Run and Hide! - A Gripping Conspiracy Thriller (Book One - The Orlando File)

By Ian C.P. Irvine

Book One of Two Parts: Please note that Book One continues seamlessly into and is concluded in Book Two. This is an excellent way to introduce yourself to this new and exciting author!- If you enjoy Book One, to continue the story you may then choose to download Book Two. Alternatively, readers are recommended to purchase the full omnibus edition containing both Book One and Book Two.

For fans of Lee Child, Kathy Reich, Tess Gerritsen. The Story: the Orlando File is a fast paced thriller, based upon the latest state-of-the-art discoveries in genetics and stem-cell research. The result is a truly scientific adventure but with a thrilling twist.

When Kerrin Graham, a retired cop and now an investigative journalist with the Washington Post, receives a call in the middle of the night, his life is about to be turned upside down.

Six of the world's leading geneticists have all 'committed suicide' in the past seven days, his brother-in-law being the latest to die. Establishing that those who died were all employees of the Gen8tyx Company, a secretive research company based in Orlando, Kerrin sets out to discover the truth behind their deaths.

Discovering that those who died were killed to stop them unveiling the results of their revolutionary stem-cell research, a discovery that could usher in a new age of hope and health for all humanity, Kerrin vows to find who was responsible for their deaths and to uncover the powerful secret they were killed to protect.

On a trail that takes him around the world and back, Kerrin uncovers a sinister organization that will stop at nothing to protect the secret behind the mysterious 'Orlando Treatment'.

When those around him start to die, and his wife disappears, it becomes a race against time to find the missing 'Orlando File', the only hope of saving his crippled wife and proving to an unsuspecting world, the truth behind the sinister Chymera Corporation of America.

And yet, when Kerrin eventually understands just what the Orlando File contains, he is faced with a choice no man should ever have to make, and everyone who reads this book must ask the same question:
"What would I do, if I were him?"

...and anyone who reads this book could learn a simple little known medical fact that could extend their life by 20 years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ian C.P. Irvine
• Release date: Jun 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005105518

Ian C.P. Irvine

Ian Irvine was brought up in Scotland, and studied Physics for far too many years, before travelling the world working for high-technology companies. Ian has spent a career helping build the internet and delivering its benefits to users throughout the world,...as well as helping to bring up a family. Ian enjoys writing, painting and composing in his spare time. His particular joy is found in taking scientific fact and creating a thrilling story around it in such a way that readers learn science whilst enjoying the thrill of the ride. It is Ian's hope that everyone who reads an Ian.C.P.Irvine novel will come away learning something interesting that they would never otherwise have found an interest in. Never Science fiction. Always science fact. With a twist.The first of Ian's novels is a Genetic Conspiracy Thriller which explores the world of Stem Cell Research and encourages us all to ask some very searching questions about the advances that science is making, and how much we, or others, should let it affect society. A contemporary adventure, "The Orlando File" takes the reader around the world and back, and creates a unique moral dilemma that the reader cannot help get embroiled in: at the end, the reader must ask themself, what they would do in that situation?"The Orlando File" asks many questions, one in particular being, will advances in technology that extend our lifespans be limited to the rich and only those who can afford it? This is one of the main questions that is asked in the new Justin Timberlake film "In Time". "The Orlando File" does not give an answer to these questions, but encourages the reader to debate the question and provide their own response.

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Run and Hide!

A Gripping Conspiracy Thriller

(Book One - The Orlando File)

IAN C.P. IRVINE

Published by Ian C. P. Irvine

Copyright 2011 IAN.C.P.IRVINE

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright observed above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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April 2013

To my Dad and Mum.

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.Please note: This is the first book in a two part series. The story begins with Book One, carries on and concludes with Book Two.

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If you wish, you have the option to purchase an omnibus version containing both Book One and Book Two: The Orlando File : Book One & Book Two

Please note: This is the first book in a two part series. The story begins with Book One, carries on and concludes with Book Two.

Chapter 1

Park Place Apartments

Washington D.C.

So what?

It was an incredible quote, and a brilliant way to begin the article. True, it wasn’t the most conventional opening line for an important piece of investigative journalism, but who said you couldn’t start a story that way?

The CEO of a leading national utility company had been caught with his hand in the till, and when confronted by Kerrin on the phone at his home, he had laughed. Actually laughed.

Perhaps he was drunk, or maybe the CEO was just another of those arrogant bastards that thought he could get away with anything.

Whatever.

Kerrin was going to use the quote, and that was that.

He closed his eyes and imagined the headline of the article in bold print, spread across the top of the page.

Utility Company Chairman Admits Million Dollar Fraud.

Not bad, but perhaps not good enough. He would fix that later.

First he had to finish the rest of the story.

He focused his concentration back on to the page, his fingers poised lightly on the keyboard and the cursor hanging menacingly above the third line…

There was a shrill, screeching noise in the background, and he bit hard on his lip as he reached for the phone. He hated to be disturbed when he was writing. Since giving up being a cop in Miami and starting from scratch as an investigative journalist at the Washington Post, he spent every day chasing deadlines: and if he didn't get this piece finished in the next five hours, he'd miss Friday's long promised full page spread on Page 3. His best position yet.

