Читать книгу A Necessary Risk - Kathleen Long - Страница 9

Six weeks later

Nervous anticipation wound its way through Jessica Parker as she waited for Miles Van Cleef to introduce her to those gathered. She’d waited for this moment for a very long time. Years, to be precise.

Her newest promotion had been timed perfectly for today’s media showcase. New Horizon held the event twice each year to tout their latest clinical trials and keep community support strong for their work.

She’d been named lead researcher on Whitman Pharma’s testing of HC0815 two weeks earlier, and Van Cleef had asked her to handle one section of today’s presentation.

She couldn’t be more thrilled.

Or more nervous.

While she considered herself a whiz with facts and figures, people were another matter altogether. Let alone speaking in front of a crowd this large.

As Van Cleef covered the basics of New Horizon’s relationship with area pharmaceutical companies and New Jersey College, Jess scanned the crowd, taking note of the expressions of those present.

Some intent. Some quite obviously watching the clock.

When her gaze landed on one individual in particular, she found herself riveted, unable to look away. Her typically strong intuition told her instantly something was amiss.

He didn’t belong here.

His strong features showed no sign of emotion. Close-cropped dark hair neatly covered his head, and what had to be at least a three-day stubble graced the sharp line of his jaw.

While others in the room had shed their jackets due to the temperature inside the room, he wore a leather jacket yet showed no sign of perspiration.

No sign of weakness, actually.

She didn’t need her advanced science degree to know he stuck out like a sore thumb. There was no doubt in her mind he didn’t belong.

But who was he? And who was he with?

While the others present displayed an apparent interest—faked or not—in Dr. Van Cleef’s presentation, taking notes and asking questions, the man in question did neither. He stared so intently at the presentation screen it was a wonder his gaze didn’t sear a hole clean through the wall.

The appropriate media pass hung around his neck, but Jess couldn’t make out the name of the organization he represented, even though she squinted intently at the small square object.

Did he work for a competing institution? Had he gotten his hands on media credentials and crashed the showcase?

Investigational drug testing was a brutally competitive industry, and while they did their best to keep their work and specific details of their clients’ drug development a secret, a breach in security was always a threat at New Horizon.

When the man’s focus shifted unexpectedly to her, Jess looked away, her breath catching for a split second. She was being ridiculous, of course. He couldn’t possibly know she’d been studying his every move—or lack thereof. And what if he did? She had a right to stare just as much as he did.

She turned her attention back to the presentation, waiting for her cue to approach the podium, but felt the man’s eyes on her. She ignored the heat of his stare, focusing instead on the work here at New Horizon—specifically her work—and the comments she was about to make.

Taking over the Whitman Pharma testing had been a dream come true. While she’d been with New Horizon for the past two years, she’d spent the five years prior working in the New Jersey College medical research department. She’d learned firsthand just how miraculous today’s medicines could be when it came to curing illness.

Excitement skittered through her as Van Cleef’s presentation shifted to the topic of Whitman Pharma’s development of a revolutionary treatment for Hepatitis C. At long last, a cure sat on the horizon—a total and complete cure. With none of the psychological side effects of existing drug therapies.

Jess wrapped her arms around herself and smiled. Wasn’t this what every kid dreamed about? Being part of developing a lifesaving cure?

Today Hepatitis C. Perhaps tomorrow MS.

Her mind shifted quickly to her father’s struggle, but she refocused immediately, not wanting to miss her signal to begin her talk.

Van Cleef called her name and Jess stood, winding her way between the row of chairs on stage as a smattering of polite applause filled the room.

She stole one last glance at the man in the leather jacket, her thoughts on finding cures evaporating into thin air when her eyes met his, still locked on her face.

Jess’s stomach tilted inexplicably. Her warm smile slipped, yet the man’s expression changed. One corner of his stern mouth lifted into a crooked smile, crinkling the skin around his dark eyes and softening the furrow that apparently had permanent residence between his brows.

She looked away, focusing on the podium and Dr. Van Cleef. The only thing she needed to worry about now was her presentation. She stole one last glance at the man as she arranged her notes before her, adjusting the microphone. Surprise slid through her when she found him making a notation on his pad, the first she’d seen him make all morning.

