“They’ve set up a company to control the patents for the organogenesis techniques,” Jerry said. “Rothman and Yamamoto. These are the guys, no doubt about it. They’re the problem.”

“I’m glad you’re taking the issue to heart,” Edmund said. They walked along an ornamental path in the front of the house, past rosebushes that had been severely pruned back for the winter. Patches of snow lay on the lawn in the shadow of the hedges. This was as barren as Edmund’s garden ever looked.

“We have to act at once. Those bell curves move at all to the right, it’s a disaster.”

“I’m pleased you see the same problem we do.”

Jerry stopped walking just short of the lawn.

“Unfortunately, we don’t see a simple financial solution, like selling ourselves short through an intermediary or securitizing our policy holdings immediately. With Gloria Croft shorting big-time, we probably couldn’t find any institutional buyer.”

“I agree,” Edmund said. “But the life settlement concept is still sound. It’s maybe the best business opportunity I’ve ever come across. It would be a shame to have to give up at this early stage.”

“I agree,” Jerry said. And more than you know, he thought, more than even Max knew. “Which is why I’ve come up with another plan.”

There was a silence, then Jerry went on.

“It’s a little unorthodox, but it’s the best plan that serves all of our interests. Believe me, I’ve thought about nothing else over the last twenty-four hours. But it’s not for us to do—it’s for you to do. It was your idea, this whole thing. Your mess to get out of. Just you and I will speak of it, nothing will be in writing.”

Edmund nodded. He didn’t expect anything different. Not from Jerry.

“There’s only one solution, and it’s the way it has to be because this guy Rothman has got himself out there so far ahead of the pack.”

Another silence ensued.

“I think Rothman’s momentum has to be stopped. If it is, I think we’ll have a good five years before the rest of the research community catches up to where Rothman is today.”

Neither man said anything. Jerry’s words hung heavily between them as if they were written in the air. Finally Edmund broke the excruciating silence.

“How do we stop Rothman’s momentum, Jerry?”

“Easy,” said Jerry. “You kill him.”

Edmund turned and walked away from Jerry, back toward the house. He took a path on the side of the building and Jerry set his empty coffee cup down and followed him to the rear garden, where Edmund sat on a bench with a view of Long Island Sound. Jerry sat down next to him.