Читать книгу Silent Awakening - Elaine Barbieri - Страница 10

“The results are conclusive. The liver specimens test positive for Candoxine.”

Natalie glanced around the lab at the gathering of smiling faces as Dr. Gregory made his pronouncement. She had awakened in her hotel room that morning and had dressed conservatively in a sober brown suit that she believed made her appear older and, she hoped, more credible, yet doubts had assailed her. What if she had made a mistake when testing the liver specimens at the CDC? What if by some chance the results proved negative after all? What if Doctors Gregory, Truesdale and Ruberg decided the tests were inconclusive and challenged the results, thereby ultimately challenging the findings of the CDC?

What if…what if…?

But her doubts had proved groundless and, to her relief, everyone present appeared as pleased as she was to have the results confirmed.

Natalie glanced at the tall figure standing silently beside a lab table a few yards away. She altered that last thought. Everyone in the room appeared pleased that the results of the test had confirmed her report…with the exception of Detective Brady Tomasini.

Natalie struggled to present a composed demeanor. She had become intensely aware of the arrogant detective’s presence the moment she walked into the room that morning; but then, how could she not? It wasn’t only that she couldn’t miss him, considering that Tomasini easily dwarfed the other occupants of the lab with his height and stretch of shoulders, or that she knew he might be considered good-looking by some women—if they were the kind to appreciate his type. Neither was it the fact that he seemed more rested, making the intensity of his surprisingly light eyes keener as they seemed to linger on her longer than necessary, or that the more conventional sports jacket, crisp shirt, tie and freshly pressed slacks he wore did nothing to tone down his intimidating demeanor. She had done her best to ignore him as his stare had bored into her back while the results of the tests were thoroughly examined and rechecked, yet she had been unable to miss his subtle, negative reaction when the results were confirmed.

Natalie’s lips tightened almost imperceptibly. The man had a way of putting her immediately on the defensive, which she didn’t appreciate. She had worked too hard to eliminate negativity from her life to allow it to seep back in now.

To be succinct, she didn’t like him—apparently no more than he liked her.

Intensely aware that the detective had walked forward to join their group, Natalie smiled and accepted the hand Dr. Ruberg offered her. She shook it warmly as the older woman said, “I want to be the first to congratulate you, Natalie. You’ve done us all proud. You’ve proved the true professional that you are by identifying a source of contamination that we couldn’t find. However ghastly the thought that the people in the Winslow party may have been deliberately poisoned, it’s a relief for us here to know that there isn’t a virulent, as yet unidentifiable virus out there somewhere, just awaiting the right set of circumstances to burst into an epidemic.”

“I’m glad to see somebody’s happy about the results.”

Detective Tomasini’s interjection turned the attention of all in his direction. He pinned Natalie with his penetrating stare as he continued, “I suppose congratulations are in order, Miss Patterson, but since you were so adept at identifying the Candoxine, maybe you can tell me how such a carefully controlled substance managed to make its way out of a British lab to the U.S.”

Openly annoyed by the question, Dr. Gregory replied in Natalie’s stead, “I think we’re all agreed that Natalie’s done her job and done it well, Detective, so I guess it’s time for you to answer that question by doing your job.”

“Actually, I’d like to respond, Doctor.” Refusing to back down from the detective’s challenge, Natalie replied with a cold smile, “In my opinion, there’s only one way the Candoxine could have found its way out of the British lab, Detective Tomasini. It had to be smuggled out.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you’re a conspiracy theorist.”

“I don’t like labels, Detective. I find them inaccurate and limiting, and you’ve just done me the favor of proving my point. No, I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but I have spoken several times to the Director of Manderling Pharmaceuticals, the British lab working with Candoxine and, as you probably read in my report, I’m satisfied that all the necessary precautions were taken to isolate the drug. There’s no way it could’ve been removed from the lab by accident.”

“Since you’re the U.S. expert on Candoxine, I suppose I have to take your word for it.”

“Drug development is a risky, painstaking and expensive business,” Natalie said even more coldly. “Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent with no guarantee of success, making protection of the developmental process an integral component in the successful approval of any drug, Detective, but you can check out Manderling Pharmaceuticals’ procedures yourself if you doubt me.”

“Oh, I believe you. I wouldn’t expect that someone like you wouldn’t have done your homework.”

Blood rushed to Natalie’s face. “Someone like me?”

“Right…an expert.” Tomasini continued, “It just seems to me that you don’t fully comprehend the complexities of the scenario you’ve created.”

“I’ve created? I had no part in creating this scenario. The only part I played was in uncovering it.”

“Oh, right again. I did fail to give you credit there, didn’t I?”

“I’m not looking for credit, Detective. I’ve only done my job.”

