Dr. Austine Bromley and her entourage of associates pulled up in front of Ash Pharmaceuticals, this time in a convoy of three black Jaguar XJs, and parked in the Visitor's section in front. Ash Pharmaceuticals was located about 20 miles from the nearest town and to reach it one had to first check in and then cross a privately controlled bridge, and once across it was another twenty miles to the facility itself. Austine's curiosity was raised at the level of security for a supposed boutique lab. It wasn't unheard of, but such elevated security was reserved for specialty labs that handled highly dangerous toxins, living test subjects, or both. However, there was nothing in Ash's company bio that warranted the tight security, particularly one that was considered a boutique lab.
When Austine stepped out of the car she quickly surveyed the grounds and was struck both by their beauty and uniqueness. It wasn't the standard laboratory campus where the lawns were manicured as if prepared to host a professional golf championship. The surrounding area had tall trees and plants of all shapes, colors and sizes everywhere. It was as if they drove into an outdoor arboretum. Workers sat, ate, chatted, and walked, on the grounds while in their white, blue and green lab coats.
When Austine walked into the equally bustling Main Lobby, she was followed by four of her associates. Under normal circumstances, Austine's associates would have intimidated curious onlookers, but they found they were hardly glanced at inside the lobby, and for good reason. The lobby looked like budding rainforest and people mingled and went about their business as if it was a working area. What caught their eyes is some of the plants had fruit on them and workers picked the fruit off the plants as they went. Austine and her associates were amazed.
"I have never seen this before. Anywhere." Austine commented.
"Neither have I." One of her associates replied. "This is supposed to be a lab?"
"This wasn't in any of the materials." Austine said as she opened her tablet and once more reviewed the website for Ash Pharmaceuticals. Then looked around again. "Ash Pharmaceuticals. You have my attention."
Austine walked up to the tall Receptionist Desk, so tall they had to look up when they addressed the three female Receptionists who worked at the desk.
"Hello! My name is Dr. Austine Bromley. I'm from the Plato Foundation."
"Ah yes! Dr. Bromley. We saw that you checked in at the gate." The middle Receptionist answered.
"May I speak to whomever is in charge here?" Austine asked.
"Dr. Gallo is here." The Receptionist to her left answered.
"Is he or she in charge?" Austine asked.
"He and yes." The Receptionist to her right answered.
"You guys have quite the triple tag team going on here." Austine commented. The three Receptionist smiled in unison.
"May I reconfirm the purpose of your visit?" The Receptionist to her left answered.
"As I stated at the gate, we're here to find Dr. Lauren Lewis. It's imperative we speak with her." Austine replied.
"I will see if Dr. Gallo is available to speak with you." The middle Receptionist answered with a broad smile and then in unison all three of them rose from their seats which caused Austine and her associates to take a step backwards in response. "Please have a seat." The Receptionist to her right directed to a group of seats behind them.
As Austine and her associates turned around they were greeted by four female employees who looked like models out of game show. They each took her associates gently by the arm and ready smiles.
"Please. Allow us to provide you with a tour of the main areas." One of ladies said. All four of her associates looked at her.
"Trust me, they will be fine." The middle Receptionist said behind her. Austine glanced at the three Receptionists and then turned back to her associates.
"I will be fine. Enjoy your tour." Austine directed. Her associates were then led off into various directions of the rainforest lobby. Austine took a seat as the three Receptionists resumed theirs and continued with their own work.
About fifteen minutes later, a man in a white lab coat approached.
"Dr. Bromley?" The man prompted.
"Yes?"
"Dr. Wilford Gallo, Head of Research and Chief of this facility." Dr. Gallo greeted as he extended his hand. She stood up and shook it.
"Nice to meet you! And what a facility you have here! It's nothing like what was described on your website." Austine replied.
"If people were to know what we truly looked like they would be gawkers at the gate. This is a teaching facility. We like to keep distractions to a minimum."
"I understand."
"You're a doctor as well?"
"A Forensic Scientist. Before that, I was a Detective at Interpol."
"Impressive! Divergent careers that still share the same foundational elements."
"I do love a mystery."
"And you're at the Plato Foundation?"
"Yes. I work on staff there."
"So how may I help you?"
"I'm looking for Dr. Lauren Lewis. Is she available?" Austine asked.
"May I ask as to the reason for the inquiry?"
"The Foundation is keen on contacting her. We've tried the standard approaches but have been unable to reach her, so we are trying the direct approach."
"Given her recent work, understandable. Unfortunately, she's not on site right now."
"Do you know where we can find her?"
"She's on a field assignment."
"Is there a way to reach her?"
"Yes. But I would have to relay a message."
"I cannot speak to her directly?"
"Dr. Lewis is very devoted to her fieldwork, and out of respect I like to keep any interruptions to a minimal."
"How soon can you get a message to her?"
"As soon as we are done here."
"And response time?"
"Usually 24 hours." Dr. Gallo replied. Austine replied then pulled out a card.
"I will be at the Omnia Hotel. This is my number. Please contact me as soon as you've heard back from her. I plan to remain in town until I speak with her."
"I said 24 hours, but it could also be several days."
"The Foundation is very determined."
"Very well, then. I will let you know."
"Thank you. I will be waiting."
"In the interim, would you like a tour? Obviously, I cannot show you the restricted areas, but I can most certainly show you our teaching areas. Your background intrigues me." Dr. Gallo offered.
Austine looked around for any sign of her associates and found none.
"Well, my associates are off on a tour and they're not back yet…"
"Well, then let me take you on a guided tour, starting with our fantastic juice bar over there. They use only the fruits and vegetables grown from this facility."
"Well, if you have the time then yes."
"Good." The Dr. Gallo directed her to walk ahead of him and before he followed her he gave the three Receptionists at the Desk a knowing look, and they acknowledged it with unified nod of their heads.
