Fever by Robin Cook

already working under a National Cancer Institute grant and whose stature in the research community is such that this whole unfortunate brouhaha will be defused when you take over.”
    â€œBut I’m at a critical point in my own research,” pleaded Charles. “I know I haven’t published and I know that I’ve been somewhat secretive. Maybe that was wrong. But I’ve been getting results and I think I have made an astounding breakthrough. It’s right here.” Charles tapped the cover of one of his lab books. “Listen, I can take a cancer cell, any cancer cell, and isolate the chemical difference between that cell and a normal cell from the same individual.”
    â€œIn what animals?” asked Dr. Ibanez.
    â€œMice, rats, and monkeys,” said Charles.
    â€œWhat about humans?” asked Dr. Ibanez.
    â€œI haven’t tried it yet, but I’m sure it will work. It’s worked flawlessly in all the species I’ve tried.”
    â€œIs this chemical difference antigenic in the host animal?”
    â€œIt should be. In all cases the protein seems to be sufficiently different to be antigenic but unfortunately I have not yet been able to sensitize a cancerous animal. There seems to be some kind of blocking mechanism or what I call a blocking factor. And that’s where I am in my work, trying to isolate this blocking factor. Once I do, I intend to use the hybridoma technique to make an antibody to the blocking factor. If I can eliminate the blocking factor, I’m hoping the animal will then respond immunologically to its tumor.”
    â€œWhew!” whistled Bellman, not sure what to write in his pad.
    â€œThe most exciting thing,” said Charles with enthusiasm, “is that it all makes scientific sense. Cancer today is a vestigial aspect of an ancient system whereby organisms could accept new cellular components.”
    â€œI give up,” said Bellman. He closed his pad with a snap.
    â€œWhat you are also saying, Dr. Martel,” said Dr. Ibanez, “is that you have a long way to go in this work of yours.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” said Charles. “But the pace has been quickening.”
    â€œBut there’s no reason, except your preference, that you couldn’t put this work aside for a period of time.”
    â€œOnly that it appears so promising. If it turns out to be as fruitful as I expect, then it would be tragic, if not criminal, not to have it available as soon as possible.”
    â€œBut it is only in your opinion that it appears so promising. I must admit it sounds interesting and I can assure you the Weinburger will support you as it has in the past. But first you are going to have to help the Weinburger. Your own interests must be postponed; you must take over the Canceran project immediately. If you refuse, Dr. Martel, you will have to take your research elsewhere. I want no more discussion. The issue is closed.”
    For a moment Charles sat there with a blank face reflecting his inner uncertainty. The enthusiasm he’d built up in presenting his work had elevated his expectations so that Ibanez’s dismissal had a paralyzing effect, especially combined with the threat of being turned out of his lab. The suggestion of being fired was far more terrifying coming from Ibanez than from Morrison. Work and Charles’s sense of self had been so closely connected that he could not imagine them severed. He gathered up his lab books with an effort.
    â€œYou’re not the most popular man on the staff,” added Ibanez gently, “but you can change that now by pitching in. I want you to tell me, Dr. Martel: Are you with us?”
    Charles nodded his head without looking up, suffering thefinal indignity of unconditional surrender. He turned and left without uttering another word.
    After the door closed, Bellman looked back at Ibanez. “What a strange reaction. I hope he’s not going to be trouble. That