Free The Grotto's Secret: A Historical Conspiracy Mystery Thriller by Paula Wynne Page A

coil.
    Doctor Robson also dropped his voice to a whisper. ‘Rizado coming onto the market will devastate Big Pharma.’
    Kelby waved Zelda away. ‘Thank you.’
    Behind Kelby’s guests, Zelda busied herself clearing older coffee mugs beside the overhead projector.
    The doctor said, ‘Since the journal was found in Madrid’s archives, it’s been speculated that rizado –’
    ‘Sorry Doctor Robson,’ Kelby interrupted and turned to Zelda, ‘Thank you, Zelda. That will be all.’
    Doctor Robson kept his voice low, ‘It appears rizado aids each component it’s mixed with. Basically, it acts as a catalyst. It needs testing, of course, but it’s possible it will enhance any drug’s capabilities and speed up the healing process.’
    Instead of leaving, Zelda cleared her throat and asked, ‘Anyone want milk or sugar?’
    Kelby answered, ‘We’ll sort it out, Zelda.’
    Zelda lifted the tray with the old mugs and clomped back to the door. Roy jumped up to hold the door open for her — Kelby suspected it was to ensure she left. After closing the door, he slipped back into the seat opposite her as he poured the milk for Marina and Kelby.
    ‘Sorry about that, Doctor Robson.’ Her cheeks warmed with embarrassment over Zelda’s eager efficiency.
    Ambling around the table, Doctor Robson placed a coffee in front of her. ‘That’s fine.’
    Back in his seat, the doctor left his coffee black. ‘Call me Roy. Formalities give me a headache too.’
    Kelby smiled. Then the reality of their pitch slammed into her. Gary murdered? Tears in the back of her throat threatened to swell up. She almost knocked her coffee over when her hand went to lift her cup. Despite trying to piece it together, her thoughts were in a jumble.
    Could the book’s secret really change the world?

26
    Kelby started pacing the boardroom. Her heels tip-tapped across the floor, and she made a mental note to ask Jimmy to get her shoes re-heeled.
    She spun around to face Doctor Robson and Marina and asked, ‘I still don’t know why you came to me. I told you earlier, I’m not into the pharmaceutical sector.’ Kelby rubbed a sudden hive of goose flesh.
    ‘For your brother’s sake, help us locate rizado. If you want to carry it through we’d love to have you on board. If not, it would be great to give us a personal intro to Jon Thompson.’
    For a moment Kelby was puzzled and then said, ‘Of course, Jon’s into that sector. I think he has shares in some kind of health clinic. So this may be right up his street.’
    ‘He’ll see that rizado could affect every drug in the market.’ Roy forced her to lock eyes with him before he continued his summary, ‘The implications this could have on the industry are untold. Globally. The business potential could be enormous. And that’s what makes it so dangerous. The big problem is … can we trust him?’
    ‘I think so. He’s not my favourite producer, but I’m sure he’ll keep this under wraps. What else do you need?’
    ‘Finding rizado is only the start. There’ll have to be studies on how it affects medical treatment, especially in the early stages.’
    ‘One thing’s for sure,’ Kelby smiled, ‘I don’t have access to the sort of money that would be needed.’
    ‘It might even help in preventative medicine. If you’ve ever known anyone chronically ill, you’ll understand what a difference it will make.’
    Kelby kept her eyes on the doctor, but thought of little Annie.
    At that moment her phone beeped.
    Kelby grabbed it, hoping against hope it wasn’t the stalker. Instead, her phone had reminded her about her conference call with Jon. ‘Talk of the devil,’ she said and stood abruptly. ‘I’m sorry Doctor Robson, Marina.’ Tapping her watch, she walked around the boardroom table, ‘I have a conference call.’
    As Roy rose to his full height, he asked, ‘Are you going to help us?’
    ‘I’ll consider what you’ve told me today.’
    ‘When will you decide?’ Marina lifted her