Viral Conspiracy

By John Nexdar

James Rocasolano, a renowned scientist, discovers the cure for HIV after a couple of tries.  What he is unaware of is that there are many financial interests involved….and this is where trouble begins. The Black Ambar Corporation, which represents the interests of the pharmaceutical industry, intends to continue profiting from the sale of chronic treatments.  James Rocasolano’s cure is in their way…so they try to assassinate him, but the question is, do they succeed?

It has a very elaborate, dizzying plot, with many twists and turns, and a totally unexpected ending. When you least expect it, everything you thought was going to happen, jumps into the air and goes in another direction. Nothing appears to be as you would expect.  There are murders, conspiracies, love stories, suspense, betrayals, sex, etc.

ESCRIDUENDE AWARD TO THE BEST INTRIGUE NOVEL AT THE 2015 BOOK FAIR.

INFINITE AWARD FOR THE BEST THRILLER NOVEL 2016.

"The novel by the young Juan Martin Garcia reveals a narrative mastery.  This is not common at the author's age." José Menéndes - former Supreme Court Magistrate.

"We are facing a novel that does not detract from the latest works of such noted authors like Stephen King or Dan Brown." Gabriel Neila - Professor of the Literature University of Alcalá.

"Viral Conspiracy" is a dynamic, fun adventure written with a carefree style" Vicente Baratas – writer

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Mar 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9781071591697

Book preview

1

I've finally got it

––––––––

At James and Sarah's house

It was a still night there was absolute silence in the bedroom of James and his wife, Sarah. She slept peacefully, oblivious to what was about to happen. Dr. James Rocasolano could not sleep, he had been thinking about an idea for hours. Suddenly he turned on the bedside light, stood up with a start and shouted with emotion:

I already have it! I've finally managed to solve it!

Sarah, at first, was scared to hear her husband's scream; then she became annoyed to see that nothing important happened that justified breaking her dream.

Damn it, James, I was sleeping!

I need to get up, get dressed, and I go to the laboratory to test what just occurred to me to see if it works, - James muttered, ignoring his wife’s complaining.

This had happened to Sarah many times in the last year so she decided it would be best to calm down a bit and plead with her husband to come back to bed.

Honey, it's three in the morning.  Come back to bed, please.

I'm sorry but I have to go. If this works out, it can change the world.

James began to dress hastily, trying to retain the great idea that had occurred to him.

Sarah gave out a sigh as she said, I am done.  Do what you want to James.  I am going back to sleep

This time is different. I'm going; goodbye, darling, - said James convinced he needed to go to the laboratory now.

Sarah finally gave up pleading for him to come back to bed. She assumed that her husband was leaving home late at night to spend the rest of the night in the laboratory, no matter how much she pleaded.   In the morning he would come back home, saying that something had gone wrong, as always. She said goodbye to him without hiding the fact that she was very angry:

Do not make noise when you leave so you do not  wake Tommy!

James leaned down and gave Sarah a kiss on the lips.  She did not flinch or turn away as he expected to like she usually did when she was upset and trying to fall back to sleep as soon as possible. James finished dressing and immediately walked out of the room on tiptoe slowly so as not to wake the child.

At the laboratory

A scientist dressed in a white coat and a plaque marked "Dr.Simon Alcudia marched down the hallway.  He was tall and very thin, which made him look skinny. In his left hand he held a paper notebook with many notes, and in his right, he carried a cup of  coffee that must have been very hot because he held it with two fingers.  Every so often, he changed positions so as not to burn himself.

This was his routine every morning. He looked at the clock to see how time was running and noted that it was still early.  He would have a while to have coffee quietly before a colleague came to interrupt him, telling him what he had done over the weekend.

When he approached the laboratory door, he changed the coffee to the left hand, after stuffing his notebook under his arm so he could use his right to take out a set of keys. When he looked at the door, he realized that it was already open.  This was something very strange because he always arrived before anyone else.  Terrified that the laboratory had been broken into,  he did the first thing that crossed his mind; taking the cell phone out of his pocket he called security. After waiting for four tones that seemed like an eternity, especially when he was very nervous, security picked up the phone.

He spoke very quietly for fear that someone would hear him:  I'm Dr. Alcudia. I just got to the lab and the door is open.  There may be an intrusion. Come right now!

In a very polite and calm tone, the security guard explained, Dr Rocasolano has been in the laboratory since four in the morning so that is why the door is open. Do you want us to come check it out anyway?

Dr. Alcudia took a few seconds to assimilate the information; as the scare passed and he could think clearly again.

No thank you very much.

After hanging up the phone, he put it in the right pocket of his white coat.  He couldn't help but smile as he realized how cowardly he had been. He opened the door with decision to enter the laboratory and greet his co-worker who today got to the laboratory before him.

