David Dun - At The Edge

"We have recently discovered substantial irregularities in Amada. According to our sources, Kenji Yamada had discovered a means of manufacturing fuels from wood fiber. As an example, using the known technology it would cost thirty-four dollars per barrel to make crude oil. Using the method discovered by Kenji's scientist, it could be done for twelve dollars per barrel. Now, you probably wouldn't make crude oil, you'd make methanols and other fuels, but to make the point I'm using crude as an example.

"The implications if it worked are profound. With all the havoc in the Middle East you can imagine the value of this discovery. The only problem was that Kenji's new process used a special catalyst that created a dangerous effluent- dangerous enough to change the brain chemistry of the hoary bat subspecies that lived in the caves. They were storing the toxic by-product in a large plastic tank in the mine when it ruptured and made the pool that you saw. They left it there with the idea that they would develop a means of converting it to something useful or neutralize it. Then you came along."

"Why were they shooting the bats?"

"They had two major problems. First they had stumbled onto a new deep forest subspecies that would retreat to caves as well as tree hollows and the like. Any such subspecies would be a fascinating find for biologists who would start coming around. We think that compounding the problem, insects from the contaminated creek were affecting the bats' brains, particularly the area of the brain known as the cingulate gyms in humans and the area that corresponds to the prefrontal cortex. There is increased activity in the former and decreased activity in the latter, according to records we found at the compound. In a human it could result in suicidal behavior. In bats it causes them to fly around in daylight. And this would bring enormous scrutiny on the compound and might lead to discovery of the contaminated water- not to mention the cave.

"At first they thought it was just exposure to fumes from the cave. But after they thought they got all the bats from the cave, they were still having the problem. Unfortunately, they probably killed the man who was working on the issue when he discovered the contaminated water and the insects. Made it look like a heart attack.

"Of course they had the more serious problem. The effluent is lethal to humans, and it had made its way into the creek. They had a theory that if you went downstream far enough it would become sufficiently diluted so as not to kill anybody-at least immediately. Try telling that to your press and government officials."

"Who stole the money from us?" Dan asked.

''Amada Chief of Security Hans Groiter, working through a woman by the name of Corey Schneider. And that's what this is for." The old man nodded and they placed the briefcase on the table in front of Maria. It was the one Dan had given her. Dan popped open the latches, and it was full of bills that looked exactly as he had packed it.

"We found it in the vault at the Highlands lab. But one hundred thousand had been taken by the thief, Corey Schneider. We've replaced the money she stole."

"Who was her accomplice?"

"A dead man. Our people will be turning his body over to authorities after we are on the plane."

"Why did Amada do it?"

"They had discovered a large natural-gas deposit under the lower Highlands. Their methanol-manufacturing process could be greatly enhanced by the natural gas. But a railroad company owned the mineral rights and wouldn't sell. Added to that, they had a mine full of toxic effluent. The last thing they wanted was a government purchase of the Highlands."

"And they contributed the money knowing they would try to screw it up?"

"They saw the sale going ahead like a juggernaut. At first they tried to stop it with the donation idea, but they couldn't. That's why they changed direction so dramatically. One day they are fighting all of you on giving the environmentalists the money; the next day they're leading the effort. Once they knew that Metco and the others were pushing, and that the donations would happen with them or without them, they decided to play along but sabotage the effort from within. If they stole the money, they expected the crime to become public knowledge. It would come out that industry was collaborating with the activists, hence both congress and the public would be suspicious. But you managed to keep it all quiet."

"What did Kenji know about all this?" Dan asked.

The lawyer paused and looked at Yoshinari.

''I'm afraid my son-in-law knew all about it. Even ordered it."

''Do you know about the photographer who was murdered out on Amada land a couple of months ago?''

Yoshinari bowed his head, a gesture of respect. "You have been excellent detectives."

"Was it his body I saw in the mine?"

"We believe so."

"Did Kenji do it?"

"According to Groiter," the lawyer said.

"Why are you telling us all this?"

Again the lawyer ceded to Yoshinari.

"We are telling you because you risked your lives to make it right. And because we don't wish to deal directly with your authorities. Shohei will provide the evidence. We leave for Japan in an hour."

"So what happens to Kenji Yamada?"

"He is missing. He will come to Japan if we can find him. There he can fight extradition. He, frankly, is not my concern," the old man said. "His wife, who is my daughter, and her child are both coming with us tonight."

At that moment the sound of a radio interrupted them. Shohei removed a handset.

"Yes." He listened. "Out, now!" Shohei literally shoved Yoshinari to his feet and rushed him through the conference-room door.

They all followed, half-running, down the hallway. After throwing open the front door, even the old gentleman took the steps two at a time. From the front walk they heard the squealing of tires; a dark car pulled away into the night. As Dan grabbed Maria's hand, a wave of heat washed over his back and a thunderous explosion knocked him to the ground. Even as he hit the ground, he was twisting, reaching for Maria.

"I'm OK," he heard her say through the ringing in his ears.

"Thank God." They both looked around. The old man and the bodyguard were getting up. Simultaneously they turned to see the lawyer fifty feet behind writhing on the ground, a large metal shard protruding from his back and exiting his gut. He grunted horribly. Yoshinari ran to him, taking his head in his lap.

Maria had already dialed 911 on her cell phone and was giving the ambulance crew the address.

"Schneider," Dan said.

Shohei nodded. "I should have killed her. I will bring her to your police."

"No," Dan said. "Let us do it for you."

Yoshinari nodded almost imperceptibly at Shohei, who whirled and left.

"Wait," Dan called after him, running.

"The ambulance will get here any minute," Maria said.

They heard a wailing siren, but the Japanese lawyer had gone silent.

Dan reached the black Lincoln sedan just as it was about to pull away from the curb. It had a combination lock below the handle on the passenger side that wouldn't open. He jumped across the hood, pounded on the windshield, and heard the electronic door lock click open. Clambering off the hood, he jumped in.

"I'm coming with you," Dan said, pointing at the pair of taillights in the distance.

"I was afraid of that," said Shohei.

Maria dialed the sheriff's office directly on the run to Dan's truck, angry that Dan had left without her but understanding that he was trying to keep her out of harm's way.

"There has been an explosion at the Hutchin law firm, probably a bomb. It might have been detonated by one Corey Schneider. There is one man critically wounded. An ambulance has been called."