Part 3 of 4
Marie McNichols goes to see Dr. Lon
Jared wasn't the only one to 'do his duty' and visit Washington. It was only a couple of days after Jared returned from Washington when Marie decided to call Dr. Lon. She had cooled down about the treatment that Jared received at the hands of the VA and DoD. Jared had not been treated that badly at VA Headquarters, and he had told her over and over that the Washington administrators were not important in the long run, only the truth was important, and they couldn't hide it forever. Deep inside Marie knew this, but she still resented the way the McNichols were being treated in Austin and Washington, just because they stumbled onto some chronic infections in the veterans and prison guards that a small number of people wanted to keep secret from the American people. Who would have thought that the authorities would not be pleased to have a reasonable explanation for a large group of the sick veterans, and a viable treatment protocol. The truth was that once egocentric people had made up their minds, they couldn't easily accept that their pre-conceived notions could possibly be wrong.
Jared told Marie that not everyone was an egomaniac and a jerk in Washington. Jared had mentioned to her that Dr. Lon had been polite and basically passive during his seminar at VA Headquarters, and he had no problems with Dr. Granite. He was not as hostile as the other VA administrators and epidemiologists. Marie felt that Dr. Lon might even be helpful to the McNichols, even if he was constrained by the politics of Washington and the Pentagon. After all, the McNichols were only confirming Dr. Lon's own theories about the role of Mfi in chronic illnesses. He couldn't be all that bad. He might even welcome support for his own theories from outside the beltway.
Jared had to remind Marie that the road to hell was paved with good intentions. He felt that Dr. Lon had not been completely forthright with them on the role of his Mfi mycoplasma in Gulf War Illnesses and other conditions. But the McNichols had no idea of the pressures that Dr. Lon might be under to protect the secrets about Mfi.
Marie finally decided to call Dr. Lon. She asked Jared what he thought about it, and he just shrugged his shoulders. He obviously thought that it was a waste of time, but Marie thought otherwise. Although Marie had quite a temper and blew quite easily, she actually had more faith in mankind than Jared, who was becoming more and more pessimistic as time went on. Although Jared had to spend more time fending off the barbarians at the gate who wanted to take everything from the McNichols that they had worked so hard to build over the years, he had not suffered as long as Marie. Marie had a temper, but she was also quick to reconsider her position. Jared was more true to his brooding Scottish heritage. Once he made up his mind, that was it. There was no turning back.
Marie found Dr. Ming Lon's telephone number that she saved from a few years ago, and the following morning she dialed Dr. Lon's number at the U. S. Army Institute of Pathology Research. She was amazed when Dr. Ming Lon picked up the phone after the third ring, "Hello, Pathology lab." She said, "This is Dr. Marie McNichols calling from Austin, Texas. I am trying to reach Dr. Ming Lon." Dr. Lon replied, "Dr. McNichols, how are you!" Dr. Lon was pleasantly surprised because he had been recruited to call Marie anyway, and this was much more natural. "Your husband just gave a seminar over at the VA a week ago." Marie said, "Yes. Actually the reason that I'm calling is that I was intrigued by an article you published recently on Mycoplasma fermentans." Dr. Lon replied, "Oh? Yes, the recent article where we isolated the mycoplasma." She continued, "The unusual mycoplasma, we call it Mfi, that you found associated with AIDS patients and also responsible for the deaths of some Armed Forces personnel." Dr. Lon continued, "Yes, Mycoplasma fermentans incognitus is a unique microorganism. It can be quite pathogenic. But the concept of a highly pathogenic mycoplasma has not been acknowledged by everyone in the medical and science communities." Marie continued, "I am not an infectious disease expert, but I am curious about this particular mycoplasma, because I think that I may have caught it somewhere, and as you know from Jared's lecture we have been finding it in the Gulf War veterans but more recently in some prison guards down here in Texas." Dr. Lon asked, "What?" He had not heard the prison guard story, because Jared left it out of his seminar so as to not stimulate the subsequent wrath of Dr. Masters. Marie repeated herself, "I said, I think I caught this mycoplasma in the late 80s. I became very sick after a trip to the Middle East. It seemed to infect every organ and tissue in my body, and some of my organs became inflamed and ultimately I developed meningitis and encephalitis. Initially, it started as a nu-like illness with aching joints, chronic fatigue, night sweats, gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes, vertigo, and then it progressed into a kind of thyroiditis, and finally it became meningitis. My thyroid was swollen and my thyroid hormones were all over the place. I was nauseated for thirteen months, my stomach felt like an inferno, and I was constantly dizzy. I had problems with my vision and hearing."
