Washington DC
Jennifer thinks while Bobby works on his computer, and then she says, “I need to do something useful; I can’t just sit around.”
“What are you thinking about doing?”
“Talking to Page to see if he has any idea what’s going.”
“But they’re turning over every stone right now to find you.”
“My training should help me avoid getting caught.”
“How about if we boost your chances?”
“Your turn; what are you thinking?”
“Let’s disguise you.”
“With what?”
“I’ll just order from a local store and have it delivered. I do it all the time. Here, let me pull up their website. What do you think about a gothic look?”
“No, thank you.”
“Punk?”
“Nope.”
“So I assume gothic-punk is out as well?”
“Now I remember why I cut you off.”
Bobby looks a bit surprised. Jennifer says, “I’m sorry; I apologize. I’m a bit thrown off by this whole situation.”
“No problem. I totally understand. And, actually, I like seeing the old Jennifer coming back. Here, you take over and make your selections.”
“Okay, thanks.”
When Jennifer is finished making her selections, Bobby places the order and then says, “We have an hour or two to kill. I’ll put on a video.”
Bobby starts a video, and Jennifer is amused to see a montage of videos and pictures from when they were in college.
“You’re full of surprises.”
“I thought you might enjoy it.”
“You’re right; I love it.”
Jennifer watches a bit more, laughs, and says, “I almost forgot how much fun we use to have.”
Then she sees James in a clip, and she begins to cry.
Bobby looks embarrassed. “I’m sorry; I should have used better judgment.”
“It’s okay. I feel sad seeing Jim because of what just happened to him, but I also feel good about seeing him during a happy time; it brings back such wonderful memories.”
The costume is delivered, and Jennifer puts together her disguise, including a wig.
“Okay, I’m ready.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes. Seeing Jim in the video has motivated me even more to get to the bottom of this.”
“You have Page’s address?”
“Yes.”
“Be careful.”
“I will. Don’t worry. Thank you for all of your help and for being such a great and forgiving friend.”
“Returning safely will be thanks enough.”
They hug, and Jennifer leaves. She begins walking down the street, warily monitoring whether anyone is following her. She makes a few changes of direction, and then, feeling confident no one is following her, she heads in the direction of Dr. Page’s apartment.
After walking for almost an hour, Jennifer arrives at Dr. Page’s apartment. It is late evening and she walks around the block a couple of times, checking whether anyone is watching the apartment. Not seeing anyone, she then watches for someone entering or leaving the building.
When she sees a man approaching the building, she walks quickly to catch up with him while she pretends to be talking on her phone, a clean one which Bobby gave to her, and searching in her purse, saying into the phone, “I’m looking, but I haven’t found it yet.”
The man uses a pass key to open the door to the building, and Jennifer, acting a bit exasperated with her imaginary search, grabs the door, smiles and says, “Thanks.” The man nods, and they both head toward the elevator.
As they enter the elevator, Jennifer says into the phone, “I just can’t find it. I’ll call you later.”
The man asks, “What floor?”
She smiles again and says, “Five, please.”
“Are you new to the building?”
“Yes, I just moved in last week.”
“I think you’ll like it.”
“I love it so far. Oh, here’s my floor.”
Jennifer exits the elevator and finds Dr. Page’s apartment. She knocks on his door. He opens the door while looking somewhat puzzled and says, “Hello, can I help you?”
“Dr. Page?”
“Yes, and you are?”
Jennifer flashes her FBI badge and says, “I’m FBI Agent Barnes.”
“What can I do for you?
“I’m here about Drs. Gates and Johnson. May I come in?”
“Yes, please. Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”
“Thank you,” Jennifer replies, “and nothing to drink, but thanks for offering.”
“So why the interest in my colleagues?” Dr. Page asks.
“We have reason to believe that Dr. Johnson was doing research in China and has been arrested there. And he reports to Dr. Gates, who you just covered for at a conference because he was indisposed; can you elaborate on this?”
“Well,” he explains, “I received an email from Dr. Gates saying he was ill and asking if I could do his presentation, which he forwarded to me. I didn’t even know that Dr. Johnson was in China.”
“Do you have any idea what Dr. Johnson might have been working on in China?”
“No, like I said, I didn’t even know he was there.”
“Can you tell me more about gain of function research, which was the topic of the presentation you gave in place of Dr. Gates? From my limited understanding, it seems potentially dangerous.”
“It’s extremely dangerous because it involves creating the most dangerous pathogens for laboratory study; there is the significant risk that something could go wrong, and a lethal pathogen could be unleashed on the public. I added a personal comment at the end of Dr. Gates presentation saying that I am absolutely opposed to such research.”
“Was Dr. Gates in favor of gain of function research?” Jennifer asks.
“Yes. In fact, we recently had an argument about it, and I told him in no uncertain terms that I would not approve such research.”
“Would he try to go around you?”
“No, we have worked—” Dr. Page stops, pauses, and then continues, “He wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t what?” she pressed.
“They wouldn’t do the research in China to get around my opposition. Johnson is also in favor of gain of function research, and he is Gates’s top infectious disease researcher.”
“Can you check with Dr. Gates as to whether they went around you and conducted the research in China?”
“Why wouldn’t the FBI just ask him?”
“Generally, a friend or associate requesting information is more effective for gaining useful information; the target tends to let his, her or their guard down and becomes more forthcoming. In addition, being helpful with our investigation should definitely be a boost to your social credit score, and you know how much of a focus the current administration has on that.”
“Okay, I’ll give it a try. How can I get in contact with you?”
“I’ll check back with you here, tomorrow evening, around this time.”
“Why don’t we just meet in your office?”
“I’m currently working undercover, and we’re also trying to avoid any leaks, so we’re keeping the circle very tight.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you for your help, Dr. Page.”
“You’re welcome.”
Jennifer leaves; as she exits the building, she looks around for anyone who might be observing. She begins heading back to Bobby’s place, once again using several directional changes to check if anyone is following her. After she arrives back at Bobby’s place, she and Bobby hug.
“I was concerned that they might pick you up,” he said.
“Everything went fine,” she replied.
“What did you find out?”
“Gates and Johnson both were in favor of conducting gain of function research, but Page is opposed to it and prevented them from conducting the research here.”
“Here?”
“They may have circumvented his opposition by conducting the research in China.”
“So why did the Chinese arrest Johnson? Was he conducting the research without their approval?”
“No, research at that level couldn’t be conducted without the explicit approval and significant involvement of the Chinese government.”
“So why would they arrest him?”
“That’s a very good question.”
“Maybe they wanted to use the research for germ warfare, and Johnson found out and objected.”
“You’re way too wrapped up in conspiracy theories.”
“Huh? Why are you here with me?”
“Good point.”
“You said that Jim was part of the security detail for the president on his trip to China just before he was killed. During that trip, he could have found out the president was involved with the Chinese on this.”
“This is beginning to feel like an espionage novel. Where is James Bond when we need him?”
“I’m surprised at you. His books and movies have just been banned. With thoughts like that, your social credit score is definitely heading south.”
They both laugh.