Read Online Seizure by Robin Cook - Free Book Online Page B

Tony. Whose idea was it that he invest in CURE, yours or his?” Daniel’s voice regained some of its earlier brusqueness.
    â€œIs this going to become an argument again?”
    â€œJust answer the question!”
    â€œWhat difference does it make?”
    â€œIt was a monumental error in judgment to allow a possible—or probable, as the case may be—mobster to invest in our company.”
    â€œIt was a combination of both of us,” Stephanie said. “In contrast with my father, he’s been interested in what I’ve been doing lately, and I’d told him biotechnology was a good place to put some of his money from the restaurants.”
    â€œWonderful!” Daniel exclaimed sarcastically. “I hope you realize that investors in general don’t like losing money, despite having been adequately warned of the risks in start-up companies. My guess would be that such an attitude would be an understatement for a mobster. Have you ever heard of such inconveniences as smashed patellae?”
    â€œHe’s my brother, for Christ’s sake! There’s not going to be any kneecap smashing.”
    â€œYeah, but I’m not his brother.”
    â€œIt’s insulting to even suggest such a thing,” Stephanie snapped. She turned her head to look out her window. Generally she had a reservoir of patience to put up with Daniel’ssarcasm, ego, and antisocial negativity, thanks to the awe she felt about his scientific brilliance, but at the moment and given the morning’s events, it was wearing thin.
    â€œUnder the circumstances, I don’t have a lot of interest in hanging around Washington for another night,” Daniel said. “I think we should get our things together, check out, and get on the next shuttle back to Boston.”
    â€œFine by me,” Stephanie clipped.
    Stephanie got out her side of the taxi as Daniel paid the fare. She headed directly into the hotel lobby, only vaguely aware that he was close behind her. She was upset enough to wonder what she’d do when they got back to Boston. In her current state of mind, the idea of returning to Daniel’s Cambridge apartment where she’d been living was not appealing. Daniel’s suggestion that her family was low enough to be capable of physical violence was galling. She wasn’t sure if anyone in her family was involved in loan-sharking or other questionable activities, but she was darn sure no one ever got hurt.
    â€œDr. D’Agostino, excuse me!” one of the concierges voiced loudly.
    Unexpectedly hearing her name called out in the middle of the hotel lobby startled Stephanie enough that she stopped in her tracks. Daniel collided with her, causing him to drop the folder he was carrying.
    â€œGood grief!” Daniel snapped, as he squatted down to retrieve the papers that had wafted out of the folder. A bellman lent a hand. The papers were professionally rendered schematics of HTSR. He’d brought them to the hearing in case it had been appropriate to hand them out to be sure people understood the procedure. Unfortunately, the opportunity hadn’t presented itself.
    By the time Daniel had righted himself, Stephanie had returned to his side from the concierge’s desk.
    â€œYou could have let me know you were stopping,” Daniel complained.
    â€œWho is Carol Manning?” Stephanie questioned.
    â€œI haven’t the foggiest idea. Why do you ask?”
    â€œYou got an urgent message from her.” Stephanie handed over the piece of paper.
    Daniel read it rapidly. “I’m supposed to call her. It says it’s an emergency. How can it be an emergency if I don’t even know who it is?”
    â€œWhat’s the area code?” Stephanie questioned, as she looked over Daniel’s shoulder.
    â€œTwo-oh-two!” Daniel said. “Where’s that, do you know?”
    â€œOf course I do! It’s right here in