Marie continued her conversation with Dr. Lon. "At one point I thought I had gotten HIV from a blood transfusion I had during surgery in 1983, and my weight dropped to 70 pounds." Dr. Lon said, "From what you've described, it sounds like you could have had a severe infection like this mycoplasma can cause. How did you overcome the illness? Was it similar to the protocol you and your husband have been suggesting to the veterans?" Marie continued, "Well, at first I went on ampicillin, and I got worse. Then, by process of elimination my husband and I empirically tried the antibiotic doxycycline. Within several weeks of taking the antibiotic, my symptoms started to slowly subside. I went on four six-week courses of doxycycline, and then I began to be well enough to resume exercising with weights. All in all, though, it took about three years on and off again antibiotics for me to fully regain my health." Dr. Lon continued, "As I think I told you before, you are a very lucky young lady. Most people in the medical community are skeptical about a highly pathogenic mycoplasma and probably would not have prescribed doxycycline. You were extremely lucky to have hit upon doxycycline." Marie said, "You may laugh at me, but I am sure there was divine intervention in my healing." Dr. Lon responded, "I do not laugh at such things." Marie was secretly testing Dr. Lon's memory about their previous conversation to determine and gauge his attitude towards her. She still suspected that Dr. Lon might have been involved in her illness, which she now felt was deliberate. She said, "You know, Dr. Lon, you met my husband who is a department chairman here at the D. O. Madison Cancer Center, and we admire your work. I was wondering if perhaps you would be open to hearing about the Nucleoprotein Gene Tracking technique we have been developing over the last decade."
Dr. Lon couldn't believe what he was hearing from Marie. It was his chance to invite her to visit the Institute without the McNichols becoming suspicious about his motives. He said, "I heard your husband's seminar at the VA recently, and it sounds very interesting. Can you tell me more about it, say in person here in Washington?" Marie replied, "Actually that was the purpose of my calling you today. As it turns out I have to be in the area, and I thought that it might be possible to visit your Institute." Dr. Lon responded, "That's intriguing. I would really like to learn more about the technique that you have developed. I do not understand the approach that well, and your husband really spent more time explaining why the Gulf War veterans' illnesses were related to chronic infections than on the techniques that you two used to find them. I am interested in this problem, because to be frank with you Dr. McNichols, we have not found this particular mycoplasma in the veterans. Would you be willing to come here and show us your detailed data?" Marie replied, "I know it is difficult to grasp without the benefit of seeing the data. But since I have to give a seminar at Georgetown in December, perhaps I could come over to the Institute and present a seminar?" Dr. Lon said, "We would appreciate that. I'll tell my department staff, and I'm sure they'll welcome the opportunity to have you visit." Marie said, "Then it's settled .... By the way, I think I asked you this before, but where did you do your training?" Dr. Lon replied, "I did my undergraduate training at the National University in Taiwan." Marie was testing Dr. Lon when she asked, "I thought you were from Mainland China?" Dr. Lon continued, "I am, but it was arranged for me to study in Taiwan. I completed my Ph.D., and then I did an M.D. degree at Belford College of Medicine in your city." Marie said, "Gee, I didn't know you had been at Belford. I was on the faculty there for a few years." Dr. Lon said, "After I finished my M.D., I went to work temporarily at a small Belford biotech company called "Biox."
The word 'Biox' sent a jolt through Marie, but she tried to hide her response. Marie said without giving herself away, "I've heard of it. I believe it was started by the Lings, who were from my old Department. What kinds of products are being marketed by Biox?" Dr. Lon replied, "I don't know if they are actually selling anything yet. When I was at Biox, I was working on a variety of antibody-based tests against anthrax and related microorganisms." Marie asked, "Anthrax? Why on earth would Biox work on anthrax? It's so deadly that I recall that the government had to shut down a facility at Fort Detrick sometime in the seventies due to an anthrax accident." Dr. Lon said, "That's right! Moscow was heavily engaged in anthrax germ warfare during the Cold War, so we had no choice but to establish our own program. I was actually interested in some of the contaminants in the cultures." Marie asked, "Are you saying that scientists at Belford were actually engaging in anthrax experimentation?"
Dr. Lon did not answer Marie's question, and Marie could tell from his hesitation that he was becoming extremely uneasy about the direction of the conversation. She immediately changed the subject, "You know Dr. Lon, my department chairman at Belford asked me how I felt about germ warfare and if I would participate in experiments just before [ became sick in the late eighties. I told him how asinine such research would be, since we barely understand what makes us tick. He asked me if I would remain silent if I had heard about any germ warfare research going on in the department. I told him I wouldn't, and that such research was the height of scientific amorality. Of course, Dr. Lon, I meant no disrespect to you." Dr. Lon quickly replied, "I understand."