Yes? he bellowed down the phone.

Kerrin…is that you?

Elizabeth! Sorry, yes, it’s me. You just caught me at a bad moment…

I'm sorry to disturb you Kerrin, but I need your help. Something…something terrible has happened!

His sister's voice trembled as she spoke the words, and then abruptly she burst into tears.

Kerrin straightened up in his chair, his attention now completely on his sister. What’s the matter? Why are you crying? In the background Kerrin heard a loudspeaker, announcing the arrival of a flight. Where are you?

I’m at the airport in the Bahamas,… with the kids.

The Bahamas? What the hell are you all doing there? You’re meant to be coming here this weekend…What’s going on?

I don't know. Martin called me this morning from the office in Orlando, told me not to argue, just to pack as much as I could and catch the first plane to Nassau…He said he'd meet me here this evening. Kerrin, I’m scared…

Did he say why?

No. There wasn’t time to discuss it. We were cut off…but I know it’s got something to do with the project he was working on…

Which project? He’s always working on something that’ll ‘change the world’.

Kerrin, don’t joke about it. This is serious!…Henry, Tom and Mike are dead! Sam's dead too, and Alex is missing!

Dead? What do you mean they're all dead?

Exactly that. They’re dead!, she shouted back, then started to cry again.

Elizabeth, take a deep breath. Try to calm down. I’m sure…

Kerrin, I’m scared, she continued. Really scared. According to the police, Tom, Mike, Sam and Henry all committed suicide, or tried to. All in the space of four days of each other.

That's ridiculous. I was only with Alex and Tom last week when Martin took us out to play golf. They looked a bit stressed, but they definitely weren’t suicidal!

But now they’re dead!… and I think Martin is worried that it might be his turn next. That’s why he wants us all out of the country…Kerrin, what do I do? What if he doesn’t turn up?

Don't worry sis, he will. When’s he meant to be arriving?

In about two hours. He’s flying down in his jet, straight from Orlando.

Have you spoken to him since?

No, nothing…, there was a pause, almost as if his sister was trying to pluck up the courage to say something else. …But before we were cut off, he insisted that I must get you to come down here as well. He said he needed your help and that it was really important. I know that you don't want to leave Dana alone, but Martin promised that you’d get that big scoop you've always wanted- a front page exclusive. The best story the Washington Post has had for ages! Please come Kerrin…I need you here too…

Chapter 2

The Caribbean Ocean

Day One

The Lear jet flew silently through the cold, dark night. In bright blue fluorescent numbers the digital thermometer indicated that the outside temperature was -40 degrees. Inside the snug, leather lined cabin, Martin held the joystick tightly in his hands and stared out into the sky ahead.

He was flying high above the thin, scattered clouds, the sea far below him. It was fifty minutes since he had taken off from Miami airport, and with the slight headwind, it would be at least another thirty before he landed.

A voice spoke into his earphones, the control tower in Miami handing him over to the air traffic controllers in the Bahamas. He was out of American airspace now.

Martin felt himself relax, his hands slackening their hold on the joystick, the muscles in his arms and wrists losing some of the tension that had gripped his body for the last two months.

No, it was more than stress. Far more than that.

More like fear. Constant fear.

How long could a person live under such tension before having a heart attack? He thought about the other members of his research team, now dead, and his grip on the joystick tightened again.

His eyes scanned the instrumentation panel, registering that everything was okay. The almost full moon drew his attention, and he glanced upwards admiring its beauty.

After the company takeover, the six most important scientists in his team had refused to make the move from Florida to the new corporate headquarters on the West Coast. Not everyone wanted to live in California anymore. Who needed the congested freeways and overpriced real estate? Not to mention the pollution.

No thanks. Florida was just fine.

Until his friends had begun to die.

Or disappear. Like he was doing just now.

A string of 'unfortunate suicides', as the police had officially described them, caused by severe depression brought on from losing their jobs with their company.

From a team of six, in the space of one week, four had become so unhappy that they had all decided to kill themselves?

Not likely.

Martin had known them all. None of them were quitters, and none of them were so unhappy.

Stressed, yes, but for a different reason.

Martin knew exactly why members of his team were dying. They were being silenced, one by one.

Only Alex Swinton and himself were still around from the team that started the Orlando Project and then refused to move to California.

Then this morning Alex had left a message on his private number at work.

Martin. You'll be next. Get out while you can…

Was it a threat or a warning? Either way, for Martin it was enough.

It had taken the rest of the day to finalize and assemble the protection he would need for the future. Thankfully, a few days before, he had successfully managed to download all the information he needed about the Orlando Project… just before his network privileges had been revoked…and now he had enough to enable anyone else to repeat the research and the work they had done.

The trip to the airport had been fine. Although he had been on edge all the way from the office to the plane, half expecting to be mugged, or shot, or stopped by someone en route, it had been surprisingly straightforward to load up his plane, fuel it and take off.