Yet her surprise was quickly replaced by unease when his dark stare lifted once more to her face.

Jess knew with certainty that any notation he’d made had nothing to do with New Horizon and everything to do with Jess herself.

But why?

If he was from the competition and he’d pegged her as an easy mark, he had another thing coming.

DETECTIVE ZACH THOMAS stared at the show before him, doing his best to contain the pent-up fury seething through every inch of his tense body.

New Horizon. The latest and greatest in conducting clinical trials for area pharmaceutical companies. And the last place his brother Jim had held down a job—albeit a very part-time position.

Clinical trial participant. Healthy clinical trial participant.

Zach shook his head, mentally berating himself for what had to be the millionth time since his younger brother’s death. Why on earth had he encouraged Jim to take the job? For a bit of financial independence? For the contribution to science?

Damn.

Jim had been so excited. So thrilled to be helping test potentially lifesaving medicine and to be getting paid well for the work. He’d been alive.

So very alive.

And now he was gone.

Zach straightened in his seat, adjusting the blank tablet on his lap. All around him reporters made notations or whispered into handheld recording devices. If Zach cared about blending in, he’d do the same, but he had no desire to waste time writing down what were obviously practiced talking points.

If questioned, he’d explain he had a photographic memory. Hell, it was true, after all.

No matter what the coroner’s report had concluded, there was a link between Jim’s work for New Horizon and his death. Zach planned to do whatever it took to get to that truth.

He’d borrowed a buddy’s press credentials to gain access to the new pharmaceutical testing company’s open house, hoping to gain some insight into how the company worked, into who he might tap on the inside for information.

So far he hadn’t spotted anyone who might be a potential target. The parade of staff had comprised hardened individuals. No one bearing the expression years of police work had taught Zach to zero in on. The open, curious, caring face.

Jim had been gone and buried for six weeks now. Six.

The kid hadn’t lived to see his twenty-first birthday, yet here the New Horizon people sat bragging about their efforts to make the development and release of new drugs safe for the public at large.

Safe, his ass.

His younger brother had taken a header off the balcony after a supposed bout with depression and psychosis. The coroner had refused to call the death anything but suicide, but Zach knew better.

Jim hadn’t been depressed or confused a day in his life, no matter what sort of statements his college buddies had given the officers on the case.

When Zach had pressed the investigating officers for their case notes, they’d told him to take care of himself, to leave the investigation to them.

When he’d tried to swipe those same notes from the files, the department had told him to take a hike.

After all, Zach wasn’t stupid. He’d been around long enough to know how the game was played. Push hard enough, and sooner or later Internal Affairs would push back—straight to the department shrink and then straight to a paid leave.

Zach wasn’t proud of what he’d done, but he also wasn’t about to apologize for manipulating the system to his advantage—all the way to a three-month sabbatical.

More than enough time to investigate Jim’s death and expose New Horizon.

The white-haired gentleman in a badly fitting suit—Van Cleef—continued to drone on, using a laser pointer to highlight features on a graph.

Zach sat back against his chair, patiently waiting for the next topic on the printed agenda.

The Whitman Pharma trial.

HC0815.

The drug that had taken Jim’s life.

Zach swallowed down the ball of fury climbing up his throat and concentrated.

He studied the name listed as presenter for the HC0815 segment.

Jessica Parker.

He lifted his gaze back to the stage and scanned the faces of the scientists and number crunchers seated in the two rows of chairs.

He settled on a young blonde, her enthusiasm plastered across her face, and decided she was the best candidate to match the name.

Her sleek blond hair had been swept back off her face, no doubt into a tight bun or twist or whatever it was women called that style.

Her white lab coat was buttoned just about to her neck, exposing nothing other than a peek of flesh between the gentle curve of her chin and the collar.

Uptight, no doubt.

Yet when her eyes met his, the mix of emotions in her gaze was unmistakable.

Curiosity and a bit of nervousness.