Marie changed the subject again-she was trying to get more information out of Dr. Lon, "Do you feel that the mycoplasma you found, Mfi, is a naturally-occurring microorganism or do you feel it was altered in some way?" Dr. Lon became very uneasy and hesitated, "I cannot say. It's too sensitive!" Marie asked again, "In other words, you don't know if it was altered?" Dr. Lon replied, "You're going to have to draw your own conclusions." Marie spoke abruptly, "Oh well, I meant no offense. You probably know that we found some unusual gene sequences in the Mfi in the soldiers and the prison guards, but we really haven't found the same sequences in some civilians with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." Dr. Lon said, "I know you have looked at Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome from your husband's lecture." Marie finally said, "Well Dr. Lon, I look forward to meeting you and discussing this further." Dr. Lon had one more request, "Please send me your resume. I'll be in touch with you about your seminar." Marie added, "Nice talking to you Dr. Lon." He finally said, "It was a pleasure talking to you Dr. McNichols."
After the conversation, Marie thought about what Jared told her about Dr. Lon. Jared considered him a shifty character who wouldn't admit that he had also found Mycoplasma fermentans in the veterans and in some of the civilians with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and he did not trust Dr. Lon. But Marie felt more comfortable about Dr. Lon, who she felt might have been trapped by circumstance into working on biological warfare agents, if that was what the Mfi strain of the mycoplasma was, and Dr. Lon could not admit it to Marie. She also thought that Dr. Lon couldn't admit that the veterans had mycoplasmal infections without endangering his himself or his family. Marie told Jared that Dr. Lon had probably been threatened, and he couldn't tell the truth about his results with the Gulf War Illness or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients. As usual, Marie would turn out to be correct.
Dr. Lon notified his department head of the intent to invite Dr. Marie McNichols to deliver a seminar the U. S. Army Institute of Pathology Research. The request was forwarded up to the administration. Dr. Lon was then notified he had to meet with General Armwhite and Dr. Deutschman. A few days later Dr. Lon was told when and where to meet with his superiors. As he entered a small conference room at the Institute, they were both standing in the room discussing something in hushed conversation. General Armwhite was obviously distracted. Without even saying hello, General Armwhite turned to Dr. Lon and said, "Ming, you were actually able to bring Marie McNichols here to give a seminar? Dr. Lon replied, "Yes." He added an afterthought, "I do not see why anyone would be trying to kill Dr. Marie McNichols. She is an excellent scientist and very personable." Dr. Deutschman trying to be more diplomatic said, "It isn't personal, Dr. Lon, it's just that she comes from a powerful family, and it is simply too dangerous to let one bleeding heart scientist inherit so much money and at the same time know so much about our programs." Dr. Lon who didn't know that Marie was an heiress asked, "Why is she considered an heiress? Why haven't I heard about this?" General Armwhite replied, "Goddamnit, Ming. Don't you get it? You would think a person of your intelligence who was thrown in a work camp in China because of questionable political loyalties would not want to see some little bitch with so much money." Dr. Lon said, "I was not thinking about her in terms of money, sir! I was only thinking of the science." Dr. Deutschman said, "I strongly urge you to wake up and see that our perspective is correct. People like Marie and Jarcd McNichols are a menace, and we certainly don't want to see them have any financial resources to continue their probing into our business."
The discussion of the McNichols was about to get worse. General Armwhite was growing impatient and asked, "Why did that Day Lily Russian Doll Cocktail fail?" Dr. Lon who didn't know that Marie's illness might have been induced asked, "You mean you people actually poisoned her with a Day Lily Cocktail?" Dr. Armwhite said, "What's wrong with you, Ming? Don't you remember?" He asked again, "Remember what sir?" Dr. Deutschman said, "You helped design the cocktail for the McNichols!" Ming looked dazed and confused at Armwhite's statement. He tried to answer, "But I ... " Dr. Deutschman interrupted and said to General Armwhite, "Never mind, General. Dr. Lon here spent some time at the Monarch Point Intelligence Center in New York for some mind rehabilitation." Dr. Armwhite nodded and then asked, "Very well! Where was I?" Dr. Lon said sheepishly, "You were telling us that you had an idea." General Armwhite said forcefully, "Oh, yes! I have decided that we can exploit the McNichols' visit. Is this clear, Dr. Lon? Can you get the both of them here?" Dr. Lon replied, "I don't know. Marie McNichols will come for sure, but I don't know about Professor McNichols, since he was just here at the VA. She did not indicate that he would be coming with her." Dr. Deutschman said, "Make sure that he comes along. This time we better do it right, but I don't like the idea of this being so close to home. We could arrange a dinner in honor of their visit after the seminar at some restaurant." General Armwhite was calming down, "I like that Romanian restaurant in Georgetown. The gypsy atmosphere with the violins is just about the right touch. Don't you agree?" Dr. Deutschman replied, "Yes, I like it! One of Marie's colleagues at the D. O. Madison Cancer Center, a Dr. Geldter, who has done some work for us, even if it turned out to be shit, refers to her as a gypsy." General Armwhite commented, "You are up on her profile." Dr. Deutschman continued, "I have to be! We can't let these things get out of hand."
