Emergent Complexity
an excerpt

Swanson placed another karyotype on the overhead. “Abbot, Jonathan – age 42 years,” he said. “He experienced the same symptoms, as did other subjects. Bartlett, Harold – age 53 years. Barringer, Jacob – age 47 years. Hanson, Dale – age 31 years. McAllen, Robert – age 43 years. There are six reported cases of this incident, all occurring within the last month or so.”
Allerton wrinkled his brow; none of this made sense…
“There is one thing that links them, well, at least five of them,” said Swanson. “All of them, excluding Ivan, worked in the same building, and subsequently all started developing symptoms at the same time.”
“What are you implying?”
“It is an American company that has its headquarters in London. They are infamous for a serious genetic disaster back in the eighties, that got over two hundred people killed,” he said.
“I don’t think you have to suspect any foul-play here, Detective, this is clearly a medical issue, a natural medical issue. What motive would they have to do something like that?”
“The possibility must remain open, Dr. Allerton. I’m not telling you how to do your job, don’t tell me how to do mine,” Swanson said sharply.
Allerton raised his hands in defense. “All I’m saying is that my job points to the fact that this was a purely natural occurrence, albeit rare.”
“It is possible, to be sure, but something tells me it is not so simple…”
“Why do you say that?” Allerton asked.
“These men are showing symptoms consistent with a genetic disorder, correct?”
“I suppose so, yes.”
Swanson leaned on the overhead and adjusted his yellow-green coat. “Well, my suspicion arises in the location in which these men worked.”
Allerton looked puzzled, “Were they part of the military or something?”
Swanson shook his head, “Not quite. But they worked for a genetic company; doesn’t it seem all-too-fitting that these men should develop symptoms consistent with a genetic disorder?”
“It really doesn’t work that way, Detective…”
Swanson nodded. “They were also recently in the news, have you heard about this?”
Allerton had. There was a massive fire at the Novalife complex over by London, four people were killed.
Four people… “You don’t think…”
“I do.”
Allerton stared at the karyotype on the overhead, “What the hell did you guys do over there…”