His pulse kicked up a notch. If the woman was Jessica Parker, she’d be exactly the person he needed on the inside. She’d have the knowledge and the access to information his investigation required.

She also had the facial expression he’d been looking for. Open. Alert. Intelligent.

Her pink lips pressed into a tight line, and he immediately realized his attention had made her nervous.

Her pale blue eyes flashed back toward the podium and Dr. Van Cleef, as if she were waiting for her name to be called.

Perfect.

If she were Jessica Parker, he’d use his phony media credentials to cozy up to the woman, then drain her for every ounce of information she could provide.

Zach had been smart enough to keep a low profile after Jim’s death. If he’d gone nuts and acted the role of grief-stricken older brother, he’d no doubt have been recognized today, bogus credentials or not.

Thankfully, he’d kept his head during the weeks since Jim’s death. Hell, truth be told, there’d been a few days when he’d barely been able to lift his head from the pillow. He felt quite certain a large part of his heart and soul were permanently gone—destroyed in the seconds it took for his younger brother to plunge to his death.

The blonde stood and approached the microphone.

He smiled as he studied her, eagerly waiting to scrutinize every word she had to say.

Jessica Parker.

Zach had his mark.

Now all he had to do was wait for the right moment to make his move. When he did, he only had to remember one thing. His supposed identity.

Rick Levenson with the Times Herald.

Ms. Parker would never know what hit her.

JESS REACHED DR. VAN Cleef’s side moments after he’d made his concluding remarks and was just about to begin the tour.

“I think we might have an impostor, sir.”

Van Cleef smiled ever so slightly. “Leather jacket?”

Jess blinked yet realized she shouldn’t be surprised Van Cleef had jumped to the same conclusion.

She nodded.

“I always liked your perceptiveness, Jessica.” Van Cleef tipped his head toward the man, who appeared to be moving through the throng of reporters, headed directly toward where Jess and Van Cleef stood. “Why don’t you show our guest some individual attention? Find out just what he’s up to.”

Jess had to admit she was less than thrilled with the idea, but she’d do whatever she could to protect the integrity of New Horizon’s work.

She stole a quick glance at the approaching man, trepidation crawling across her skin.

“Will do, Dr. Van Cleef.” She pasted on a smile. “My pleasure.”

She stepped away from Van Cleef and pivoted, wanting to put herself in a position to appear casual when she approached the supposed reporter, but the man had already reached her side. She started momentarily but quickly gathered herself, smoothing down the front of her lab coat.

“Rick Levenson.” The man extended his hand and smiled, the move not quite reaching his dark eyes.

“Jessica Parker.” Jess gave his hand a quick pump then took a backward step, wanting to put a bit of breathing room between them.

“I enjoyed your presentation on HC0815.” He tipped his head toward the podium. “Fascinating possibilities.”

Pride flirted with the cautious edge she’d snapped into place. “Lifesaving possibilities.”

The man nodded. “No doubt. But at what risk?”

Jess shot him a frown. An odd question for a competitor to ask. Or was it?

“Pardon me?”

“The risk,” he repeated, his dark gaze going steely and cold. “Just how much risk is justifiable in the development and testing of such a drug?”

She stiffened defensively. “The beauty of HC0815 is that it’s virtually risk-free. The studies to date have shown none of the adverse mental reactions existing Hepatitis C drugs display.”

Levenson held up one hand as if he’d heard enough. “I heard the company line during your presentation.” He glanced toward the rest of the group, now headed toward the laboratory section of the facility, then he scanned the surrounding area. “Is there someplace a bit more private where I could ask you a few questions?”

Nervousness danced in Jess’s stomach. “I really can’t leave the group.” Not exactly true yet not exactly false. No matter—she had zero intention of putting herself into an isolated position with this man.

There was something in his expression that wasn’t quite right. Something that went far deeper than a competitor or reporter’s interest into how New Horizon was run and how HC0815 worked. For lack of a better term, she’d have to call the look in his gaze one of danger. A looming threat. It was as if he’d erected a wall of emotional control that could give way at any time.

