Robin Cook: Fatal Cure

"What's that?" Nikki questioned. "It looks like a trolley with no wheels."

David laughed. "That's called a diner," he said. "They were popular back in the fifties."

Nikki was straining against her seat belt, excitedly leaning forward to peer out the front windshield.

As they approached the heart of the town they discovered a number of gray granite buildings that were significantly more imposing than the brick structures, especially the Green Mountain National Bank with its corbeled and crenellated clock tower.

"That building really looks like something out of Disney World," Nikki said.

"Like father, like daughter," Angela said.

They came to the town green whose grass had already achieved a luxurious, almost midsummer color. Crocuses, hyacinths, and daffodils dotted the park, especially around the gingerbread central gazebo. David pulled the car over to the side of the road and stopped.

"Compared with the section of Boston around Boston City Hospital," David said, "this looks like heaven."

At the north end of the park was a large white church whose exterior was rather plain except for its enormous steeple. The steeple was neo-Gothic, replete with elaborate tracery and spires. Its belfry was enclosed by columns supporting pointed arches.

"We've got several hours before our interviews. What do you think we should do?" David asked.

"Why don't we drive around a little more, then have lunch?" Angela said.

"Sounds good to me." David put the car in gear and continued along Main Street. On the west side of the town green they passed the library which, like the bank, was constructed of gray granite. But it looked more like an Italian villa than a castle.

Just beyond the library was the elementary school. David pulled over to the side of the road so Nikki could see it. It was an appealing turn-of-the-century three-story brick building connected to a nondescript wing of more recent vintage.

"What do you think?" David asked Nikki.

"Would that be where I'd go to school if we come here to live?" Nikki asked.

"Probably," David said. "I can't imagine they'd have more than one school in a town of this size."

"It's pretty," Nikki said noncommittally.

Driving on, they quickly passed through the commercial section. Then they found themselves in the middle of the Bartlet College campus. The buildings were mostly the same gray granite they'd seen in the town and had the same white trim. Many were covered with ivy.

"A lot different from Brown University," Angela said. "But charming."

"I often wonder what it would have been like if I'd gone to a small college like this," David said.

"You wouldn't have met Mommy," Nikki said. "And then I wouldn't be here."

David laughed. "You're so right and I'm so happy I went to Brown."

Looping through the college, they headed back toward the center of town. They crossed over the Roaring River and discovered two old mill buildings. David explained to Nikki how water power was used in the old days. One of the mills now housed a computer software company, but its water wheel was slowly turning. A sign advertised that the other mill was now the New England Goat Hanger Company.

Back in town David parked at the town green. This time they got out and strolled up Main Street.

"It's amazing, isn't it: no litter, no graffiti, and no homeless people," Angela said. "It's like a different country."

"What do you think of the people?" David asked. They had been passing pedestrians since they'd gotten out of the car.

"I'd say they look reserved," Angela said. "But not unfriendly."

David stopped outside of Staley's Hardware Store. "I'm going to run in and ask where we should eat."

Angela nodded. She and Nikki were looking into the window of the neighboring shoe store.

David was back in a flash. "The word is that the diner is best for a quick lunch, but the Iron Horse Inn has the best food. I vote for the diner."

"Me too," Nikki said.

"Well, that settles that," Angela said.

All three had hamburgers the old-fashioned way: with toasted buns, raw onion, and lots of ketchup. When they were through, Angela excused herself.

"There's no way I'm going to an interview until I brush my teeth," she said.

David took a handful of mints after paying the check.

On the way back to the car they approached a woman coming in their direction with a golden retriever puppy on a leash.

"Oh, how cute!" Nikki exclaimed.

The woman graciously stopped so Nikki could pet the dog.

"How old is she?" Angela asked.

"Twelve weeks," the woman said.

"Could you direct us to the Bartlet Community Hospital?" David asked.

"Certainly," the woman said. "Go up to the town green. The road on the right is Front Street. Take that right up to the hospital's front door."

They thanked the woman and moved on. Nikki walked sideways to keep the puppy in sight. "He was darling," she said. "If we come to live here, may I have a dog?"

David and Angela exchanged glances. Both were touched. Nikki's modest request after all the medical problems she'd been through melted their hearts.

"Of course you may have a dog," Angela said.

"You can even pick it out," David said.

"Well, then I want to come here," Nikki said with conviction. "Can we?"

Angela looked at David in hopes he would answer, but he gestured for her to field the question. Angela wrestled with her answer. She didn't know what to say. "Whether we come here or not is a difficult decision," she said finally. "There are many things we have to consider."

"Like what?" Nikki asked.

"Like whether they want me and your father," Angela said, relieved to have come up with a simple explanation, as the three got back in their car.

Bartlet Community Hospital was larger and more imposing than David or Angela had expected, even though they knew it was a referral center for a significant portion of the state.

Despite a sign that clearly said "Parking in the Rear," David pulled to the curb in the turnout before the front entrance. He put the car in park but left the engine running.

"This is truly beautiful," he said. "I never thought I would say that about a hospital."

"What a view," Angela said.

The hospital was midway up a hill just north of the town. It faced south and its facade was bathed in bright sunlight. Just below them at the base of the hill they could see the whole town. The Methodist church's steeple was especially prominent. In the distance the Green Mountains provided a scalloped border to the horizon.

Angela tapped David's arm. "We'd better get inside," she said. "My interview is in ten minutes."

David put the car in gear and drove around to the back of the hospital. There were two parking lots rising up in terraced tiers separated by a stand of trees. They found visitor slots next to the hospital's rear entrance in the lower lot.

Appropriately placed signs made finding the administrative offices easy, and a helpful secretary directed them to Michael Caldwell's office. Michael Caldwell was Bartlet's medical director.

Angela knocked on the jamb of the open door. Inside, Michael Caldwell looked up from his desk, then rose to greet her. He immediately reminded Angela of David with his olive coloring and trim, athletic build. He was also close to David's age of thirty, as well as his height of six feet. Like David's, his hair tended to form a natural center part. But there the similarities ended. Caldwell 's features were harder than David's; his nose was hawk-like and narrower.

"Come in!" Caldwell said with enthusiasm. "Please! All of you." He quickly got more chairs.

David looked at Angela for guidance. Angela shrugged. If Caldwell wanted to interview the whole family, it was fine with her.

After brief introductions, Caldwell was back behind his desk with Angela's folder in front of him. "I've been over your application, and I have to tell you I am indeed impressed," he said.