Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 93984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
“That’s its scientific name,” Justin said to Gabriel in a stage whisper.
“The job of the kidney is to filter waste chemicals and fluids from the blood and transfer them to the bladder. Acute glomerulonephritis is when the filtration system within the kidney stops working. At that point, chemicals build up in the blood and can kill you. If you catch it fast enough, you can do emergency dialysis.”
“So, why didn’t they do that with the patients to save their lives?”
There was a long pause and then Brianna softly sighed. “It’s hard to say since I don’t have a lot of time to dig on the other patients, but it looks like there’s a critical tipping point with this drug. These people go along fine until they reach a certain dosage when combined with their body weight, or possibly it’s being stored in cells that we aren’t seeing. But when it reaches that point, it’s critical. The kidneys go into almost instant meltdown and then take other organs, like the heart, with them.”
“And you’re sure it was the drug that killed them? Not the cancer they were being treated for.”
“Oh, hell yeah. Definitely the drug. Justin, you guys can’t let this shit get approved. There might be something there in the future with this, but not in its current form. They need to study every inch of these poor patients and figure this shit out. The drug is deadly.”
“Bri, sweetie, I need this all written up in proper doctor lingo. We gotta convince the world you’re right,” Justin said, leaning close to where the phone was sitting on the counter.
“Already done. I emailed it to you. I’ve also sent my notes on to the FDA advisory committee and the University of Cincinnati that was helping with the study. That’s a good school, and they will not want their name pulled through the mud with this shit.”
“You’re an angel.”
“Not at all, but it’s nice that you think that.”
“Get some sleep, sweetie. You’ve saved a lot of people.”
Justin hung up the phone and threw up his arms like he was signaling for a goal. “We got it.”
“That’s step one,” Gabriel conceded.
“That’s a big step.”
He nodded, grinning at his partner. “True. We just need to figure out who buried that data from the FDA, because it’s likely the same person who ordered the hits on Weiss and Jones.”
Justin dropped his arms and walked around to stand in front of Gabriel. “That’s tonight. Come on. It’s four in the morning. Let’s get some sleep.”
Gabriel lifted both eyebrows at him. “In the same bed?”
“Crazy idea, I know. But yes.”
“Just sleep?”
Justin reached down and grabbed his hand, twining their fingers together. Gabriel looked at where their hands were joined. The sight and feel never ceased to make his heart skip a beat. It was something he was sure he would never get accustomed to, but he would really like to give it a try.
Giving his hand a little tug, Justin drew Gabriel back toward the stairs. “If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll wake you up with a nice surprise.”
Chapter 24
Justin flexed his right hand where it rested on the passenger side door of the truck, while Gabriel paused at the main gate to Iaso’s complex. He would have preferred to drive, but as much as he hated to admit it, this part of the operation was Gabriel’s. He had to relax and let the man do his job so he could focus on his: taking down the security system.
Gabriel had perfectly handled acquiring a truck, the key cards, and the uniforms, while Justin had studied the blueprints and what he could find on the security system. The landscaper had access to the company’s Wi-Fi, which had allowed Justin to get in and sneak around for a bit, but he didn’t find what he was looking for. They needed to get into the offices of Elba and Hamilton. If they didn’t find what they needed in those offices, then they’d go to their homes.
When the gate lifted, allowing the truck in, Gabriel looked over at Justin and smirked before he pressed the gas pedal, moving them forward.
“I can hear you grinding your teeth,” Gabriel teased.
“I’m not grinding my teeth. I’m fine.”
Gabriel snorted. “This has been my life for the past three weeks while I waited for you to hack into shit.”
“Oh, screw you! You got laid too.”
“Mmmm…and fed. I’m thinking I should have put in a request for a celebratory dinner after we were done. Maybe that beef bourguignon you mastered.”
“Only if I get to fuck you against the counter while it’s cooking.”
“Done!” Gabriel declared with a laugh.
Justin rolled his eyes and sighed, but it was to cover up his smile. They still needed to talk more. Their day of prep had avoided all talk of the future. They needed all their focus on the job, but later, after the job was done, there would be time for talking.