Page 108 of Stone Coast

“Good luck,” she said before ending the call.

I felt both empowered and deflated at the same time. At least we knew what was going on. Proving it would be a challenge. I was beginning to see the merits in Xzavier’s operation. He didn’t need probable cause or warrants. He didn’t have to operate within the confines of the law. Admittedly, that was a slippery slope.

“We’ve got one option left,” I said to Tyson.

55

Tyson rang the bell and flashed his badge when Mr. Langston pulled open the door. We had decided to do a little knock and talk.

Dirk Langston was a good-looking guy in his early 40s. He had short dark hair, light eyes, and the jaw of a TV star. He wore a T-shirt and cargo shorts. With a day’s worth of stubble on his face, it looked like he had taken a few PTO days after his wife’s death. Understandable. His curious eyes flicked between the two of us.

"I suppose you're here to talk about Sierra," Dirk said. "You have any leads on the scumbags who killed her?”

He obviously didn't recognize me, and that was a good thing.

"We just have a few questions for you," Tyson said. "I'm Deputy Wild, and this is my associate, Officer Stone."

It wasn't a complete fabrication. I was technically still an officer with the CIA, last I heard.

"Did Sierra ever talk to you about a clinical trial for the drug Hemalogen?” Tyson asked.

Dirk tried to hide his surprise that we knew. He shook his head. "She didn't talk much about her work. It was kind of a deal we had. We left it at the office.”

"What do you do?" I asked.

"I'm an in-house attorney with Phaxelon Therapeutics. Compliance and liability.”

Tyson and I exchanged a subtle glance. This changed our whole approach. Maybe we should have done a little more homework on the guy.

"So you're aware of the clinical trials for Hemalogen?” Tyson said.

Dirk’s eyes narrowed, and his brow wrinkled. “What does this have to do with my wife's death?”

If he was in compliance and liability, he would have some degree of oversight or access to information about the clinical trials.

"Are you privy to the information that comes through in the case report portal?" Tyson asked.

"Yes, I see the data that is reported. I monitor for significant adverse events and other incidents that might cause regulatory risk."

Tyson had to tread carefully with his next question. “So, you were aware of the adverse events?”

Dirk’s eyes narrowed at him. "There are adverse events in every clinical trial. I saw nothing out of the ordinary. Why?”

"If you call 16% of patients dying, and another 40% developing cancer standard, then that explains a lot."

Dirk’s brow knitted. “Where are you getting these numbers from?”

"Are you saying those numbers are incorrect?”

"That is most certainly not representative of the data that I’ve seen, and I have direct access to the portal." His eyes darted between the two of us, growing annoyed. "That's protected health information. How are you acquiring your data?”

"As an in-house attorney, I suppose you are aware that the company administering the patient portal is a subsidiary of Phaxelon Therapeutics. That's a hell of a conflict of interest, if you ask me."

Dirk's face went long, and his eyes rounded. "This conversation is over."

He closed the door and flipped the deadbolt.

Tyson and I exchanged a look.