Free Dead Ringer by Allen Wyler Page B

you agree?”
    Wendy believed the question was rhetorical, so she didn’t answer.
    Without giving her time to answer, Boynton continued. “There are always questions about the biological structure of the human body that aren’t fully answered. So, I guess you’d say much of the material is used for rather straightforward pedantic research.”
    She had no idea what that meant but nodded. “I see.”
    He seemed to be done and waiting for a new question, so she jumped to the real reason for the visit. “Are you familiar with a local facility called DFH Inc.?”
    His expression changed to disgust. “Ditto’s endeavor?”
    My, my, what an intriguing reaction . “What can you tell me about it?”
    Boynton studied her a moment. “What exactly do you want to know?”
    “Let’s start with the business. Can you explain it to me?”
    He pinched his lower lip. “So, really, you came to ask about Ditto’s business and not about our Willed Body Program; am I correct?”
    “Yes, you are.”
    “And I assume you’ve spoken with Bobby Bobby?”
    “Who?”
    Boynton snickered. “That’s what we call him behind his back. Bobby Bobby. You know, Bobby Ditto ?”
    “Oh. Got it.” Wendy cleared her throat to refocus him. “Yes, I talked with him. But there are still a few things I don’tunderstand, things I was hoping someone outside of DFH could explain.”
    “This part of an investigation?” He sounded curiously hopeful.
    “Why would you ask that?”
    Boynton flashed a knowing grin. “Because I’ve always suspected something amiss over there.”
    Interesting . She reached into her purse and triggered a recorder. “Do you mind if I record this?”
    He shook his head.
    “Is that a no?”
    “It is if you want me to be truthful.”
    Wendy held up a small notebook. “Then do you mind if I take notes?”
    He pointed at the notebook. “Would that be discoverable?”
    “Yeah, probably. Depending on what happens.”
    “Then I mind that also.”
    “Any particular reason?”
    “Because I get the impression you’re investigating Ditto. Knowing him, it means sooner or later he’ll end up in court. And that means anything I put on the record today will end up there too. That happens, he’ll know exactly where it came from even if I’m not named as the source. That dude’s one vindictive hombre. What I’m saying is, if he were to win in court, he’d come after me with a vengeance. That’s not exactly a career builder now, is it?”
    Another rhetorical question. “Well, if what you say is true, that he ends up in court, what makes you think he’ll get off?”
    Boynton laughed. “Because he’s far from stupid. In fact, he’s one of the cleverest hombres I know. Never went higherthan high school, but he has a business sense that’s uncanny. He’s also an expert at reading people. He plans well and executes effectively. Whatever you have going on, be careful. That’s all I can say.”
    Wendy dropped the notebook into her purse, sat back, crossed her legs. “You were saying, about his business?”
    He glanced at the ceiling, rubbed the back of his neck. “You have any idea what the market is for bodies?”
    “You mean, like for kidney transplants?”
    “That too, but no, not living organs like kidneys and hearts. I was referring to intact cadavers and cadaver parts. Organ donations are regulated by DSHS, but the cadaver business isn’t.”
    “Interesting.” Earlier Wendy had looked up a couple of cases—one at UCLA Medical Center, another in Virginia—where body parts had been sold illegally by employees in the morgue. But the news service articles didn’t provide the information she needed. She planned to dig up more when she had time.
    “In this state at least body donation is wide open, and it’s a huge market.” Leaning back in his chair, Boynton tapped his pursed lips with steepled fingertips. “Here’s how it works. Say you’re one of the big medical instrument companies, and you develop a