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Please return to your stations and await further instructions.”
    The computer on Madison’s desk chirped and text began scrolling up the screen.
    << PRIORITY ALERT >>
    << From: TRIAD GENOMICS SECURITY
    << Priority: ALPHA
    << To: ALL
    << Level-one security lockdown in effect. >>
    << External communications suspended. >>
    << All stations directed to implement security protocols. >>
    “Another security drill? We just had one last week,” said Quiz.
    “Quiz, Dr. Nguyen, please return to your offices.”
    “I’m not going anywhere until you tell us what this is about,” said Grace.
    Crowe retrieved what appeared to be a small cell phone from the inside pocket of his blazer. He punched three buttons and spoke into the receiver.
    “Mr. Occam, please report to Dr. Madison’s office to escort Dr. Grace Nguyen to her workstation.”
    Ignoring Grace’s protests, Crowe turned to Quiz.
    “Will you require an escort as well?”
    Quiz shook his head. “No, that won’t be necessary.”
    Crowe placed the phone back in his pocket.
    “Dr. Madison, will you come with me, please.”
    It was not a request.

Twelve
    Dr. Christian Madison’s Office
34th Floor, Millennium Tower
Manhattan, New York
    “We’re not going to the executive suite?” Madison asked his burly escort.
    “No,” Crowe replied. “Mr. Giovanni is waiting for you at Dr. Ambergris’ office.”
    Dante Giovanni and Joshua Ambergris were the original founding partners of Triad Genomics. Ambergris directed the genetic research that led to the successful completion of the Human Genome Project, but it was Giovanni who brought the financial acumen and business connections to the company, shepherding it from its humble beginnings as a fledgling start-up to a multibillion-dollar IPO. Dante Giovanni was Triad Genomics’ CEO and chairman of the board.
    They rounded a corner in the maze of hallways on the thirty-fourth floor and Madison spotted Giovanni standing in the hallway outside of Dr. Ambergris’ corner office. He spoke in clipped sentences to a young female security officer. She dashed off down the hall to carry out her instructions.
    Dante Giovanni was, as always, an impressive sight. He was perfectly coiffed and manicured, as if he had just come from a press conference. With a full head of graying hair and two rows of pearly white teeth, Giovanni embodied the stereotypical image of the corporate CEO.
    He gripped Madison’s hand in a firm handshake and clasped Madison’s elbow with his other hand in the familiar politician’s gesture.
    “Dr. Madison. Thank you for coming. I’m afraid I have some grave news.”
    Madison waited expectantly.
    “Dr. Ambergris is dead. He was found in his office, at his desk, this morning.”
    Madison stared in stunned silence.
    “What? That can’t be. He was in good health. You must be mistaken.”
    “No. There’s no mistake,” said Giovanni. “Dr. Madison, Joshua Ambergris was murdered.”
    Madison’s brain refused to process the information.
    “What?”
    Giovanni placed a hand against Ambergris’ office door and pushed it open. The room was in complete disarray. Papers and books were scattered everywhere. On the floor beside the massive desk, a white sheet covered Ambergris’ still form.
    “My god,” said Madison. His heart pounded in his ears.
    Crowe displayed no emotional reaction. His expression remained stoic, poker-faced and unrevealing. But Madison noticed that his left hand was tightly clenched in a fist.
    “How did this happen?” asked Madison. “Who did this?”
    “I don’t know,” said Giovanni, placing a hand on Madison’s shoulder. “But we’re going to find out.”

Thirteen
    63rd Floor, Petronas Towers
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Until 1996, the world’s tallest skyscraper had always been in the United States. But the completion of Kuala Lumpur’s twin eighty-eight-story buildings, the Petronas Towers, ended America’s claim to that title. On April 15, 1996, the Petronas Towers became the