Chapter 13

Robert quickly filled Luke and Holly in on what he had learned from Robin: "and so it looks like Viranon, or Crylium, is in the virus business. The encephalitis wasn't a one time thing. By the sounds of things, the other viruses could be increasingly lethal."

"So they're making some kind of mega-bird-flu-super-plague? Niiiiiice," drawled Luke. "Some classy business partners you've got there, English."

Holly just gave Luke a dirty look in response.

The trio spent the next couple of days driving from state to state, interviewing the scientists from Robin's list. None of them had much to contribute to an understanding of the mystery. They had been approached by head-hunters and offered large sums of money to design viruses. Various promises had been thrown around, depending on the motivations or needs of the person involved. Some of them were told that the viruses would be used to better medicine's understanding of viral treatments. Others were told the viruses might be used in certain international conflicts. And others just took the money, finally happy to be compensated as they thought they should be for doing what they loved best. None had any information as to the origins of the company they were working for, and they were all obviously pretty bad liars, so Robert felt confident that they really didn't know.

With every scientist that they encountered, Luke became more gleeful in his taunts of Holly. Without someone else to blame for these viruses, and with the greedy attitude of most of the scientists to support his theory, he became more and more convinced that the virus was an evil means to money. He repeated his claims after each meeting. Initially, Holly argued with him, defending herself, but then realized without revealing the whole story there wasn't much she could do to change his mind. For his part, Robert was becoming increasingly worried about Holly, whom he saw shutting herself off more and more after each dead end.

Hotel Room, outside of Berkeley, CA

Robert saw the lights on the TV flickering and wandered through the adjoining door to Holly's hotel room. He handed her a drink. "Spencer's been giving you a hard time for days."

"Well, he still thinks that I'm behind the virus in some way. I guess he's entitled," shrugged Holly. Robert could read the defeat in her eyes.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Is that not what we're doing already?"

"Uh, yeah, good point," Robert swallowed and continued nervously, "Listen, luv, there is absolutely nothing I can say that will take away the hurt that I caused you with that stupid remark. All I can say to you is that I was both so scared and angry about Robin, and so confused about your offer on the docks, and then to walk in and see you kissing Spencer..."

Holly looked at Robert sternly, weighing her words in her head. "It was an awful thing to say."

"I know, the one of the most idiotic things ever out of these lips. I am so sorry. Please forgive me. That's all I can ask," implored Robert. When she didn't yell at him or tell him to get out, he took that as a good sign. "Holly, I have something more to tell you. Regarding something a very wise person said to me recently about trying to change people's attitudes."

Holly raised an eyebrow as Robert came over to sit by her.

"We are going to sort this mess out, and we are going to clear your name. And when that happens, if by chance you have found it in your heart to forgive me, then I want you to remember that kiss from the other night, because I think we both know where that was heading, and then I want you to remember something else." Robert took Holly's face in his hands and kissed her sweetly. "You've made me feel human again, luv, and I owe you so much for that." Robert stood up and headed back into his room.

Holly touched her lips in wonder as Robert exited. She sat back on her bed, thinking hard about what she needed to do.

Another three scientists, another three dead ends. Although he wasn't about to say anything to Holly, and certainly not to Luke, Robert was being to feel a little desperate. They had run through all the names on the list, and were about to meet with the last person. So far, all the scientists had told similar stories, and Robert had no reason to believe that things would be any different with Andrew Burns.

Holly, Luke and Robert walked into the lab. Music was blaring from a stereo and a young man was standing at the back of the lab, pipetting liquid into small tubes. He stood about 6 foot 5 and had a shock of bright red hair that stood straight up from his head. His prominent eyes darted from side to side, taking in his visitors. Luke mumbled "meep meep" under his breath. Holly heard him and had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud.

Dr. Burns bounded over and greeted his vistors happily. "Welcome! I understand you have some questions about my work?"

"Can you tell us how you came to be working on developing this virus?" asked Robert.

"Sure, I was contacted by my a former colleague of mine. We had worked together in the past, and he thought I would be a good person for the job. I am just so happy to have the chance to help find a cure for this. It's a really close cousin to the avian flu strains that are currently circulating, so my work will hopefully be able to save many lives." The young scientist was brimming with pride.

"What's his name?"

"Who?" Andrew was distracted from his scientific rhapsody.

"Your colleague, the one who put you onto the project."

"Gunther Neuhaus. He was my thesis advisor." The name wasn't on Robin's list.

"Would you be able to put us in touch with Dr. Neuhaus?" Robert persisted.

"Oh sure." Dr. Burns was so excited about his own work that he failed to have any appreciation of security. "He has a small lab in Sedona, Arizona. It's very difficult to find, he doesn't like to be bothered by the media or the public. But I can certainly give you the address! I'm sure he would be happy as I am to talk to you about his work."