Within an hour, Nick, Hogan, half of the legal team, and the top executives walked into the lab en masse. Work stopped as all heads watched the entourage head directly toward Dr. Shoo.
“Oh, my God, watch this,” said Shelly, putting her hand on Shoo’s shoulder.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am Bob Nordin, the CEO of BioTech,
and I have just been briefed by my legal team.” “A pleasure to meet you, sir,” said Shelly.
“I don’t know how Mr. Harris did this, but we have just received and verified a Presidential Order, and you are authorized to proceed with human testing on consenting patients when you feel you are able and ready.”
Dr. Shoo sat down. “A Presidential Order,” he said, taking off
his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
“An Executive Order! It’s the damnedest thing I’ve ever seen, Henry,” said Nordin. “And then the Secretary of Health and the Surgeon General told me whatever we need, we got. Can you believe that?” He smiled from ear to ear, looking over at Nick. “Now, I don’t know how this is going to turn out, but I want everyone in this room to drop whatever project they are working on and do whatever Dr. Shoo says.”
Nick turned and took George’s arm. “Shelly, this is George Hogan, and he has someone who needs our help. George, this is Dr. Shelly White, the best there is.”
Shelly looked into his eyes and could tell Hogan was a worried man.
*****
Dr. Shoo, Nick, Shelly, Dr. Barry Hayes, and a small group of BioTech personnel marched into LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City the following morning. They were met by Jack Keith, a thirty-nine- year-old oncologist who was treating a gravely sick, seventy-five- year-old Manny Howard.
“Hi, Jack,” said George Hogan as he shook the doctor’s hand and introduced the team. Shelly looked around, pleased with the hospital. Clean and updated, with wide halls, well-lit. St Teresa’s sure could use some polish, she thought.