The policeman’s words hung in the cold air of the emergency room… – BICHNHU

Each corridor seemed longer.

Each light getting colder.

Each staff member’s glance was filled with questions.

The consultation room was at the end of a quiet corridor.

The officer gently closed the door as the other policeman placed the evidence bag on the table.

Inside was the small dark glass bottle.

“Dr. Grant,” the officer began, “how many people in this hospital have access to the compound NX-47?”

I took a deep breath before answering.

“Very few,” I said. “It’s part of a highly restricted research program.”

—Can you be more specific?

—Four principal investigators—I replied—. Two authorized lab technicians, the program director… and me.