Page 179 of The Bone Code

“So Huger could hawk his genetic-testing service and homeopathic cures online.”

“The stakes would be far bigger than online sales. Huger hoped to create real panic and sell his websites for tens, maybe hundreds, of millions.”

Ryan took a moment to digest what I was saying. Then, “Murray and Chalmers were planted at InovoVax with the idea that they’d contaminate specific batches of flu vaccine.”

“Yes. Melanie’s notes contained what Bangoboshe thought were batch numbers. I’m sure they’ll confirm it.”

“Melanie got cold feet and threatened to blow the whistle.”

“It’s all on her tape,” I said.

“Murray or Huger capped her to make sure that didn’t happen. Ella was collateral damage.”

A sudden confirmation. “Sorg didn’t overhear Melanie and Murray arguing about Christopher,” I said. “They were arguing about CRISPR.”

“Fifteen years later, all the hard work is about to pay off.” Ryan continued the thread. “Out of the blue, Lena and Harmony showup at Huger’s office with information that would expose the whole bloody scheme.”

Birdie’s ears shot up. He lifted his chin and sniffed the air. I stroked his head.

“Here’s something that’s been troubling me,” I said. “Why such a long gap following the murders in Montreal?”

“Maybe Murray and Huger were spooked. Maybe they were still tinkering with how to contaminate the mRNA process.”

“Maybe they were waiting for the right moment,” I speculated. “The pandemic provided it.”

“COVID-19 scared the whole world shitless.”

I’d started to agree when a horrendous possibility broadsided me.

“Or maybe they didn’t stop at all. Maybe the capno scheme is just the latest in a series.”

Ryan got my meaning right away. “Maybe they’ve made other strikes, perhaps in other places, and capno is the first to succeed. Think about it. Avian flu. Swine flu. H1N1. West Nile virus. SARS. Legionnaire’s disease. Those are just a few that come to mind.”

“But those are infectious. Melanie said on the tape that the plan was to stick to noninfectious diseases.”

“OK. What about the periodic salmonella and E. coli outbreaks? Or the mad cow scare? When was that?”

“I think the first confirmed case in an American cow was in 2003.”

We both went silent recalling various CDC alerts over the past two decades. A full minute, then I switched tack, too horrified to continue.

“Do you suppose Huger killed Murray?” I asked.

“There’s some new intel on Murray,grâce àClaudel. The good doctor liked his cars and boats fast. And expensive. He was in hock up to his eyeballs.”

“Maybe Huger viewed Murray’s financial woes as a threat. For years, their MO was to keep a very low profile.”

“Or maybe Murray felt the hounds snapping, got tired of waiting, and decided to cash in early.”

“By blackmailing Huger?”

Something wentthunksomewhere in the house.

I drew a breath. Listened. Nothing. Only one possibility made sense.

“I should go. I think Anne may be home.”

“You’ll call Vislosky?”