here. She said she couldn’t talk freely
on the phone – and then her mobile died.’
‘I’m interested in what her message implied,’ said Angie slowly, ‘that the secrecy around DiNAH isn’t for the reason people
think. If you had to have a guess at what she meant, what would it be?’
‘I’d say that all the secrecy isn’t just because of greed and the desire to keep the treatment under wraps until it’s patented
– so that nobody else can cash in on it. It could be because of some ethical consideration, but I’d say it’s more likely there’s
a problem with the treatment itself.’
‘Maybe they’re doing something they shouldn’t – like cloning human DNA or something?’ Angie sighed. ‘Hell, how would I know?
I’m just a cop who was looking forward to taking some rostered days off. But now I’ll have to follow this up. So, where exactly
is Sapphire Springs?’
CHAPTER 10
‘Okay,’ said Angie, switching on the ignition. ‘Let’s go. By the way, apparently that piece about the vampire attacks is in
today’s paper. There’s a copy on the back seat.’
With Angie heading towards the southern freeway, Gemma scanned the paper until she found the article that Angie had helped
produce. ‘Here it is,’ she announced, folding the paper back. ‘On page five.
‘Police are asking anyone who may have information regarding this type of attack to contact their local police station or
call this number,’ Gemma read out, then folded the newspaper and flung it back onto the seat. ‘Let’s hope it gets some response.’
‘I’ve got Rodney going through the company listings to try to get some information about Satellite Imports, which probably
doesn’t exist, and Access Media Promotions, which does exist but is simply an offshoot of a whole tangle of other companies.
Poor Rod’s pulling his hair out. I told him I’d write a good report onhim if he could find out who the principals are and what other holdings they might have.’
It took more than an hour and a half to get to the spa. It was a pleasant drive down the meandering coastal road and a steep
descent to the very edge of the continent, through a narrow strip of rainforest with stately tree ferns growing on the slope.
A large billboard on the main highway advertised: ‘Sapphire Springs Spa – Fountain of Youth Luxury Spa Resort Only Seven Kilometres
Away: Rest: Rejuvenate: ReCreate!’
Angie took the next right-hand turn as the sign indicated, and drove the seven kilometres through lush countryside. Several
homesteads dotted the gentle slopes spreading away from the narrow road.
The turn-off to Sapphire Springs was dominated by huge dark trees and another colourful billboard. Angie swung into the driveway
and drove past tall banana palms, over a narrow timber bridge that crossed a landscaped stream and up to the reception area.
To the right of the main entrance was a large lake with a small island in the middle. Kayaks lay idle along the shore and
two white swans glided in harmony across the surface.
The reception hall was built in the style of a Balinese garden pavilion, with retractable glass walls for the winter, supported
by tall carved columns. French-style wrought-iron chairs and tables were placed around a paved terrace. Lorikeets squabbled
over the pink and red blossoms of a tall tree that spread dark green leafy branches across the cathedral-style roof. On either
side of the portals, magnificent tropical orchids, green and gold, cream and red, hung in wide baskets high up near the glass
of the ceiling. Ferns and indoor palms bordered the entrance.
Gemma and Angie walked across the marble paved floor to the reception counter, behind which glass walls allowed wrap-around
views of the garden, overflowing with flowers and plants.
Paradise, Gemma thought.
Angie flashed her warrant card to the pert desk clerk. ‘I’d like to speak to the manager,’ she said.
‘Certainly. May I
on the phone – and then her mobile died.’
‘I’m interested in what her message implied,’ said Angie slowly, ‘that the secrecy around DiNAH isn’t for the reason people
think. If you had to have a guess at what she meant, what would it be?’
‘I’d say that all the secrecy isn’t just because of greed and the desire to keep the treatment under wraps until it’s patented
– so that nobody else can cash in on it. It could be because of some ethical consideration, but I’d say it’s more likely there’s
a problem with the treatment itself.’
‘Maybe they’re doing something they shouldn’t – like cloning human DNA or something?’ Angie sighed. ‘Hell, how would I know?
I’m just a cop who was looking forward to taking some rostered days off. But now I’ll have to follow this up. So, where exactly
is Sapphire Springs?’
CHAPTER 10
‘Okay,’ said Angie, switching on the ignition. ‘Let’s go. By the way, apparently that piece about the vampire attacks is in
today’s paper. There’s a copy on the back seat.’
With Angie heading towards the southern freeway, Gemma scanned the paper until she found the article that Angie had helped
produce. ‘Here it is,’ she announced, folding the paper back. ‘On page five.
‘Police are asking anyone who may have information regarding this type of attack to contact their local police station or
call this number,’ Gemma read out, then folded the newspaper and flung it back onto the seat. ‘Let’s hope it gets some response.’
‘I’ve got Rodney going through the company listings to try to get some information about Satellite Imports, which probably
doesn’t exist, and Access Media Promotions, which does exist but is simply an offshoot of a whole tangle of other companies.
Poor Rod’s pulling his hair out. I told him I’d write a good report onhim if he could find out who the principals are and what other holdings they might have.’
It took more than an hour and a half to get to the spa. It was a pleasant drive down the meandering coastal road and a steep
descent to the very edge of the continent, through a narrow strip of rainforest with stately tree ferns growing on the slope.
A large billboard on the main highway advertised: ‘Sapphire Springs Spa – Fountain of Youth Luxury Spa Resort Only Seven Kilometres
Away: Rest: Rejuvenate: ReCreate!’
Angie took the next right-hand turn as the sign indicated, and drove the seven kilometres through lush countryside. Several
homesteads dotted the gentle slopes spreading away from the narrow road.
The turn-off to Sapphire Springs was dominated by huge dark trees and another colourful billboard. Angie swung into the driveway
and drove past tall banana palms, over a narrow timber bridge that crossed a landscaped stream and up to the reception area.
To the right of the main entrance was a large lake with a small island in the middle. Kayaks lay idle along the shore and
two white swans glided in harmony across the surface.
The reception hall was built in the style of a Balinese garden pavilion, with retractable glass walls for the winter, supported
by tall carved columns. French-style wrought-iron chairs and tables were placed around a paved terrace. Lorikeets squabbled
over the pink and red blossoms of a tall tree that spread dark green leafy branches across the cathedral-style roof. On either
side of the portals, magnificent tropical orchids, green and gold, cream and red, hung in wide baskets high up near the glass
of the ceiling. Ferns and indoor palms bordered the entrance.
Gemma and Angie walked across the marble paved floor to the reception counter, behind which glass walls allowed wrap-around
views of the garden, overflowing with flowers and plants.
Paradise, Gemma thought.
Angie flashed her warrant card to the pert desk clerk. ‘I’d like to speak to the manager,’ she said.
‘Certainly. May I
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