As senior chemist, there was no objection from panicking management, to Jane Foreman working on that Saturday morning. Perhaps Jane would uncover the cause of the appalling test results they were now getting for the wonder drug. Though there was no reason why she should be aware of the problem, she would only see the raw data in graphs and reports, not the conclusion. The new girl, Carla Walters might have noticed the downward trend, but they doubted she had the time or inclination to analyze the numbers.
Jane reached into Carla’s bin and pulled out the wrapper, the device was still there. She should have reported her suspicions, but she had her own agenda.
Jane logged in on Carla’s terminal. She had worked out the password, and proceeded to work backwards through the latest results for two weeks. She replaced the gismo and went home.
From the security of her flat, she made a phone call using a burner phone and spoke to Mark Goodwood, her contact, or perhaps he should be referred to as her handler.
Jane had been recruited by Goodwood two months ago, to provide data that would confirm the gossip that Pharma Inc. had discovered a wonder drug. So far, she had been thwarted by the tight security at the laboratory and her discovery that Bernard Long was also stealing data.
The death of Bernard Long had come as a shock to her, but it was clear it was just an accident and nothing sinister. However, she now had a chip full of data and could get paid for her trouble.
Goodwood asked Jane how she had been able to get the data. “Had security changed?”
Jane explained about Carla’s gismo and while she could, she would make use of it. Jane noticed Mark Goodwood inhale sharply at the mention of Carla’s device, but he quickly relaxed and continued to discuss the findings. They concluded the call and Mark Goodwood opened a folder on his desk, to review the dossier and a photo of Carla.