Hypocrisy by Daniel Annechino Read Free Book Online

carrying her computer and also a back-up hard drive. So, whoever murdered her likely has the computer and hard drive with all of the statistics and clinical trials results.”
    “Did Dr. Crawford’s computer have a security system to protect the data?” Dupree asked.
    “Yes, a very sophisticated system. One that is nearly impossible to hack into.”
    “What does ‘nearly impossible’ mean?”
    “The system on Lauren’s computer has a unique feature. If someone tries to gain access and doesn’t input an exact series of passwords, the system is designed to crash the hard drive and make recovery of the data impossible. However, nothing is so secure that some computer whiz can’t override it.”
    “So what happens now?” Dupree asked. “Is the research project on hold?”
    Mason nodded. “First off, with Lauren gone, our funding ends. Our benefactor made it abundantly clear when he agreed to fund this project that he would only do so if Lauren ran the show. No Lauren, no money. In the spirit of science and medicine, I’ll appeal to him, of course, but I really don’t have much hope. We’ve got enough money to operate this place for another thirty days—not nearly enough time to prepare everything we need for the FDA. And even if we had funding, without Lauren, picking up where she left off would be very difficult. Lauren was, perhaps, the only person on earth qualified to complete this research. She had a handle on every aspect of the project. Even if a savior came down from the heavens and assumed Lauren’s role, we still need a financial partner or we’re out of business.”
    Dupree processed what Dr. Mason said. “I can understand how someone would benefit from stealing all the data and developing their own drugs using Dr. Crawford’s research. But why murder her?”
    “It’s feasible that the killer not only wanted Lauren’s computer, but also wanted to be sure that whatever sensitive information lived only in her brain and wasn’t yet recorded, went to the grave with her.” Mason paused and seemed to be gathering his thoughts. “We can’t ignore the possibility that whoever stole this information may have wanted to suppress it rather than develop it.”
    “Why in the name of all that’s reasonable would anyone want to suppress research that could result in developing a cure for cancer?” Dupree asked.
    “It’s no secret that the drug industry is a huge, multi-billion dollar money machine. They make most of their money treating diseases, not curing them.”
    “So,” Dupree said, “if Dr. Crawford’s research proved valid, and the treatment was effective, many cancer-treating drugsmarketed by competing drug companies would become obsolete and they might stand to lose significant money?”
    “Billions. Once patented and approved by the FDA, the developer of the drug would have exclusive distribution rights for seven years.
    “That certainly adds another dimension to the investigation,” Dupree said. “Tell me, Dr. Mason, how did this whole research idea come about? When we spoke to Dr. Crawford’s mother, she told us about her pancreatic cancer and the treatment she received at the Century Nutrition Clinic in Tijuana. She said that three years ago the doctors in America gave her six months to live. Is there some kind of miracle treatment for cancer patients in Tijuana?”
    “Let me preface my answer by first giving you some background on Dr. Hulda Clark.”
    Dupree remembered Mrs. Crawford talking about her daughter’s relationship with Dr. Clark.
    Mason adjusted himself in the seat and rested his chin on his folded hands. “I’m not going to get too technical but here’s the story. Clark had a doctoral degree with an emphasis in biophysics and cell physiology. She wrote several books describing her methods of treating cancer and she operated a number of clinics in the U.S. Perhaps her most controversial book was titled, The Cure for all Cancers . Following a series of legal