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  He touched the first photo. It enlarged and revealed the University of South England, Hampshire. He touched another photo and it revealed the website of the Department of Sports Biology. He dragged a table onto the screen, which displayed the latest research ranking of UK Universities. He highlighted the top twenty.

  "This University is one of the most highly respected in the country with an international reputation for research excellence. In the past six years alone it has received 315 million in research funding. The Department of Sports Biology has received 55 million over the same period and for twenty years research in the Department has been rated excellent," Alan said while reading from a document.

  "In fact they are world class. They publish in top journals," Gavin added.

  "A particular set of research papers from the Department of Sports Biology have been under investigation by senior researchers at CASTER. They have found irregularities and we now suspect the Sports Biology research has backfired," Alan said.

  "CASTER, I don't know them," Rolley said.

  Alan Cairn explained the role of the Committee for Accountable Science and Technology Ethical Research in identifying rogue research.

  "It's similar to the US Office of Research Integrity except that while they will publicly jump on your head. Ours is more gentlemanly. We keep CASTER in a cupboard under the stair in this building," Gavin said with a cynical look aimed at Rolley.

  He'd made his point several times in the past that as a researcher he preferred the American method of policing research.

  "What irregularities?" Zoe asked.

  "Ghost-writing and unreal results are indicated. Various issues are noted in your folder," Alan said.

  "Ghost-writing?" Elaine repeated.

  Aden-Brown fielded her query to Gavin Shawlens.

  "They might have published results they didn't generate so in effect publishing for someone else. Someone could have given them results or someone invented them and passed them off as genuine.

  Unrealistic results could be results obtained from equipment or methods that are not capable of generating the results. Like saying you got ninety mpg out of a car engine when the maximum you could possibly get in a perfect world is fifty mpg," Gavin explained.

  "Thanks for that Gavin," Elaine nodded to him.

  "How did CASTER become aware of these problems?" Rolley asked.

  "Editors of key research journals are required to notify CASTER of any research they think is suspicious," Aden-Brown said.

  "If an editor thinks some research is suspicious, why not just refuse to publish?" Elaine asked.

  "Innocent until proven guilty, for God's sake! Some idiot would need to repeat the research and show that it's faulty. I don't have time to waste on that kind of stupid work," Gavin said aggressively and impatiently.

  Suddenly Gavin felt anxious as if he was about to pass out. His face turned white. Perspiration formed on his forehead. He got up from his chair and almost fell back into it. He stumbled back from the table. He heard someone ask are you alright?

  "Excuse me a minute," he replied.

  Gavin Shawlens hurried out of the room in a state of distress and headed for the men's room along the corridor.

  10

  Home Office Briefing Room A

  Everyone in the room heard the anguish in Gavin's voice. Clearly he was a man in trouble. Zoe moved to go after him but Alan Cairn motioned his hand for her to sit back down. Elaine wondered if he would put the team at risk. Rolley wondered if he's had a rough night on the tiles.

  In the men's room Gavin held on to the wash-hand basin while his body shook. He felt dizzy. He broke out in a cold sweat and grabbed some paper towels to mop his face. His hands were trembling. He felt hungry. Nervously he ran his hand through his thick light-straw-coloured hair.

  He realised his blood sugar was low because he had skipped breakfast and lunch. He depleted the carb stores in his liver and muscle. His body was running on gluconeogenesis metabolism to make sugar from fat. It's a backup system. Not designed for sprinters. He had arrived late, run up and down stairs and along corridors before he reached the meeting room.

  Raised anxiety in the room dropped his blood glucose below the seventy threshold, the point of no return. His brain had to tell him it was not happy. His blood glucose had dropped below 70 mg per 100 ml blood. The brain needs six grams of glucose each hour, every hour of every day, to supply energy for continuous brain activity.

  It doesn't trust you to remember. It checks your blood glucose and if it detects falling blood glucose. It will kick your backside to remind you it has needs. Gavin's backside had been well and truly kicked. He had slipped into hypoglycaemia and he knew what to do.

  "We are tasked to find out if research in the Department of Sports Biology has backfired. If it has, we need to find out who is involved, close it down and deal with any consequences," Alan said.

  "Serious damage will be inflicted on all UK research if it becomes public that a world class UK University is cheating at research. This could cause a collapse of confidence in UK research with significant loss of overseas research income. In the last financial year that was worth 19.8 billion," Aden-Brown said.

  "Are they aware of the CASTER investigation?" Rolley asked.

  "No it's confidential. That of course gives us an investigative edge," Alan said.

  Gavin slipped back into the room and moved to the tea trolley. He gathered a handful of sugar sachets to pour into his coffee. He downed the sweet coffee quickly and the colour started to return to his face. He smiled to each person in turn to let them know he was okay.

  Alan dragged a set of three photos onto the centre of the screen. The CASTER team have identified three researchers associated with the suspicious research.

  "Professor K R Buzzwall, Professor J L Kwan and Dr S B Griffan."

  Alan pointed to each one in turn and ran through their backgrounds.

  Buzzwall was a middle-aged man with receding hair and an intimidating expression. Kwan was a Chinese man, late thirties, with a shock of black hair combed back lying flat. Griffan was a young woman with a face and bright smile similar to grown-up Emma Watson from the Harry Potter films.