Dr. Lon was very uneasy about the entire meeting, and while he watched the interchange between Deutschman and Armwhite, he started fidgeting with his glasses. General Armwhite picked up on Dr. Lon's uneasiness and said while he waved his arm, "Christ, Ming! Will you stop letting your sentimental emotions cloud your judgment. The McNichols are history, because that's an order. There's nothing we can do about it. Is that clear?" He then turned to Dr. Deutschman, "We should probably call that pompous ass Clement Masters at The Madison Cancer Center so that we can coordinate this better. I understand Masters is very frustrated about the McNichols. He's lost face with Washington and is trying to get rid of them. Dr. Deutschman replied, "He and Kenneth Able recruited some group in Moscow when the McNichols went there a month or so ago, but they completely blew it." General Armwhite sneered, "What goddamned amateurs! We just should have assumed that the Moscow operation would be a screw-up, and we should have had a decent backup plan. Oh well, what better way to whack someone, then after a professional seminar? It won't be expected. And we should get Ellen Martins involved. Marie will like her-just like two peas in a pod." Turning to Dr. Lon he said, "Ming, do you now understand the sensitivity of this issue?" Dr. Lon nodded sheepishly and asked, "Sir, may I be excused from this project?" General Armwhite became instantly angry, "Absolutely not!" Dr. Lon again, "Can I ask what you're going to do to them?" General Armwhite replied, "No!" Dr. Deutschman added, "You don't want to know."
Back in Austin Marie discussed the upcoming trip to Washington with Jared, who was against her going and couldn't go with her because Dr. Belcher would not approve his travel request. Since Jared was not the invited speaker at the Army Institute of Pathology Research, Dr. Belcher was not about to approve his travel and face the wrath of Dr. Masters. Besides, Dr. Masters was trying desperately to find anything that he could use to fire Jared, but he had to proceed very carefully since Jared was a tenured faculty member. Dr. Belcher just wanted to harass Jared to the point where he would throw in the towel and leave without having to go the administratively difficult process of removing him from his tenured position.
The removal of a tenured faculty member from the staff for their research directions would likely trigger a nasty lawsuit. It could cost them some bad PR if the truth came out that Jared was fired for his research on the Gulf War veterans' illnesses, and it could end up a messy case in court. Not that the threat of a lawsuit had ever stopped Dr. Masters before. The Madison was currently being sued by other former faculty members, including one that blew the whistle on the D. O. Madison Radiology Clinic for purposely damaging patients with radiation without their full informed consent in a government-sponsored research project on the effects of radiation on tissue damage. Dr. Masters had been trying desperately to buy off the Judge in that case. In Texas most of the judges went to the University Law School, so they were not at all sympathetic to any faculty member who actually had the gall to sue their alma mater.
No matter how much Dr. Masters claimed that he could handle the courts and the press, Dr. Belcher knew that Masters' ego wouldn't let him even be a devil's advocate and raise the issue that they were not in a favorable position with respect to Jared McNichols. He had actually gotten The D. O. Madison some good press over the last year or so, and he would have an extremely strong lawsuit if they tried to fire him. The whole spectacle of forcing out a senior faculty member because of his research direction was disturbing to Dr. Belcher, even though he would go along with the program if Masters ordered it. Dr. Belcher often spoke about academic freedom, especially when it came to himself. Dr. Belcher still feared Dr. Masters, however, and he would do what he was told, even if he didn't believe in it himself.
Due to a breakdown in communication the wishes of General Armwhite that Jared accompany Marie McNichols was not passed on through the proper channels to Austin, and so the administration at The Madison did not realize that Jared should accompany Marie on this particular trip. His request for participation in the visit to the U.S. Army Institute of Pathology Research was denied, and Marie must now travel alone to meet her fate. Jared tried to talk Marie out of going to Washington, but Marie was stubborn and would not listen to his arguments. She wanted to visit with Dr. Lon, and she felt that this was the only way to get more accurate information from him on Mfi.
A few weeks later it was time for Marie's trip to Washington DC, and Marie and Jared left Queenswood and drove to the airport. Jared parked the car in the short term parking area next to the terminal and recovered Marie's bag from the trunk. Marie wanted to wait in the airline club before her departure, so Jared took her to the Continental Airlines President's Club in the terminal. As they were about to enter the small Club, Marie had second thoughts about the trip, on the very day on which she was about to embark. After discussing the situation with Jared, she decided to go. She had to visit Georgetown as well as the Pathology Institute, and she did not want to miss her Georgetown seminar by canceling her trip at the last minute. Although she felt uneasy about going on her own to visit Dr. Lon, she decided that it was going to be O.K. But as the time grew nearer to departure, Marie was obviously nervous about the trip, and Jared was even more nervous about her safety.
