Page 15 (1/2)
“I ere closer, but we’re almost there,” he answered
Kane turned doorn path that branched off fro trail After about a hundred feet, the path ended at a cinder-block building Athere in front of a door of reinforced steel He wore tan shorts and a blue T-shirt and could have passed for afrom his wide leather belt TheLee recalled Max Kane saying that there were cameras everywhere on the island
The man opened the door and stepped aside to allow his visitors in The interior of the building was cool and dark except for the light colass tanks that held various types of sea life There was a low hum from the water-circulation pumps
As they strolled past the rows of tanks, Kane said, “We had been conducting research on all these organisot the call from the CDC”
He led Lee to a side door and punched some numbers in the combination lock The door opened into a smaller chaht colow e circular forms that rose and fell in the tank in a slow-motion dance
Song Lee was ures
“They’re beautiful,” she said
“Meet the blue medusa, Dr Lee,” Kane said “All our research efforts have been concentrated on this lovely creature Its venom is one of the most complex chemical compounds I’ve ever come across”
“Are you saying this jellyfish is the source of the co to synthesize?”
“Uh-huh The tiniest amount of the medusa’s venom is fatal to humans, but the entire fate of millions of people could rest on the lowly creature in that tank I can fill you in after you’ve had a chance to rest”
Dr Lee’s scientific ry for details
“I don’t need any rest,” she insisted “I want to start now”
Song Lee’s roselike delicateness hid thorns that had been sharpened by her dealings with a stonehearted Chinese bureaucracy Despite the seriousness of their conversation, Kane couldn’t prevent the faint smile that came to his lips
“I’ll introduce you to the staff,” he said
Kane guided Lee through the labs, introducing her to the other talented scientists orking on the blue medusa project She was particularly impressed with Lois Mitchell, Kane’s first assistant and project ht up with Lee, and she caught a good nig