BLACKWATER FEVER

While at NIH, Ganucci had begun a series of Wall Street manipulations together with Gail Binelli and Bergan Krantz. They also nurtured a friendship polished with additional “financial incentives” with his original NIH sponsor from the Capitol House of Representatives in DC. He was now in a position to be next in line for consideration as Under-Chief of the CDC. Life had been good in his stock portfolio and his retirement nest egg appeared solid and stable. Ganucci accessed the status of his malaria-delirium acquired stock assets every day at noon, which he was doing now as his phone rang.

“Bergan. What a coincidence. I was just thinking about you and how well we did with the Feldman acquisitions.”

“Al, a situation has arisen with our New York golden goose.”

Ganucci listened intently. “So we have to preserve David Swanson and may have to sacrifice our Swanson-connected golden egg layers?”

“Absolutely. I’m making a list now and we can discuss later how to deal with this.”

“What about the Feldman situation?” Ganucci’s pulse accelerated.

“So far she has total amnesia. Once the police take their noses out of the situation we can act on her.” Krantz paused and looked at the two names on his list. “The Gideon O’Brien situation should be okay, but can you verify there is no traceability back to Swanson?”

Ganucci hung up the phone after recalling several of the past malaria-inside trading episodes. He remembered the Gideon O’Brien case very well. He had been called down to the Miami Public Health Office to evaluate a possible episode of red tide from contaminated shellfish when he got the call from Krantz about David Swanson meeting in Miami with a brokerage president. Swanson’s meeting was about several government contracts to be awarded to civilian contractors in support of the Iraq and Afghanistan war effort. Ganucci called Swanson. “David this is Dr. Alberto Ganucci. I work with Dr. Bergan Krantz and Dr. Gail Binelli. I’m in Miami on CDC business and they asked me to touch base with you.”

Swanson was caught off guard. “I’ve heard your name mentioned about the CDC tracking cases of falciparum malaria like mine. Why are you calling? I’m not having any signs of a relapse.”

“We’ve had a few cases of falciparum flares like yours in the Miami Cuban population. I’d like to draw some blood while I’m down here.” He paused for any response from Swanson and having none he continued. “Dr. Binelli also wanted me to take a blood level of the antiserum she’s been giving you in the national study you’re enrolled in. If necessary, we should fortify you with a booster dose.”

“Are you sure it’s necessary? I have an important meeting with a colleague who is dealing with my New York City firm. I really haven’t had an attack for over six-months now.”

“That’s a long time between anti-serum boosters in a dangerous malaria climate like Miami. If you’re feeling well right now why don’t I see you after you have an initial meeting with your stock broker friend?”