The Gulf Conspiracy (36 page)

Steven thought how much like a politician he sounded.

‘
We’ve been in touch with the Scottish Executive, Glasgow City Council and Scottish Water. They’re putting out a general warning that water taken from Loch Katrine may have been contaminated with faeces from grazing sheep. Steps are being taken to issue bottled water until we’re sure the danger’s past.’

Steven nodded.

‘
I take it, you’ll be looking forward to some leave now?’ said Macmillan. ‘God knows, you deserve it.’

‘
I was rather hoping you were going to brief me on what’s been happening down here,’ said Steven. He noticed the uneasy glance that passed between Macmillan and the Home Secretary.

‘
About Crowe and Mowbray, I mean,’ said Steven, in case there was any doubt.

‘
It’s . . . difficult,’ began Macmillan.

Oh, God, here it comes, thought Steven. He felt his cheek muscles tighten and his fingers start to clench.

‘
They know, of course, that the trial of their biological agent has been a complete failure and that they won’t be getting any money from abroad . . .’

‘
But?’

The Home Secretary cleared his throat. Steven thought it a nervous gesture. Macmillan diverted his gaze.

‘
Well, to cut a long story short, they’ve offered us a deal,’ said the Home Secretary. ‘They will hand over the antibiotic that can cure their damned agent and also provide technical details of its design and manufacture.’

‘
In exchange for getting off scot-free?’ said Steven.

Macmillan said, 'It is a very difficult situation, Steven.’

‘
Professor Rees believes he could come up with an effective antibiotic on his own,’ said Steven.

‘
There’s no guarantee, and it could take time,’ said Macmillan.

‘
I’m sure we don’t have to point out to you the enormous benefits of being able to treat Gulf War Syndrome after all this time,’ said the Home Secretary.

‘
So it does exist then?’ said Steven. He noticed a flash of anger in the Home Secretary’s eyes but there was no follow up. Macmillan, sensing the danger, intervened. ‘We know how you feel, Dunbar: believe me, we do. In many ways we share your frustration.’

‘
It’s just that some of us have to look at the bigger picture . . . for the common good,’ said the Home Secretary. ‘We can’t afford the luxury of –’

Truth, honesty and decency, thought Steven, but he bit his tongue.

‘
seeing each individual case in isolation,’ completed the Home Secretary.

‘
So they are going to get away with it?’

‘
I don’t think their lives are going to be that comfortable,’ said Macmillan. ‘They may escape legal proceedings but neither will ever work again professionally and they are going to find themselves –’

The phrase
excluded from polite society
sprang to Steven’s lips but, again, he remained silent.

‘
generally unwelcome wherever they go,’ said Macmillan.

Steven heard Lisa’s voice say inside his head, ‘Deep breaths, Dunbar, deep breaths . . .’

Both Macmillan and the Home Secretary read the slight softening of his features as acquiescence. ‘Good man,’ said the Home Secretary. ‘I’m sure, when you think about it, you’ll come to see that this is the only reasonable course open to HMG in the circumstances.’

‘
O course, sir . . . the big picture,’ said Steven. It drew a questioning look from the Home Secretary but once more, Macmillan stepped in. ‘Now, about that leave?’

‘
That would be most welcome,’ said Steven.

‘
Any idea what you’ll do?’

‘
First, I have to go up to Glasgow. Then I’ll go spend some time with my daughter.’

‘
Glasgow?’

‘
Call it . . . the small picture,’ said Steven, ‘and I’ll need some of the antibiotic that Crowe and Mowbray have agreed to hand over.’

‘
I’m not sure if –’ began the Home Secretary but Macmillan shot him a warning glance as he saw Steven’s expression darken. ‘Maclean?’ he asked.

Steven nodded.

‘
I’m sure that, in the special circumstances, there won’t be a problem,’ said Macmillan.

Steven smiled. ‘Then, if you’ll excuse me, gentlemen?’

‘
Thank you again,’ said the Home Secretary.

Steven paused outside the entrance to the Home Office to look up at the sky and savour the fresh air. Deep breaths, Dunbar, deep breaths . . .

The Steven Dunbar Series

LOST CAUSES

DUST TO DUST

THE LAZARUS STRAIN

EYE OF THE RAVEN

WILDCARD

DECEPTION

DONOR

Other Novels

HYPOCRITES’ ISLE

PAST LIVES

TANGLED WEB

RESURRECTION

PANDORA'S HELIX

TRAUMA

CHAMELEON

CRISIS

REQUIEM

PESTILENCE

FENTON'S WINTER

THE SCORPION'S ADVANCE

THE TROJAN BOY

THE ANVIL

KEN McCLURE is an award-winning medical scientist as well as a global selling author. He was born and brought up in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he studied medical sciences and cultivated a career that has seen him become a prize-winning researcher in his field. Using this strong background to base his thrillers in the world of science and medicine, he is currently the author of twenty-four novels and his work is available across the globe in over twenty languages. He has visited and stayed in many countries in the course of his research but now lives in the county of East Lothian, just outside Edinburgh.

www.kenmcclure.com

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