“West Coast Vice President in charge of Research and Development. I also act as a liaison between the West Coast labs and our labs in D.C./Virginia.”

“I’m really ignorant on how all this works,” Marge said. “For instance, how did you come to buy Curedon? Who made that decision?”

“How’d you even find out about it?” Oliver said.

Shockley continued to sit with his fingers interlocked. “Why would this interest the police?”

Oliver said, “A man was murdered. We’re looking for reasons.”

“And what reasons did you hope to find here?”

“Money,” Marge said. “Lots of money.”

“Always a good reason for a homicide,” Oliver said.

“Like for instance, we all know that Dr. Sparks was paid a handsome up-front fee for Curedon,” Marge said. “And we all know he was promised part of the percentage of the profits if the drug came to market.”

“Now that he’s gone,” Oliver said, “we were wondering what happens to the percentage. Is it passed on like the rest of his estate?”

Shockley smiled. “And you expect me to divulge private information just because you’re the police.”

Marge said, “Maybe we can talk in general terms. Like if you promised Gentleman X a percentage of profits from drug B that you bought from him—”

“A percentage of profits if drug B comes to market,” Oliver added.

“And if Gentleman X happened to be murdered,” Marge went on, “who would inherit the percentage promised to him?”

Oliver smiled. “She’s just talking theoretical.”

Shockley’s face remained flat. But if his neck muscles grew any tighter, they’d pop his collar pin. “Who have you been talking to?”

Marge said, “Lots of people.”

“Everyone says the same thing.”

“But no one knows the exact numbers,” Marge said. “Not that we’re asking for exact numbers—”

“That’s good, Detective,” Shockley said. “Because the numbers are none of your business.”

Oliver frowned. “’Fraid you were going to say that. Let me ask you this, Doctor. By the way, are you a heart doctor like Dr. Sparks?”

A slight smile appeared on Shockley’s lips. “I’ve got a Ph.D. in both pharmacology and chemistry.”

Oliver said. “You answered that question real easily. We’ll try another. I understand that Fisher/Tyne was testing Curedon for the FDA. Just how does that work?”

Shockley said, “I don’t know what you’re asking.”

Marge said, “You are testing the drug for the FDA, correct?”

“Correct.”

“To test the drug, you need patients.”

“Correct.”

“Where do you get the patients from?”

“That’s confidential information.”

“We’re not asking for names and locations,” Oliver said. “We just want to know how you get the patients. Do you have your own hospital somewhere? Or do you talk doctors at hospitals into trying out the drug?”

“We don’t talk doctors into anything.”

“We’re just wondering how do you get patients to participate?” Marge said.