By midmorning Corey was on the phone again, probing the second most renowned medical research center in America, the Johns Hopkins University. After several preliminary calls requesting information on their dream research, he was connected with the secretary of Hopkins' Kreiger School of Arts and Sciences. There he was informed by a young voice that it was not unusual for psychology courses to cover dreams and the mental activity of dreaming. When asked what post graduate degrees that very subject would relate to, the young woman told him a MSc in Neuroscience would be most likely.

"I just cannot say what specific studies are being carried out presently," she told him in a cheery voice," That information might be better answered by a member of our faculty teaching graduate courses or the overall department chair, Dr. Marylyn Wasserman."

"That's fine. I appreciate the help," Corey said, matter-of-factly. "Could I get Dr. Wasserman's phone or email address?"

"Sir, I cannot give you that information over the phone. I encourage you to see our website which features our graduate degrees and programs. Dr. Wasserman's contact details can be found there."

"Alright. Thank you."

"You might also want to contact the School of Medicine at Hopkins. There are a number of off-campus facilities relating to the university."

"And you're saying research on dreams might be going on there?"

"Correct, Sir. That would most likely be under its Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences."

"I'll do that. Thank you again."

Corey hung up the phone and began looking over the entire university's websites at his desk. He noted that The Kreiger School had a Department of Psychological and Brain Science. The Department Chair was indeed listed as Dr. Marylyn Wasserman. Her office contact phone was there as well. He looked at his watch and calculated the call would still be mid-day in Baltimore.

"Hello . . . Dr. Wasserman's Office," another pleasant voice greeted him.

"Hello. Would it be possible to have a word with Dr. Wasserman at this hour?"

"She'll be returning from a class for her office hour in just a few minutes, Sir. May I ask who's calling?"

"Yes. This is Lieutenant Corey Jeffers with the Las Vegas Nevada Police Department. I'm doing a routine investigation on that missing Miss World America contestant you may have heard about. It's my understanding she was taking some online course with this department."

"Oh . . . Well, is there a number where Dr. Wasserman may reach you?"

"Yes, of course."

Corey gave her his office and cell phone number.

"So, Miss. While I wait for her to call, may I ask just a few routine questions about you're your department there. This is the Psychological and Brain Science Department, Kreiger School of Arts and Sciences, correct?"

There was a slight pause.

"Yes. That is this location."

"May I ask of you are aware of any specific graduate projects in your department with a focus on the topic of dreams?"

"Well Sir . . . that is a topic our students sometimes choose to engage in through the guidance of their graduate supervisor. Or sometimes they'll volunteer to assist with special project research being conducted by our staff here. We are a research facility."

"I see. And can you tell me if a . . . Henley Marlow was such a student of this department. In person or through online coursework? That is, prior to her disappearance roughly a week ago?"

There was a longer pause.

"Sir it is not customary for our office to discuss the identities or participation of any of our students. And it's strictly forbidden to give out names of any of our students, for any reason. I'm sorry, that's just university policy, Sir."

"I totally understand. I'm just inquiring generally for our investigation purposes. If in fact, Henley Marlow was enrolled in your department's coursework."

"No Sir. I'm telling you. I cannot verify that. As I say, our university's policy is . .

"Very well. Please inform Dr. Wasserman about my police business call. I'll be waiting to hear from her at her earliest convenience."

"Alright Sir. I will notify her about our conversation. You can expect a return call a soon is possible."

"Thank you for your information."

"You're very welcome, Lieutenant Jeffers."

While Corey waited for the professor's return call, he continued to search the department's link on the Hopkin's Kreiger School site. He found that there had been a special consortium on the topic of dreams at John Hopkins held the year before, involving several disciplines and departments. It had been well-attended internationally and was written up extensively in professional journals for its breakthrough revelations. It had apparently brought together experts from the arts to medicine and psychotherapy, all to provide the latest research information and panel discussions centered around the behavior and significance of dreams. Corey was convinced that at the research level, the young beauty contestant had been involved through online coursework associated with these ongoing projects.

As he sat at his desk the milk-glass door of the small office swung open and he was joined by the large frame of Mattingly, his investigations partner. As usual Bill was disheveled, sporting an un-pressed sports coat and was managing to eat a large submarine sandwich while navigating into his chair.

"What's up, Bill? Chicken or ham, today?"

"I went for the turkey, this time," he said with a mouth full. "Big mistake . . . I'll stick with the other two next time."

