Read Online The Doctor Dines in Prague by Robin Hathaway - Free Book Online Page A

currency. “How much?”
    â€œFour thousand korunas.” ( “Two hundred dollars.” )
    Fenimore counted out the bills and handed them over. The super pocketed them with a satisfied smirk. Tucking a much thinner wallet into his back pocket, Fenimore made a mental note to stop at American Express before going shopping. When the door closed, Fenimore was fully awake. The super’s visit had had the effect of a cold shower. But his head still hurt. He went back to the bathroom to check once more for aspirin, or an aspirin substitute. As he rummaged through the medicine cabinet, his eye fell on a bottle of nitroglycerin tablets. He was reminded of Vlasta’s cardiac condition. Sure enough—checking the patient’s name on the label, he read, VLASTA BOROVY. He opened the bottle. Three-quarters full. He rummaged further and found two other cardiac medicines. Because of the nature of his departure, Vlasta had left all his medicines behind.
    This time Fenimore took a real cold shower. Throughout the shower he berated himself. What the hell did he think he was doing? Going out on the town with some blonde when he should have been looking for his cousins! But he had thought the blonde might provide him with clues, he reminded himself. Be honest, Fenimore, you stopped looking for clues after the first beer . As he dressed, he caught sight of a shopping bag on the chair near the door. Puppets! Was he crazy? Buying toys when his cousins were in mortal danger!
    He went to the computer and booted up, taking brief satisfaction in the fact that two days ago, he didn’t know how to do that. When the e-mail screen appeared, he typed Jen’s address and a message: (His messages sounded like telegrams, because he wanted to limit his typing as much as possible.)

    Find shoebox in top of hall closet with letters from my cousin, Anna. Send them by fastest means possible. Cost no object! Love, F

    In those letters, Anna had described her husband’s condition. They were the reason Fenimore had suggested she bring Vlasta to Philadelphia for an evaluation. He wanted to go over her letters now, review Vlasta’s case, and make sure Fenimore had all the right medications with him when he found Vlasta ( if he found Vlasta). He shut down the computer and prepared to go into town. The phone rang. Forgetting about possible wiretaps, he answered it.
    â€œHi!” Ilsa said. “I have two tickets for the theater tonight. Would you care to join me?”
    Theater! Another time-waster, was his first reaction. Then he reconsidered. He still had questions for Ilsa. And, so far, she was his only contact. It was up to him to stay sober and keep his mind on his job. “Sounds great.”
    â€œGood. Meet me at …” She gave the address. “The program begins at eight o’clock.”
    â€œI’ll be there.” He hung up. How am I going to sit through a play all in Czech? he wondered. Another thought struck him: How had Ilsa known his phone number? He didn’t remember giving it to her. Idiot! She is a great friend of Anna’s. Of course she would know her phone number . That also explained how she knew his address. Some detective he was. Maybe he should call in the police after all.
    The phone rang again. It must be Ilsa. He had instructed his friends at home to contact him only by e-mail. No one else knew he was here. Reluctantly, he raised the receiver.
    â€œWhat are you doing today?” Her tone was proprietary.
    â€œExcept for getting some cash and food supplies, I haven’t decided.”
    â€œI’ve been thinking. For your safety, I think you should play the tourist role to the hilt.”
    â€œOh?”

    â€œYes. People may be watching the apartment—and you. You should act like a typical American tourist.”
    â€œPlease—not that!”
    She laughed. “You know what I mean.”
    â€œOkay. What should I do?”
    â€œVisit all the usual