“How’s she doing?” Yuri asked hesitantly when the doctor got up to leave.
“To be truthful, she’s not doing well,” the doctor admitted. “We’re afraid her brain was denied oxygen for too long. She has no peripheral reflexes whatsoever, which doesn’t bode well for her brain function. I’m afraid it doesn’t look good. I’m sorry.”
Yuri nodded. He wished he could make himself cry, but he couldn’t. Instead he hung his head. The doctor gave his shoulder a squeeze and then disappeared.
An hour later the same doctor reappeared. This time he had a white coat over his crumpled pajama-like outfit. His name tag said Dr. Michael Cooper. He came over to Yuri and sat down. Yuri looked into the man’s gray-green eyes.
“I’m afraid I have bad news,” Dr. Cooper said.
Yuri visibly stiffened. In his mind’s eye he could see Connie suddenly sit up someplace within the depths of the emergency room and say it was something in the ice cream that had first made her see double.
“Your wife has passed away,” Dr. Cooper said softly. “We did all we could, but we just couldn’t help her. I’m terribly sorry.”
Tears sprang into Yuri’s eyes. That they were tears of joy made no difference. He was thrilled the tears had come to add to his theatrics. But mostly he was thrilled that he’d been right about how to get rid of Connie. Despite all his anxieties, it had worked. He was free, and Curt was going to be pleased.
“I know this must be a terrible shock to you,” Dr. Cooper continued. “She is such a young person.”
“Thank you,” Yuri said. He wiped his tears away with the knuckle of his right index finger, making sure the doctor saw the maneuver. “I suppose I have to make some sort of arrangements for her body. Do you think someone could help me? It’s something I don’t know anything about.”
“Absolutely,” Dr. Cooper said. “I can have Social Service come and talk with you in a few minutes. But I can relieve your understandable anxiety by saying that you don’t have to make any decisions tonight.”
“No?” Yuri questioned. “Why not?”
“Because your wife is going to be what we call a medical examiner case,” Dr. Cooper explained.
“Does that mean an autopsy?” Yuri asked with consternation.
“Yes, it does,” Dr. Cooper said. “But I can assure you it’s done with full respect for the deceased.”
“But why an autopsy?” Yuri demanded. “You have the diagnosis.”
“That’s true,” Dr. Cooper said. “We know she died of acute respiratory distress with a history of asthma. But she is a relatively young person who was, prior to this unfortunate attack, a healthy, albeit obese, individual. We all think it best to have the medical examiner take a look in case we’re missing something. I don’t want you to be concerned. It’s purely routine in such cases.”
“I’m sure you’re not missing anything,” Yuri sputtered.
“Thank you for your vote of confidence,” Dr. Cooper said. “But I’m sure even you will have an easier time coming to terms with your loss when the cause for this tragedy is proved beyond the shadow of doubt. You understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
“Certainly,” Yuri managed to reply as the anxieties he’d felt earlier came back like an avalanche.
____
NINE
Tuesday, October 19
6:43 A.M.
Laurie surprised herself by waking up before her alarm. She couldn’t remember having done that for years. It was especially surprising considering her expected jet lag from having flown in from Paris the morning before. But then with a simple calculation she realized that at that moment it was already after noon in the French capital, and even though she’d only been in France for a couple of days, she must have made some adaption to the local time.
At Laurie’s first stirring, her eight-month-old cat, Tom-2, stood up, stretched, and came up to the head of the bed for his customary dose of petting. Laurie was happy to comply. In contrast to the mongrel Tom, Laurie’s first cat whom she’d rescued from Animal Control and who’d been brutally killed, Tom-2 was a pedigree Burmese she’d purchased from Fabulous Felines on Second Avenue. Tom-2’s hair color was not too dissimilar from Laurie’s, but lacked the reddish highlights.
Laurie bounded out of bed with more than the usual enthusiasm. Over the month since she’d met Paul, her spirits had been buoyant. In the kitchen she started her coffee machine, which she’d prepared the night before. Back in her tiny bathroom she climbed into the shower.
