“Because it’s illegal,” Barbie said. “If I can get in there and confirm firsthand that they’re conducting medical or experimental research on vertebrates, they’re toast.”
Gwen leaned forward. “Maybe they registered under a subsidiary?”
“Already checked for that,” she said. “Every shell, every ‘doing business as,’ and every holding entity that Tango Bio might be remotely connected to. I came up empty every time. Not only that, but I can’t find any record of an IACUC.”
“Say what?” Basia asked.
“Sorry, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee,” Barbie explained. “Companies in the US using warm-blooded vertebrates for research must create a IACUC for review. That’s the law. Tango Bio hasn’t done that, either. I think our case will be really strong.”
“Are you sure there are no exceptions?” Gray asked.
“None. I’m careful, and I checked for any IACUC filings, minutes, and inspections from the company. There’s absolutely nothing on record or in any of the databases.”
Basia narrowed her eyes. “Then that’s the nail in the coffin for that despicable company.”
I nodded in agreement. “That’s definitely federal-level trouble. It’s enough to shut them down for good, but it won’t come in time to save Ginger or Tootsie.”
We all knew that whatever regulatory wheels we set in motion would grind forward at their usual glacial government pace. Inspections. Hearings. Warrants. Ginger didn’t have weeks, days, or even hours.
“No, it won’t, which is why we’re going in tonight,” Barbie said resolutely. “So, Lexi, how’s the break-in going to go down?”
She said it so matter-of-factly, it surprised me. But that didn’t stop every head from swiveling toward me.
I rubbed my temples. “Well, you can’t just stroll into a secured laboratory and walk out with a bunch of animals. We have to make the animal release look accidental or organic.” I slid my laptop closer and brought up a rough schematic of the lab. “Human error, for example. A cage door left unsecured. A door that didn’t latch and the animals escape on their own. I still need to think a bit on it.”
“How are you going to handle the cameras?” Gray asked. “They will probably have video recording of Barbie strolling into the lab.”
“They have video monitoring,” I confirmed. “But Barbie will be on camera only if I want her to be on camera. And I don’t want her to be.”
“So, how exactly do you plan to erase her?” Gwen asked curiously, setting her elbows on the table.
“Angel,” I said simply. “That new AI software she showed us will be useful in this situation. To start, I’ll have her create a loop of the lab hallways to keep Barbie’s entrance off camera. I’ll also be manipulating the alarms, doors, and security system. Any logs generated will be adjusted in terms of time and motion to show no anomalies. That’s all the easy part. It’s pretty much a cakewalk once we’re in the system.”
Gray stared at me. “You’re really scary sometimes, Lexi.”
“I agree with her,” Barbie said with wide eyes, pointing at Gray.
“Then it’s a good thing you guys don’t know all the things I’ve done with my computer,” I said, smiling tiredly. “Bottom line, Angel and I will get it done, and if my idea works, we’ll even have a special little surprise for Baldy and his minions.”
Basia sighed. “Your amazing hacking skills aside, Lexi, this is really dangerous. Not to mention illegal. Barbie is technically breaking and entering. If she gets caught, she could go to jail. We could all get in trouble for this.”
“She won’t, and we won’t,” I said. “But now is the time to step back if you don’t want to go any farther. I totally understand. There’s serious risk involved.”
I looked around the table, but no one budged.
I nodded. “Okay, then we’re all in. Even if we entertain the worst-case scenario about tonight and, say, Barbie gets caught, I sincerely doubt the lab would call the police, because that would invite immediate legal scrutiny—something they can’t afford on the night before their big presentation. It’s true we’re risking a lot, but all the facts we’ve gathered so far indicates they’re already operating outside the law. Exposure would destroy them.”
“That makes sense, but it’s still a significant gamble,” Gray said.
“Everything about this situation is a significant gamble,” I replied. “But if we’re right, just stopping the technology that created Ginger from getting into the hands of the highest bidder could be a major win for our national security. I think it’s worth the risk, not only on behalf of Ginger, Tootsie, and any other animal, but for the country, too.”
Gray sighed. “You’re really going to pull the national security card? You know how that gets me every time.”
“I am,” I said, spreading my hands on the table. “Because I’m right.”
Silence fell hard as we thought it over.
After a few minutes, Gray spoke. “Okay, so Barbie goes in. Lexi and Angel guide her through the lab. She gathers whatever paper or photographic evidence she needs and releases the dogs. The risk-success rate is fair. Not great, but fair. After that, here’s how I think it goes.”
