The next day Dave was trying to decide how he was going to investigate the possible murder of Dean Wagner by himself. Then he thought about how Parry had talked him into it. Maybe he could use the same ploy on the group, guilt worked very well on him. Dave asked everyone to meet that night. When they all got together, Dave slowly approached the subject. He did not want to upset anyone he just wanted them back investigating the case. He said,

"Well I was just thinking that maybe we should look into Dean Wagner's death. I don't know about anyone else but I would like to know if he was involved in the Robertson death or was he just being used?" Denise said,

"I am pretty happy to be out of it, why are you so interested?" Dave looked guilty, but said,

"I am just curious why Dean Wager is dead, that is all. Maybe it was murder and maybe it wasn't?" Christine said,

"You don't think we had anything to do with his death ... do you?"

"Well," said Dave, "The police were not looking at him, we were."

"But how could anyone have known?" said Christine.

"Who knows maybe they monitor the university computer, or maybe we have been followed," said Dave.

"Hold on we don't even know if it was murder or an accident yet," said Suzanne.

"OK, then I think we should find out if it was murder," said Christine. Chris then said,

"How are we going to find out if it was murder or not?"

"Well maybe I could sacrifice myself and go out to lunch," said Dave with a large smile on his face.

"Oh you mean with the stenographer from the police station. Do you think she will tell you anything?"

"I don't know but it is worth a try. Are you guys willing to look into it if I find there was anything fishy about the accident?" The group gave him a unanimous yes. The rest of the night was full of some serious drinking, as some of the group felt guilty.

Dave got up early the next day and phoned the number he had been given. At the home number he got an answering machine. He did not leave a message. Then calling the second number he asked for Betty the name on the paper. He did not have a last name so he was glad there was only one Betty there. The voice on the phone asked him to hold. After a couple of minutes a familiar voice came on the phone. She said,

"Hello, who am I speaking with?"

"This is your favorite rookie reporter. I was wondering if we could have lunch together?"

"Dave?" there was a pause and then she said, "That would be nice, when did you have in mind?"

"No time like the present, how about today?

"Oh I can't do lunch today."

"Well how about tomorrow or would you feel safe enough to go straight to dinner, say tonight?" She laughed and Dave liked the sound of it.

"I guess I can trust you, after all I am armed and very dangerous." Dave suggested a couple of places but they finally decided on Jakes in Unionville, at about 7.

Dave was nervous for the rest of the day. He left for his so called date early. He took his time driving up there and arrived about 6:30. He heads straight for the bar, wanting a double rye but he settled for a bottle of Canadian. He sat at the bar and started to play some trivia video game. The time passed without him realizing it until he got a tap on the shoulder. Turning around he found Betty standing there. She looked very different from what he expected. She had on a tight white T-shirt and a pair of skintight jeans. When he had seen her before she had always had on a good deal of make-up, very well done but that was not really Dave's thing, but now she was not made up at all. She was a most natural beauty; her hair was down and very long, almost to her waist. When Dave had seen her in the police station her hair had always been up. She said,

"I sorry I am late."

"Oh, I didn't realize, I guess I was mesmerized by this machine."

"Well I hope that wont happen now that I am here?"

"No I am sure it will not." She smiled at the compliment and said,

"Should we get a table?"

They made their way to a table and Betty ordered a beer. Over a dinner of finger foods there was allot of playful flirting. After they had finished their food Betty said,

"Do you play . . . pool." Dave laughed and said,

"Yes, But can you?"

"I guess I will just have to kick your butt to prove it." They went up stairs to the poolroom and found an open table. They started to play and Dave was hard pressed to keep up with her. She was very good. While the game was going on so was the flirtation become, it more and more open and Dave thought, 'I can not use her like this, I have to come clean.' He said,

"Betty I have to tell you something. I asked you out with the intention of finding out if Dean Wagner was murdered or not. You see if he was murdered I would feel some what responsible." He paused for a couple of seconds then said,

"But I am having such a great time, I don't wont to even want to ask. It would somehow cheapen the whole evening." She smiled and looked at him.

