Diversion 2 - Collusion by Eden Winters Read Free Book Online Page B

one. Lucky was one.
“Bo, on Monday, you’ll begin your training as an assistant pharmacy buyer at Rosario.”
“But I don’t have experience as a buyer. I only dispense meds,” Bo replied.
“Right now you’re in training, putting you close enough to the senior buyer to be contacted by dodgy wholesalers. I want the names of any cold-call contacts—addresses, phone numbers, licenses.” Walter reared back in his chair, folding his hands over his generous flashing bits expected one of the buttons to pop off at any second. “We’re working in cooperation with the hospital administrator. However, the senior buyer isn’t aware of who you are.”
“Is he under suspicion?”
“At this point, anyone with any access to the supply chain of the center is under suspicion.”
“But if the drugs are in short supply, shouldn’t we do whatever it takes, at whatever cost, to get them?” Bo’s voice rose a bit higher, well on the way to righteous indignation. The rookie still had a lot to learn.
At a nod from Walter, Lucky explained, “In the gray market, there’s no telling where the drugs have been. Some states have enacted pedigree laws to track a drug from manufacturer to end user. Ryerson’s was nowhere near as bad as it gets.” Bo and Lucky had first teamed up to take down an unscrupulous supplier who’d changed lot numbers and expiration dates and resold outdated, lowpotency drugs as the real thing. “Certain life-saving drugs turn to poison in the wrong environment, too hot or too cold, and people like Ryerson only care about the bottom line, not quality.”
Walter picked up where Lucky left off. “With high demand generics, you normally have several manufacturers to choose from. If one facility shuts down, or suffers manufacturing problems, the others pick up the production. Cancer drugs aren’t produced in the same quantities as, say, over-thecounter cough syrup, and they’re belly. His crisply pressed dress shirt stretched, of T-shirt where the front gaped open. Lucky difficult to manufacture. Only a handful of companies in this country produce them, and many of those are branded, singlesource items. Due to a variety of different causes, several manufacturers suddenly found themselves unable to keep up with orders.”
Walter glanced from Bo to Lucky and back again before continuing. “Not only are we at risk of gray market sellers, doctors have become desperate, illegally importing products, some legal in other countries, but not approved for use here. And some are counterfeits. At Rosario, you’ll be in a key position to find out who contacts them.”
“What about me?” Lucky asked. He and Bo had shared a house during their last joint assignment. Sleeping in the same bed every night without navigating the awkward “want me to stay?” dance worked for Lucky. “You called me in here, so I guess I’m involved in this, too.”
“As before, you’ll be the go between, since Bo will be high profile. You’ll be his contact, though not openly, working in shipping and receiving. Keep a record of any suspicious deliveries.” Walter slid two manila envelopes across the desk, one toward Lucky, one toward Bo. “As usual, Keith provides surveillance. Whatever you need, he’ll handle it.”
Should Lucky mention the wire lying on his bathroom counter back home? Nah. Let the bastard sweat it out a bit longer. Lucky peekedinto his envelope and pulled out a Rosario Children’s Center ID, a South Carolina driver’s license, and a credit card in the name of Reginald Picklesimer. What the fuck? “You’re kidding me, right? Picklesimer? What’d I do to piss off whoever’s in charge of IDs?”
Walter’s lips turned up into a devious smile, more shark than saint. “You? Piss someone off? Never!” He laughed far too long and hard. “I have it on good authority that identities are carefully chosen by location, based on local family names.”
“If I’m trying to keep my head down, don’t you reckon