'Looks like.'
'Do you find that unusual?'
'Well,' he said, 'businesses do fail or close down at a pretty high rate, but this Plumb guy does seem to be the kiss of death.'
'Chuck Jones hired him to run the hospital, Lou. Care to revise your thinking about his intentions?'
'Think he's a spoiler, huh?'
'What happened to the other companies Plumb was associated with?'
'That would be hard to find out-they were all small, and if they were privately held, there'd be no stock ramifications, little or no coverage in the business press.'
'What about the local press?'
'If it was a company town with lots of people being thrown out of work, maybe. But good luck tracking that down.'
'Okay, thanks.'
'Is this really important, Alex?'
'I don't know.'
'It would be a hell of a lot easier for me to track,' he said, 'knowing the ropes. Let me play Tarzan and climb a few.'
After he hung up, I called Virginia Information and got the number of the Ferris Dixon Institute for Chemical Research. A pleasant female voice answered, 'Ferris Dixon, good afternoon, how may I help you?'
'This is Dr. Schweitzer from Western Pediatric Medical Center in Los Angeles. I'm an associate of Dr. Laurence Ashmore.'
'Just one second, please.'
Long pause. Music. The Hollywood Strings doing The Police's Every Breath You Take.
The voice returned: 'Yes, Dr. Schweitzer, how may I help you?'
'Your institute funds Dr. Ashmore's research.'
'Yes?'
'I was just wondering if you knew he was deceased.'
'Oh, how horrible,' she said, but she didn't sound surprised.
'But I'm afraid the person who can help you with that isn't in.'
I hadn't asked for help, but I let that pass. 'Who might that be?'
'I'm not exactly sure, Doctor. I'd have to check that.'
'Could you, please?'
'Certainly, but it may take a while, Doctor. Why don't you give me your number and I'll get back to you.'
'I'll be moving around. How about if I get back to you?'
'Certainly, Doctor. Have a nice-' 'Excuse me,' I said. As long as we're talking, could you give me some information on the institute?
For purposes of my own research?'
'What would you like to know, Dr. Schweitzer?'
