“The revolution is only beginning,” he added. “Just wait. Medical science isn’t the only industry in store for some disruption. Do you invest, Whitney?”

“No.”

“Because I could name five companies you’d be crazy not to jump all over.”

“Is Rubicon one of them?”

“Absolutely.”

“Anything else?”

“Well, with all due respect, I wouldn’t be pouring money into print magazines.”

His smile was so wide it strained his forehead.

Sample said he had to move on to other guests, but I seized the chance to press him to lift the privacy provisions on a few of the subjects. I said I still needed to talk to someone at least a year after they’d participated in the trial.

I expected the CEO to cite Rubicon’s endless protocol, but he said, “I don’t see why not. I’ll ask Eva to dig into her files for you.”

Before heading off, he gave me his e-mail.

“Send me the story when it’s ready,” he said. “I’d love to see what a fine young writer can do with Eva Kriss.”

—

I saw Dr. Kriss on a cell phone at the end of the deck, scanning the gathering as she talked, and that’s how I finally caught her eye. I thought I perceived some distress as she came over.

“Everything alright?” I asked.

“Just a little chaos in Retreat. You wouldn’t believe the lengths our competitors are willing to go to, or the depths. I’d fill you in, but right now I’m afraid of saying something libelous.” She sighed, then leaned in close and told me, “I’m dying for a nap. Ken and these guys from Dallas play eighteen holes before lunch and eighteen after. My hands are on fire.”

“What do you shoot?”

“Depends,” she said. “I have to strike a balance. If I focus on the game and play well, I embarrass the men. If I just yap my way through it, I embarrass myself. It’s a conundrum.”

After a waiter brought her a glass of 7UP, Dr. Kriss gestured toward Kenneth Sample, who stood surrounded by officers.

“You talked to Ken?” she said.

“Yeah.”

“What about?”

I told her he was open to granting permission for me to talk to one of the subjects. “He’s going to ask you to dig into your files.”

Dr. Kriss began by shaking her head, then broke into laughter. “God, he’s good,” she said. “Ken really knows how to work it.”

“How so?”