Laurie had lived in her small, one-bedroom apartment ever since she’d started working at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the City of New York eight years ago. By now she could afford cushier digs, but she’d grown accustomed to her old fifth-floor flat. Also, being only eleven blocks from the office, she often walked both directions. That was a convenience that few of her colleagues enjoyed.
As Laurie washed her hair, she mulled over the previous evening’s dinner party and couldn’t help suppressing a smile. Initially she’d been disappointed at Jack and Lou’s response to her news, but after she’d thought about their behavior, she changed her mind. Now she thought there was an element of humor in their obvious shock and inability to wish the best for her. And she had to admit to a sense of satisfaction. Neither had been willing to make even the most modest commitment. What had they expected her to do, let life pass her by?
Laurie had long suspected that both men were attracted to her romantically but were afraid to follow up on their feelings. Although she valued their friendship, the situation had been frustrating for Laurie, especially since she’d always known that she’d wanted children. She understood that Jack in particular needed plenty of time to recover from the painful loss of his family. So she’d been patient. But could she really put her future on hold indefinitely? In the years that Laurie had known him, Jack had shown no signs of getting over his grief. To Laurie, his whole life still seemed defined as a reaction to that tragic incident.
With Lou, it was different. His ingrained inferiority complex seemed to be immune to Laurie’s efforts. Laurie had tried to dent his defensive shield with multiple ploys, but with no luck. In fact, the harder she had tried, the more defensive he’d become, to the point of argument. Ultimately, she’d given up and was content with his enduring friendship.
Laurie vigorously toweled her hair, then combed it out before using the electric hair dryer. As far as she was concerned, it was far better to concentrate on the positive, and that meant thinking about Paul Sutherland. Such thoughts brought an even bigger smile to her face.
Over the last few years Laurie had developed progressively greater insights into her personality. She realized that she’d made careful, rational decisions all her life, a trait that had obviously stood her in good stead career-wise but that at times might have been limiting. She’d taken few chances except for a minor teenage rebellion or two. Now with Paul there was an opportunity. It was like being offered the brass ring on the whirling carousel of life. All she had to do was reach out and seize it.
With her hair done to her satisfaction, Laurie turned to her makeup routine. She didn’t wear a lot of makeup, so it didn’t take long. While she was applying it, she mused about her whirlwind romance with Paul. Thanks to his generosity and spontaneity, they’d not only been to Paris, they’d spent weekends in Los Angeles and Caracas as well. In New York they’d eaten out almost every night at some of the best restaurants in the city. They’d been to the theater, dance recitals, and the symphony.
After dressing, Laurie went back into her kitchen for her breakfast of cereal, fruit, yogurt, and coffee. While she ate, she admitted to herself that she was a bit overwhelmed by the speed of the courtship. She was still somewhat stunned by Paul’s proposal. He’d taken her totally by surprise. She was also immensely pleased and flattered to be with a man who seemed to appreciate her and was desperate not to let her get away.
The main reason she’d not officially accepted was her desire to ha
ve a last word with Jack and with Lou, but particularly with Jack. She knew they’d squirm, but they deserved to. And she felt she owed it to them and to herself to present her situation openly and honestly. They could act if they so chose, or forever hold their peace. And if they decided to hold their peace, Laurie intended to grab the brass ring and make her future with Paul, even if she and Paul didn’t share that immediate animal attraction she’d had so abundantly with Jack.
Laurie’s door buzzer pulled her from her thoughts. She glanced at the clock. She couldn’t imagine who could be there at seven-thirty in the morning. Laurie moved over to the ancient intercom device and put the earphone to her ear. She pushed the speak button and said hello. Despite the static she recognized the voice that came back. It was Paul.
Laurie buzzed him in. Then she raced around the apartment snatching panties off the arm of the couch, a bra from a side table, and stockings from the floor. When she’d arrived home the night before, she’d been exhausted and had undressed en route to her bed, dropping clothing in her wake.
When there was a knock on her door, Laurie checked through the peephole by reflex. She found herself looking directly into one of Paul’s dark eyes. He’d put his face up to the tiny lens.
Laurie undid the extensive array of locks a former tenant had installed on her front door and pulled it open. “You clown,” she commented teasingly at Paul’s antics. He had a playful side that was unpredictable but which could embarrass her in public, like when he surprisingly joined her in the Lilliputian commode on the Concorde. Laurie had been mortified when she’d emerged, but later she’d laughed at herself and the stodgy businessmen who pretended not to have noticed.
“Surprise,” Paul said as he pulled a bouquet of fall flowers from behind his back.
“What’s the occasion?” Laurie asked.
“No occasion,” Paul said. “I just thought they looked attractive at one of those all-night Korean convenience stores.”
“Well, thank you,” Laurie said. She gave him a light kiss and took the flowers. While she went for a vase, Paul took off his coat. He was dressed for business in a suit similar to the one he had on the previous evening.
“Come on in here if you want any coffee,” Laurie called from the kitchen. Paul appeared a moment later. He was carrying Tom-2, who was purring loudly. “What’ll it be?” Laurie asked. “I’m having filtered coffee, but I could make you an espresso.” She finished with the flowers and put the vase on the table.
“Nothing for me,” Paul said energetically. “I’ve had enough coffee to last me the whole day, maybe the week. The phone woke me up early. If only Europe wasn’t six hours ahead of us, my life would be ten times easier.”
“Do you mind that I finish my breakfast?” Laurie said. “I don’t have a lot of time.”
“Of course not,” Paul said. He sat down across from her at the tiny table. He continued to stroke the cat, who was content in his lap.
“You’re certainly full of surprises,” Laurie said between mouthfuls. “I never expected to see you this morning.”
“I know,” Paul said with a sly smile. “But I had a specific surprise I wanted to share with you. I thought it would be better in person.”
“That sounds intriguing,” Laurie said. “What kind of a surprise?”
“First, let me tell you how much I enjoyed meeting your friends last night,” Paul said. “Certainly impressive guys.”
“I’m glad,” Laurie said. “Thank you. But what is this surprise you’re talking about?”
Paul smiled. Knowing Laurie’s curiosity, he was purposefully stringing her along. “I was particularly impressed by Jack riding his bike around the city,” Paul continued.
“Paul!” Laurie intoned with frustration.
“And Lou,” Paul said. “I can’t remember the last time I met a more modest guy.”
“I’m going to flip some of my yogurt onto your silk tie if you don’t tell me what you’re trying to say.” Laurie held the bowl of her spoon back with her left index finger, turning the spoon into a potential miniature catapult.
“Okay, okay,” Paul laughed. He raised his palms in surrender. Sensing trouble, Tom-2 bailed out from Paul’s lap and disappeared into the living room.
“You have five seconds,” Laurie teased.
“The surprise is that we’re going back to Europe this weekend,” Paul said. “We’ll take the Concorde to Paris on Friday, then connect to Budapest. And let me tell you, Budapest has become one of the more interesting cities in Europe. You’re going to love it. I even got us a suite at the Hilton overlooking the Danube.”
Paul stared at Laurie with a self-satisfied smile. Laurie returned the gaze but didn’t respond. Paul’s smile faded. “What’s the matter?” he asked.
“I can’t go to Budapest this weekend,” Laurie said.
“Why not?” Paul questioned.
“I’ve got to catch up with work,” Laurie said with a half laugh. “I’ve never had so many uncompleted folders on my desk.”
“You’re not going to let work interfere with our weekends, are you?” Paul asked. He was astonished. “You can work all week.”
“I’ve got too much to do,” Laurie said. “I’ve had to let things slide as it is, especially after spending most of yesterday with the FBI over the skinhead case.”
Paul rolled his eyes. “I’ll tell you what: we’ll cut back on what we have planned for the rest of the week. After all, today is only Tuesday. We’ll even scrap the ballet Thursday night even though I had to beg, borrow, and steal for the tickets. It’s not as important as a weekend in Budapest.”
“I can’t go to Budapest!” Laurie said with a tone that precluded debate.
There was a lull in the conversation. Laurie looked at her near-fiancé. He wasn’t returning her stare but rather looking down at his hands while shaking his head in a way that was almost imperceptible. “This is a surprise for me,” he admitted, breaking the silence. Now he was nodding ever so slightly but still looking down at his lap. “I was so sure you’d want to go.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to go,” Laurie said. She softened. “It’s just that I have other obligations because of my work.”
“I don’t think it’s healthy that you are letting your work control you,” Paul said. Finally he raised his coal-black eyes to hers. “Life’s too short for that.”
“Now that’s hardly a fair thing to say,” Laurie responded. “The real reason we went to Paris last weekend was for your work, not that we didn’t enjoy ourselves when you were free. I’m assuming the same situation holds for Budapest. I mean, the reason you’re going there is for business. In other words, you’re working on weekends, so why is it so different if I have to do the same?”
“It’s different,” Paul said.
“Really?” Laurie questioned. “I fail to see how it’s different.”
Paul stared back at Laurie. His face had reddened.
“As far as I can see the only way it’s different is that I can’t work in Budapest.”
“There are other differences than that,” Paul snapped.
“Give me some examples!” Laurie said.
Paul sighed and shook his head. “It’s not important.”
“But it must be, otherwise you wouldn’t be upset.”
“I’m upset because you’re not willing to go.”
“It’s not that I wouldn’t like to,” Laurie explained. “You do understand that point, don’t you?”
“I suppose,” Paul said unconvincingly.
“What kind of work do you do anyway?” Laurie asked. She could remember Jack asking the same question the night before. She truly had no idea, and until then it had never occurred to her to ask. She’d always thought he’d just tell her when it was relevant. Having dated so many men who could talk only about their business, she’d found Paul a relief. Yet she was beginning to feel that it was strange that she had no idea what field he was in.
“Does it matter?” Paul questioned
contentiously.
“No, it doesn’t,” Laurie said. She could tell she’d hurt his feelings by suggesting it did. “And I don’t think this should be an argument.”
“You’re right,” Paul said. “I’m sorry for reacting the way I have. The problem is, I don’t have a choice about this trip. I have to go, and frankly it’s lonely. With you along it would actually be a pleasure.”
“Thank you for saying that,” Laurie said. “And I’m grateful for your asking me. It’s just that I can’t go away every weekend. And we have gone away three weekends in a row.”
“I understand,” Paul said. He smiled weakly.
Laurie looked into his eyes. She wondered if he was being sincere.
Paul had a radio-dispatched Town Car waiting for him outside of Laurie’s building. He was happy to give her a ride. He said he was going in the same direction. His first meeting for the day was at the United Nations. Laurie was impressed and even more curious about the nature of his business. She was tempted to ask who he was seeing, but was afraid her motive would be too transparent.
Outside of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Laurie waved as Paul’s car accelerated north on First Avenue. Then she turned and mounted the steps of the blue-glazed brick building. As she entered, she felt vaguely out of sorts, which was not how she’d started the day. Although she and Paul had not had an argument, they’d come close. It had been the first such episode in their wildly romantic relationship. She hoped it wasn’t a premonition of things to come, and that the hint of male chauvinism in his responses didn’t mask outright sexist views.
Laurie crossed the empty waiting area and approached the main interior entrance that led to the first-floor corridor. “Excuse me!” she called out to Marlene Wilson, the African-American receptionist. Laurie needed Marlene to buzz her in.
“Dr. Montgomery! Hold on!” Marlene said when she caught sight of Laurie. “You’ve got some visitors who’ve been waiting for you.”