After an hour of nervous concern about the unknown visitors outside his door, Corey was finally able to fall sleep. He woke up around 7:00 AM, at first having to remind himself he where he was—not in Las Vegas, Nevada. He instinctively looked over at the nightstand for his weapon and was intensely reminded he was working this trip most authentically undercover. After showering, dressing formally, and having a brief continental breakfast by room service, he took out his note pad and made a call to the Johns Hopkins University's Brain Science Institute.

After identifying himself as a potential research donor, he requested a tour and information session with an official of the research department. It was a different approach from how he had called before, where he had gotten little help and marked resistance. This call was to a locale he found on the Hopkins website which seemed to hold the greatest promise for finding any current Dream studies the Institution's division had currently going on.

The receiving secretary took the call and remained polite and professional.

"Sir, let me put you in touch with Dr. Dimaras, the Director of Research over at our Hopkins Center for Sleep Disorders. That facility to my knowledge would be the most likely conducting any current programs corresponding to dreams, as you request."

"Thank you."

Corey waited a full three minutes as the call was accepted and finally responded to. There was most probably some discussion with the center's director's office as to his request and their interest in his visit as a donor.

"Hello. This is Dr. Nikos Dimaras. How can I help you?"

"Good morning, Sir. My name is Lawrence Jameson. I represent a family in California that is interested in making an anonymous donation to your research facility. This had been previously requested and recorded via the Will and Testament of that family's diseased under my charge."

"I see."

"This individual made the specific request of his heirs, and by legal decree, that a portion of his portfolio go to a university research facility of high caliber."

"I understand. We always welcome such financial assistance to our programs. Now what details of this request can you share with me, Mr. Jameson?"

"Yes. Precisely. I was wondering if I could schedule a brief information meeting with you sometime today, as my itinerary is lengthy and time in Maryland is quite limited.

"Very well. So, to be clear . . . you are referring to a research grant . . . as in the form of a donation?"

"That's correct. It could possibly be an endowment if the family so wishes that. But the possibility of a onetime grant is what I am here to inquire about. You see, the family I represent wants to fulfill the wishes of their recently deceased patriarch. His interest was always in psychology and specifically the phenomena of dreams and sleep research. Looking to start an inroad with Johns Hopkins, or other premiere universities is what the family has sent me here to do."

"I see. So how can I best facilitate that?"

"I would be interested in seeing what Hopkins is currently involved with, pertinent to that research. The study of dreams, specifically."

"Yes, I understand."

"The family is aware of Hopkins' stellar status as a research center. Particularly in psychology. I will take whatever information you might share with me back to the family's attorney in San Francisco for their consideration."

"Excellent. I think that can be arranged. Now as you may be aware, Mr. Jameson, in such a competitive world, we have certain institutional regulations and controls regarding the confidentiality of our research programs."

"Yes. I am fully aware of such constrains."

"However, as you can also understand, when the prospect of funding arises, we do make reasonable exceptions to these measures."

"Acknowledged. I'm sure the family would appreciate and be interested in that."

"I can meet you here at the clinic . . . shall we say, at eleven o'clock this morning?"

"Very good, Sir."

"Alright. Our sleep clinic and research facility are located at the Johns Hopkins complex on Alpha Commerce Boulevard, here in Baltimore. I'll be expecting you. My office is on the fourth floor."

"Thank you, Doctor Dimaras. I'm looking forward to seeing you then."

Corey closed his phone and took a deep breath. He was aware that while it was unlawful for members of the medical profession to misrepresent themselves or their work to the public, they did have institutional rights to not disclose all information they may be privy to, and this would logically apply to research.

From his own standpoint, however, it was lawful in policework to ask questions. Undercover investigators routinely used false identities in the course of their inquiries, but only if it was deemed necessary to get information on an ongoing case. Nevertheless, Corey knew he was walking a fine line by meeting with the director of this division of the university while misrepresenting his true identity and purpose.

* * *

Arriving by taxi at the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep Disorders, Corey identified himself at the front desk as Lawrence Jameson and was directed to proceed to the fourth floor, as arranged. There he went to an office labeled Dr. Nikos Dimaras, Director of Research. The coordinator himself came to the door, shook his hand, and welcomed him in where Corey was invited to sit across from his desk.

"Have you had any coffee or tea, this morning?" Dr. Dimaras offered.

"Yes, thank you. I'm fine this morning."

Corey could see a sweeping view of the Baltimore Harbor from a large window behind the doctor. "I managed a quick breakfast at the hotel, as well." He cordially smiled.

"Very good, Mr. Jameson. So let me hear exactly what the family which you represent wants in the way of a legacy for their relative."

"Yes. This family, most residing in Los Angeles and San Francisco, wants the recent death of their father, a grandfather and a brother, to be finalized as requested in his Will. And an element of that was to make a generous and anonymous donation to a state-of-the-art research center in the field of psychology or brain research.

"That's lovely."

"I've come to you here at Hopkins, as it's well-known that your institution leads the nation in its research in a number of fields."

"Well, thank you for that, Mr. Jameson . . . So, you'll be considering certain other institutions for this gift, as well?"

"That is correct. The family of course will. I'm just here for a cursory look, a tour hopefully, of your facility and any ongoing projects or programs specifically in the area of dream research which I might bring back and share with them. My mission is in keeping with the deceased's family's request."

"Very well. I suppose it would be permissible for me at this point to ask you approximately the amount of such a gift?"

"That's certainly understandable. And to this I 've been advised by the family to not be so specific early on. That information will become available as the institutions they consider are shortlisted.

"I see . . . Yes, of course."

