Silent Awakening

Waiting. Damn.

Natalie said apologetically, “It took me longer than I thought it would to get here from my hotel. I hope I haven’t messed up anybody’s schedule. I realize how important lab time is and I—”

Natalie’s apology came to an abrupt halt when she turned the corner of the corridor and saw the sober-faced group awaiting her. She stiffened her back determinedly.

Mildred Connors said formally, “Miss Patterson, I’d like you to meet Dr. Wilson Gregory, Dr. Philip Truesdale, and Dr. Phyllis Ruberg. Dr. Gregory will be conducting the test. The rest of us will be observing, including these two gentlemen, Detective Joe Stansky and Detective Brady Tomasini, who are here at the request of the New York City Police Department.”

Natalie acknowledged the introductions with quick, assessing glances. Dr. Wilson Gregory was trim, middle-aged, balding. He wore wire-rimmed glasses, a spotless lab coat, and surgical gloves. Dr. Philip Truesdale, sporting a well-trimmed beard, glasses, and the traditional lab coat, appeared younger and more intense than Dr. Gregory. Dr. Phyllis Ruberg, a slender, gray-haired, female contemporary of the other two, did not pretend to smile.

Natalie’s gaze halted abruptly on the two detectives standing back a few paces from the scene. The smaller, light-haired fellow acknowledged her with a polite nod, while the other—

The other detective was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a sports jacket that had seen better days and denim trousers that had been washed enough times to mold his long, muscular legs just a little too keenly. His thick, wavy hair needed to be cut, his light eyes were deeply shadowed under brows as dark as his hair, he needed a shave and he was scowling at her as if she were the enemy. She realized abruptly that he was prepared to dislike her. That was all right, because she didn’t like the looks of him, either.

As if reading her mind, the detective raked her up and down with a look so intimately insulting that she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. She turned back toward Mildred Connors when the older woman said, “Shall we begin?”

Annoyed to have been even momentarily distracted, Natalie watched as Dr. Gregory snipped off a piece of the affected liver tissue and prepared to start.

Immediately engrossed in the procedure, Natalie observed in silence. Surprised when Dr. Gregory questioned her offhandedly throughout the test about the properties of Candoxine, the purpose it served in the British lab and the procedures used in handling it, she responded knowledgeably and succinctly. She watched him intently and cautioned him without hesitation at different points in the testing when he appeared to rush a step, explaining that the peculiarities of the drug sometimes demanded a longer response time if a more thorough and precise result was to be obtained.

Natalie took a relieved breath when the testing drew to a close. The lab became somehow stifling, a condition she was annoyed to admit no doubt resulted from the realization that she was again the focus of the Detective Tomasini’s insolent gaze. Doing her best to ignore him, she turned her attention to Dr. Gregory when he said, “We’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the final results, but I’d say the tests prove pretty conclusively that Candoxine is present in these samples, and that the liver deterioration of all those affected at the Winslow barbecue was caused by Candoxine poisoning. I applaud you, Miss Patterson.”

“I think it might be best to hold off on the congratulations, Dr. Gregory.” Detective Tomasini spoke up for the first time, his deeply voiced caution falling like a pall over the smiling group as he continued gruffly, “These results are too important for anybody to rush to premature conclusions and, like you said, the tests won’t be complete until tomorrow.”

Frowning, Dr. Gregory responded, “I suppose you’re right. We should wait for the tests to be formally concluded, but anyone with lab experience would assume the results would turn out positive. He’d also agree that Miss Patterson was exceptionally astute in identifying the source of the contamination by recalling an obscure article in a medical journal that was years old, and that she deserves congratulations and credit for her accomplishment.”

“Sure, fine, but I’d rather wait until tomorrow.” Turning unexpectedly toward Natalie, Tomasini addressed her condescendingly by saying, “If that’s all right with you, Miss Patterson.”

Miss Patterson.

Natalie forced a cold smile. Detective Tomasini had left no doubt in anyone’s mind what he intended to stress by his emphasis on the word Miss. He was putting her in her place—making sure she remembered that, with the exception of Mildred Connors, she was the only professional there who didn’t have a Ph.D., an M.D. or any other laudable initials of that status after her name.

Natalie responded, “You’re the homicide expert, Detective, but I think we can trust Dr. Gregory’s judgment in this case where he’s the expert.”

“Oh? I thought you were the expert. Isn’t that why you’re here supervising him?”

“I’m not supervising Dr. Gregory or anyone else.” Natalie’s face flamed. “I’m simply representing the CDC to validate the accuracy of these tests.”

“I guess you’ll have to show up here again tomorrow, then—when the tests are completed.”

“She’ll be here, of course.” Dr. Gregory interrupted opportunely, “There are some papers Miss Patterson will have to sign tomorrow when a formal conclusion is reached. I assume we can expect to see you and Detective Stansky tomorrow, too, Detective Tomasini.” Not waiting for his response, Dr. Gregory extended his hand toward the two detectives in informal dismissal and said, “And thank you for your concern.”

