have a plan to build on the unused land and foresee that in five years the Biovonix campus will be quadruple the size it is today.” He pointed to future sites for various production facilities as they walked along the front wall.
The wall on the left of the room overlooked a large laboratory area. “This is where the magic happens,” Banik stated proudly. “Most of our research and development is done right here in this room and the surrounding supporting areas.”
“Very impressive, Dr. Banik,” Elliot said. “Is this also where the pre-clinical test trials occur?”
“No. We do little trial work onsite. Almost all of the pre-clinical trials are performed by university affiliates. Most pharmaceutical companies work in this manner.”
Banik moved over to an area behind his desk where the solid wall was covered with accreditations, diplomas, and awards; obviously, Banik wanted Elliot to appreciate his importance. “You have quite an impressive resume of recognition on the wall,” he said, now understanding that acknowledging Banik’s grandeur was part of the dance he orchestrated. It was at that time that Elliot clued in that he needed this huge office to house his over-inflated ego.
“Thank you. But these are only pieces of paper on the wall. My real accomplishment is the work I do to make our world a better, healthier place to live in.”
His modesty was as false as a prom night promise, but Elliot continued walking along the queue of framed pomposity until he reached the last one, a small, framed certificate that had a burgundy colored square in the center of a gold frame. He stopped and read this one only because it was much smaller and quite different from all the others.
“WBC? I’ve never heard of that school,” Elliot stated as a question.
“That stands for Westmount Boys School, a private grade school that closed down years ago. It brings back memories of where I came from and how far I’ve come.”
His pretentiousness was starting to make Elliot ill but he continued along the wall to a shelving unit holding a number of framed pictures. Most of the photos looked to be from corporate affairs and gatherings, but there were three pictures on the top shelf that were clearly family photos. The first photo on the right was of Banik in a graduation frock beside an older man who looked to be his father. The second photo was of Banik in a different graduation gown along with his mother, and the third was a vacation photo in a mountainous region with Banik's mother again as well as a younger girl. Alex looked to be about twenty years old and the younger girl about ten. Something about the girl made Elliot look more closely at her. She had long, blond hair and the hint of freckles on her cheeks, but what had drawn his attention to her was the crowded teeth in her smile.
“Your parents are divorced?” Elliot asked. Normally, he would not have asked such a personal question to a stranger, but he sensed that Banik would not be offended and would welcome the opportunity to talk about himself.
Banik took a deep breath before replying and looked at the three photos on the shelf and then back at Elliot.
“You are perceptive. Yes, my parents divorced when I was seventeen. My father and I moved to Canada from the old country and left my step-mother and step-sister, Anika, behind. I would have rather grown up with a mother in my life, but I think it’s turned out quite well for me. Don’t you think?” he said as he swept his arm around showing Elliot his office.
“I should think so. Dr. Banik, getting back to the point of my visit. My father was murdered a month ago, and I’m trying to recreate the events in his life prior to his death to find out why he was murdered. You met my father just a week before his death, I’m interested to know why he wanted to meet you.”
Elliot focused on Banik's face during this portion of the conversation in order to analyze his responses. For years he had studied
The wall on the left of the room overlooked a large laboratory area. “This is where the magic happens,” Banik stated proudly. “Most of our research and development is done right here in this room and the surrounding supporting areas.”
“Very impressive, Dr. Banik,” Elliot said. “Is this also where the pre-clinical test trials occur?”
“No. We do little trial work onsite. Almost all of the pre-clinical trials are performed by university affiliates. Most pharmaceutical companies work in this manner.”
Banik moved over to an area behind his desk where the solid wall was covered with accreditations, diplomas, and awards; obviously, Banik wanted Elliot to appreciate his importance. “You have quite an impressive resume of recognition on the wall,” he said, now understanding that acknowledging Banik’s grandeur was part of the dance he orchestrated. It was at that time that Elliot clued in that he needed this huge office to house his over-inflated ego.
“Thank you. But these are only pieces of paper on the wall. My real accomplishment is the work I do to make our world a better, healthier place to live in.”
His modesty was as false as a prom night promise, but Elliot continued walking along the queue of framed pomposity until he reached the last one, a small, framed certificate that had a burgundy colored square in the center of a gold frame. He stopped and read this one only because it was much smaller and quite different from all the others.
“WBC? I’ve never heard of that school,” Elliot stated as a question.
“That stands for Westmount Boys School, a private grade school that closed down years ago. It brings back memories of where I came from and how far I’ve come.”
His pretentiousness was starting to make Elliot ill but he continued along the wall to a shelving unit holding a number of framed pictures. Most of the photos looked to be from corporate affairs and gatherings, but there were three pictures on the top shelf that were clearly family photos. The first photo on the right was of Banik in a graduation frock beside an older man who looked to be his father. The second photo was of Banik in a different graduation gown along with his mother, and the third was a vacation photo in a mountainous region with Banik's mother again as well as a younger girl. Alex looked to be about twenty years old and the younger girl about ten. Something about the girl made Elliot look more closely at her. She had long, blond hair and the hint of freckles on her cheeks, but what had drawn his attention to her was the crowded teeth in her smile.
“Your parents are divorced?” Elliot asked. Normally, he would not have asked such a personal question to a stranger, but he sensed that Banik would not be offended and would welcome the opportunity to talk about himself.
Banik took a deep breath before replying and looked at the three photos on the shelf and then back at Elliot.
“You are perceptive. Yes, my parents divorced when I was seventeen. My father and I moved to Canada from the old country and left my step-mother and step-sister, Anika, behind. I would have rather grown up with a mother in my life, but I think it’s turned out quite well for me. Don’t you think?” he said as he swept his arm around showing Elliot his office.
“I should think so. Dr. Banik, getting back to the point of my visit. My father was murdered a month ago, and I’m trying to recreate the events in his life prior to his death to find out why he was murdered. You met my father just a week before his death, I’m interested to know why he wanted to meet you.”
Elliot focused on Banik's face during this portion of the conversation in order to analyze his responses. For years he had studied
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