Hypocrite's Isle Read Online Free PDF

induce mutations . We’d save a whole bunch of time and it should be absolutely straightforward.’
    ‘Brilliant.’
    ‘Providing the company still has any after all this time,’ said Gavin.
    ‘Oh, I think they will,’ said Simmons. ‘I’m sure it’s a long time since they made any on a production line, but they’ll certainly still have stocks of it or the ability to make it in pilot quantities.’ Simmons nodded thoughtfully. ‘I think you’ve just made a cracking start to your PhD project.’
    ‘I was hoping you’d think that,’ said Gavin. ‘I thought I might write to Grumman Schalk and ask for some Valdevan; tell them it’s for research purposes and see what they say?’
    ‘It might be better coming from me,’ said Simmons.
    ‘It was my idea,’ said Gavin, causing an electric pause.
    ‘No one’s denying that, Gavin,’ said Simmons evenly. ‘And a very good one it is too.’ He was taken aback at Gavin’s reaction but managed to remain calm. ‘I just thought that a request from me might carry more weight, that’s all.’
    Sensing that he had overstepped the mark, Gavin softened his tone. ‘I’d like to do it if you don’t mind, Frank. Pharmaceutical companies are usually keen to support any research they think might be of potential value to them. After all, today’s PhD students are their future.’
    ‘Fair enough – although I wouldn’t point that out to them too strongly if I were you,’ said Simmons. ‘And don’t forget to use department headed paper and give them details of your MRC scholarship, otherwise you’ll get a well-deserved flea in your ear.’
    ‘Okay, boss.’
    ‘In the meantime, and while you’re thinking about it, perhaps we should assume that Grumman Schalk will come up with the goods, in which case you could start preparing cell cultures so you can begin experiments as soon as it arrives?’
    ‘Make a good impression in the lab, you mean?’
    ‘That would be a side-effect of preparing to get a flying start when the drug arrives. Do you have a problem with that?’
    ‘Guess not.’
    ‘Good,’ said Simmons. ‘Get started.’
    Simmons let out his breath in one long sigh when Gavin left the room. ‘Give me strength,’ he murmured. He was about to resume what he had been doing when another knock came at the door. Jack Martin had been waiting outside.
    ‘A frank exchange with Gavin?’ he asked.
    Simmons nodded.
    ‘Any further forward?’
    ‘Yup. He’s no idiot. He’s still a pain in the arse … but no idiot.’
    ‘Well, that’s progress, I guess. Lorraine was asking if you and Jen would like to come over for dinner on Saturday?’
    ‘I’m sure we’d love to if we can find a babysitter. Can I get back to you?’
    ‘Sure.’ Martin looked at his watch. ‘Feel like a pub lunch?’
    ‘I certainly do. Dealing with Gavin can drive a man to drink.’
    The two men walked the short distance from the medical school to the Greyfriars Bobby pub at the head of Candlemaker Row. The name of the pub commemorated the legend of a little dog, Bobby, who had resolutely refused to leave his master’s grave in nearby Greyfriars Kirkyard, and stood guard over it for fourteen years. There was a statue to the dog immediately across the road with the dog mounted on a plinth at exactly the right height for tourists to have their photograph taken with him. Two Japanese were doing just that as they arrived.
    With two pints of Belhaven Best in front of them and an order for scampi in the pipeline, Martin asked, ‘So what exactly is the problem with Gavin?’
    ‘He takes working-class paranoia to new heights and combines it with the social skills of a turnip. He’s come up with a very good idea, but his first concern seems to be that I’m going to steal it from him.’
    ‘Why don’t you get him to give a seminar about it? Then everyone will know it’s his idea.’
    ‘Gavin doesn’t rate seminars. He thinks they’re a waste of time and usually given by people who like