Brian Freemantle - Dead End

Dead End

Brian Freemantle

To Victoria, the first who could never be last.

One

I n such an internationally established, acclaimed and aggressive pharmaceutical conglomerate, there were obviously laboratories in every overseas division of Dubette Inc., but each was effectively a subsidiary of the North Virginia headquarters at McLeans Priority Park, just off the 495 Beltway. That laboratory was designed to a rigid structure that provided the name by which it was universally referred to: never Research and Development but always the Spiders Web, which was apposite. The office of the fittingly spindle-limbed, bespectacled vice president, Dwight Newton, was at the very centre of a concentric series of specialized research departments and divisions. Included here, because their cure or prevention was the Holy Grail of commercial medical research, were a variety of cancers, AIDS and its human immunodeficiency virus precursor, HIV, both A and B strains of hepatitis, the common cold and a variety of frequently mutating fatal influenza viruses. The final, outer circle was devoted to what was, with surprising unprofessionalism, suspiciously regarded as the new and unproven science of genetics and its engineering for medical benefit.

It was here that Richard Parnell had been allocated his laboratories.

Parnell liked America. He liked its can-do ethos and same-day deliveries of whatever hed wanted to furnish the new, easily arranged apartment rented on the first day, and day-one car purchase and most of all he liked the more than trebled salary that made everything affordable. And still left him with more money than hed earned apart, of course, from the international recognition that had resulted in his being headhunted from Cambridge as a leading participant in Britains considerable contribution to the global genome project codifying human DNA.

It was a reputation Parnell was determined to increase, which made his relegation to the outer circle an absurd and irritating dismissal he was about to rectify.

Like the spiders web after which it was nicknamed, the expanding circles were each linked by connected, threading corridors, all glassed and therefore all visible to everyone along his route to the vice presidents inner sanctum. As he walked the gauntlet, Parnell was aware of the attention and recognition of people on either side, and recognized the point to the pretentious, outer-space laboratory design. No one could approach the spider-like man without being seen, to initiate the paranoia. Is he being promoted over me? Have I made a dismissable mistake? Am I being reprimanded? Am I going to be fired?

It was a good feeling, not to be afraid: to be sure enough of himself and his international reputation to do what he was about to do.

Professor Dwight Newton was thin to the point of being emaciated, a cadaverous face dominated almost overwhelmed by overly heavy, black-framed spectacles, stick-thin arms protruding from the sleeves of a white laboratory coat. Forewarned by his outside secretariat, Newton was standing, a tall man although still shorter than the broad-shouldered, athletically bodied Parnell.

Good to see you again, Dick! Good to see you! Sorry it hasnt been sooner. Must say, though, I dont understand your memo There was a helpless sweeping gesture towards the empire beyond. So much to keep a handle on never a moment

Its a big operation, acknowledged Parnell.

The biggest, worldwide, said Newton. And youre part of it now.

Parnell said: Thats what I very much want to be, part of it. But a proper part.

Newtons affability went out like a switched-off light. He picked up and let drop Parnells meeting request and said: So whats all this about keeping all your equipment on hold and not advertising for staff?

Ive nowhere to put equipment. Or staff, declared Parnell.

Newton gave an uncertain laugh. Youve got your own internal laboratories! What two separate working spaces, offices, secretarial space? Everything you could want ?

In the wrong place. Ive been appointed Dubettes professor of pharmacogenomics, applying what I did in England to drug development here. To do that, I need to be alongside the laboratories and the people developing those drugs. Not isolated as I have been.

Newton frowned. Everything radiates out from what has to be the most tightly and securely controlled working area.

I didnt accept the offer here in order to be a totem, just a recognizable name on a staff list, said Parnell. If Im going to make any contribution to Dubettes research and development, I need to be at the centre of things. If Im not, it makes quite pointless my being here, as part of the Dubette empire.

Pinpricks of anger began colouring Newtons face. I dont believe Archimedes principle came to him when he overflowed the bath water. Research here is programmed, according to a strict schedule of antibiotic exploration. Which is the business were in.

I dont believe the Archimedes legend either. Nor see how its supposed to fit what were talking about, rejected Parnell. Its now been recognized that the majority of what pharmaceutical industries produce does nothing to alleviate, help or by the very worst analysis save the lives of people theyre supposed to help with the drugs theyre offering. If I can create the proper research team, working in proper, liaising research with medical expertise, Dubette could revolutionize diagnostic approach. Its an approach already being tried in Europe, and one upon which Im well advanced, from my work on the genome project. Parnell, resigned to the thought that his job was over before it had begun, supposed he could always stay in Washington for an extended holiday, to minimize the loss on the apartment lease, and whatever else was non-refundable, before moving on. He was probably still within his relocation budget in any case.

There was another edge of uncertainty in Newtons laugh. Youre talking as if you can walk away if you dont like the housing arrangements.

Thats exactly how Im talking. Parnell was glad he hadnt advertised vacancies in his new department and given people false hopes.

You forgotten youve got a legally enforceable contract, studied and agreed not just by Dubettes lawyers but your independent attorney as well?

It very specifically sets out in that contract that I shall have every research facility I might need. Which I dont have. I dont intend any ridiculous breach-of-contract litigation against Dubette. Ill just resign and well both put it down to experience.

You dont intend any litigation! exploded the research director, incredulous. You think this organization lets people walk away just because they dont have a desk by the window!

Im not complaining about not having a desk by the window, retorted Parnell. Im saying I do not have my contracted working conditions and facilities. Now tell me what youre saying. Are you telling me that if I resign, Dubette will take me to court?

Youre damned right I am.

OK, said Parnell, rising. Ill see the lawyer who negotiated for me, and get my resignation letter in to you in the next day or two.

Sit down, ordered Newton, sharply. Youve scarcely been here long enough to find the washroom. Lets not get off to a wrong start, the two of us. You want a change of location, Ill see what I can do. But if were going to work together, theres something youve got to understand very clearly I dont like wont have confrontations.

I dont want any wrong starts or confrontations, either, said Parnell, easily. I accepted Dubettes approach precisely