 In a laboratory, files are copies, the originals destroyed; the perpetrator is tailed- it s Nobel prize winner cancer drug researcher Dr. Max Franklin, who according to the TV news dies in a plain crash. His research colleague Liz White insists Jessica comes anyway. The firm claims he just completed work on the vaccine. Dr. Stuart Himes and Liz are ignored about safety tests. David Randall finds tests are impossible after the disappearance of crucial cultures and data and is ordered to make the tests work or get the boot. Priscilla Lake schemes about the stock s likely dive. Jessica believes to have seen Max alive in a cab, reports it to NYPD Lt. Artie Gelber, is approached by Max and tells him she saw Walter Pell, the P.I. who tails him, at the firm, he says he took the research stuff himself, someone else took his ticket and crashed, he wants to remain  dead  for some time. As Jessica fears, there s a failed arson attempt on Max s life, which later turns out an accidentally cat-triggered bomb. Pell, an ex-cop, reports to the CEO, who orders the  loose canon  defused. Next Jessica and Liz find Max fatally hit on the head. Gelber believes in an accidental mugger, Jessica starts sleuthing...