The Einstein Pursuit

44

Toulon’s phone rang just as he was about to eat dinner. He cursed under his breath, pushed his food aside, and grabbed the phone. ‘Quoi?’

‘Agent Toulon?’ It was English, but with a heavy Italian accent. ‘This is Agent Celega, from Milan office. I call about Signor Zidane.’

‘Celega? I thought Filarete was handling things.’

‘Yes. Agent Filarete is here with me, but he no speak English. He ask me to call.’

Toulon rubbed his temples. There were aspects of his job that few people could ever understand. Only at Interpol would an Italian be asked to track down an Algerian in the hope of connecting him to a Frenchman to discuss — in English, of all languages — the events that had occurred at a Swedish lab. ‘Very well then. Were you able to locate Harrison Zidane?’

‘Yes. I calling from his house. He here now. He say okay to video chat. Please, check your computer now.’

Toulon opened the video chat program on his computer and saw an invitation to connect. He quickly sent Dial a text message, letting him know that the video chat was about to start. He also sent him a link. Thanks to modern technology, Dial could simply use his smartphone to participate. ‘Okay. I’m joining the chat now.’

Celega nodded. ‘I put you on with Signor Zidane.’

Toulon watched as Celega fumbled with the police-issue laptop. When the image finally stopped moving, Toulon was staring at a well-dressed man who looked a lot younger than he actually was. According to his birth certificate, Zidane was a year shy of his seventieth birthday, but he appeared no older than his mid forties. ‘Mr Harrison Zidane?’

‘Yes, I am Harrison Zidane. And you are?’

‘Forgive me. I am Henri Toulon, assistant director of Interpol’s homicide division. And I believe Chief Dial has joined the conversation as well.’

Zidane smiled with childlike delight when his computer screen split into two windows. ‘I can see him now. Isn’t technology marvelous?’

Dial ignored the comment. ‘Hello, my name is Nick Dial, of Interpol’s—’

‘Homicide division.’ Zidane laughed. ‘Yes, that much has been explained. Tell me, Chief Dial, how can I be of service to Interpol this evening?’

‘Please, call me Nick.’

‘And you may call me Harrison. So, Nick, what can I do for you?’

‘I would like to ask you a couple of questions.’

‘Certainly,’ Zidane said. ‘Please, ask me anything you’d like.’

‘I understand you’ve made a career of investing in speculative research projects, and that some of the investments have paid off quite handsomely.’

Zidane nodded, but said nothing.

‘Would you agree with that description?’ Dial pressed.

‘I would. I have indeed been very fortunate in my endeavors.’

‘And what kind of endeavors are we talking about?’

‘Mainly biomedical research,’ Zidane said. ‘One of the companies I funded has patented a new treatment for dialysis patients that enhances kidney function. Another has reformulated existing chemotherapy regimens so that the resulting prescription is better tolerated by the patient.’

‘Sounds like pretty heady stuff,’ Dial remarked.

‘In truth, much of the science is beyond me,’ Zidane admitted. ‘I don’t pretend to know my way around their experiments. I suppose I simply have a knack for backing the right science at the most opportune time.’

‘Let’s get into that. What types of laboratories have you supported in the past?’

Zidane smiled. ‘Chief Dial, there’s no need to sniff around. You can ask what you’d like to ask. I have nothing to hide. You want to know if the rumors are true. You want to hear me say that I’ve invested millions in private flights of fancy. Am I close?’

‘Mr Zidane. Harrison. No one is judging you. We’re simply trying to get some information about your past endeavors.’

Zidane laughed. ‘Information? Okay then. Yes, much of the research I’ve supported is far from mainstream. Yes, many of the things being considered by the men and women whose studies I fund are seen as unnecessary, unworthy, and quite often unattainable. And yes, much of what they do is kept far from the public eye, in large part because of how the scientific world views their investigations. But I assure you my facilities are completely legal. The research and its merit might be questionable, but the character of those I employ is not.’

Dial studied the Algerian as he proclaimed his innocence. It was clear that Zidane had been down this road before. His words were not delivered with contempt or even frustration. He was simply stating what he believed to be true. Dial wasn’t sure if he was convinced by the speech, but he was certain that it wasn’t the first time Zidane had delivered it.

‘What about Tomas Berglund?’ he asked.

‘What about him?’

‘Are you familiar with his work?’

‘Of course. Tomas is a celebrity of sorts in the scientific community. He’s famous. Everyone has heard of him.’

‘Do you know him?’

‘Yes, but not as well as I would like to.’

‘Meaning?’

‘I’ve tried repeatedly to lure him into a business relationship, but to no avail. He claims to have his own funding available, knocking out the legs on which my offers stood. As I have said, the science itself is over my head. The most I could put forward was monetary support.’

‘Did this lead to tension between the two of you?’