“I suppose.”

Natalie said flatly, “Whatever. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a moot point. As Dr. Gregory said, the rest is up to you.”

Deliberately dismissing the detective with a turn of her back, Natalie smiled at Dr. Gregory and said, “Please let me know if I can do anything to facilitate the formalities. I won’t be flying back to Atlanta until tomorrow and I’d be pleased to help.”

“That’s very generous of you, Natalie.” Natalie noted that Dr. Gregory’s smile dropped a notch in intensity when he turned to Tomasini, offering his hand as he said, “I’ll send a report to your office as soon as possible, Detective. Other than that, I suppose we’re finished here. I’m sorry your partner couldn’t be here today. I know you both must be anxious to begin your investigation. I wish you luck.”

Appearing unaffected by the hostility he had created, Tomasini shook the hands offered him and replied, “It’s not goodbye, doc. I have a feeling you’ll all be seeing a lot more of me around here before we’re finished with this case.”

Dr. Ruberg watched as the detective left, closing the door behind him. She slipped her arm through Natalie’s and turned her toward the office door as the other doctors took up behind them. She leaned toward Natalie to comment softly, “That detective looks like a sharp individual to me, even if he is a little hostile. Damned sexy, too. I have to admit, if I were a few years younger, I might do my best to make him feel welcome when he returned.”

Momentarily speechless, Natalie stared at Dr. Ruberg. Stunned at the unexpected twinkle in the woman’s eye, she gasped, “You can’t mean that. The man’s a Neanderthal!”

Dr. Ruberg’s only reply was an amused twist of her lips as she drew Natalie toward the door.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, you want me to stay in NYC for a while, George?”

The pride in her supervisor’s familiar voice rang brightly over the telephone line, twisting Natalie’s stomach into knots as he continued, “I don’t know what you said or how you conducted yourself during the testing, dear, but it appears everyone you dealt with was very impressed with you. Dr. Gregory informs me that he’s expecting some pressure from the media as the result of your findings, and he freely admits that neither he nor his colleagues are familiar enough with Candoxine to competently handle questions. He’s asked if I could lend you to them for an indefinite period to function as the U.S. expert on the drug.”

Natalie silently groaned. It was just past 6:00 p.m. A few minutes earlier, she had been sitting slumped on the edge of the bed in her hotel room, consoling herself that within two days she had accomplished everything she had come to the city for and that the worst was over. She was acutely aware that the worst included her introduction to the exasperating Detective Tomasini. She was somehow embarrassed to admit even to herself that the obnoxious detective had played a large part in her having been anxious when she had entered the lab for the final test results that morning, and that his infuriating attitude had almost forced her to lose control. She had been relieved to be going home, but it now appeared that wasn’t going to happen.

Natalie protested, “My being the U.S. expert on Candoxine is a misconception, George, and you know it. I discovered its presence in those liver samples simply by chance.”

“You’re too modest, Natalie.”

Ignoring George’s response, Natalie continued, “I’ll concede that I’ve been in contact with the British lab that developed Candoxine, and have since done some research on its properties, but—”

“Which means you know more about the drug than anybody else in the States does.”

“Yes, but—”

“It’s only a temporary assignment, dear, and it’s a feather in our cap to have your assistance requested.”

“George…”

“Dr. Gregory is expecting that they’ll be asked to cooperate with the investigation when needed and he’d like you to be the liaison with the police department.”

Natalie went still. “You mean I’d be involved in the investigation?”

“As an observer…on an as-needed basis…yes. It’s an excellent opportunity for you.”

“I’d be working with the detectives assigned to the case?”

“You’d be working primarily with the detective who is the principal on the case.”

Oh, no! With her luck, it would be the Neanderthal.

“As I said, it’s only temporary, until the lab is comfortable with the situation.”

“What if I’m not comfortable with the situation, George?”

Natalie could almost see George smile as he said, “I’ve already granted Dr. Gregory your assistance, dear.”

Silence.

“You know we’ll all miss you here, but I’m extremely proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and it gives me great pleasure to see the caliber of CDC personnel recognized.”

Natalie silently groaned. George was proud of her. There was nothing more to say.

“WHAT’S THIS all about?”

Leaving his morning cup of coffee steaming on his desk, Brady strode into Captain Wilthauer’s office and slapped the newspaper down in front of him. The headline glared up at them:

Mysterious Winslow Deaths Suspected Homicides

Captain Wilthauer’s bloodshot eyes rose slowly toward Brady as he replied, “So?”

“Who leaked this to the press? You know damned well we’re not sure about any aspect of this case yet. The poisoning might’ve been accidental.”

“You know what the chances of that are.”

Brady did not respond.