Accepting his hand, Tomasini replied, “You’re welcome.” He nodded at Natalie briefly, his gaze almost palpable before he turned to his partner and said, “Let’s get out of here.”

Unable to bear the awkward conversation sure to follow the detectives’ departure, Natalie said, “If you don’t mind, I’ll leave, too.” She paused to add, “I just want to be sure you understand that my presence as an observer doesn’t indicate the CDC’s lack of confidence in anyone’s ability here. As Detective Tomasini pointed out so clearly, Dr. Gregory, your experience and expertise far outrank mine, and it isn’t my intention to pretend otherwise. If that was the impression I gave, I apologize.”

“My dear…” Responding with a smile that was truly generous, Dr. Ruberg spoke up for the first time, saying, “I think I speak for all of us when I say that we understand your position and the importance of the findings here. Don’t concern yourself. Everything is fine.”

Back in the hallway later, Natalie approached the exit, overwhelmed by the generosity of the treatment she’d received from the professional staff at the facility but seething at the obnoxious Detective Tomasini’s obvious objection to the necessity of her presence during the tests.

She didn’t like it.

She didn’t understand it.

She was presently helpless against it.

Damn! What had George gotten her into?

THE LAB SCENE behind them was still on Brady’s mind as he slid his car into Drive and took off from the curb, cutting off a silver Honda without looking back. The image of angry gray eyes remained with him, displacing the responsive blast of the Honda’s horn as he advanced through the traffic. It occurred to him in retrospect that Felicia, his very vocal former girlfriend, would say he had acted like a jerk back there at the lab.

He figured he had acted like an ass.

Brady shook his head. He supposed lack of sleep was partially to blame for his reaction to the CDC “expert,” but he knew that wasn’t entirely true. For some reason, Natalie Patterson had ticked him off. Maybe it was because he never had appreciated the just-graduated-from-college, know-it-all type she represented—the kind who thought everybody had to listen when she started talking. She had probably graduated from college with the idea that the world was waiting for her talents. Being hailed the U.S. expert on an unknown drug by an agency as renowned as the CDC had obviously given her an inflated sense of importance, if he were to judge from the way she watched the test and took every opportunity to caution a seasoned Ph.D. as if he were a novice.

Besides, he didn’t like the way she had tried to put him in his place.

Brady huffed. Good luck on that.

Brady screeched the car to a halt at the light, giving Joe the opportunity to say, “What was that all about, Brady?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You were pretty rough on that girl back there.”

“Rough on who?” Brady replied caustically, “The U.S. expert?”

“That’s what she looked like to me.”

“Not to me. She’s probably right out of school, and she’s already an expert on a drug that nobody else in the U.S. knew existed?” He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“What’s eating you?”

“Come on, you’re happily married, but you’re not dead. She’s a babe!”

“You’re saying good looks and brains are mutually exclusive?”

“She did her best to hide her looks, like she was trying to impress somebody with her brains.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Why the need to try to impress somebody?”

“What’s your point? Are you mad because she isn’t quite the four-eyed, middle-aged, lab-coated nerd you expected her to be?”

“She did her best to look like one.”

“You’re losing me, pal.”

“The last thing we need on this case is a pain-in-the-butt expert who’s trying to prove herself by sticking her nose into our investigation.”

“You’re crazy, you know that?” Joe paused, then said, “You look like hell, you know. How much sleep did you get last night?”

“Enough.”

Joe stared at him. “Look, I don’t know what’s got into you, but I’d say laying off that CDC girl would be a good idea. She’ll probably be back in Atlanta by the end of the week, anyway, and that’ll be the last we see of her.”

“Not soon enough, if you ask me.” Relenting in the face of his partner’s obvious disapproval, Brady said, “Look, none of this makes sense, Joe. Candoxine? Who ever heard of it? If it was confined exclusively to research purposes in a lab in England, how did it make its way out of that lab and here to this country? And what possible reason could somebody have for poisoning a family in Queens with it?”

Joe raised his brow speculatively. “I guess you’re assuming the test will come out positive tomorrow, then.”

“Everybody seemed to think so.”

“Then why the big speech about not jumping to conclusions?”

“I told you. That Natalie Patterson pissed me off.”

“Really? You usually don’t have that reaction to a hot little number like her.”

“Janie would like to hear you say that.”

“Come on! I’m just repeating what you said.”

“She didn’t look that good to me.”

“Sure.”

Ignoring his partner’s response, Brady said, “We’ve got a day’s reprieve before we can do anything on the case, anyway. I say we get something to eat and then try to clear up what we can on our desks. I need to get home on time tonight.”

“What for?”

“I’ve got things to do.”

“Oh? What’s her name? No, don’t tell me.” Stansky shook his head. “Just tell her to let you get some sleep for a change.”

Yeah, sure. He forgot. He was supposed to be a stud.

Brady slipped the car into Drive and took off from the light with a screech of his wheels that set Joe to cursing.

Chapter Two

“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.”