use where they'll be appreciated?
We'll write a grant together. The AIDS thing is paramount now-so much sadness. Two thirds of our hemophiliacs have received infected blood.
You could be useful here, Alex.'
'Thanks for the invitation, Raoul.'
'It's a sincere one. I remember the good we did together.'
'So do I.'
'Think about it, Alex.'
'Okay.'
'But of course you won't.'
Both of us laughed.
I said, 'Could I ask you one more thing?'
Also personal?'
'No. What do you know about the Ferris Dixon Institute for Chemical Research?'
'Never heard of it. Why?'
'It funded a doctor at Western Peds. With overhead.'
'Really. And which guy is this?'
A toxicologist named Laurence Ashmore. He's done some epidemiologic work on childhood cancer.'
Ashmore... never heard of him either. What kind of epidemiology does he do?'
'Pesticides and malignancy rates. Mostly theoretical stuff, playing with numbers.'
He snorted. 'How much did this institute give him?'
'Nearly a million dollars.'
Silence.
'What?'
'It's true,' I said.
'With overhead?'
'High, huh?'
Absurd. What's the name of this institute?'
'Ferris Dixon. They only funded one other study, much smaller.
An economist named Zimberg.'
'With overhead... Hmm, I'll have to check into that. Thank you for the tip, Alex. And think about my offer. The sun shines here too.'
I didn't hear from Milo and had doubts if he'd make our eight o'clock meeting. When he hadn't shown up by twenty after, I figured whatever
had held him up at Parker Center had gotten in the way. But at 8:~~ the bell rang, and when I opened the door it was him.
