Lab Notes: a novel by Gerrie Nelson Read Free Book Online

actually located inland.”
    Raymond went on to tell Vincent about the debate between shipping interests and local conservationists about widening and deepening the ship channel. “The conservationists thought they were doing the right thing, I suppose,” Raymond said. “But after a lot of time and money was wasted, the project went forward, and the Corps of Engineers did their best to preserve the local ecology—just as they would have without the hullabaloo.
    “Those people are just temporary deterrents—much like the activists who raid research laboratories and go to the courts in an attempt to delay gene therapy and so forth. In the end, they can’t stay the hand of progress.”
    Raymond took the opportunity to segue into a discussion of how the scarcity of funding suppressed research to a far greater extent than even the picketing, lab break-ins and law suits by activists.
    “I hear you,” Vincent said. “Our federal science grant renewal was just denied.” His voice held an edge of bitterness. “These days it’s the scientists who find themselves under the microscope. And since many of us are funded by the government, the value of our projects is being determined by political agendas: AIDS research was very popular in the 80’s and 90’s. Then there was the genome. Now, the flavor-of-the-month seems to be stem cell research. If you’re not into gene therapy or stem cells, forget about the funding. As far as government grants are concerned, this time around, my Parkinson’s drug never had a chance.”
    Raymond was pleased with the direction the conversation had taken. He told Vincent the scientific community in Houston was quite competitive; everyone vying for the same government or investor dollars. There had been instances of spying and theft of intellectual properties. And brutal competition went on even within the same organization; everyone taking credit for new discoveries.
    “Last year at Hematec Labs, a biotech company up north of the city, one of their scientists injected another researcher’s prized cigars with a known carcinogen,” Raymond said. “The case is still in the courts. Pete Sabedra, the plaintiff, works with us now. So far he’s cancer free.”
    Raymond turned and looked at Vincent. “Do you believe those sons-of-bitches at Hematec Labs still have the other guy on their staff? He’s probably trying to blot out colleagues as we speak.”
    In response to Vincent’s questioning, Raymond gave him a summary of the research projects going on at BRI. He then told Vincent that due to royalties from past ventures and investor confidence, BRI was awash in funding for new research. “Our scientists can concentrate on their projects without living in fear of a change in the political climate at the National Institutes of Health.”
    A blip on the radar screen grabbed Raymond’s attention. A large boat approached from the south. He surveyed the water up ahead through his night-vision binoculars and suddenly became agitated. “Speak of the devil!” Raymond throttled back the engines.
    Out of the mist emerged a large power cruiser with a displacement hull similar in design to that of the Enterprise . The boat came toward them, up the ship channel. It passed the Enterprise on her port side and continued on its way up the bay. Its huge wake caused the yacht to roll slightly. A chorus of gleeful wheee’s arose from the salon below them.
    “Bloody rude. Didn’t even have the courtesy to slow down,” Raymond grumbled.
    After few quiet seconds with Raymond negotiating some waves, he leaned toward Vincent with a smug grin. “It’s ten feet shorter than this one.” Then, in answer to Vincent’s puzzled expression, he added: “That was Hematec Lab’s boat that passed. They usually keep it in Bermuda or somewhere in the Caribbean. Sometimes they’ll bring it up here to wine and dine potential investors—especially during holiday seasons.”
    “Are you in direct competition with