  "The CASTER group have produced a briefing paper that explains their concerns. All three are named on eight research papers that the CASTER group are worried about."

  "Have there been any consequences?" Gavin asked.

  From his experience of past backfires Gavin knew that a Lambeth Group team wasn't assembled until a backfire had produced one or more unfortunate consequences.

  "There are two consequences we know about," Alan said.

  Alan Cairn pulled another photo onto the screen. He dragged and enlarged the photo then told the team that it was a photo of Jemard Patrick Edmond, Jamaican national, aged twenty-three.

  Alan told them Jemard was an Olympic medal contender and postgraduate research student in the Department of Sports Biology. Jemard was a named contributor on three of the suspicious research papers.

  "What brought him to attention?" Rolley asked.

  Alan Cairn explained that registry offices in all UK universities were required to notify the Home Office of all foreign student dropouts and disappearances as part of an anti-terrorist and illegal immigrant-tracking programme. Jemard Edmond was automatically reported absent from his research studies.

  The Home Office followed up and the Department reply said Jemard was taking time off in Europe to train and take part in racing trials. Elaine said she had checked with the Department and they confirmed that Jemard is in regular text and email contact with his supervisor Professor Buzzwall as he travels around Europe.

  "So he's gone walkabout as students do," Zoe said.

  "Home Office have no passport record of him leaving the country. Interpol have no record of any passport appearances anywhere in Europe. He's off the grid and we can't find him," Alan said.

  "Buzzwall is lying and the question is why," Aden-Brown said.

  "Y
ou said there were two consequences," Zoe affirmed.

  Alan pulled another photo onto the screen. He said it was Oliver Mansole.

  "Three weeks ago Professor Wood, head of Sports Biology, informed HR that one of his technicians Oliver Mansole had left his job without notice. Seemingly he has vanished and can't be contacted," Alan said.

  "Oliver Mansole was one of Professor Buzzwall's research technicians," Elaine added.

  "Very peculiar coincidence or the pigeons are getting scared," Zoe said.

  "I don't believe in coincidence. Never have. A research team suspected of publishing false research. A top student involved in this research disappears. Now a technician also involved in this research has run off. Come on!" Alan Cairn said.

  "Buzzwall is our person of interest but we want everyone involved," Aden-Brown said.

  "What is the status of police in this investigation?" Zoe asked having noted no police representative around the table.

  "Good point Zoe. Local police have opened a mispers report file for Oliver Mansole. I've told the head of Missing Persons Taskforce that he's under investigation, so mispers enquiries are on hold. Jemard isn't officially missing so there is no police interest. Interpol will continue to look out for him in Europe," Alan said.

  "What's our cover?" Zoe asked.

  Aden-Brown explained the RAE that determines where six years of government funding will go to support research excellence. As part of U.S.E.'s preparations for the next RAE he said he had arranged for Gavin to work in the Department of Sports Biology on the pretext of developing new research collaborations.

  "Zoe is team leader for this backfire. Gavin will go in as himself with support from his technician Christine Willsening. Look for links to Jemard Edmond and Oliver Mansole. Oliver Mansole was on the University judo team so Gavin will join the judo club.

  Rolley will go in as himself to the Department of Physics as a visiting lecturer. Look for any issues outside of Sports Biology that might shed some light. Jemard was a star cyclist so Rolley will join the cycling club.

  Elaine is already in place in the HR Department and will ensure that your legends stand up to any scrutiny. Elaine will have full access to all personnel and backroom files. Any questions?" Alan asked.

  "What's this about Christine? I wasn't told I needed Christine," Gavin asked and his face reflected concern.

  "Zoe will go in as Christine Willsening. Christine is named on many of your research papers so her credibility as research support is good," Alan said.

  "It'll be fun. I haven't played with test-tubes since school," Zoe said to Gavin but he didn't look happy.

  "I'll need to double check with Christine and make sure she doesn't have friends or colleagues at U.S.E."

  "Elaine has already prepared the ground for your arrival," Alan said.

  "I'm in HR as Ruth Winters, deputy director, with a fully backstopped twenty-year legend of experience in academic human resources. If you run into any trouble just call HR and ask for Ruth. In your folder you will find a legend for each member of the team. Thoroughly familiarise yourselves with each other. Let's not have any identity slip-ups please," Elaine said.

  Zoe smiled. She knew that Elaine was talking to the two academics.

  "You'll find allocated accommodations in your folders, plus credit cards and the usual contact details. Any questions at this point?" Alan asked.

  "Given these disappearances. Are there any risks I should be aware of?" Rolley asked.

  "Unlikely but keep to your check-in protocols and I will know when anything is wrong. Keep sharp and you'll be fine," Zoe said.

  "Well ladies and gentlemen we kick off immediately. Hampshire is a lovely part of the world. Let's make sure it stays that way. Keep your SEM mobile glued to your hip and report regularly," Aden-Brown said as he rose from his seat.