"Gotcha."

"So. Any luck with our unmarked limo?"

"Maybe. Yeah. These guys who have that business in this town are absolutely cut-throat toward each other."

"OK. Well think of the competition, man,"

"Yeah. So it turns out they all like to point the finger at each other when it comes to ferrying clients doing stuff just south of the law."

"Yeah, we know that . . . escort services, drug dealers, big casino rollers, our friendly Hollywood orgy circuit . . . don't tell me, man. They all come into this town doing questionable shit."

"So we get that. But hey, lucky for us, instead of these guys sticking together to protect their businesses and big tips? They like to rat on each other. Guess they figure one more of their breed behind bars gives more opportunity for them out on the streets."

"Perfectly good business practice. So what did you learn?"

Mattingly took another hero-sized bite out of his sandwich.

"Well . . . I guess that night Henley vanished a number of them cruising the boulevard saw the limo in question. These guys can pick out an unfamiliar, un-licensed vehicle before you can say Jack Robinson."

"Not surprised."

"The guys I interviewed say it was a super new and clean limo. Not a total stretch but pretty sleek and hot out of the factory. Black with illegal smoked windows. The guys I interviewed figured it was a driver and car from out of town. Most likely LA from the missing license MO. One guy followed it to the freeway and saw it head west. Coast-bound."

"Any radio contact with the driver?"

"Nope. A pretty silent getaway all around."

"Did you get more than one confirmation on that vehicle description?"

"Yeah, several guys said they hadn't seen that cruiser in town before."

"Great. So, LA's got, what? . . . ten million people now?"

"Yeah. Something like that. It's like a whole damn country, man."

"Just what the Chief wants to hear."

"What do you mean, man, that gives him something to tell the media, that at least we've got a lead now. Sort of."

"Any of those limo jockeys say they were interviewed by the Feds?"

"Not a one out of the eight I talked to"

"Super, man. At least we beat the FBI on one account if this amounts to anything."

"Yeah. It's not much, but we'll take it, huh?"

The office phone began to ring.

"That's probably for me, Bill. Hopkins calling back."

"Cool."

"Hello? This is investigations . . . Yes, I'm Lieutenant Jeffers." He put the call on broadcast mode for Bill to monitor.

"Officer Jeffers, this is Dr. Marylyn Wasserman. Johns Hopkins?"

"Thank you, Professor, for calling back."

"I understand you have some questions about an on-going investigation you are

conducting in Las Vegas?

"Yes. That's right. May I ask you a few questions?"

"Of course."

"Are you familiar with the Henley Marlow disappearance case?"

"I've seen a few news clips about it. Most people have. It's been all over the news lately."

"Yes. Well professor, apparently Ms. Marlow was taking a distance learning or some form of extension course form Hopkins for her master's degree . . . involving dream research. Most probably in your department. Are you aware of that?

"Officer Jeffers, with all respect to your position and your on-going investigation, I'm not at liberty to discuss the names of any individual currently enrolled or previously enrolled at our university. Especially over the phone."

"Granted . . . for now, Professor. But as you are aware that information can be requested officially as a matter of a subpoena, if you would rather take that route,"

"Yes, I am aware of that, as well, Lieutenant. However, at this time, and due to the circumstances of your not being in my presence, I'm afraid we cannot discuss students who may or may or not be in involved with any of our research. That's simply university protocol."

"May I ask then, professor, if you are aware of any ongoing research projects at the Kreiger School of Arts and Sciences, which specifically involve dreams?"

"Well since that is information is available, I will tell you that there are three special programs being conducted this academic year involving . . . dreams. All through the Department of Psychological and Brain Science here."

"Any specifics about those programs would be appreciated at this point, Dr. Wasserman."

"Very well. Briefly. Two of the projects involve graduate student studies under the supervision of our faculty acting as advisors, and one is a research grant involving several of our students as co-researchers and is funded externally."

"May I ask who or what the source is for that external funding, Professor?"

"I'm afraid I will not be able to reveal that information to you on conditions of the grant itself. That's all I am willing to discuss with you today about our department and programs, Lieutenant Jeffers. All other inquiries should be in person or in writing."

"I understand, professor. If I may, I'd like to ask you only one more question."

"And that is, Lieutenant Jeffers?"

"Were you earlier approached by the FBI on any of these matters?"

"Good afternoon, Lieutenant."

* * *