benefit hospital. Will try alternative means of discovering true course.
Kayla paused. Mutations, as in genetic mutations? Could theGstand for genetic?
November 8 – Reattempted investigation at Bledsoe. Security guards have been hired and security system overhauled. Could not gain access. What is going on?
November 14 – Conducted end-of-day surveillance at Bledsoe. Noted many deliveries made to back of building. Could not see what was removed from trucks. Came across garbage cans filled with discarded needles and glass vials. Are drugs involved? Potential drug ring?
November 21 – Taylor is worried about me because I’m spending too much time away from home. Thinks I’m having an affair. Cici crying all the time. Might have to end this investigation unless I can get someone to help with surveillance. Won’t sacrifice family. Security at Bledsoe stepped up including new guard and dog on chain. Access impossible.
November 22– Fell asleep in car. Must get more rest. Is something wrong with me? Will call doctor for check-up. David Macintyre supportive but tells me to drop investigation. For family’s sake.
December 1 – Restart surveillance at Bledsoe facility. Man in white lab coat dragged person from truck and put on stretcher. Person was dirty, clothes torn. Patient??
December 17 – New person transported inside. Door accidentally left open. Stole in. Located data room. Found dozens of folders re: research on human experimental subjects. Took selected sheets from files. GDDS. Not a deterrent system, as David Macintyre surmised. It’s a deviation detection system. Utilizes Brain Freeze technology. Also ionizing radiation. Substituting genetic information for what project controller considers negative genetic design. Must obtain more data and deliver to proper authorities.
Sara had added two underlined notes:
Not smart enough? Remove stupid gene.
Not fast enough? Alter non-athletic gene.
Kayla frowned. Was Sara intimating that scientists at Bledsoe were playing God by making genetic alterations?
She moved on to theDfiles and opened one with the heading:DM_1.
Copy of Memo, December 18, sent via e-mail:
David Macintyre, you are a deplorable man. How could you not tell me what was going on? Bledsoe’s research is inhumane and I will shut it down.
The memo was written the day Sara died. Had someone—David—killed her to protect the research at Bledsoe? Did he make her death look like a suicide? Ashley, mistaken for Kayla, wound up dead the very next day. Why? Because the killer thought Sara had told Kayla whatGDDSreally was? The possibility made her want to vomit.
Time being of the essence, she hooked up the computer to the printer and reproduced selected pages. She tucked the material into her backpack and withdrew the thumb drive. Just as she switched off the computer, Mrs. Hillman entered. The door hit the wall with athud.Kayla gasped. Had the woman been standing outside, spying on her?
“I apologize. I didn’t meant to scare you,” Hillman said. “Loose hinge. Did you find a suicide note?”
“No. The computer was wiped clean.”
