The Rainbow Conspiracy Page 12

  ‘Oh really? What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, back in the forties and under the pressure of warfare, men in all the armed services had the opportunity to develop the sort of close relationships with each other that they didn’t even recognise as being gay.’

  ‘Oh, I see now,’ Clive replied. ‘I suppose I’d never thought about it like that.’

  ‘Anyway, as you were saying earlier, by the seventies there was one hell of a lot of indiscriminate gay sexual activity going on here in the United States. You know as well as I do that by now, in the eighties, some amongst us might have sexual contact with as many as over three hundred men in one year alone. So if one of us already had AIDS, we could have passed it on to hundreds of others. That’s how efficient the virus was.’

  Clive thought for a moment, and then added: ‘You might say that those scientists had found the perfect vehicle for total destruction. A sort of human time bomb, difficult to identify and harder still to deactivate once it had been set up.’

  ‘And, another thing, Clive. It’s almost impossible to monitor the spread of the virus, due to the fact that gays often had so many casual encounters that it’s hard to trace things back. It struck right at our Achilles heel, and at first began to work in a slow and deadly way up until now, when it has gathered such enormous momentum.’

  ‘Now I’m beginning to understand how it has managed to spread so easily. But how on earth did they plant the virus in the first place?’

  ‘You know, when Dennis came to me with what I thought was such a tall story, I began to think of possible ways myself: that is, before he told me everything.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘It seems quite ridiculous now that I know,’ Steve continued, ‘but at the time I thought it was some special chemical substance that could be secreted in the steam rooms of all those bathhouses and saunas we used to go to. Do you remember that all-too-familiar smell that hit you whenever you entered those confined little rooms? I even asked a friend of mine who was a biochemist if it was possible to spread the virus in that way.’

  ‘And was it?’

  ‘He thought it a very dramatic idea, but totally unscientific. No: those Tucson guys were no amateurs. They really knew what they were doing.’

  ‘And now you’re telling me that Jim and his marine had found out how they were doing it?’

  ‘That’s why they had to be eliminated, and I guess Dennis was also in danger: although, he went along and contracted the damn thing himself.’

  ‘You know, somewhere at the back of mind is a feeling that they did get Dennis.’

  ‘I’m not so sure about that one. He certainly died of AIDS, but I’m not sure he was bumped off by that swine virus’

  ‘Yes of course he did. But Steve, you still haven’t told me how the virus was spread.’

  ‘No, indeed I haven’t. I’m going to ask you to take your mind back to when you came into the USA on a student visa. Do you remember the exact procedure they put you through on entering the States for any degree of permanency?’

  ‘Yes, as a matter of fact I do. But I don’t see how that has anything to do with the spread of AIDS … Another martini?’

  ‘You don’t even have to ask.’

  As Clive fixed the drinks, he remembered the endless forms he had had to fill out in order to get a student visa; of the interview that followed at the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square in London and, of course, that vigorous medical examination they gave him, and that was certainly something he had never been able to forget.

  ‘Clive, cast your mind back. Do you remember a blood test?’

  ‘Now you come to mention it, I’m afraid I do. The chap in front of me passed out when they took a blood sample, and as I said earlier on, I hate needles, but, fortunately for me, that morning I was fine.’

  ‘So they put a needle in your arm, and extracted a sample of your blood. Is that correct?’

  ‘Yes. But it was no different from any other blood test I’d ever had.’

  ‘That’s exactly my point.’ Steve was now adamant. ‘A simple pinprick, and it was over.’

  ‘Yes, I suppose so.’

  ‘And what would you say if I told you that as well as taking a sample of your blood, the doctor was more than capable of injecting you with a virus?’

  Although Clive was no scientist, he recognised the logic behind Steve’s theory: that a contaminated needle could inject a virus at the same time as it was taking a blood sample. He decided that, he would phone and ask his doctor in Hammersmith whether such a procedure was possible.

