The Associate by Phillip Margolin Read Free Book Online Page A

to stay at Reed, Briggs, he was going to have to save himself, but how?
    Suddenly he laughed. The answer was obvious. Sergey Kaidanov wrote the report that was about to torpedo Geller’s defense. Kaidanov’s study had to be flawed. If he could find out why Kaidanov had erred he would save the litigation and, maybe, his job.
    Daniel dialed Geller Pharmaceuticals and was connected to the receptionist in research and development.
    “Dr. Kaidanov isn’t in,” she told him.
    “When will he be in?”
    “I couldn’t say.”
    “I’m an attorney at Reed, Briggs, Stephens, Stottlemeyer and Compton, the law firm that represents Geller Pharmaceuticals, and I need to speak with Dr. Kaidanov about a matter of importance to a suit that was brought against your company.”
    “I’m supposed to refer all inquiries about Dr. Kaidanov to Dr. Schroeder. May I transfer you to his office?”
    “I don’t want to bother Dr. Schroeder. I know how busy he is. I’d rather just speak to Dr. Kaidanov myself.”
    “Well, you can’t. He’s not in and he hasn’t been in for more than a week.”
    “Is he on vacation?”
    “I don’t have that information. You’ll have to talk to Dr. Schroeder. Do you want me to connect you?”
    “Uh, no. That’s okay. Thanks.”
    Daniel dialed information and discovered that Sergey Kaidanov had an unlisted phone number. He thought for a moment then phoned personnel at Geller Pharmaceuticals.
    “I need an address and phone number for Dr. Sergey Kaidanov,” he said to the clerk who answered. “He works in research and development.”
    “I can’t give out that information over the phone.”
    Daniel was desperate. He had to get to Kaidanov.
    “Listen,” he said forcefully, “this is George Fournet in legal. We just received a subpoena for Kaidanov. He’s out of the office and I’ve got to get in touch with him ASAP. If he doesn’t show up for his deposition we’re going to be held in contempt by the judge. I have a messenger waiting to hand-deliver the subpoena, but he’s all dressed up with no place to go.”
    “I’m not sure . . .”
    “What’s your name?”
    “Bea Twiley.”
    “Did you get mine, Ms. Twiley; George Fournet? I am the head of the legal department and I don’t waste my time on frivolous calls. Do you want to go to court and explain to United States District Court Judge Ivan Norris why you’re there instead of Dr. Kaidanov?”
     
     
     

EIGHT
     
     
    It was a little after three when Daniel found Sergey Kaidanov’s drab, gray bungalow in a run-down neighborhood on the east side of the Willamette. The paint was peeling and the front lawn had not been mowed in a while. It was not the type of home in which Daniel expected to find a research scientist who worked for a prosperous pharmaceutical company.
    The weather had turned nasty and there was no one on the street. Daniel parked down the block and watched the house. The shades in the front windows were drawn and the old newspapers lying on the lawn told Daniel that no one was home. He hunched his shoulders to ward off the wind and shivered as he walked up the path to Kaidanov’s front door. After ringing the bell three times, he gave up. Daniel raised the metal flap of the mail slot and peeked inside the house. Mail was scattered across the floor.
    Daniel followed a slate path that ran along the side of the bungalow to the back of the house. A low chain-link fence ran around the edge of a small, unkempt yard. Daniel opened the gate and went to the back door. The shades on the kitchen window were drawn. He knocked a few times, then tried the knob. The door opened. Daniel was about to call out Kaidanov’s name when he saw the chaos in the kitchen. Cabinets and drawers were open and their contents littered the floor. Daniel took a slow survey of the room. There was a layer of dust on the counters. The sink was full of dirty dishes. Daniel stepped gingerly over broken glass and shattered plates and opened the