Dr. Alcudia crossed the laboratory until he reached the table where his colleague Dr. James Rocasolano, was working.  James was so focused on his work that he did not even notice that Simon had arrived , until he felt a hand on the shoulder.

What a fright you've given me! I thought someone had broken into the laboratory to rob it or something, Simon told James.

James Rocasolano was a man who, although not handsome, stood out for his elegance and transmitted a lot of professionalism; his work was the most important thing to him. Right now, he was pouting.  He seemed exhausted both physically and mentally.

Seeing Simon, he began to speak to him, I've been working since four this morning.  Last night as I started to drift off to sleep, an inspiration came to me and I had to hurry to the laboratory to test my latest theory. Sorry, I forgot to let you know.

Don't worry, I'd rather you hadn't woken me up. Let me enjoy my coffee and then tell me about your progress, Simon joked in a relaxed tone.

This can't wait.. I did it, everything fits. I just discovered the cure for HIV! - James proudly expressed.

Simon made a face of having heard a boast, that was practically impossible. He knew that James was a great scientist, but it did not enter his head that he had managed to discover the cure for AIDS.

Do not flatter yourself James.  Remember, seven months ago you were also convinced that you found it, and then it was a failure, Simon quietly remined him.

James, before answering his friend, turned the computer screen for Simon to see.  Simon left the coffee on the table and looked attentively, while James explained it excitedly.

Our investigations were correct. We had only been wrong in the components.  If we change this for the new one and increase the dose, a stable structure is formed that can end the HIV virus. It is clearly visible on the screen.

Damn, it's true! - Simon exclaimed, amazed at what he was seeing. You managed to stabilize the molecule that brought us upside down. It would be necessary to prove it, but thus in the computer it seems possible. We have to tell the boss this, it can be very good news.

James pointed his index finger at Simon in an aggressive attitude. He was very nervous; he normally did not behave like this.

No! I want to do a test before I tell the boss.. It is a complicated subject so I want to take slowly.

Okay, as you like.  We will wait a couple of weeks. But now go home and get some sleep; you have a bad face. In the meantime, I'm going to take a look at it.

Okay, I'm exhausted, - said James already calmer.

Dr. Rocasolano took out a USB from a drawer and made a copy of the information, while his partner continued to keep his eyes wide. Simon, seeing that James was taking a copy home, intervened

You don't need to take it; it'll be here tomorrow. Go home and rest.

I'll rest, but I'll take it just in case I can think of something else. Tomorrow we can compare opinions.

When the process of recording the information one USB ended, James extracted it from the computer, and put it in the pocket of his lab coat.  He patted Simon on the back, and sped out of the laboratory.

2

What will become of my brother?

––––––––

At James and Sarah's house

James got up at eight that evening after sleeping most of the day. He left his room, went down the stairs, and entered the living room where his wife and son were, watching TV on the sofa. Sarah, even though she was already in her forties, was still a beauty, with blue eyes, long blonde hair and very pronounced curves. The only thing wrong with her was that character that made her disproportionately angry easily. When she saw her husband, she was happy and interested in him:

How are you feeling, darling? I was getting worried.  You have been sleeping for many hours, but I was sorry to wake you up.

This time it was the good one. After spending the whole night in the lab, it all worked out.  The formula works, - James explained excitedly.

Sarah did not give much importance to her husband's words; she was only interested in his health.

Very good darling. Sit down with us to watch TV.

James could not believe how ignorant and unconcerned his wife could be about his work.  Looking down at her with a certain contempt in his voice, he told her, I've discovered something that will change the world; I can't sit and watch television.

I have no interest in changing the world. I just want you to spend some time with your family, Sarah said angrily, noting the tone her husband had used when addressing her.

I love you very much, but this is going to be something of worldwide repercussion. I'm going to call my brother to tell him,  James told her, giving up in his futile effort to make his wife show any interest.

James took out his cell phone and looked in his phone book for his brother's number. Sarah watched the scene in astonishment.  She was starting to get mad; trying to hold on to her temper but could not, and finally had to intervene:

Are you crazy? Your brother is the worst thing that happened to you. You didn't blame him when he screwed up your experiment last time.  You know he ruined the work of years of research. Why do you want to make him a part of your supposed success now?

I haven't talked to my brother for seven months. He was wrong and I thought he had ruined my research, so we argued; I fired him and I haven't heard from him in all this time. But I miss him and now I see clearly that he only delayed the investigation.  Ihave succeeded after all.

Even though his wife was not happy and objected, James decided to call his brother anyway.  As soon as he found the phone number, he dialed it impatiently. Sarah went from being angry to becoming hysterical.  She had never like Jame’s brother, Marcus. 