"Thank you, but you should have just asked. It will be in the newspapers tomorrow. They are saying it is murder, and they also think your group were somehow responsible."

"They don't think we did it?"

"NO, NO. They think your investigation spooked someone, but we are not sure who all knew."

"There are only a couple of people. One was my friend Parry Kyte who got me the press pass. The second is a guy at our work. His name is Denzel something. Supposedly he just got into the country and immigration got him the job." Betty looked confused, and said,

"I never heard of immigration getting people work. I will have to mention that to Detective Copper."

"So you were sent to pump me for information to?"

"Well not exactly, I am working at getting on to the special crimes branch so anything you can tell me will be a big help." Dave laughed and said,

"Aren't we just the devious couple."

There was not much more to be said and they went back to the game. The conversation quickly got back to their flirting. Before they realized it the bar was closed. They walked out to their cars and then came that uncomfortable first date moment. Do you try for the kiss or should you wait? Dave finally decided to wait and said,

"That was great we should do it again soon. How is Friday night for you?"

"Friday . . . I am not off until 11, but if you wont to meet after that," she said.

"OK, 11:30 here or would you rather meet someplace else?"

" Here is fine for me. Besides I need a chance to get back at you for beating me at pool." They both laughed and then there was that uncomfortable moment of silence. She then quickly wrapped her arms around Dave's neck and kissed him hard and long. Dave was not ready and almost died of suffocation , but very happy.

The next night the group met again. It was obvious to Dave that they all knew about Dean Wagner. Christine said,

"Now what are we going to do? He was murdered and it could be our fault." Denise said,

"I think we should follow the advice that Darren gave us when we started out, turn the negative into the positive." Then Suzanne said,

"But this time lets find out who we are up against and how they found out what we are up to." They all nodded their heads and Chris said,

"So where do we start?" Christine said,

"I could check out his office up at the Markham Stouffville Hospital."

"I could check out his office at the university," said Darren and Denise said,

"I can find out where he lived and see if there is anything there." Graham then added,

"I can look into the computer at the library and the university to see if there are any leads there."

They had pacified their guilt for awhile. They had drinks but were fairly quiet. Christine said,

"So Dave how was the big date last night?" Dave sort of blushed and the girls picked up on this at once. Denise said,

"Well I guess by that reaction everything went better then expected. So what time did you get home last night?" Dave looked at them and said,

"I will have you know that I was home and in bed by 2AM."

"Yes but were you alone?" said Suzanne.

"Yes I was and even if I weren't a gentleman never talks about such things." They all laughed and finished off their drinks. The night came to an early conclusion and they all headed home.

Christine thought about what she had said, she was going to try to break into a Doctors office. 'How can I break into someone's office. I have never done anything like this before.' She could not sleep when she got home so she decided to go to the hospital and check it out while it was at minimal staff. She got into her car and drove to the hospital. She had on her nursing uniform and walked right in. Playing it very cool she got to his office and was very surprised to find that the door was not locked. Looking around and finding no one in sight she walked right in. Closing the door quickly behind her, she moved to the desk and turned on a small lamp. There was not much there just a desk calendar, so she started to flip through it. She went to the day of the murder and found a note, 'package for SMI.' She thought, could that be the clinic in Bolivia.

She then moved to the file cabinet and started looking through the S's. There it was the first one in the group, San Medico Institution. She pulled out the file it was very thick. She looked around and saw a photocopier. She started photocopying and had a copy of the file in a couple of minutes. Then putting it back in the file cabinet, she finds a file called Project Zombie. She moves back to the photocopier and made a copy of it also. Just as she was about to close up the file cabinet she saw a name on a file, Hal Robertson. She quickly copied it and put everything back.