As Marie and Jared entered the President's Club, they found that the attendants were wearing Texas accessories with their uniforms in honor of 'Go Texans Day.' Even the musak was gently playing Mitch Miller's rendition of 'The Yellow Rose of Texas.' Beautiful Yellow Roses were displayed in bouquet arrangements, and the McNichols received greetings from the Club's attendants, as they were frequent fliers who were known in the club. Marie handed her ticket to an attendant. "Drs. McNichols! Good to see you both again! Today's a proud to be a Texan day!" Jared said solemnly, "We're not natives." The attendant replied, "Neither am I, but I'll bet you have the Texas spirit!" Marie said, "We do, but we wish our colleagues did too." The receptionist then said "Well then, howdy to ya'all!" Marie said, "You too!" Jared didn't bother answering, and he certainly wasn't going to ya'll back. He no longer felt the Texas spirit; he felt that Texas and the real Texans who stood for truth and honesty, if they still existed, had let him and Marie down.
The receptionist checked Marie's ticket and pronounced, "You're all set, and I've upgraded you." The receptionist turned her attention to Jared and asked, "Not traveling today?" Jared answered, "That's right. I'm just going to play house husband for a change." Marie then looked at Jared and said, "You know, I always wanted to be like you, go on the lecture circuit and be recognized for my work." She continued, "But you know what? This isn't much fun."
As they walked away from the desk, Jared turned his attention to Marie and asked, "How about a coke?" Marie spoke to Jared as she nodded her head and they heard 'The Yellow Rose of Texas' playing in the background. "You know, when I was a little girl of about three years-old I loved that song. I couldn't pronounce the word yellow so I always sang it as 'lello.' I told my grandmother, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a cowgirl and live in Texas!" She continued, "And now look what happened! I made it to Texas only to be crucified." She continued, "I have never hated a place as much as The Madison!"
Trying to calm Marie down before her trip was proving to be difficult. Jared said, "There are lots of good people there. It's not as bad as you think." He was also trying to talk himself into feeling better about the situation that they found themselves in, but he really wasn't too convincing. Marie said, "As far as I'm concerned the good people here have no backbone. They didn't defend us-they jumped on the bandwagon. I thought there was some pioneer spirit down here, a good place to do innovative research, but what I found instead was a bunch of backward, prejudiced and evil people." Jared chided her, "Come on Marie, you are in a negative thought loop again!" Marie replied, "I don't care!" Jared tried to get Marie off the subject of the D. O. Madison, "You met and snared me here, didn't you?" She finally agreed, "I guess in a backwards way I actually owe my happiness to Dr. Masters. After all, didn't he personally recruit you?" Jared replied, "Yes, and it was probably the biggest mistake of my entire life to accept his offer. I would never have come to the Madison if I had known. But we will persist, and sooner or later the truth will come out. The truth is our best weapon." Marie said, "You always say that! But will it ever come out? You have more trust in your fellow man than I do."
Marie turned away from Jared and sat down. After several seconds, she continued, "Sometimes it's easier to believe a lie than the truth!" Jared asked her again, "Are you sure that you don't want a coke? Marie finally agreed, "O.K." Jared said as he went to get Marie a drink, "You've got to get a more positive attitude in preparation for your lectures." Marie was feeling very negative about the upcoming trip. Jared was too, but he didn't want to let Marie know. He returned with the coke and sat down with Marie. She was quite fidgety. He said, "Now, Marie don't go and get yourself paranoid just because of Dale's warning. It's probably some sort of a mind game. You know, psychological warfare." Marie stated, "Better paranoid and safe than dead." Jared was trying to calm Marie down, but he wasn't having any luck, "Look, I know you will do just fine, and your seminars will be a big hit." She asked, "Even at the Institute of Pathology Research? Remember, I will be going face-to-face with Ming Lon, Mr. Mfi himself!" She continued, "You know, I found out that he was also an anthrax expert. He sure acted odd when I talked to him about my illness. It was if he already knew of it." Jared said, "Look, we're having a rough time, and I know that there have been attempts on us, but we have to stay calm and somewhat collected. Remember, when we watch those B-rated horror flicks, and they play the victim game." Marie laughed slightly. It was a nervous laugh. He pointed to Marie and said, "Victim! Victim! As the heroine stupidly puts herself in harm's way and invites the perp to do her in .... " Jared stopped making jokes and became serious, "Marie, you're a survivor! Don't be a victim. But be very careful."