“You can ask me any questions right here.” She straightened. “Though I was quite forthcoming in my comments.”

A muscle in his jaw pulsed.

Jess had a momentary vision of a coiled spring about to come apart.

“I’d like to hear the facts you kept out of your tidy remarks.” His dark brows lifted toward his hairline.

Did the man think her a fool? “Who do you really work for, Mr. Levenson?”

He tapped the ID badge dangling from his neck. “Times Herald.”

She shook her head in disbelief. “Well, then, if you’re not out to steal company secrets, you must be looking for a sensational story where there is none.”

He pursed his lips, an expression of pure confidence painting his features. “That so?”

She narrowed her gaze on him. “HC0815 is a groundbreaking drug, and the testing here at New Horizon leaves no room for sensationalism of any kind.”

His dark eyes widened. “You sure about that?”

Jess stole a glance at the departing group, now out of earshot and very soon to be completely out of sight. Anxiousness edged through her system.

She pointed to the folder of media materials with which Levenson and every other media showcase attendee had been provided.

“Every bit of information you need is in the packet.” She turned, fully intending to walk away. “I don’t mean to be rude, but we need to rejoin the group now.”

The man was obviously out to blast New Horizon in his paper. The less one-on-one time she provided him with, the better.

“So you know all there is to know about your clinical trial participants?”

Jess nodded, turning to face him. “What I don’t know, I have access to. Their participation is randomized and coded for anonymity. Similarly, they’re paid in cash. But I’m well versed with our results to date.”

“Which are?”

“Stellar.” She beamed. “This drug is going to save millions of lives.”

“Even if it kills a few trial participants along the way?”

Every ounce of enthusiasm drained from Jess’s body. Van Cleef had warned her about media reps being out for a sensational story. How sad that this man had chosen that tack and not a focus on how revolutionary the drug would be.

“I’m afraid I’m not interested in providing you with tomorrow’s headline, Mr. Levenson.” She turned back toward the group, now moving out of sight.

But Levenson’s fingers brushed against her elbow as she moved away. The momentary touch sent a jolt rocketing through her system.

“I’m not out for a headline.”

When Jess spun to face the man again, the intensity of his expression stopped her cold.

“Are you aware of how many trial participants have died?” he asked.

Jess squinted at him. Was he insane?

“None. The safety results are spectacular.” She jerked her head toward the group. “Shall we?”

“What about Jim Thomas, Ms. Parker? He jumped from a balcony after taking Whitman’s drug. Did you log that side effect?”

Suicide?

Ice raced through Jess’s veins, a sense of dread suddenly enveloping her and squeezing tight.

She’d heard of suicides during the trial periods for existing Hepatitis C medications, but HC0815? No. She’d certainly remember that detail.

“You must be mistaken. I don’t remember a participant by that name—and I’ve reviewed every application and case report form completed to date.”

Levenson stepped close. So close Jess was afraid he might hear how rapidly her heart beat in response to his allegation.

“I’d suggest you do a little digging.” He dropped his voice so low she had to strain to hear him. “You might want to go back to the first trial for HC0815.”

She frowned, shaking her head. “This is the first.”

Levenson pursed his lips and gave her a wry grin. “For Hepatitis C, but rumor has it the same drug failed to gain approval for another usage.”

Myriad thoughts whirled through Jess’s brain. Surely Van Cleef would have told her if there had been an earlier failed attempt for FDA approval. He certainly would have brought her up to speed on any suicide during the current trial.

She shook her head. “You’ve gotten bad information from somewhere, Mr. Levenson. You might want to check your source.”

He hesitated momentarily, and Jess thought she might finally have him backed into a corner. His next words shattered that illusion into countless pieces.

“I buried my brother last month, Ms. Parker. That particular suicide I can vouch for firsthand.”

She shook her head again. “I don’t remember a candidate with your surname.”

“Thomas.” The emotional strain in his voice had become evident. “Jim Thomas.”

“I thought your name was Levenson?” Jess frowned.

The man pulled a business card from his pocket, handed it to her, then turned toward the exit. “I lied. Use the cell number when you’re ready to talk.”