“Look, we’ve sent the food specimens from the Winslow picnic to the lab for testing. As soon as we find out how the Candoxine was ingested by the victims, you and Stansky are on your own. But until then, the public is demanding an answer here, and the Commissioner is determined to give them one.”

“The Commissioner, huh? This is a mistake, and you know it. If there is a killer out there, he’s just been put on guard.”

“We’re going to have to take that chance, Tomasini. The Commissioner has the last word.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. The lab has the last word, and you can bet your tail that I’m hoping the lab turns up accidental poisoning.”

“We’ll see, won’t we?” Wilthauer smiled. “Whatever happens, we’re going to eliminate a lot of speculation because the CDC has agreed to allow its expert to remain in the city to do all the testing for as long as we need her.”

“Her?” Brady felt the knot that tightened in his gut. He repeated, “Her?”

“Meaning Natalie Patterson, of course.” Wilthauer stared at him confusedly. “You ought to be glad. She’ll get the media off your back by answering most of their questions. Hell, there’s nobody who can contradict her here, either, considering the situation.”

“Right.” Brady gave a harsh laugh. “Have you seen this expert?”

“No.” Wilthauer shrugged. “So what?”

“She’s a babe, Captain, even if she tries damn hard to disguise it, and she’s young. She’s got a hell of a lot less experience on the job than those doctors at the Health Department who couldn’t figure any of this out, and she’s got the look of somebody who’s trying to convince herself and everybody else that she knows what she’s talking about.” Brady leaned forward as he said adamantly, “Unless I miss my guess, those reporters will tear her apart.”

Wilthauer looked up at him for a moment, then replied, “What’s got into you about this Patterson woman, Tomasini?”

Brady drew back as if he had been singed.

“What happened? Doesn’t she like you?” Wilthauer shook his head. “Look, Romeo, take my advice and keep away from her. If she falls flat on her face, I don’t want any of my detectives going down with her.”

Romeo.

“Tomasini, did you hear me?”

“I heard you. Did you hear me?”

Wilthauer’s expression grew frigid. “Should I have?”

“How do you expect Stansky and me to conduct an investigation if we can’t depend on the information we’re getting?”

“She hasn’t been wrong so far.”

“That’s no guarantee.”

“All right, show me where Natalie Patterson doesn’t have the background for this investigation, and I’ll get her off the case. Put up or shut up, Tomasini. Now get out. I’ve got work to do.”

Brady walked back out into the squad room and signaled Stansky to his feet.

As they reached the door, Stansky asked, “So, how did it go?”

“I told you,” Brady replied coldly. “We’re screwed.”

STUNNED, DR. HADDEN MOORE stared with disbelief at the headline on the newspaper lying on the table in front of him. No, it couldn’t be true! Candoxine was untraceable in the human body. There was no way an autopsy could have revealed that it had caused the Winslow deaths!

He read the article. Frustrated, he slammed the newspaper back down on the table. He had executed the perfect crime and had achieved the perfect revenge on the woman who had led him on and betrayed him—only to be foiled by yet another woman!

Mattie Winslow appeared before Hadden’s mind’s eye as she had looked the first time he saw her, and he seethed with a familiar rage. He had been representing Manderling Pharmaceuticals at a reception given by Parkerhouse Pharmaceuticals, the major U.S. drug company contracted to handle production of the British lab’s breakthrough cancer drug when it was approved for sale in the U.S. She had been wearing a black cocktail dress that hugged her slim, faultless figure. Her eyes were the same color as her lovely hair, her perfect features bright with laughter, and her beautiful legs so long and slender that his heart had started racing the moment he saw her. She had been the most desirable woman he had ever seen.

By far the most brilliant scientist on the staff at Manderling, he was also the most extroverted in a field where introverted types abounded. Brilliant and handsome, with blond hair, blue eyes, patrician features and a carefully tended physique, he had always stood head and shoulders above the average man, both literally and figuratively. He had been a prodigy from the moment his progress was measurable as a child. He had graduated university at the age of seventeen and had earned his doctorate at the age of twenty. He was also fluent in five languages, which he spoke with no discernable accent, adding to his suitability as temporary liaison in a country as diverse as the U.S. He had been the perfect choice on many levels to represent Manderling at Parkerhouse when a meeting between the two labs had been deemed necessary.

Yes, there had been no one who could match him at the party the night he met Mattie, and he’d had the world at his feet.

He recalled the event, his heart pounding. Mattie had entered the room on the arm of a researcher from Parkerhouse whom she was dating. It was love at first sight for him, and he was determined to have her. The common fellow she was dating was no challenge at all, and in the weeks that followed, he wined, dined and charmed her. He would have given her the world if—

Fury again flooded his face with color. He had been so sure of Mattie’s love, so certain that no woman, most especially the magnificent creature who had stolen his heart, would be foolish enough to refuse him when he offered her his ring. Yet she had actually had the gall to pretend to be surprised when he did, and to explain that although she was fond of him, she didn’t love him the same way he loved her. Even after she had rebuffed him, he could not make himself believe she had simply led him on.