He almost wished that he had not taken the last minute precautions: he had been so scared of something happening to him, that he had bundled up the files on the Orlando Project, and put them in a parcel in the post. That way at least, the information would be protected, and if anything happened to him, he would have something to bargain with.

He looked at his Rolex again.

Twenty-eight minutes to go.

It was beginning to look like he had managed to escape safely. Perhaps it would have been better if he had kept the file with him after all.

--------------------

Park Place Apartments

Washington D.C.

After the phone conversation, Kerrin couldn't concentrate. He had never heard his sister so scared before. She never cried. Never. She was the strong one in the family, the one that was always in control and looking after the other siblings, seldom showing emotion, no matter what trouble they’d all got themselves into. Growing up, she was his rock.

Her words reverberated around his mind, I need you here…

He hit the 'save' button on the computer screen, and stored the first three paragraphs of the story. The CEO of Small Holdings had just been granted a last minute reprieve. For now.

Opening up his web browser, Kerrin began to search the internet for flights to the Bahamas. The last flight to Nassau that evening had already left, but according to his favourite travel site, there was another one leaving from JFK at nine the next morning. Kerrin selected a window seat and after putting in his credit card details, he printed off the confirmation and his ticket. He picked up what was left of his rum and coke and walked into the TV room.

Dana, his wife, had nodded off again while watching the Letterman show. He kissed her lightly on the cheek, and she stretched and woke up, throwing Kerrin one of her fantastic smiles.

Just then the phone rang again. Dana spun her wheelchair around and rolled over to the phone table.

Elizabeth? Is that you? …Yes, Kerrin’s right here…

She held the phone out to Kerrin, covering the mouthpiece as she spoke.

She’s crying her eyes out! Something’s wrong…

He took the phone from her outstretched hand.

It took a while before Kerrin could get his sister to talk calmly. She was babbling almost incoherently.

…He’s dead, Kerrin!…He crashed into the sea!…According to the flight control centre, one minute he was on the radar screen, then the next he wasn’t…He just vanished without a trace! Kerrin, they killed him, just like they killed the others! …

Chapter 3

Day Six

Sunny Cove

New Providence Island

Bahamas

The sun rose above a picture postcard sea. Gentle waves slowly lapped long sandy beaches, the calm sea, transparent and turquoise near the shore, transforming abruptly to a vivid deep blue as the coral shelf plunged into the depths further off the island.

It was going to be a beautiful day.

Not so for Kerrin. The past few days had been a living hell. He had arrived at Nassau airport and been greeted by an airport official who had escorted him to a private room, where a female police officer had been comforting his sister. She had spent the night in a hotel, and had been asked to return to the airport the next day to help the police and the airport officials with their enquiries.

Although technically Martin's Lear Jet had not yet entered official Bahamian air space when it vanished, they had been tracking the flight on their radar and had been in voice contact with the pilot. Questions were going to be asked, and if there was going to be an air crash investigation, the trail would start at the air traffic control centre in Nassau.

Elizabeth was in a terrible state. Only after quite a bit of persuasion from Kerrin, had she agreed to take a tranquilliser and go back to the hotel for some sleep. A female police officer had looked after the children for the day, neither of whom had yet been told about the death of their father.

After two days it was becoming clear that there was not really going to be any big investigation. The search for the wreckage and Martin's body had been called off after forty-eight hours. Two helicopters and a light aircraft had scanned the area where the plane had disappeared from the radar, and two ships had criss-crossed the surface of the sea where the plane would have come down. After they had found several pieces of floating fuselage, one with a large letter 'K' written on it, part of the plane's identity number, the search for survivors was abandoned.

It seemed that why the plane had crashed was a mystery that no one would ever be able to explain. It struck Kerrin that since it had happened in international airspace, there was a lack of motivation and accountability for the Bahamian officials to spend any more time or money investigating the cause of the crash.

Four days after the plane accident, Kerrin had taken his sister and her children to the airport and seen her off on an airplane back to the States. She would be met at the airport in Arizona, where she would spend a few weeks with their other sister Jane on their country ranch. Peace and quiet and rest. That's what they needed now.

He stood on the balcony of his hotel room overlooking the bay, watching the holidaymakers and tourists scurrying onto the beach to claim their portion of sun for the day.

It was only 9 a.m. but already most of the beach beds were occupied.

He had always wanted to come to the Bahamas, but had never been able to find the time nor money, and then after his wife had been crippled, overseas travel had become very difficult. Now he was finally here, it was under the worst possible circumstances, and he wasn't in the mood to do any relaxing.

The memory of Elizabeth crying uncontrollably in the small airless office at the airport kicked him hard, and he winced at the thought of the pain she must be going through.

Apart from Dana, he loved his sister more than any other person alive. She and Martin had made a brilliant couple. Sure, they had had their problems, but so did everybody. Martin was a workaholic, never really spent enough time at home with the kids or Elizabeth. At first she had hated playing the patient mistress to his work, but after a few years she came to accept it, taking comfort from the fact that Martin was driven by the will to save lives and was working on something that one day could change the world. Or so he always claimed. Truth was that neither Elizabeth nor Kerrin really understood exactly what it was that Martin did. It was just too complicated.

Kerrin and Dana owed