  Steve went on to explain that it was the Caribbean resort of Haiti that had been targeted to launch the lethal vaccinations and since it had long been a fashionable gay holiday paradise, it was known that privileged American bachelors would arrive in their droves and shower dollars on the local young men in exchange for their favours. There was a lot of unemployment on the island, so business was brisk, and some of the wealthier Americans were also on the lookout for permanent houseboys they could take home with them. A visa was requested and the normal procedures for obtaining one were adopted.

  ‘Those poor unsuspecting Haitian boys who had found work in the USA,’ Steve continued, ‘applied for a permit and were subject to the usual formalities. While giving a blood sample in order to gain official entry into the United States, they were also being injected with a deadly virus. Of course, they would come in contact with their American sponsors in more ways than one, and slowly but surely they would help spread what they had been infected with, without having any idea that they were responsible for causing the ensuing calamity.’

  ‘But Steve, blood tests are pretty routine. I mean, didn’t Dennis have one when he visited Dr Levitt at the STD clinic here in Columbus?’

  ‘Yes, I believe he did.’

  Then Clive asked. ‘Is it possible that’s how Dennis contracted AIDS?’

  ‘Now you’re really putting me on the spot, Clive. If that were to be the case, it would suggest that Allen is also involved with all this.’

  ‘And do you think he might be?’

  ‘Allen’s a very charming, attractive, young gay doctor.’

  ‘Steve, my dear friend, you’re avoiding my question.’

  ‘Since coming to Columbus, Allen has been very active in our gay community and is completely committed to the Men’s Center. He’s done so much to help prevent the spread of AIDS that I’m just finding it hard to believe he would want to cause it.’

  ‘Yes, Michael has told me how much help and support he has provided. But, you see, I haven’t met him yet, so it’s somewhat premature for me to make judgements about someone I don’t even know. Tell me – is he really the angel of mercy everyone says he is?’

  ‘He certainly appears to be, but please don’t repeat a word of what I’m about to say about him to Michael.’ Then, lowering his voice, Steve continued. ‘You see, now you come to mention it, just lately I’ve felt uneasy about Allen … I can admit to you that I find there is something about him that doesn’t ring true for me – it’s just that I can’t quite put my finger on it.’

  ‘And yet Michael seems to have formed such a very trusting relationship with him.’

  ‘Yes, I know, and after Dennis passed away, they’ve become very close. And that’s why you mustn’t repeat what I’ve just said to you. But you know, all things considered, and despite my doubts, I really am finding it hard to believe that he could have been responsible for injecting Dennis with that deadly virus.’

  ‘I really have to meet him,’ admitted Clive.

  ‘And I’m sure you will.’

  ‘But Steve, with all this information, don’t you also feel at risk yourself?’

  ‘Yes, of course I do. But you are the very first person I’ve shared all this with and I suppose that’s because you’re a foreigner. I’ve no intention of telling anyone here in the USA. It’s all hearsay and anecdote: I have no actual proof of Den’s wipe-out theory. And besides, Jim, that
marine of his and our Dennis are now all dead.’

  So at last Clive believed he had got to the bottom of it all. He was now convinced that his friend Susan Carlsberg’s rumour wasn’t so far-fetched after all and his storyboard was finally complete. Contamination through infected needles, which could spread a deadly virus extremely efficiently.

  A virus that won’t necessarily affect most of the population and that can be contained and nurtured in a minority group that rarely goes outside its own ghetto.

  A virus that can be spread through sexual contact.

  A virus that, once implanted, can lie dormant.

  A virus that, once it takes hold, reduces the body’s ability to fight disease.

  A virus that can not only destroy a subculture physically, but that can also cause a breakdown of morale and massive loss of confidence.

  A virus that can ultimately lead to hatred and ostracism.

  A virus that can exterminate an entire minority group.

  MURDER!

  CHAPTER NINE

  DR ALLEN LEVITT SATURDAY

  ‘Shirley darling, it’s Saturday already and my week is almost up. You see, with all that’s been going on here, I do feel I need a little more time here in Columbus.’

