Chapter 1

‘Autumn Leaves’ Roger Williams, 1955

Today, just like every other day of the year, the ferryboat Misty was leaving Greenport and heading to a small island named Plum. The small craft flag warnings posted on the dock meant it would be a rough trip. Most of the passengers were workers on Plum Island and the motion of the boat, even in stormy waters, was routine to them. The “regulars” consisted mostly of maintenance and secretarial staff, along with a smaller group of professional staff such as administrators, scientists and researchers. For visitors the ride could be exceptionally tough. This morning there were two of these visitors on board. These regulars laughed at the term “visitor” since, from a practical view, there are never any visitors. In fact, anyone who sets foot on Plum Island is required to have the government’s highest security clearance. The infrequent visitors were, with few exceptions, governmental agency personnel who had specific research or security assignments on the Island.

Only one of the passengers remained on the outside deck, standing in the stern just to one side of the rear cabin door. The cabin frame served as a windshield and a shelter from the waves that were breaking over the bow of the ship. Over the years of making this daily trip, this passenger had experienced many moments of rough waters. He learned that staying in the cabin would make him sick to his stomach, so even in the dead of winter storms, Dr. Ronald Demay braved the elements rather than go inside the cabin. His fellow employees found this behavior odd but then again, if asked, they would politely say that most of his actions were strange. Even his appearance is somewhat difficult to describe. Not handsome, yet his features are so pronounced that people in general, and females in particular, would say he is good looking. His six