Page 140 of The Bone Code

“Is there an advantage to the RFV method?”

“Speed.”

“Because it isn’t limited by the selection of viruses adapted for growth in eggs or by the time needed for the development of cell-based viruses.”

“You are very astute, Dr. Brennan.”

I scanned Melanie’s notes. Bangoboshe had clarified virtually every coded reference.

“Can you comment on the termsneuraminidase,M2 ion channel, andRNP?”

“They are parts of an influenza virus. Would you like me to explain?”

“I don’t want to take up too much of your time,” I said.Definitelynot, I meant.

For a moment, the line went silent, then I thought of something I remained curious about.

“What isWHOGIS&RS?”

“Probably an abbreviation for the World Health Organization Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. It is they, their partner labs, more precisely, who provide private-sector manufacturers with CVVs.”

I was about to thank Bangoboshe when I recalled her earlier modifier.

“What did you mean by ‘mostly’?”

“I’m sorry?”

“You said the notes were mostly about vaccines.”

“There was one term whose presence puzzled me.”

That term had puzzled me, too.

31

Tuesday, November 16–Wednesday, November 17

“CRISPR.”

“Why does that one term seem out of place to you?”

“I don’t see its direct relevance to vaccine production.”

I heard a voice in the background. The flute muffled as she responded, then was back.

“I’m afraid I must go.”

“Of course. I apologize for taking so much of your time.”

I thanked Bangoboshe and asked that she keep our conversation confidential. She gave me her assurance, and we disconnected.

I sat a while, assessing what I’d learned.

Melanie was keeping a file on vaccine production. Nothing sinister, given her job at InovoVax. But why was she interested in CRISPR?

I spent time surfing the web. My usual fallback when I could think of no other path forward.

Flash thought. Do people still say “surfing” these days? If not, would Harmony Boatwright mock my use of outdated lingo? Would Katy?