The Prague Plot: The Cold War Meets the Jihad (Jeannine Ryan Series Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

increase in reactions there may not be typical. Maybe they’re doing something wrong. And too, Zeleny may be biased. Larry says Zeleny is a Czech who has no love for Hus-Kinetika.”
    “Why is that?”
    “Zeleny was a resident at the Motol Teaching Hospital in Prague when his mentor, a Dr. Pokorny, found fake data in one of the company’s clinical trials. Hus-Kinetika objected and complained to the medical school. There was some sort of scandal with a female student named Simek and Zeleny’s professor was canned. Zeleny hasn’t forgiven or forgotten.”
    Aileen frowned.
    “OK, so he doesn’t like Hus-Kinetika, and I don’t like him. What does he want from us?”
    Before Jeannine could answer, Aileen sniffed.
    “This jerk is biased against women.”
    A loud knock on the office door stopped further comment.
    Dr. Zeleny had arrived.
***
    Dr. Zeleny was not as Aileen had imagined. First he was young, trim and tall, the sort of man who turns eyes when he enters a room. He wore a loose gray sweater and fitted jeans. He turned towards Aileen. He spoke with a slight accent.
    “Dr. Ryan?”
    Jeannine stepped forward.
    “I’m Dr. Ryan, and this is Dr. Harris. She’s my associate. You must be Dr. Zeleny.”
    Dr. Zeleny scanned the wall of the office. He took in the framed doctoral diplomas on the wall, and the two certificates of appreciation from the Israeli government, one each for Dr. Harris and Dr. Ryan. Impressive. His eyes bounced from Aileen to Jeannine and back. As a blonde, Aileen matched Jeannine’s auburn good looks. His smile grew.
    "I’m Peter. Larry, Dr. Hodges, at the FDA referred me to you. Do your husbands work here too?”
    Jeannine laughed. Kind of obvious, but I’ll play along.
    “No husbands. We’re both single, although I have a friend. His name is ‘Bill,’ and you?”
    “Sorry. I forget myself. I do not try to pry. I’m svobodný , that’s Czech for ‘free’ or ‘single,’ however you prefer to interpret it.”
    He glanced sideways at Aileen.
    “Now we’re introduced, maybe I can know your first name?”
    “I’m ‘Aileen’ and Dr. Ryan is ‘Jeannine,’ but do you treat all women as secretaries? Are you always so rude?”
    Peter fell silent. Aileen continued.
    “Dr. Zeleny, we all know this isn’t a social visit, so why, precisely, are you here?”
    Peter Zeleny’s brow furrowed. He sighed.
    “I think that Xolak has dangerous side effects. Some of my patients have been seriously hurt by it. Hodges, at the FDA, thinks I’m biased against Hus-Kinetika, but I can explain that.”
    He took a breath.
    “My problems with the company started after I completed my studies at the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Prague. I took a position in the Motol Teaching Hospital of the Faculty. My mentor, Dr. Pokorny, had a dispute with Hus-Kinetika over one of their clinical trials.”
    Jeannine interrupted.
    “A dispute?”
    “Actually, he found faked data in one of their reports. They weren’t happy. They located a student of his, a woman named Simek. Her father had been an anti-socialist agitator, and everyone knew that my mentor, Dr. Pokorny, was a communist. It was a set up. This Simek woman was quite attractive.”
    He paused and looked at Aileen.
    “She looked like you, actually.”
    He turned back to Jeannine.
    “Simek claimed that Pokorny had offered her grades for sex. He denied it, but Hus-Kinetika pressured the university to fire him. Rather than be fired, my mentor resigned in disgrace.”
    “Did you believe the Simek woman?”
    “I don't know. My mentor had a reputation among women. Simek was American. After testifying she quit her studies in medicine and went back to the States. She studies philosophy in Chicago. All I really know is that her testimony was damned convenient for Hus-Kinetika. Maybe the rats paid her.”
    Jeannine fell silent. Aileen took over.
    “You don’t have any evidence that they did, do you? And why did you come to the U. S, and