Free The Delta Chain by Iain Edward Henn Page A

Westmeyer, he was one of the few scientists equally at home in business gatherings as he was when he was in his lab.
    Westmeyer joined the table and Hunter introduced him to Bill Hadley and Meredith Seals, board directors with the Inter-Continental Banking Group. ‘Dr. Hunter was just imparting some fascinating information to us,’ said Meredith Seals, a slender, conservatively attired woman, ‘about advances in cancer research.’
    ‘I lost a brother to the big C,’ said Bill Hadley, a down-to-earth type whose world weariness seemed at odds with his bright eyes and sharp features, ‘I think it’s bloody marvellous what you people do in your white coats.’
    ‘You’re talking about Toronto?’ Westmeyer asked.
    ‘Yes,’ said Hadley, ‘experiments on mice with cancer, apparently.’
    ‘Scientists over there had success with those experiments,’ Stephen Hunter confirmed, ‘and then took the next big leap, conducting gene transplants on human breast cancer patients. There is a human gene that stimulates our response to our immune cells. That gene was transplanted into the cancerous tumour cells.’
    ‘Incredible.’ Meredith Seals showed uncharacteristic excitement. ‘And those patients showed increased immunity to the cancer?’
    ‘There’s still a long way to go,’ Westmeyer pointed out, ‘but yes, there was a registered increase.’
    ‘Sky’s the limit with this kind of research.’ Hunter took a sip from his wine. ‘And one of my projects is developing a similar line of research in cell transplantation, but with blood cells.’
    ‘Dr. Hunter is known internationally for his work with blood,’ Westmeyer informed them.
    ‘I commend you for it,’ said Bill Hadley. ‘I’m afraid I have to admit to going weak at the mere sight of it.’
    ‘As do I,’ Hunter joked.
    Hadley turned to Meredith, chuckling. ‘Can you believe these guys? They sit down to lunch and talk genes and blood cells.’ He was clearly enjoying himself.
    ‘Not normally,’ Hunter gestured toward Westmeyer. ‘When this one’s around, the talk usually turns to the horses.’
    ‘You’re a betting man?’ asked Hadley.
    ‘Nothing relaxes me more, Bill.’
    ‘I hadn’t pegged you as a gambler.’
    ‘Oh I don’t consider it gambling. It’s a science. I study the form, read up on the trainers and the riders, and I make educated guesses.’
    ‘A man after my own heart.’ Hadley warmed more and more to his hosts as the lunch progressed. He hadn’t imagined he would so enjoy the company of a bunch of scientists. He noticed that even Meredith was relaxing and knocking back the wine.
    Hadley didn’t imagine for a moment he was in the hands of a master manipulator. Westmeyer’s investigators supplied intensive background on every one of the guests. He’d never been to a racetrack in his life but he knew Bill Hadley lived there on weekends. Westmeyer noted that, as usual, Hunter was enjoying this game as much as he loved the lab.
    Hunter’s attention was momentarily drawn to Kate Kovacs as she passed with her plate of food. ‘Kate, join us,’ he called, catching her eye. He suppressed a cynical grin as he watched her stifle a frown and then force a smile. ‘Oh, hi Stephen.’ She nodded to Westmeyer. ‘Fantastic spread, William.’
    ‘It’s a sensational day all round, I couldn’t be happier,’ Westmeyer replied.
    Hunter shifted his chair, creating a space beside his and reached back to pull in a spare chair from the table behind. ‘There, sit down. I’m sure our friends here have heard quite enough about blood work and genetics and would be equally fascinated by your line of expertise.’ He introduced Kate to Hadley and Meredith.
    ‘Kate’s our resident IT guru, on assignment from A.B.C.S.,’ Westmeyer added.
    ‘Ah, computer systems, now that’s a little bit closer to home, eh, Meredith,’ Hadley said.
    ‘Yes,’ said Meredith. ‘A big job, trouble-shooting the system at a research facility. Excuse me for