Mirabe paused for a moment, then said, "From what I''ve seen in your documents, it looks like you''ve only listed a few strains of fungus. But from where I''m standing, there should be more than just those."


    Adler''s eyes lit up at her observation. This woman was sharp. He nodded, "You''re right, there are more than just those few strains. However, we haven''t been able to study the others yet."


    Mirabe''s expression turned unusually serious, "So, where did you get this stuff from?"


    She gestured toward the diseased sample in the ss container.


    Adler was straightforward, "We developed it with an international research


    institute, but some of the strains came from an infection zone overseas."


    He didn''t go into further detail, given the confidentiality involved.


    Mirabe was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Biochemical pathogens can infinitely differentiate and rbine."


    Adler''s eyes widened, "Biochemical pathogens? Isn''t that..."


    "That''s why I advise you to stop researching this. If someone gets infected, it could lead to a disaster beyond imagination," Mirabe said slowly.


    Adler stared at the ss container. He knew Mirabe''s warning wasn''t to be taken lightly, but halting a project might be even tougher than starting one.


    Seeing Adler lost in thought, Mirabe added, "I can help you analyze theposition of the strains, but that''s all I can offer. Whether you take my advice is up to you."


    She stepped aside after speaking.


    Adler watched her, standing there without a word, his thoughts a mystery.


    Mirabe didn''t say anything else and picked up herptop again. She had promised to help with the research and wasn''t one to break her word, even though she loathed biochemical pathogens.


    Most of the day, Mirabe was buried in analyzing structures, but progress was slow.


    *


    Around three in the afternoon, Mirabe received a call from Grant. He said the medicinal herbs were ready for delivery.


    "I''m not at the university right now, but you can give me an address, and I''ll have someone pick them up Mirabe suggested after a O


    moment''s thought.


    Grant paused briefly before saying, "Actually, there''s something I wanted to discuss with you."


    Mirabe replied, "Okay, give me the address, and I''lle byter."


    Grant felt relieved when Mirabe agreed. "Would you minding directly to the association?"


    He hesitated, then added, a bit


    "We''ve been swamperet


    person,


    if you coulde in


    it would be really helpful."


    Mirabe didn''t think much of it. Adler''s ce wasn''t too far from the


    pharmaceutical association, so she agreed.


    "Just give me a call when you arrive," Grant said quickly.


    "Sure," Mirabe replied.


    After they hung up, the smile faded from Grant''s face, and he was left wondering


    if what he was doing was right.


    He sat quietly in his office chair for a moment, then sighed heavily, stood up, and headed to Presley''s office.


    Presley was on the phone but


    quickly wrapped up the call when he


    saw Grant at the door. The first thing


    he asked was, "Did she agree toe?"