Kronberg Crimes 01 - The Devils Grin

continued without faltering. ‘You want to develop vaccines and I have experience in this field; I will be of great value. You need my pure cultures and you are well aware of that. But what then? I don’t see anyone in this room who would be able to manipulate them, grow them, or be able to produce a vaccine and run test trials on animals or humans. I can only give you the cultures when you are open with me and when you include me in your research. It will be either that, or nothing.’
    I remained standing, my gaze stuck on Bowden’s face, and took a sip of brandy. The exquisite taste of aged oak barrel and smoke flowed smoothly down my throat.
    Bowden sat down and everyone turned his head towards him. He looked inquiringly into the face of each of his men. Eleven nodded and four did not move. It was decided – I was in. But it would have been a great surprise if they had not agreed to my terms. I would have to keep an eye on the four men that had not approved of me. If necessary, I would get rid of them.

    ~~~

    Late in the afternoon, I placed a vase in the window of my apartment and boiled water for tea. Half an hour later a tall man in shabby clothes knocked on my door.
    ‘Anna.’
    ‘Come in,’ I said quietly before retreating into the far corner of the too small room. ‘Sit, please.’ I indicated the lonely armchair. A cup of tea on the coffee table was awaiting him.
    ‘I was invited to Cambridge to give a talk on tetanus. A group of sixteen doctors from the Medical Schools of Cambridge and London attended the presentation. Three days later, I met the same group in a villa here in London.’
    I waited for him to sit down and take his tea, then I continued, ‘Dr Gregory Stark took me there in a private four-wheeler, hoping I wouldn’t know where we were going. The curtains were drawn and he involved me in useless small talk. However, I am certain the meeting’s location was in a one mile radius of Kings Road. I don’t know the names of all the men yet, but the leader is a certain Dr Jarell Bowden. I am not sure the house was his.’
    He didn’t show any sign of recognition upon hearing the name, so I explained, ‘Bowden is known for his advancements in sexual surgery in insane women and was suspected of performing cruel and unnecessary experiments with women in his care. The charges were withdrawn, as Bowden had the best lawyer in London. Stark seems to be a senior member, but without much weight. Four of the men did not approve of my inclusion to the group; their names are Hayle Reeks, Ellis Hindle, Davian Kinyon and Jake Nicolas.’
    I pointed to the note lying next to his teacup, the names of the six men written on it.
    ‘They all work at London Medical School as anatomists, except for Stark, who works at Cambridge. I may have to get rid of the four younger ones if they are giving me any trouble. It would be good if you could find something that would make it possible to detain them for a few days if needed.’
    He nodded, his eyes glazed over as though he was lost in thought. ‘I don’t like what you are doing,’ he finally said.
    ‘Do you have information for me?’ I enquired. As no answer came, I walked to the door and opened it in dismissal, staring at the worn floorboards and avoiding his eyes.
    He did not move for a long moment. I looked at him and saw his eyes darken, just before he jumped up and crossed the room in two long strides. He snatched the door handle from my hands and slammed the door shut, bent down and growled, ‘Stop that!’
    My breath came out in one long sigh before my balance tipped, slid, and shattered on the floor.
    My head fell forward as though my neck couldn’t support it any longer. The aroma of Muscovy and pipe tobacco tried to pull me closer. Angry with myself, I pushed away from him and walked over to the window, leaning my forehead on the cold glass. The street and the pavement below me were bustling with everyday life. How very far away, I thought.
    ‘If you cannot bear the sight of me, then please don’t come looking.’
    After a long moment of silence, the quiet click of a closing door hauled my self-control back into life. I took the vase, walked down into the street, and gave it to a beggar.

Chapter Fifteen

    On the following day, I paid a visit to superintendent Rowlands to resign my position at Guy’s. Rowlands, however, was not surprised by the turn of things. He had already heard from his old friend Stark that the London Medical School