Jared remembered to tell Marie that she would have friends with her at the seminar. "Remember, Louis and Melinda will be with you for the seminar at Ming Lon's place." She added, "I can't understand why Lou with his busy schedule would cancel all his important meetings at NIH to hear my seminar." Jared said, "Because he respects your work." Marie said, "I tell you, there was something fishy about that Commander Ellen Martins' offer for me to stay at her place." Jared said, "Since you don't even know her, let me fill you in. I went on the website of the Institute, and she is the Director of Infectious Disease Research. Furthermore, remember the lecture notes from the medical school pathology block at the Naval Hospital that the Hamlins gave us. There was a Commander E. Martins that lectured on Mfi. I think that it's the same person, and I wouldn't trust her for a second. Why would she invite you to stay with her? She doesn't even know you." Marie said, "You're right! I have to be really leery of anyone who tries to worm their way into my life. She loved our research almost too much. It's as if she wanted to ingratiate herself to me intellectually for some reason. Compared to the constant criticism that I receive here in Austin, it just sounded fishy." Jared added, "Because it was fishy! Just be prudent, and you'll be all right. Don't give her anything and watch yourself, especially what you eat and drink."
Jared gave Marie some last minute instructions as her flight was called, and they stood up to get Marie in line with the other passengers. "Remember, I have faith in you-but please be careful. And give Larry my regards when you see him at Georgetown. We need his microbiology expertise and input with our Mycoplasma studies. And be sure to give a big hug to Lou and Melinda." Marie said, "I will. But I have never lectured at Georgetown, it has me a bit scared. Hopefully they won't throw spitballs at me like they did down here." Jared reassured her, "Forget about the D. O. Madison." After a few seconds he said, "Oh, I forgot to ask you if I should hire a limousine so that Lou and Melinda don't have to go out of their way to pick you up at the airport." Marie commented, "That's O.K. I already hired a car to take me to their home. They made plans to pick me up at the airport, but I didn't want to bother them with the airport traffic." Jared said, "Good. Lou is always so busy." Jared gave Marie a kiss, "You'll do great! I love you!" Marie said, "Me too!" She turned and disappeared in the crowd boarding the flight to Washington National.
The flight to Houston was short, and the connection to Washington was uneventful for Marie. Fortunately, she had plenty of room on the Washington National night, and she spent most of her time reading magazines and a book that Jared had bought for her. Three and one-half hours after she took off from Houston Marie arrived at Washington National Airport. She disembarked from the plane, picked up her bag from the crowded arrival area and headed for the exit to find her waiting limousine. Outside the terminal Marie noticed a black limo parked at the curb.
The driver immediately got out of the car and identified himself as Marie's ride and reached for her baggage. He said, "Dr. McNichols?" Marie answered, "The one and only!" He smiled and then opened the door for Marie. She sat down in the back seat and waited for the driver to finish loading her bag and situating himself in the driver's seat. Marie then said, "I hope your agency informed you that I need to be driven to Potomac." The driver turned around to face her and unexpectedly said, "You know, everyone in Washington wants you dead." Marie was startled, but she hid her expression and replied, "So are you going to kill me or drive me to my destination!" She paused, "Or do I get another driver?" The driver then said in a sheepish voice, "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just supposed to say that to scare you. But obviously you don't scare so easily." Marie said, "Don't tell me, are you another agent sent to warn me off or whatever!" He replied, "In a manner of speaking." Marie then said, "You and your fellow spooks, operatives and mechanics can play all the spy games you want, but sooner or later you will all have to realize that your spy games are only second on the idiocy scale to the politics behind the cover-up of the biological and chemical weapons used in Desert Storm."
The driver was completely caught off guard and actually embarrassed. "I was not expecting such a young lady .... " His voice trailed off. After exiting Washington National Airport, they drove by the Pentagon on the George Washington Parkway and made their way along the Potomac River. Marie stared for a moment at the massive structure along the Potomac. In a few seconds she said, "When will you spooks ever learn that you cannot contain a germ. Sooner or later you will all have to realize that everyone is at risk!" She paused and then said, "Oh, and by the way, your threats don't scare me; they only serve to make me feel more secure. It's when I can't see you that's actually more scary, because then I wouldn't have a chance. There would be a bullet coming from nowhere and my light would be turned out forever." The driver responded, "I am really sorry, Dr. McNichols. You seem like such a nice young lady, and may I say beautiful as well." Marie said, "Flattery gets you nowhere with me! Go tell your bosses to stop their idiotic psychological war games with me. Our only concern has been for the soldiers' health, and that should be the concern of Washington. It's ludicrous that all of us should have to pay for some amoral agenda of a few high officials." She continued, "It's as if we have some sort of fascist agenda in the heart of our government!"