Not being able to hold her feelings in, Sarah exploded,  I can't stand your brother and neither can you,  You’re a hen! I would not speak to him again in this life.

James put the phone to his ear.  He was eager to talk to his brother and figured that he and his wife would make amends later. James's face showed the disappointment he felt when he heard a phrase that said that the mobile was off or out of range.

James repeated the words out loud:  It is off or out of coverage. I'm going to call his house.

Sarah jumped up and approached James to yell at him face to face.  His house? He lives in the Rocasolano Mansion that belonged to your parents. It should have been for us. You are a renowned scientist and he is only a mediocre researcher's apprentice. Your brother lives in a mansion with two internal people to support it and we live in a simple semi-detached chalet. We live on our salary and he lives on the income from your parents' estate.

My father died after a long illness, lung cancer, and the one who was really taking care of him was my brother. I was always busy with my investigations. When he died, I felt so bad that I gave up the inheritance in favor of my brother. I had a determined life; I have a good job with high income and we live in a villa in one of the best areas of Washington. My brother needed the inheritance more than I did, James explained to her again.

James dialed the landline phone of his brother's house. He did not have to search for it because he knew it by heart. After waiting for some tones, Mariela, one of the two people inside the house, took it:

Yes?

Hello, Mariela, this is James, he introduced himself amiably. Is my brother home? I have called the mobile but it is off or out of coverage.

Marcus left home a long time ago and hasn't returned yet, - Mariela said sadly.

Do you know where he went?

No sir. After your discussion, he was greatly affected and said he was leaving to disconnect, but did not specify where.

We discussed about seven months ago. Haven't you ever called his cell phone to find out about him, James asked puzzled."

Yes, repeatedly, but we never managed to contact him.

James realized that this conversation was not going to get anywhere. Mariela knew more or less the same as him, so he decided to end the call:

Okay, thank you very much, Mariela. If you hear anything about my brother, please call me, bye.

I will, bye. - Mariela said goodbye with conviction.

James hung up the phone. He was surprised at his brother's behavior. After a brief pause, he addressed his wife again:

Mariela says that it has been months since she hear anything about him,.  Do you think something could have happened to him?

I'm sure he's been partying for months in some heavenly place, lazing around, which is what he likes, milking your parents' inheritance, - Sarah said angrily.

I'd rather not have something happen to him. We will wait to see if he appears soon, - James expressed showing his concern.

On a paradise beach

Marcus Rocasolano, unaware that his brother was trying to locate him, was sunbathing placidly in the Caribbean. He was in a lounger, drinking a mojito, accompanied by a beautiful woman, mulatto, while listening to music. Marcus was very handsome, he had an athletic body and he was very tanned.  His body showed that he had lived in this comfortable way for a long time.

The mulatto interrupted the moment of relaxation that Marcus liked so much, speaking to him affectionately: How long are you going to stay, my sweetheart?

The woman stroked his hair with one hand, while the other hand was rubbing his abs that was perfectly marked on the sculptural body of Marcus. He did not seem to mind, in fact enjoyed watching how others admired his body. After a short period of time, he calmly replied:

I do not know. I have been traveling the world for months. Maybe I will be here for a week, a month or I will live here.

Easy, my love. I will make you feel at ease here so you will want to stay a long time, said the mulatto in a mischievous attitude.

The hand on his abs began to slide down into his swim trunks.. Marcus put the glass on the floor and responded to the affection of the beautiful woman. He had been resting all day and now he craved a little action.

3

Mr. Spencer wants to see you in his office

––––––––

At the laboratory

The next morning when Dr. James Rocasolano arrived at the laboratory, his companion Simon was not there.  That seemed strange to him because Simon generally arrived before him.  Although strange, James did not give it much importance because he would surely be in soon after visiting the coffee machine.. James turned on the computer and began to check his data; today he was more rested and could think clearly.

In ten minutes, Simon appeared at a fast pace but he did not have a cup of coffee in his hand.

He approached James, put a hand on his shoulder, and said: Good morning, James. The boss has come on a flight from London and wants to see you.

I told you not to tell him anything yet! - James exclaimed, very angry.

Simon shook his head while talking to James, trying hard to keep the nervousness he felt out of his voice.  I haven't said anything to him. I promise. I don't know why he wants to see you.

James stared at Simon for a few seconds, waiting to see if he would confess what he had done but Simon just stood there not saying anything.

He suspected that Simon had told their boss something, but the truth that he saw in Simon’s face seemed sincere.

I don't think he came that far just to being doing it.  I think you sneaked, and told him something, but we'll talk about that later.

James got up from the chair very slowly, still looking at Simon. He stared at him for a few seconds until he