Free The Delta Chain by Ian Edward 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