As they ate, Jason described the staff meeting and added that all the doctors were going to intensify the quality of their stress testing. Shirley was pleased, reminding Jason that the executive physical was an important part of GHP’s sales pitch to corporate clients. She told Jason that there would be a new emphasis on preventive medicine for executive customers.
Later, over coffee, she said, “Michael Curran came by this afternoon.”
“Really,” said Jason. “I’m sure that was unpleasant. What did he want?”
“Background material on the Brennquivist woman. We gave him everything we had. He even interviewed the woman in personnel who’d hired her.”
“Did he mention if they had any suspects?”
“He didn’t say,” Shirley said. “I just hope it’s all over.”
“I wish I’d gotten to talk with Helene again. I still think she was covering for Hayes.”
“Do you still think he discovered something?” “Absolutely.” Jason went on to describe the lab ledgers and his visit to Gene, Inc., and to Samuel Schwartz. He told Shirley that Schwartz had set up a corporation for Hayes that was to market the new discovery, whatever it was.
“Didn’t the lawyer know what the product was?”
“Nope. Apparently Hayes trusted no one.”
“But he would have needed seed capital. He would have had to trust someone if he was planning to manufacture and distribute.”
“Maybe so,” Jason admitted. “But I can’t find anyone he told — at least not yet. Unfortunately, Helene was the best bet.”
“Are you still looking?”
“I guess so,” he admitted. “Does that sound stupid?”
“Not stupid,” Shirley said, “just disturbing. It would be a tragedy if an important discovery were lost, but I definitely think it’s time to put the Hayes affair to rest. I hope you’re taking time off to relax, not to continue this wild-goose chase.”
“Now why would you suggest that?” Jason asked, surprised at his own transparency.
“Because you don’t give up easily.” She moved over and put her hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you go to the Caribbean? Maybe I could get away over the weekend and join you….”
Jason experienced an excitement he’d not felt since Danielle’s death. The idea of the hot sun and cool, clear water sounded wonderful, especially if Shirley were there too. But then he hesitated. He didn’t know if he was ready for the emotional commitment that would entail. And, more important, he’d promised himself he’d visit Seattle.
“I want to go out to the West Coast,” he said finally. “There’s an old friend out there I’d like to see.”
“That sounds innocent enough. But the Caribbean sounds better to me.”
“Maybe soon.” He gave Shirley’s arm a squeeze. “How about a cognac?”
As Shirley got up to get the Courvoisier, Jason studied her figure with increasing interest.
When Carol called at two-thirty in the morning, Jason was wide awake. He’d been so worried that she might forget, he hadn’t been able to sleep.
“I’m exhausted, Jason,” Carol announced, instead of saying hello.
“I’m sorry, but I must see you,” he said. “I can be over in ten minutes.”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea. As I told you this afternoon, I’m not alone. There’s someone outside watching my building. Why do you have to see me tonight? Maybe we can work something out tomorrow.”
Jason thought about asking her on the phone to go to Seattle, but decided he’d have a better chance convincing her in person. It was a bit out of the ordinary asking a young woman to accompany him to Seattle after only two meetings.
“Is this bodyguard alone?”
“Yes. But what difference does that make? The guy’s built like an ox.”
“There’s an alley in back of your building. I could come up the fire escape.”
“The fire escape! This is crazy! What on earth is so important that you have to see me tonight?”
“If I told you, I wouldn’t have to see you.”
“Well, I’m not crazy about men coming to my apartment at night.”
Oh, sure, Jason thought. “Look,” he said aloud, “I’ll tell you this much. I’ve been trying to figure out what Hayes could have discovered and I’m down to my last idea. I need your help.”
“That’s quite a line, Dr. Jason Howard.”
“It’s true. You’re the only one who can help me.”
Carol laughed. “When you put it that way, who could refuse? All right, come along. But you’re coming at your own risk. I have to warn you, I don’t have much control over Atlas outside.”
“My disability insurance is all paid up.”
“I live at…” Carol began.
“I know where you live,” Jason interrupted. “In fact, I’ve already had a run-in with Bruno, if that’s the charming fellow guarding your door.”
“You’ve met Bruno?” Carol asked incredulously.
“Lovely man. Such a wonderful conversationalist.”
“Let me warn you, then,” Carol said. “It was Bruno who walked me home.”
“Luckily he’s pretty easy to spot. Watch out your back window. I don’t want to be stranded on your fire escape.”
“This is really insane,” Carol said.
Jason changed into a dark slacks and sweater. He’d be visible enough on the fire escape without wearing light colors. He donned running shoes and went down to his car. Driving along Beacon Street, he kept an eye out for Bruno. He went left on Gloucester Street and left again on Commonwealth. When he crossed Marlborough, he slowed. He knew there was no chance to find a parking place, so he pulled in at the nearest hydrant. He left the doors unlocked; if need be the firemen could run the hoses right through the car.
Getting out of his car, Jason peered down the alleyway between Beacon and Marlborough streets. Intermittent lights formed pools of illumination. There were lots of dark areas, and trees threw spider-weblike shadows. Jason could vividly remember his last attempted flight from Bruno down the same alley.
Marshaling his courage, Jason started into the alley as tense as a sprinter waiting for the starting gun. A sudden movement to his left made him gasp. It was a rat the size of a small cat, and Jason felt the hairs on the back of his neck spring up. He kept walking, happy to see no sign of Bruno. It was so quiet he could hear his breathing.
Arriving at Carol’s building, he noted the familiar light in the fourth-floor window before taking a good look at the fire escape. Unfortunately, it had one of those ladder mechanisms that have to be lowered from the first floor. Jason glanced around for something to stand on. The only thing available was a trash can, and that meant turning it over and dumping it. Despite the fact it would make a lot of noise, he realized he had no choice. But he shuddered as the metal clanged against the pavement and a number of beer cans clattered down the street.
Holding his breath, he looked up. No lights had come on. Satisfied, he climbed up on the garbage can and got hold of the lowest rung of the raised ladder.
“Hey!” someone yelled. Jason’s head turned and he saw a familiar bulky figure coming down the alley on the run, his thick arms pumping, his breaths coming in puffs like a steam engine. At that moment Bruno looked like a fullback for the Washington Redskins.
“Shit,” Jason said. With all his strength he pulled himself up on the ladder, half expecting it to drop under his weight. Luckily it didn’t. Hand over hand, he lifted himself until he could put his foot on the first rung and scamper up to the first floor.
“Hey, you goddamned little pervert!” Bruno was yelling. “You get the hell down here!”
Jason hesitated. He could hold the man off by stepping on his fingers if he tried to come up, but that wouldn’t get him in to see Carol. And somebody would call the police if there were enough ruckus. Jason decided to take the chance. He ran up the next two flights of the fire escape, arriving at Carol’s window. She was looking out and raised the sash the second she spotted him. Before she could speak, Jason gasped, “Your neo-Nazi is on his way up. Do you think he has a gun?” Jason found himself standing in a large kitchen.