  ‘Well, that’s not a problem. I can change your reservations if you have to stay on a bit longer.’

  ‘It’s just that I’ve found out the most unbelievable information.’

  Clive then proceeded to relate his findings so far. He told Shirley all about the Fred Macadam saga and Dennis’s involvement with the mysterious senator known as Jim. He then went on to describe what Steve had told him about the classified information uncovered at the White House, and really relished sharing the bit about Jim uncovering the existence of an experimental germicide plant near Tucson and how the senator became convinced that the scientists working down there had created a virus which, once administered by injection, could lead to the spread of AIDS.

  Clive explained that Jim had shared all his information with Dennis, including the blood-test theory and how the entire operation was believed to have been instigated in Haiti. Shirley just sat glued to the phone and lapped up the minutest detail, fascinated by every moment and finally admitted that it would all make a great film script.

  ‘Darling, this is serious stuff and it’s certainly not B-movie material. I’m scared, not just for me, but for these Columbus boys too!’ said Clive. ‘If what Steve told me turns out to be true, then they could both be in danger because of what they know, and now that I’ve become involved, so could I!’

  ‘Clive, darling, I didn’t mean to sound flippant, but don’t you think you’re overreacting? I do realise you are anxious: I can hear it in your voice. Of course, I haven’t taken it all in yet, but do you have any real proof of this so-called conspiracy theory?’ And before she gave Clive the chance to answer, she offered to come out to Columbus the following week so that she could talk everything through with him and try to be of some assistance.

  ‘To be honest, that might not be such a bad idea,’ said Clive. ‘But darling, do you think you could fly out as early as tomorrow night? I realise that’s very short notice and doesn’t give you much of a weekend off, but if you think you can leave Roberta for a few days, I really would appreciate your support here as soon as possible.’

  Shirley recognised the agitation in Clive’s voice, and knew her boss well enough to realise that he definitely needed her help. So she calmly assured him that she’d be happy to fly out and that she’d get onto it right away. In the meantime she would also cancel his reservation back to London.

  ‘There are still a few parts of this jigsaw that I haven’t pieced together yet. I need to meet the man who gave Dennis his blood test; this Dr Allen Levitt sounds as though he could be involved in all this, and if he is, I’m beginning to believe he could be an undercover agent working for the FBI.’

  ‘Now Clive, you’re not serious!’

  ‘Well, I’ve yet to meet him, but I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that he might be a major player and mixed up in it all. Listen, darling, I’ll tell Michael that you have Spoke business to discuss with me and that you and I have important work to do here and consequently he’ll understand that I need to stay with you in a hotel for a few days. So could you also book us a couple of rooms?’

  ‘You bet. Now just you keep out of trouble and take great good care of yourself. Especially when you meet up with that … Dr Levitt, did you say his name was?’

  Clive told Michael that Shirley needed to come out to Columbus with some contracts they had to go over together. He apologised profusely, and said that he would have to move into a hotel for a couple of nights so that he and Shirley could get their work done. He also admitted that he felt somewhat overwhelmed by all the medical information he had gleaned in the last few days and was beginning to wonder whether he should try to see someone at the hospital himself and have an AIDS test. Michael felt that was easily arranged but pointed out that Dr Norris was a specialist, a research urologist, and he therefore felt that his friend Dr Allen Levitt would be a better person for Clive to see.

  ‘Actually Michael, I meant Dr Levitt,’ said Clive. ‘Now that I’ve heard so much about this doctor friend of yours, I would really like to meet him. He sounds absolutely the kind of medic who could help me get to grips with all this AIDS information I’ve been learning about. Do you think he’d see me?’

  ‘I’m sure he’ll see you. And besides, I think you’ll like him, he’s very attractive.’

  ‘And … does he have a lover? Oh! I’m only joking.’

