The Secret (Dr Steven Dunbar 10) by Ken McClure Page B

eggshells in such places,’ he said, ‘and bandits are a continual problem. But surely the scenario you are suggesting might have accounted for their deaths if they’d died out there . . . not in Prague or Paris.’
    Steven had to agree. It was unlikely they would have been followed abroad. He changed t ack. ‘I understand Aline made an appointment to come and see you before she returned to Pakistan.’
    ‘She did,’ Monfils agreed.
    ‘Can I ask what about?’
    ‘She was worried Simone might not have made her concerns known to me in Prague.’

     
    NINE
    Steven was disappointed. He’d hoped for some new slant. ‘You mean that Children First weren’t doing a good job?’
    ‘Precisely that. Simone expected the best from everyone where children’s lives were concerned.’
    ‘But no one wanted her speaking about this at the Prague meeting?’
    Monfils picked up a pen and appeared to scrutinise it closely as he pondered a reply. Eventually, he said, ‘Simone approached both Dr Schultz and myself about speaking but we decided there was no need for her to labour the point publicly. Children First is supported by a number of American charities. Americans tend to be very generous – they are by nature a very generous people.’
    Steven thought he saw what was coming next and said, ‘And any criticism might have upset the cash flow?’
    ‘Worse than that,’ said Monfils. ‘We are on the brink of something special. All of us working on the eradication of polio have been disappointed by the persistence of the disease in the region where Simone was working, but now money has been found for a massive attack on the problem – American money.’
    ‘Government money?’
    Monfils shook his head. ‘No, charity money. Money from film stars, pop stars, business magnates, people all coming together to wipe out this awful disease for once and for all. It hasn’t been publicly announced yet but it’s going to happen soon. There will be a rapid expansion of aid teams in the area and cash made available for the latest, most effective vaccine.’
    ‘Sounds wonderful.’
    ‘The money, of course, will be channelled through American aid teams.’
    ‘Like Children First,’ s aid Steven, suddenly seeing where Monfils was leading.
    ‘It is , of course, perfectly understandable that American benefactors would like to see the work being carried out by American teams and credit being given to their country of origin.’
    ‘Only human nature,’ Steven agreed. ‘It’s a pity Simone didn’t know about this. It sounds like too big a boat to rock.’
    ‘She did,’ said Monfils. ‘I told her in confidence in Prague.’
    Steven was taken aback. ‘So what was her reaction?’
    ‘She went straight to Thomas Schultz and demanded an opportunity to speak to the meeting, saying that it was now more important than ever.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘She wouldn’t say, just that she wanted to make a public statement.’
    ‘And now we’ll never know,’ said Steven with a sigh. It was becoming clear that there was nothing more to be gained from continuing the conversation. He thanked Monfils for agreeing to see him at such short notice and left for the airport.
    John Macmillan rubbed his temples in a circular motion with his fingertips when Steven told him he was convinced that both Médecins Sans Frontières women had been murdered. ‘I can sense your desire to get involved, Steven,’ he said. ‘I can even understand it, but the French police are investigating Dr Lagarde’s death. Perhaps we should give them some time? They may uncover a link.’
    ‘All the signs are that it was a professional hit, John. Chances are they’ll get nowhere , and as for the Czech police, they’re satisfied that Simone’s death was accidental.’
    ‘We can’t be sure it wasn’t.’
    ‘My fear is that the police there will be only too happy to accept it was an accident. Murder at an international science meeting would be bad for the conference business. I