Whore!

He finally had come to the realization that Mattie was lying, that her rejection was simply more of the same type of thing he had experienced all his life—jealousy of his superior intelligence and achievements. When it came down to the wire, Mattie had known she would always stand in his shadow while standing at his side, and she had been too vain to accept that fate.

But he had loved her and had been prepared to forgive her and overlook that flaw in her character. He was certain he could make her see that she had made a mistake in passing up the opportunity to rise with him as he met his destiny.

Mattie had said she thought it would be best if they stopped seeing each other, but he’d been persistent. He’d called her until she had her number changed and unlisted. He sent her flowers and precious gifts, hoping to win her back, but she refused to accept them. Desperate to talk to her, he approached her on the street, but she would not speak to him.

He began watching her apartment day and night, hoping to catch her with the new man who he then became certain had taken his place. Neglecting his work in order to keep up his constant surveillance, he’d finally returned to his temporary office at Parkerhouse Pharmaceuticals only to be served with the restraining order Mattie had signed against him.

Humiliated, he had been unable to restrain his rage when he was served, and an appalling scene had ensued.

His fury took a quieter tack, however, when his work visa was unexpectedly revoked and he was forced to return to England without Mattie.

He was a different man after that. With Mattie dominating his thoughts and his heart broken, he became quiet and morose. Yet hope remained…until the day he learned Mattie had married another man.

It was at that moment when he awakened to the true depth of Mattie’s betrayal, and his hatred for her then flowed through his veins with molten rage, encompassing his every thought.

His fury was too overwhelming for his common contemporaries at Manderling to comprehend, and they began avoiding him. His “problem” was finally brought to the attention of the board of directors, who worked within the legal system to assert that he’d had a breakdown and needed temporary confinement and treatment in a mental institution. Yet he knew that wasn’t true. He knew the members of the board had simply taken the opportunity to serve their concealed jealousy and the fear that he would one day replace them.

But he didn’t blame them. It was all Mattie’s fault, after all.

Aware that he was powerless against the courts, but too smart to allow them a control he did not sanction, he decided to play along. He told the doctors at the institution exactly what they wanted to hear, and allowed only enough time to elapse between phases of his “recovery” for his act to be convincing.

He was released within six months.

He then began planning his revenge in earnest.

Manderling Pharmaceuticals so generously restored him to his former position after his release. He had access to the Candoxine once more, but that did not surprise him. The drug had been his brainchild, after all, and he was the man with the greatest knowledge of its intricacies.

He was so careful. He removed Candoxine from Manderling’s stores in small amounts that would not be missed, uncaring of the time it took to accumulate the quantity needed.

It amused him to realize that, although everyone was exceedingly kind when he returned from his “breakdown,” they were relieved to see him leave when he finally served his notice.

Back in the U.S., he headed straight for the little house in Queens where research had revealed that Mattie and her new husband had taken up residence. He watched for several days as Mattie and the common fellow came and went in the daily routine that had been denied him.

Deceitful witch!

He had been determined to make her pay for the misery she had caused him.

It wasn’t difficult at all to ascertain the perfect moment to pick the lock and slip into the house unseen. Placing Candoxine in the lemonade Mattie had prepared for the barbecue the next day had been inspired. He knew Mattie would choose that drink over any alcoholic beverage that was being served. He also knew Candoxine was untraceable, that it deteriorated in the human body and would not be discernible under normal laboratory procedures in the remnants of the lemonade.

Then he had sat back and waited for the “natural, inexplicable catastrophe” that followed.

Mattie and her husband…dead.

The parents who had given birth to Mattie…dead.

Relatives who had doted on her…either dead or so impaired that they wished for that sweet release.

He had not been concerned by the furor that followed as public health officials conducted autopsies and tests, failing again and again to ascertain the source of the deadly contaminant. It was the perfect crime, revenge was sweet and he was free to return to his former profession in England whenever he desired.

Hadden looked down again at the unexpected headline in the newspaper. It screamed out at him in the silence of the room, and his fury heightened.

Mysterious Winslow Deaths Suspected Homicides

His perfect crime unearthed by a lowly, inauspicious laboratory technician who was being feted at his expense.

No, he would not allow it!

He would see to it that this woman did not profit from the blow she had dealt him. He was good at that.

He searched the article again, his gaze finally coming to rest on the technician’s name.

Oh, yes.

Her name was Natalie Patterson.