  11

  Home Office, Whitehall, London

  Zoe Tampin was five eight, slender, athletic-looking, intelligent and ambitious. That much Gavin Shawlens deduced during the briefing. What he didn't know about the forty-three year old was that Zoe was an ex-army captain who had joined the OTC at her University and went on to receive the coveted Sword of Honour at Sandhurst as the best officer cadet.

  With ease she can deadlift eighty kg. Roughly what a soldier might weigh minus kit. Her favourite pastime is a 5K Colour Run where runners wear white at the starting line and coloured powder is thrown at runners as they run past to produced multicoloured finishers.

  Captain Tampin had served with the SAS in Bosnia and more recently on Special Forces operations for MI5 and MI6 at home and abroad. Her CO wrote about her; Zoe Tampin protects her troop like a lioness protecting her cubs; powerful, determined, completely ruthless.

  Zoe had proved herself in combat and she was accepted as combat hardened. She was powerful in dealing with the stress of imminent danger and her concentration over long periods was second to none. Many times her troop had faced the white of the opposition's eyes and she had led them through hell and back.

  More than two hundred soldiers told their mates that they were alive and in one piece because of Zoe Tampin's leadership under fire. Men and women under her command call her DP which stands for Diana Prince (alias of Wonder Woman).

  Zoe had smashed the hardest glass ceiling and showed the pencil generals the unique skill set that women have to offer in the multi-dimensional fight against 21st century terrorism. She formed and led a special operations unit of women, W Troop. Still a small attachment compared to the number of men in Special Forces, but against a strict background of no drop in standards, her select group of female troopers had proved themselves worthy of the badge.

  Zoe hung back at the end of the briefing to speak privately with Gavin Shawlens.

  "Are you okay? You looked a bit peaky in there."

  "I'm fine just low on glucose."

  "So Dr Shawlens. How did the Lambeth Group get you?"

  Gavin explained that in return for his time and biochemistry expertise the Lambeth Group provide continuous funding for his enzyme technology research group at the University of Kinmalcolm.

  He said that with continuous funding he could avoid the brain-crushing, time-draining need to chase and compete with the herd of top researchers for ever dwindling successions of precious research grant awards. With a half smile he said he rather enjoyed the complete diversion from routine lab work.

  In fact Gavin Shawlens’ recruitment into the Lambeth Group had been well managed once it was discovered that he fitted their basic profile: loner, single, strong research, international expert, single-minded and determined. They tested him with non-controversial analytical work then locked him down with confidentiality agreements and the Official Secrets Act.

  "Tell me about your technician Christine Wilson. What's she like?"

  "Will-sen-ing," he corrected.

  "She's a good technician and close friend."

  "I meant are you two an item?"

  "We often eat together, we go to …"

  "Does she wear short bikini knickers or big baggy knickers?"

  "I don't know. Why?"

  "Just trying to find out if she tucks you in at night."

  "It's not like that. She has a boyfriend, well she did, until I … erm," he said flustered.

  "I'm not judging, just thinking how best to play the part."

  "She's very good at her job. A key member of my team."

  "Just like you then, except you're on my team."

  "Do I call you sir or ma'am or boss?" he asked flippantly.

  "Zoe will do fine."

  She saw a faraway look in his eyes again. She noticed it during the briefing when his attention had wandered and he look spaced out for a few moments. Alan Cairn had briefed her on his recent trauma. She knew she had to tread softly around his feelings. But not too softly she thought.

  "So it wouldn't be out of character for you two to share a flat."

  "No we've done that before when I ran a training course at Durham
."

  "Good because you're sharing my flat. Do you want the top bunk or the bottom?" She asked playfully.

  "What," he retorted with a look of shock.

  "Only kidding Shawlens," she reassured and patted his shoulder.

  "I don't like bunk beds."

  "Can you cook?"

  "I don't cook. I do M&S ready-made," he replied.

  "I don't do ready-made. I do QET, quick, easy, tasty."

  "If you say so."

  "What can you do for your domestic share?"

  "Erm ..., I suppose I could try ..."

  "Don't worry Shawlens I'll work something out for you."

  She gave him a big smile. She was warming to him. She was certain he wouldn't cause her any problems.

  "Fine, just tell me what needs to be done."

  "You know Barscadden has fled the country, but we believe the threat level is still high," she said, her voice more serious.

  "Yes Alan Cairn told me I had to be careful in case he sends someone to kill me."

  "I'll make sure no-one tries to kills you. Any time you feel threatened press the alarm icon on your SEM phone. Either I or one of my colleagues will run to your side. Clear?"

  "Yes. I thought you were on board to deal with the backfire."

  "We're not expecting any tough stuff on this backfire. But if Buzzwall does kick off he'll get more than he bargained for believe me. I'm here primarily to cover your backside."

  "Thanks. I already feel safe in your company," he said appreciatively.

  "When you've digested the CASTER report; I would appreciate your view on what went wrong. Quick and dirty version please."

  "Of course."

  "Good lad. I think you and I will get on just fine."

  As they walked along the corridor she concluded that his personnel profile was spot on. She knew what to expect from him, how much she could rely on him, how to manage him and how far she could trust him. She had weak troopers under her wing before, some burdened with very heavy baggage and she got the best out of them when it was needed.