Turning off the desk lamp she found it had gotten light out. She looked at her watch, 'oh my god, it's eight o'clock in the morning.' She moved to the door and looked out thinking good; Dean Wagner had a corner office. She saw a doctor going into an office down the hall. Once the doctor closed his door she made a break for it. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she made her way to the hospital exit. As she was about to leave she heard someone behind her say,

"Excuse me miss." Christine turned around to see a young man in a security uniform. Her heart stopped. She said in a surprisingly normal voice,

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

"I am new here, could you tell me how to get to the security office." She thought for a second then said,

"It is in the basement just take the elevator down and follow the signs." He thanked her and walks away. Christine's heart started to beat again as she walked out to her car. Leaving the hospital she went straight to school.

At the same time Darren was heading to the same school. When he got there he rushed to class because he had slept late. As luck would have it he was not the only one running behind, his professor was also late. Once the class started it was long and boring, probably because he wonted to get out of there. Finally it was over and he walked down to Dean's row. He found Dean Wagner's office and walked in. He was surprised to find a secretary at a desk. She looked up as he came in. Looking surprised she said,

"May I help you?" Darren had not really expected anyone to be there. He thought for a second then said,

"Dean Wagner was going to give me some information and I was wondering if he got it together before his death?"

"What is your name or what was it about?"

"It was in regards to the San Medico Institution in La Paz, Bolivia. I was looking into their transplanting of organs techniques, and their amazing success rate." She looked at Darren as if to say that is most unusual. He quickly added,

"He said he had some personal information on the place, that was not generally public knowledge. My father needs a transplant and is looking for the best place possible and this place was recommended."

"I do not know if the information was put together for you let me look around and see if I can find it."

"I would really appreciate for my fathers piece of mind. He had heard about Dean Wagner and really respected his opinion. Could I come back later today and check to see if you have it?"

"How about two o'clock, that is when I get back from lunch. I should know by then if he left it for you."

"I will be here at two sharp, and thanks." He then left.

He did not go very far, there was a computer lab in the building. Getting there he logged on and got onto the web. He entered a search program and typed in Johnathon Wagner. When the search was finished he narrowed it down by searching using San Medico Institution. When the search was finished he had two articles to look at. Printing them out he then went to the lounge to read them.

He sat there going over the articles until just before one o'clock. Then leaving the lounge Darren made his way to Dean's row. Finding a spot he could watch Dean Wagner's office he waited for the secretary to go to lunch. Finally she left and he made his way to the office door. Trying the doorknob he smiled it was unlocked, so he walked in. He was in the outer office and went straight to the file cabinet. He tried to open it, but it was locked. He then moved to the desk and started through an appointment calendar. Going back to the night of the murder but there was nothing of importance. After that he just started to flip through the pages. He finally came to something interesting. Next month the Dean was going to Bolivia, for a medical conference. The conference was to be held at San Medico Institution. It did not say what the conference was about. He finished flipping through the calendar, but did not find anything else of interest. Checking his watch he had been in the office for about five minutes.

Making his way to a set of large double doors he opened them and was blinded at once. There was a wall of windows facing him and the sun was shinning right into his eyes. He could not see while his eyes adjusted to the bright glare. Then it all came into focus; the room was full of antiques, books and old medical equipment and somehow worked to create an interesting atmosphere. It felt like of an office in Oxford say from around the turn of the century. The effect was an unusual air of knowledge to the place.

Then he noticed there was someone sitting in the desk chair, he froze. The person was looking out the window, they said,

"It is Darren isn't it?" The voice was going through some sort of digital mixer to disguise it. "Please don't move I don't wont to have to kill you." Darren blood froze in his veins. To emphasize the point she held up a gun, so he could see it.

"Now Darren your little group has caused me and my associates a great deal of trouble. We needed Dean Wagner for his medical expertise, but we also knew he would not hold up under questioning. So to answer your unasked question, Yes it was your groups fault that Dean Wagner is dead." Darren had not moved and was trying to see whom he was talking to. For a split second he thought he saw long blond hair at the side of the chair. The person then continued,

"You may be wondering why I am telling you all this. It is quiet simple you can not touch my associates, or me but the reverse is not also true. You could have a car accident or fall out of a window. Who knows you may just disappear off the face of the earth." The meaning was quite clear and Darren said,

"Is there anything else or can I go?" The person laughed, it was not a pleasant sound, it was both malicious and condescending at the same time.

