***** Vol.4 Chap.4 A strange phone call *****

After meeting with Dr. Tomash, JB was elated. Everything had been progressing smoothly according to plan.

But then she reminded herself that so far only the stage was set. Now she had to get research funding, produce research results, generate publications, and most importantly, make herself known in the scientific community and the world.

Time to get to work.

She jumped up, kicked her heels, and headed back to her new office, i.e. Frank’s old office.

On her way, she remembered that she had to make a phone call to meet with this anonymous group and get funding to show the world that she can do it and that she can do better than her predecessor. After getting back to her office, she dialed the number for this anonymous group that had contacted her earlier.

“Hello, this is PPTSB. To whom may I direct this call?”

“This is Dr. Smith. May I speak to Dr. Schmidtiz please?” JB answered.

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“Just a minute while I connect you.”

The phone buzzed for a minute.

“This is Dr. Schmidtiz.” The voice on the other end of the line replied.

“Dr. Schmidtiz, this is Dr. Smith. You contacted me a few days ago regarding a possible research project on genome decoding?”

“Oh yes, yes, Dr. Smith. We are so happy about your return call. Yes, indeed. We had been following Dr. Abdelcizi’s work, and we tried to contact him. The Computer Science office directed us to you.”

“Excellent. Yes, I oversee all of Dr. Abdelcizi’s research programs now. What can I do for you?”

“We have collected some genome data and would very much like to see if you can help analyze the data for us?”

“I will be happy to do so. Could you tell me more about the data you have collected?”

“Well, because of the sensitive nature of the data and the confidentiality of the subject, I would rather meet with you in person and discuss this in person instead of over the phone.”

JB was slightly taken aback. But money is money. To turn down a good lead on research funding was absurd.

“Sure, where do you want me to meet you? I have classes to take care of for the rest of this week.”

“Don’t worry. You are in Pittsburgh, right? Would you be free tomorrow afternoon?”

“Yes, I believe I don’t have any classes tomorrow afternoon. My office?”

“Er…We prefer to meet face to face away from the University. How about at the cafe at downtown Hilton at 3:00 pm?”

“That will work.”

“Great, see you tomorrow.”

After hanging up the phone, something about the conversation and the secrecy did not sound right, though she could not put her finger on that nagging feeling.

Well, money is money and having money is everything.

So, she thought nothing more about the doubtful feeling.