“How could organized Chinese crime be associated with TB salpingitis?” Marissa asked.

“I haven’t the slightest idea,” Tristan said. “I doubt there is a direct causal link. It has to be some unexpected side effect.”

“Did you know that FCA is controlled by a holding company that also controls all the Women’s Clinics in the States?”

“I do,” Tristan said. “That was part of the reason I went to work for FCA. I knew that they were planning to expand around the globe primarily because of their in-vitro fertilization technology.”

Marissa touched Tristan’s arm. Even though her loss was different, she felt the kinship of shared tragedy. “Thank you for talking with me,” she said softly. “Thank you for being so open and trusting.”

“I hope it has the desired effect of sending you home at once,” Tristan said. “You must give up this crusade you are on.”

“I don’t think I can,” Marissa said. “Not after Wendy’s death, and not after all the suffering that the TB salpingitis has caused me and so many others. I’ve come this far and risked this much. I have to find out what’s going on.”

“All I can tell you is that a similar compulsion ruined my life and killed my wife,” Tristan said. He sounded almost angry. He wanted to talk her out of her foolishness, but seeing the glint of determination in her eyes, he knew it would be in vain. He sighed. “I’m getting the idea that you are a hopeless cause.

“If you have to proceed, then I suggest that you contact the Wing Sin Triad in Hong Kong. Maybe they will be willing to help—for a price. That was what I was planning to do. But I have to warn you that it will be dangerous since the Hong Kong triads are notorious for violence, especially when heroin is involved; the amounts of money are astronomical. The heroin alone coming from the Golden Triangle is worth over a hundred billion dollars a year.”

“Why don’t you come with me?” Marissa said. “Your son is safe in America. Why not follow up on what you had planned to do years ago? We can do it together.”

Tristan laughed aloud. “Absolutely not,” he said. “Don’t even try to tempt me. I ran out of idealism two years ago.”

“Why would FCA and the Women’s Clinic be involved with drugs?” she asked. “Just for the money? Wouldn’t they be risking too much?”

“That’s a good question,” Tristan said. “I’ve asked it myself. My guess is that they might be part of a money-laundering scheme. The clinic needs lots of capital for continued global expansion.”

“So the Chinese coming from the PRC are couriers for money or drugs or both,” Marissa said.

“That’s my guess,” Tristan said.

“But that brings me back to the tuberculosis,” Marissa said. “How does that fit in?”