  ‘Funny you should ask, but I’ve never seen him out with anyone and, try as we might, we could never lure Allen into bed, but of course we only got to know him just before this AIDS scare hit us. He’s also quite religious and maybe he only dates Jewish boys, and I believe there are not too many of those in Columbus. Say, why don’t I call him right now?’

  With that, Michael went and dialled Allen’s number and immediately got through to him. He assured Allen that everything went fine at the hospital and that he had no new developments to report about the state of his own health. He said that his very dear friend Clive Spoke was over from the UK, staying with him, and that Clive had expressed the need to talk to a doctor about AIDS while he was still in the United States and maybe have a test.

  Allen said he was thinking of calling round to see Michael that evening anyway on his way to giving his weekly talk at the Men’s Center, and that his English friend was more than welcome to attend if he felt that it might be helpful.

  ‘Allen’s coming round this evening and you can meet him then. He wondered if you’d like to go to the weekly AIDS meeting he hosts tonight?’

  Clive nodded back.

  ‘Great! Allen, Clive would love to go. See you at six-thirty, then? Bye … yes … bye.’ And he hung up.

  ‘That’s all fixed, then. He’ll drop round on his way to his usual Saturday-night meeting, you two can get acquainted and then go with him to the Center. I can meet up with you afterwards, and we can have dinner later.’

  ‘Sounds like an excellent idea. Steve told me about the Men’s Center, but tell me, how did it start?’

  Michael couldn’t quite remember the exact date when it was set up, but he believed that it was certainly some time before Dennis became sick. He told Clive that it was established by a group of men in the local gay community to offer advice and provide a place for people to congregate and have social evenings that were not an excuse for finding a quick pick-up. Then he added that with the outbreak of AIDS, its purpose became more and more relevant, and when Den went into hospital, some of his friends rallied round and formed a self-help group based there. At first they created a rota system for visiting Dennis, which gave Michael a much-needed break. Although Michael was by his partner’s side most of the time, he told Clive that it wasn’t easy for either of them and the more Dennis had to distract him while he was just lying there, the better it was for all conce
rned. Then, when other AIDS patients were admitted to the hospital, the support group grew bigger and was also enormously helpful to all the families involved. Michael explained that they had now formed a fundraising organisation, to help with the crippling medical bills. The Columbus AIDS Now Trust Fund had been officially established to offer financial assistance, and the current premises which had been acquired, operated the entire shebang.

  ‘Wow, that’s really impressive.’

  ‘There have been twenty-two cases reported here in Columbus, at the last count, so you can imagine how much assistance is now needed. But to get back to Allen, I’m sure you two will get on, and since you’re staying on for those meetings with your PA, you could ask him to make you an appointment for an AIDS test at his clinic next week.’

  ‘Michael, that’s a super idea. But why shouldn’t we get on?’

  ‘Well, you have rather indicated that Steve Leggard is something of a handful.’ And, without waiting for a response from Clive, he continued: ‘Now, if you don’t mind, I’m feeling a little washed out, so I think I’ll take one of those little “naps” you’re always talking about.’

  ‘You go right ahead. I’ve got all those publications you gave me to read when we went to the hospital. I must confess, I just wasn’t in the mood then. But now I know your friend the learned doctor is coming round, I need to study them and be prepared to ask the right sort of questions and not waste his time. And, by the way, you don’t happen to have the leaflet published by that religious group you mentioned earlier on, do you?’

  When the buzzer to number 257 went, Michael was still resting, so Clive went to let the doctor in. He really didn’t know what to expect though he had heard that Allen was really rather good-looking, but his eyes nearly popped out of his head when he opened the front door. There stood a tall, elegantly dressed man in his early thirties, wearing a smartly cut Italian-style double-breasted suit in navy blue, with a white shirt and discreet red-and-blue striped tie. His thick, dark hair was combed back off his forehead, and on either side of a slightly aquiline nose were the largest pair of blue-grey eyes. Clive tried to cover up the delightful surprise he was given by quickly ushering Allen into the house and introducing himself and saying rather apologetically: