Robin Cook - Foreign Body

“That was a great idea,” Jennifer said.

“I understand your grandmother’s body is in a basement cooler,” Jack said to Jennifer.

“That’s correct. Very close to the staff cafeteria.”

Jack nodded, deep in thought.

“What time should we meet up in the morning before heading out?” Jennifer asked. “And where? Should we breakfast together?”

“You, young lady,” Jack said with authority, “are going to stay here at the hotel. After what you experienced today, it is too dangerous for you to be running around outside. You really shouldn’t have come to meet us at the airport.”

“What!” Jennifer demanded. She leaped to her feet, arms akimbo, challenging Jack.

“I have to give you credit,” Jack said calmly. “It seems that your suspicions and persistence have opened a can of worms here in New Delhi, but in so doing you have put yourself in jeopardy. I think Laurie will agree with me.”

“I do, Jennifer.”

“You have to let us try to prove what you’ve managed to uncover,” Jack continued. “I can’t participate unless you are willing to step back. I refuse to have your life on my conscience for this possible conspiracy.”

“But I’ve put—” Jennifer tried to complain, but she knew Jack was right.

“No buts!” Jack said. “We can’t even be sure we’ll be able to do much. Is that worth risking your life?”

Jennifer shook her head, then slowly sat back down. She glanced at Neil, but Neil nodded that he agreed with Jack.

“Okay,” Jennifer said with resignation.

“That’s it, then,” Jack said while slapping his thighs. “We’ll keep you guys informed. I’d prefer you stay in your room, but I know that’s asking a bit much, and it’s probably not necessary. Just stay within the hotel.”

“Can I help?” Neil asked.

“We’ll let you know,” Jack said. “Let me have your mobile number! Meanwhile, you can keep Jennifer entertained so she won’t be tempted to leave the premises.”

“Don’t be patronizing,” Jennifer complained.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” Jack said. “That did sound condescending. I truly didn’t mean it that way. Sarcasm is my reflex style of humor. As I already said, I do give you a lot of credit for getting this investigation to this point, in spite of your grief. I doubt I could have done it.”

After saying good night to one another, Jack and Laurie got up and left the other two to finish their beers. As they walked out into the lobby, Jack said he wanted to stop at the concierge desk to reserve a van for the morning if it was possible.

“What do you want with a van?” Laurie asked.

“If we want to take a body from point A to point B, I want us to be prepared.”

“Good thinking,” Laurie said with a smile, guessing what Jack had in mind.

A few minutes later, as they were rising up to the seventh floor in the elevator, Laurie said, “I learned something tonight I didn’t know before. Jennifer’s father apparently abused her as a child.”

“That’s a tragedy,” Jack said, “but she’s certainly high-functioning.”

“At least ostensibly.”

“Did she tell you?”

“No, he did. It was by accident. At least I think it was by accident. He had convinced himself that from my mentoring position, I would have known, but I didn’t. So don’t say anything to anyone.”

Jack made an exaggerated questioning expression. “Who would I tell?”

“Are you done?” Neil asked, after Jennifer had taken the last pull on her beer. She nodded as she placed the empty bottle back on the table. She stood up and offered him a hand. They started for the elevators.

“I don’t like the idea of being confined to the hotel.”

“But it is the smartest thing to do. Why take a chance at this point. I thought about it but hesitated to suggest it.”

Jennifer gave Neil a quick testy glance.

They boarded the elevator. “Floor, please,” the operator intoned.

Jennifer and Neil exchanged a glance, unsure who was going to speak.

“Nine,” Jennifer said, when Neil failed to respond.

They didn’t talk as they rode up, nor when they walked down to Jennifer’s room. At her door, they stopped.

“I hope you are not expecting to come in,” Jennifer said. “Not at one-thirty in the morning.”

“When it comes to you, Jen, I don’t allow myself to expect anything. There are always surprises.”

“Good. I got pretty angry at you back in L.A. I had expected a different response.”

“I realized that after the fact. At the same time, there could have been a bit more discussion.”

“To what end? I could tell you weren’t going to come, even after I expressed how much I thought I needed you.”

“But you did fine without me. Doesn’t that change to some degree how you feel about the original event?”

“No,” Jennifer said, without hesitation.

“How do you feel that I came to India even though I said I wasn’t? You haven’t told me.”

“I appreciate it, but I’m also confused. I guess the jury is still out whether I can really trust you, Neil. I have to be able to trust you. For me, that’s a big, big requirement.”

Neil inwardly cringed when he thought about how he revealed her secret to Laurie just that evening. He was absolutely certain had he confessed it to Jennifer she’d decide he couldn’t be trusted. With the thought came a certain exhaustion. Was it all worth it? At the moment he didn’t even know, as there was no guarantee she would ever be capable of a normal give-and-take relationship. He worried that in her mind he was always going to be either totally good or totally bad, whereas in reality he was somewhere in between, like everyone else.

“Who should call whom in the morning?” Neil asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere. Any vague thoughts of possible intimacy had vaporized the moment she said she hoped he was not expecting to come into her room.

“Why don’t we set a time?” Jennifer said. “How about we meet down in the breakfast room at nine?”

“Sounds good,” Neil said. He was about to leave when Jennifer launched herself at him, enveloping him in a sustained hug.

“Actually,” Jennifer said, with her head buried against his chest, “I really do appreciate that you’re here. I’m just afraid to show it for fear of being disappointed. I’m sorry I’m so skeptical.” With that she pulled away, gave him a quick kiss on the lips, and then disappeared into her room.

For a second Neil stood there, caught off guard by her actions. As he had said, there were always surprises.

October 19, 2007

Friday, 7:45 a.m.

New Delhi, India

Inspector Naresh Prasad drove up the Amal Palace Hotel ramp. While he did so he checked his watch. It was earlier than his arrival was yesterday, although not as early as he had been shooting for. He’d conveniently forgotten that the rush-hour traffic Friday morning was always a little worse than it was on other days, and it had taken him longer to get to his office and from his office to the hotel than he’d planned.

The head Sikh doorman recognized him, and he pointed with his stack of parking tags to the same spot Naresh had used the day before. Naresh drove through the porte cochere, angled around it, and parked. He waved to the doorman as he walked into the hotel. The doorman saluted in return.

“Back again, Inspector!” Sumit said cheerfully as Naresh approached the concierge desk.

“I’m afraid so,” Naresh admitted irritably. In truth, Naresh was not happy with his assignment. Just like yesterday, which led to a disaster, his instructions were hopelessly vague. What did it really mean to keep tabs on Jennifer Hernandez? It was kind of like babysitting. And the more Naresh thought about yesterday’s calamity, the more convinced he was that the fault lay squarely on Ramesh’s shoulders.