"Yes go and hope our paths don't cross again." Darren quickly left the office. He did not stop until he was outside on the steps. He sat down and putting his head in his hands and took a couple of deep breaths.

Breathing deeply he tried to get his heart to stop racing. When it was normal again he lifted his head and looked around. It was amazing the whole world seemed normal, how could he have just been threatened with death. He watched as a couple of students ran out of the building heading for a class someplace. He then noticed a slim very attractive and classy woman walking towards the parking lot. She was dressed to kill in a business suit and stiletto heeled shoes. Her shoulder length hair was tied back and he could not take his eyes off of her. Watching her get into a new Jag convertible he thought, 'that is her.' He did not know how he knew but for some reason he just knew. Then it hit him; she had the same hair. No it could not be. Could she be the woman who had confronted him in the office? He looked after her again but she was gone. He sat for a few minutes then he headed home.

Denise on the other hand did not find out too much. Dean Wagner had not been married and lived a very modest life style in a small condo in Markham. When Denise had tried to get into the condo she found the security was very protective of their tenants. She then left to go home but on the way she noticed a car was following her. She went to a mall in order to lose the person or maybe even find out who it was. She did not see the other car park, so she went into the mall. Going into a store she picked up some stuff for Jessie. When she was coming out of the store she heard someone call her name. Turning around she saw Denzel walking towards her. He said,

"Hi, how are you?"

"I am fine. What are you doing here?"

"I was just up doing some shopping when I saw you. Anything new . . . at work?" She looked at him for a second, thinking that was not what he wonted to ask. Maybe Dave and Darren were right about him. She smiled and said,

"Everything is the same, crazy as always." He smiled and said,

"Do you have time for a coffee?"

"No, I have to get home. I have house work to do before I go to work tonight."

"Oh good I work tonight to so I will see you then." They both went their separate ways and Denise went out to the parking lot. She got into her truck and started home. On the way home she did not see anyone following her.

Graham's investigation was somewhat different. He went to the university computer center. Walking in he found the head programmer and said,

"I am a student with a small problem. I need to know if you can put a flag onto a file so that it will notify another computer and then trace back to who is looking at the file?" The head programmer said,

"You mean a passive security file. Sure you can."

"Could you find such a program if you knew where to look and could you find who it notifies?"

"Well maybe it would depend on how it was set up."

"If I told you there was one in the university computer that was put there by someone outside of the university. Would you give me all the information you find on it?"

"I would have to say that there is no such programs, but if there were I would share the information with you for helping us to find any. Do you know what files they are on?"

Graham told him the files they had been looking at in regards to the transplants and also on Dean Wagner. The programmer pulled them up and found there was a flag on Dean Wagner's file. He separated the flag and made a copy of it. Pulling it up on to the screen he took a look at it, he let out a low whistle as he was scanning through it.

"This program is really something, I have never seen anything like this before."

"Can you tell who it notified?"

"Just a phone number, 613-555-1324."

"That's an Ottawa phone number or from at least that area. That does not make any sense." Graham and the Programmer talked and Graham found that the flag program was the most advanced piece of software the Programmer had ever seen. Graham did not at first understand what the Programmer was saying. He then explained that the university tested most of the new software that goes on to the market. Now Graham understood, this stuff was ultra modern and very secrete.

"Who could have something like this?"

"Maybe the Canadian Government, but the most probable source is the CIA." Graham thanked the man and left. This whole thing is getting to weird. He went to a pay phone outside of the cafeteria. He dialed the number and a woman's voice answered. She said,

"Canadian Security Service, what extension would you like?" Graham said,

"Sorry wrong number," and hung up.