"May I say off the record, Dr. Dimaras, that the gentleman 's home is in Pebble Beach, he is obviously wealthy, and this gift would certainly be a substantial amount if not developing into an endowment to last several years."

"Well, with that in mind, Mr. Jameson, let me share with you a few things about the research side of our sleep clinic which may be of interest to this family you represent. These are specifically projects we are currently conducting which incorporate the topic of dreams and dreaming."

"Wonderful."

At this point, Corey took out a notebook and pen and prepared to write down specifics the doctor would give him.

"Before you begin, Doctor, let me just say that the family told me personally that they would only be interested in the latest and most cutting-edge studies the topic requested. It was the very request by the diseased himself, and frankly what the family will be basing their final decision on."

"Well in that respect, Mr. Jameson, you have come to the right place. Here at Hopkins, we pride ourselves on hiring the most qualified researchers the nation and global outreach provides. In our case we orchestrate forward-thinking projects, run by post-docs from several of the Ivy league med schools and hospitals, as well as a few international standouts from their own countries."

"I see. Impressive."

"China, Germany, Sweden and Belgium, for instance. Most of these medical doctors and post PhD's in varying fields have based their careers on sleep research and have published seminal articles in medical journals in that area. I can assure you their participation with us here is at top-notch level."

"Very commendable." Corey made a few notes on this.

"I can also tell you we specifically have three ongoing studies right now. Projects that would qualify for your dream criteria in research. One involves the positive biochemical changes in the body when dreams are particularly reported by subjects to be vivid. Dreams of highly memorable experiences. This is a current project using a sampling of over five-hundred volunteers over a two-year duration. The significance of this study, once complete, will tell us of the importance to the human body of enhancing more palpable dreaming in individuals. It is widely known to be accomplished by certain substances ingested or injected to increase our dreaming behavior.

"Very interesting." Corey continued to take notes.

"The second of our ongoing projects involves a comparison of the genders when dreaming, both during sleep and while fantasizing. This is interesting to us if you consider that dreams while asleep, or awake visualizing, play a significant role in how we behave during our everyday conscious lives. Everything from our interaction with others to the decisions we make. Whether male or female, those differing dream styles seem to dictate outcomes, as both sexes tend to dream and behave in society differently."

"Fascinating topic."

"Yes. And these studies are based on questions which have been asked for literally hundreds, possibly thousands of years, by and about us humans. It's just that today, and here at our world-renown sleep lab, we can study these issues carefully in a state-of-the-art laboratory setting."

"You say there were three programs?"

"Yes."

The doctor paused a moment as if uncertain whether to discuss the third and final research program.

"Well, I'm a bit reluctant to share much about our third ongoing project, Mr. Jameson. You see, it's potentially controversial. You might say . . . sensitive. And frankly being carried out in conjunction with an agency of the US Government."

Corey felt his heart skip a beat.

"And as such, it's tightly controlled and actually classified as such. We at our clinic are conducting it jointly with that agency, though they too are under tight restrictions to not misuse either their findings or techniques on any but test personnel. And those are usually military volunteers."

Corey could hardly control his outward emotion upon hearing of the project, obviously what he had come to learn about.

"Well, that's certainly intriguing . . . Do you feel the outcome of this study will eventually become useful to the general population?"

"Oh, it has incredible potential. But if successful in trials, it must be only allowed into the right hands. As I say, it involves some pretty controversial issues. And as such, its let's say . . . ethical considerations, must first be reviewed heavily before releasing what seems to be our early positive results into the mainstream media or uses on the population when warranted."

"So . . . although restricted . . . this project is still available for donations, correct?"

"Well of course, since you specified this gift would be anonymous, we would be just as discrete about the specifics of where the funding would go. That could be remedied by the announcement and legacy for your clients as merely a 'generous donation for research to the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep Disorders'. . . Full stop."

"Excellent!"

"The university would be satisfied with that arrangement. As I would, of course. And your family would be confident that the grant did indeed go to the latest and most state-of-the-art program involving dreams and mind potential."

"Well, I'm sure this family would be very intrigued by this last project, as discrete as it must be kept."

"Indeed."

"So, could you give me just a bit more information about it? Perhaps, considering your limitations, you could show me something tangible of what the project involves?"

The research director thought pensively for a moment.

"You do understand this work is being conducted jointly with the US Government. And anything I tell you beyond that would be strictly off the record."

"Of course."

"Well . . . I will go out on a limb here a bit, only if it can leverage your discussion with the benefactors' relatives. And perhaps influence their decision to choose us for their funding donation."

"Yes. That would be desirable. And I would of course explain these restrictions to them. Precisely as you explained them to me, Dr. Dimaras."

"Excellent. Very well then."

The Director looked at his watch.

"May I ask you to return this evening after ten PM? That's when I can safely take you through that specific lab to give you some idea of the work we are doing there. You see, at that hour our lab techs have gone home, and the premises would be quiet. Best for a confidential tour and of course, a limited explanation of the research."

"Perfect. After ten PM then."

"Again, Mr. Jameson. This must be with your word . . . there would be no public announcement or media coverage of the program afterwards."

"You have my word on that. I'm staying one more night in Baltimore, so this evening would be fine. I look forward to the tour, Sir."

"Excellent, Mr. Jameson. And you do understand I will not be sharing any strategic or future implications of this work which might be one day be employed. You will see just some of the lab's design and a bit of the concept we are testing."

"Understood."

The doctor stood and reached out for a confirming handshake, signaling an end to the meeting.

As Corey left the office and took the elevator to the ground floor of the center, he could hear the humming and buzzing of people and electrical systems throughout the building. It was a sound that indicated, progress, research . . . and God only knew what else.

* * *