As Marie was being driven to the Washington D.C. suburb of Potomac, Maryland, the D.C. skyline with the Washington Monument in the foreground flashed by to the right. Then they were driving in a forest high above the Potomac River. Marie remembered driving the same route with Jared, who loves driving the G.W., as he calls it. Marie looked pensive and said to her driver, "You know, looking at the majesty of Washington, I am reminded of ancient Rome. The driver asked in an abstract manner, "What do you mean?' Marie answered, "It's the grandeur of the facade .... Like Rome." She paused, "A magnificent facade that completely masks the amoral and barbaric corruption lurking beneath the grandeur." He said, "You're too philosophical for me, ma'am!" Marie answered a bit sarcastically, "No doubt considering that you were willing to play along with tactics to scare me." He answered, "I said I was sorry!" Marie continued, "Sorry is not good enough, sir! You should assess who the real enemy is! Remember germs do not discriminate! They attack everyone in their paths!" The driver said, "Paths? Germs?" Marie asked, "Don't you get it? By attacking my husband and me, you are in fact attacking yourself!" The driver said, "I don't understand!" Marie tried to tell him, "Well, let me summarize it for you! There are not many people out there who give a damn about the average G.I. Joe in the military or on the streets. Who do you think has the background scientifically to figure out how to stop the biological weapons that were released in the Gulf War?" The driver asked, "Why would these biologicals, if they were even released, affect me?"
Marie decided that the driver needed a brief history lesson. She somewhat impatiently said, "Look it's like the flu. There was the Spanish flu, the Russian flu, the Asian flu and then the Hong Kong flu. These bugs all made it to the U.S., and they killed millions of people. So why wouldn't biological agents from the Gulf War reach here? After all, the soldiers came back, and now their families are getting sick!" She continued, "And then there are always businessmen traveling in and out of the Middle East. The world has grown smaller, and airborne contagions are now a reality everywhere." The driver was finally beginning to understand, "Gee, I never thought of that!" Marie continued, "I know you didn't think about it. I don't think you and your spook friends think at all!" She paused, "Unfortunately for my husband and I, we happen to care about guys like you! You kill us, and who is going to bail you out? Although I have to tell you, it has been a really dangerous and thankless job. I ask myself why the hell should I risk myself for people when 99%, of the time, they just grow to resent our help. My husband is back in Austin right now fighting for his job, our livelihood, just because we helped people like you." The driver asked, "Why do you go on?" Marie said, "Because I was given a direct order from the divine to not let anyone suffer who can be helped." The driver said, "I never met anyone like you! Your husband is a very lucky guy." He continued, "You're like an angel on earth!" Marie laughed, "That's what a Dr. Luxembourg said in Moscow! And then he promptly poisoned us when we had dinner at his home. I lost our twin babies the next day, and now I don't think I can ever have children." Marie continued, "But believe me, I'm no angel!" She mused, "I'm just a fool!" The driver said, "I really feel awful about scaring you!" Marie told him, "Well, stop feeling awful! Do something constructive, like informing your fellow operatives and bosses that they too are at risk!"
The driver continued up the Potomac River on the G.W. Parkway until they reached 1-495. The driver took the Washington Beltway across the Potomac River, and he finally turned off the freeway and headed south to Potomac. The driver asked Marie, "Do you have a card?" Marie nodded her head and said, "I'll give one to you when I get there." The driver added, "We're almost there. According to the address, the house should be just up ahead." He then spotted the house, "There it is."
The car pulled into the driveway, the driver got out of the limo and ran around to open the door for Marie. At this point the door to the house opened and Lou and Melinda Leone came out to greet Marie. They all gave each other hugs. The driver waved as he got back into the limo. Marie shouted to him, "Wait, here's my card, and how do I pay you?" The driver said to Marie as she handed him her card, "Forget about the trip. It's on me. I'm real sorry for everything." Marie replied, "Apology accepted. Just get the word out." He answered, "Sure thing!" He then quickly drove off.
The Leone's were curious about the interaction with the limo driver. Lou asked, "What was that all about?" Marie said, "Just another spook sent to scare us off the Desert Storm project. He had a change of heart after I set him straight." Melinda asked, "Spook?" Marie said, "That's intelligence operative." Lou looked as if he didn't understand, and Marie wondered why Lou, who has been at NIH for many years, didn't know much about the DIA and the CIA.
Lou picked up Marie's bag and they all entered the Leone's house. It was a nice home in a nice neighborhood. Marie imagined that when it snowed, it must look beautiful with the woods and roofs covered in white snow. It was so different from Central Texas. Melinda asked, "Why were they trying to scare you and Jared?" Marie said, "They're hiding something about the release of biological agents during Operation Desert Storm. Some of our soldiers who fought in the war have been getting sick and so are their families. Jared and I are trying to help the vets and their families." Lou said, "We'll talk about this over dinner." He said, "I'll put Marie's bag in her room." Melinda mentioned, "I've made dinner for us, and you're just in time." Marie said, "Great! Am I hungry!" Melinda asked, "I hope you like Cornish hens?" Marie answered, "It's one of my favorites."
