Free Repairman Jack [04]-All the Rage by F. Paul Wilson Page A

hormones."
    "So's everybody else."
    "Right. But let's say you find a way to alter estrogen so it doesn't increase the risk of blood clots and breast and uterine cancer but still prevents osteoporosis, hot flashes, and keeps cholesterol down. Or better yet, say we take an anabolic steroid and block all its undesirable side effects but enhance its ability to burn fat. How much would a product like that be worth?"
    Doug gave a low whistle. "You could fire the entire sales force. People would be knocking down the doors."
    "Right. And that's why Dr. Monnet wants whatever we discover here to stay behind these doors until it's registered with the U.S. Patent Office."
    Doug held up his hands. "All right. You win. I'm convinced." He stuck his head out the dry lab door and looked around. "Elaborate as this is, I'd have thought there'd be more to it."
    "How so?"
    "I don't know how much you know about GEM. It started off selling generic antibiotics but went public a couple of years ago to raise capital to buy the rights to TriCef from Nagata in Japan. GEM would have gone under if TriCef flopped, but luckily the profits are pouring in. And according to the Pharmaceutical Forum, it's a top seller. Everybody's using TriCef. I should know—my commission checks show I'm earning big bucks just on that one product. But GEM's not paying dividends. Plus, it's been cutting its sales force. My territory is now so big I can barely keep up with it."
    "Just means they're confident in you. Plus they've got a hot new antibiotic, so maybe they don't need to push it so much."
    Doug looked at her. "No dividend, cutting the sales force—that sounds like a company on the ropes instead of one that's raking in the profits. Did you see the annual report?"
    "Well, no, I—"
    "It says the company's pouring most of its profits back into GEM Basic."
    Nadia raised her hand. "Hey, that's me." GEM Basic was the research division—right here where they were standing. She pointed to the molecule imager. "There's your proof."
    "The amount of money they say they're spending on R and D would fund dozens of these. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?"
    Nadia shrugged. "Balance sheets aren't my thing."
    "Not exactly mine either. But I figure if I'm going to be an alpha ape in the software jungle, I have to know how a company is run. Damned if I can figure how they're running this one." He smiled. "But that's not my worry. I'll be out of here by this time next year, and in the meantime, let's keep those commission checks rolling in." He pulled her close and kissed her. "Dinner tonight?"
    "How about the Coyote?"
    "I'm always up for Tex-Mex," he said. "Call you later."
    Nadia grabbed his arm as he started for the door. "Whoa! What if you run into Dr. Monnet on your way out? Let me go first and see if all's clear."
    She led him back to the security door, passing a tech or two along the way who paid them little attention. They seemed to assume that if Doug had got in and was with Dr. Radzminsky, he must belong.
    Nadia stepped through the door and looked around. No one in sight. She motioned to Doug, who hurried up behind her.
    "Go," she said, giving him a quick kiss. "And don't do this again."
    A smile, a wave, and he was heading down the hall toward the reception area. Nadia turned and nearly bumped into Dr. Monnet.
    "Oh, Nadia. There you are. I was just calling the dry lab to tell you I've been delayed. But I'll be down in half an hour and we'll get started."
    He looked distracted, frayed at the emotional edges. Dragovic's fault. Had to be. She felt her anger rise. It was criminal for a man of Dr. Monnet's brilliance to be upset by a thug. He needed a tranquil environment to allow him to focus fully on his work.
    Don't worry, Dr. Monnet, she thought. I know you're in some kind of trouble, but I think I've found you help.
    She wondered if Jack was already working on the case. Would he call it a case? And if he was on it, how was he starting out?

8
    The quickest way to Staten