The Prague Plot: The Cold War Meets the Jihad (Jeannine Ryan Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

comments? How about it?”
    “Thanks Larry, but I’m busy.”
    “All right. I’ll send a messenger over for your comments whenever they’re ready.”
    Dr. Hodges hung up.
    Jeannine frowned. When will he get the message I’m not interested? She opened the report and started to read.
***
    Jeannine was still reading when her partner, Aileen Harris, entered the office.
    “Jeannine, I’m sorry I’m late. Mary Catherine isn’t feeling well. She didn’t go to school. My mother is taking care of her.”
    Aileen Harris was a divorcee. Her mother lived with Aileen and her daughter, Mary Catherine. Aileen’s ex was not part of her life.
    “No problem. You remember that drug Xolak, from that Czech Pharmaceutical House?”
    “You mean Hus-Kinetika?”
    “Yes. Their headquarters are in Prague. A Doctor Zeleny at a Clinic in Chicago, reported an increase in the number of patients exhibiting adverse allergic effects to Xolak. The clinic reported the cases to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA told Hus-Kinetika to monitor the allergic side effects of Xolak.
    Jeannine placed a graph in front of Aileen.
    “This graph is from Hus-Kinetika’s response. They recorded severe reactions to Xolak in five states, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, almost half a million current users.”

    “Why does the graph start in 1986?”
    “The FDA only approved Xolak for use in the United States in 1985.”
    Aileen nodded and studied the graph. After 1993 there was a stable level of subjects with adverse allergic reactions. There was no increase in the numbers of new allergic cases.
    “But Jeannine, I can’t interpret this graph without knowing the total number of cases. If the number of users decreased, then a stable number of new cases would mean an increase in the per cent of adverse reactions.”
    “You’re right, of course, but the report gave the total cases too. They don’t change much since 1995. The graph shows no increase in new cases as numbers or per cents.”
    “So there’s no problem. What's worrying you?”
    “I have a bad feeling about this graph, that’s all!”
    Aileen was surprised. Normally Jeannine was driven by logic, math and analysis, not intuition.
    “OK, why does the graph worry you? Is it because of Dr. Zeleny? That guy is a jerk.”
    Dr. Zeleny, the neurologist who was the original complainant to the FDA about Xolak, had called Ryan Associates several times yesterday to schedule a visit. Aileen had taken the calls. He had treated her as a secretary.
    Jeannine started to speak, but the phone rang and Aileen picked up.
    “Ryan Associates, Dr. Harris speaking.”
    She covered the mouthpiece and held the phone to Jeannine.
    “It’s him! It’s Zeleny.”
    Jeannine took the instrument. Aileen heard only Jeannine’s side of the conversation.
    “Yes, this is Dr. Ryan. … ... Yes, Dr. Zeleny, I’m consulting with the FDA on the Hus-Kinetika report. … ... No, I didn’t know they had given you my name.”
    She motioned with her hand for the report in question. Aileen lifted a spiral-bound volume from the desk and handed it to her. Jeannine flipped the pages while keeping her ear to the phone. Finally she spoke.
    “Dr. Zeleny, I’m looking at the report right now. According to Hus-Kinetika the rise in adverse reactions at your clinic isn’t repeated elsewhere. Doesn't that concern you?”
    Aileen did not hear his reply. She only heard Jeannine.
    “Dr. Zeleny, I didn't realize you were in the area. I thought you were in Chicago. Of course I’ll meet with you. If you’re on Bradley Boulevard you’re only minutes away.”
    Jeannine hung up. Aileen spoke.
    “What was that all about?”
    “Dr. Zeleny is coming here. He was in Rockville at the Parklawn Building to see Larry Hodges. Zeleny says the number of reactions to Xolak is increasing at his clinic. He doesn’t believe the Hus-Kinetika report.”
    “So?”
    “So, Hodges warned me that Zeleny’s clinic is small. The