After Lou returned, it was time for dinner. Melinda motioned for Marie to sit to the right of Lou. Lou and Marie sat down as Melinda returned to the kitchen to get the appetizer. Once Melinda had left the room Lou asked, "What's going on with your work?" Marie said, 'Jared and I have been having a very rough time since we began our pilot study on the Desert Storm Illnesses after our step-daughter returned from the Gulf and became sick." Lou asked, "How is she doing?" Marie said, "She's recovered but she had to leave the Army, even though she was accepted for night training because she was too fatigued to keep up with the training." Lou asked, "What do you and Jared think is wrong with the veterans?" Marie said, "We feel that some of them, perhaps almost half, have an invasive mycoplasmal infection. The species that we found seems to have some genetic alteration. And Jared has been working with the Special Forces and has found that the antibiotic doxycycline is very effective against this microorganism. We feel that there are probably other biological and chemical agents involved in the illnesses, in keeping with Soviet Warfare Doctrine concept." Lou asked, "What's that?" Melinda had just entered the room as Marie said, "Soviet Warfare Doctrine is the use of multiple agents, both biological and chemical, in combination with conventional weapons.
Melinda asked, "I heard you talking about the Gulf War. Do you think germ warfare materials were released during the Gulf War?" Marie said, "I think so. How else can we explain the fact the veterans' families are getting sick as well as the veterans?" Melinda shook her head and said, "I tell you Marie, we have lost our country! The U.S. is gone!" Lou said, "Now honey, don't exaggerate!" Melinda said, "Lou, you of all people should know that something is very wrong in our government. Just look at all the hush-hush stuff at the NIH." Melinda turned to Marie, "Do you know that Lou was ordered not to do a project, because it was politically incorrect!" Marie commented, "Sounds familiar. Jared and I are having the same problem at The D. O. Madison, and to me political correctness is just another word for communism. If I was living in the Soviet Union of 10 years ago, we probably would have been thrown in the gulag system for what Jared and I have done at the lab bench." Lou chimed in, "It's ominous, but I have faith it will all work out." Marie and Melinda looked at each other skeptically, "You mean how it worked out for our neighbor, Vince Foster?" There was silence for over a minute.
The dinner conversation continued but with mainly small talk. Everyone was enjoying Melinda's cooking, so it was hard to be negative. At the end of the fine dinner Lou wanted to continue their earlier conversation but with a more positive focus, so he summarized the earlier comments. "Getting back to Marie's and Jared's studies .... Look at the positive side, the Desert Storm Illnesses project appears to be productive, and they will have a chance to present their case to the Institute of Pathology Research. I don't think that they can ignore the work." Marie added, "Thanks again for taking the time to come to my lecture tomorrow." He said, "The Pathology Institute is a funny place." Marie asked, "What do you mean?" He continued, "It is not exactly the friendliest atmosphere to give a seminar, so I thought I'd come and give you some moral support." Marie was thankful, "That would be great! Right after the Pathology Institute lecture, I have to lecture at Georgetown in Larry Rosen's Department." Lou said, "I don't think I can make that lecture. We'll have to make it another time. If you get a chance, please give my regards to Larry."
While Melinda was out of the room making the dessert, a souffle, Lou said to Marie. "I am so sorry that you and Jared are having so much trouble just because of your research. It isn't right." Marie said, "It's not just those asses Geldter and Krappner." Lou responded, "You know, everyone in the field has their number. They have been playing dirty tricks on everyone for years now. One of the pathology fellows that I trained claims that they are pure evil. In my almost thirty years in science, I have never seen such a vicious attack as the one Isaac and Amy have done on you and Jared. What have you and Jared done to deserve their venom?" Marie told Lou, 'Jared says that it is not just the mycoplasma and the Gulf War Illness work and the fact that Isaac has always wanted to take over Jared's department and merge it into his own and demote Jared in the process. Jared says that it has something to do with my true identity." Lou asked, "Do you agree?" Marie responded, "Yes, it has to be something like that. Why would this continue for so long?" Lou asked, "Who do you think you are?" She answered, 'Jared thinks that I must be from a European Illuminati family, because there appears to be a great deal of power and money involved. When I was 9 years old I was given a 65 ct pink sapphire, and I was told that it was the Cetta Dharma Sapphire from India or what is now Pakistan. Recently we found out, again from jared's digging, that this stone identifies me as the heiress of the Cetta Dharma Trust, one of the largest trusts in the world. Although from my standpoint, I have never benefited from my background. In fact, there were times when my adopted family could barely make ends meet. Jared thinks that the financial difficulties in my adolescence were all part of the cover for my real identity. I'm just beginning to find out about my real family." Lou said, "God, it's so complicated. You know, Marie, you will always have our moral support." Marie responded, "Thanks Lou! That means a great deal to me, especially now that we are under attack. It seems to come from everywhere. I respect you tremendously as a scientist, and people like you and Melinda are the best!" Lou broke out into a smile and continued. "Thank you! But I only wish I could do more. One thing I can try to do is neutralize those idiots in Austin. You know, they are not welcome at NIH. Amy Krappner in particular was told not to come back here after she showed some disgraceful behavior on a NIH review committee. Perhaps my fellow was right. They are just evil people."