‘Never. And why would it? His logic was sound, as per usual. Why partner with me when he already had funding in place?’

‘Did he ever tell you who was funding his work?’

‘He did not. Nor did I ever inquire. Such questions are generally frowned upon in this line of work.’

‘But you had theories?’

‘Not particularly, no. There were simply too many possibilities. Berglund could pick up the phone and secure an eight-figure credit line in a matter of minutes. All of the big companies were clamoring for his attention. What I could offer paled by comparison.’

Dial considered the information. While he did, Zidane took the opportunity to ask a question of his own.

‘Nick, may I ask why the interest in Tomas Berglund?’

‘I’m afraid we can’t answer that,’ Toulon replied. ‘It’s—’

‘Henri,’ Dial interrupted. ‘He’s going to find out soon enough.’

‘Nick, there’s procedure to consider …’

‘And if anyone challenges my decision, you let me worry about it.’

Toulon nodded his understanding.

Their exchange was entirely coordinated. It was a subtle version of good cop/bad cop, a ploy to make Zidane feel as if Dial was confiding in him. The goal was to get Zidane to reciprocate with confidential information of his own. Dial doubted it would work, but Toulon had done the legwork on Zidane and had wanted to try, so he was willing to play along.

Dial said, ‘Two nights ago, there was an explosion in Stockholm.’

‘Yes, I heard. It was all over the news. A laboratory of some kind.’

‘Unfortunately, we believe Tomas Berglund was the target.’

‘Oh God,’ Zidane gasped. ‘It was his lab? Was Tomas killed?’

Dial shrugged. ‘It’s too early to tell. The scene is a mess, and the body count is high. We’re still in the process of identifying the victims, and we will be for some time. Strangely, his entire staff was in the building in the middle of the night. We have yet to determine why.’

‘Did anyone survive?’

Dial shook his head. ‘We have no idea what they were working on or who would want them dead. The only thing we have is the identity of the trigger man.’

‘You … you know who set off the explosion?’

‘We do.’

‘A rival scientist?’ Zidane guessed.

‘I’m afraid that is information I can’t disclose,’ Dial stated. ‘But he’s the reason we needed to speak with you as soon as possible.’

‘I don’t follow.’

‘Our suspect links you to the tragedy in Stockholm.’

‘I … I don’t know where you’re going with this.’ Zidane’s face started to flush. ‘How am I involved?’

‘We have a recording of the suspect discussing the Stockholm job. In that recording, he mentions your name.’

‘You’re sure it’s my name?’

‘Clear as day,’ Dial assured him.

Zidane shook his head, not knowing how to respond.

‘Can you think of any reason why the man responsible for the killings in Stockholm would be talking about you in a discussion about the massacre?’

‘There’s … I …’ Zidane took a deep breath. ‘Nick, I know I have enemies, but I truly believed them to be the kind of men who were intent upon seeing me destroyed financially, not literally. As for my association with Berglund, I was his biggest fan. I stand to gain nothing in his absence.’

‘Harrison, I can make arrangements with the authorities in Milan. They can take you into protective custody until we—’

‘That won’t be necessary,’ Zidane insisted. ‘I have my own security here at the estate. Take no offense, but I would prefer to put my life in their hands.’

‘If that’s your decision, I can’t make you go with them. But until we have more control of this situation, I suggest you pass on any public events you might be planning to attend in the near future.’

‘I’ll clear my calendar. Thank you for your concern. I trust you’ll keep me informed as new developments occur?’

‘I will. Can you be reached through the computer again?’

‘I’ll make sure that the authorities here have all the necessary contact information.’

‘I appreciate that. If there’s anything you think of, don’t hesitate to contact the Milan office, Henri, or me personally.’

‘Understood. I hope this tragedy is solved quickly … for everyone’s sake.’

‘Thank you, Harrison. We’ll do our best.’

Harrison nodded, and Celega terminated his end of the connection. Meanwhile, Dial and Toulon remained on the line.

‘Well?’ Dial asked as Toulon looked back at him through the camera.

‘I’m honestly not sure,’ Toulon said. ‘He seemed forthright. He volunteered the information about the labs he supports and the outside-the-box research they conduct. And he’s not lying about the legality of it all. There’s nothing criminal about anything he’s done in the past. What do you think?’

‘I don’t know if he’s lying, but he definitely got flustered when we mentioned that his name had come up. Of course, that could be embarrassment, anger, fear, or a thousand other things.’

Toulon nodded. ‘Should I stay on him?’

‘Definitely,’ Dial said. ‘If he’s guilty, we’ll nail his ass to the wall. And if he’s innocent, I want to be the one who saves his life.’

‘Why’s that?’

Dial laughed. ‘Because the guy’s a billionaire. It always helps to have some of them in your corner.’