Read Online The Dolomite Solution by Trevor Scott - Free Book Online Page B

pointing at various items.
    The doctor had glanced at the men briefly and then turned back to the man across from him.
    Dominic Varducci was in his early sixties, looking every bit his age. He had a paunch and gray hair that flourished over his collar at his throat. He had worked his way up the Parecchio family business for over forty-five years, starting at age fifteen by running packages from one seemingly legitimate operation to the next. His uncle Pasquale Parecchio, who was eighty-five and retired to the Virgin Islands, had put him in charge, since his own sons had been killed in an unfortunate car explosion. Dominic now ran a chain of restaurants that his son wanted to franchise nationwide. Following surgery, Dominic had nearly turned all of his operations over to his son Johnny, who had gotten his MBA from Harvard, and wanted to make a killing on Wall Street instead of some back alley.
    Dominic Varducci leaned back and shoved a toothpick in the side of his mouth. “You know you pulled me away from bed where this gorgeous blonde bimbo was about to straddle my piss hard-on,” he said. “So, what can I do for you, Doc?”
    The doctor explained his situation. Told him about the journal article again. And asked him if his men had found out anything in Europe.
    â€œFirst of all,” Dominic started, “I want to thank you again for saving my life.”
    The doctor smiled and nodded.
    â€œThis journal. What’s it called again?”
    Dr. Winthrop told him.
    Dominic made a mental note, slipping the toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other. “It’s no problem. I’ll take care of it. And on the other matter, my guys are handling it as we speak. If there’s something to this study, they’ll let us know. We just need to give them some time. If you’d like I could send a few of my local men there. Would that make you feel better?”
    â€œI guess.” The doctor glanced at the two men by the door. Then he whispered, “I don’t want to know anything.”
    â€œFine. But there will be some expenses involved now. A favor’s one thing, but I’m a businessman. Hey, you charged me for the bypass, I have to make a living.”
    â€œI understand,” the doctor said. “I’ll need to transfer some stocks or mutual fund shares, if that’s all right.”
    â€œThat’s fine. You know the amount, and you’ve got my Cayman account number.” Dominic rose. “Are we done? I’d like to get back to that blonde. At my age you never know when the prick will stiffen again.”
    The doctor nodded.
    â€œGood. You take it easy, Doc. Let me do all the worrying.”
    The doctor watched the man walk out. A few seconds later the two men who had been sitting near the door followed Dominic out. Winthrop hadn’t even thought of them being with Dominic. But it made sense now. He wondered exactly what Dominic had meant when he said he’d take care of it. Maybe it was better if he didn’t know.
    He went outside and stood under the awning for a moment. The drizzle had turned into a heavy downpour again. He thought about his two daughters and their young mother, his beautiful wife of seven years. Having waited so long to marry, he wondered often what she saw in him. Was it only the money? Regardless, he had to make sure his daughters were taken care of. They would attend the best schools money could buy. If they wanted to follow him into medicine, he would make it happen. They meant everything to him.
    He opened his umbrella and sprinted to his car. Slowly, he drove off toward the hospital.

8
    Parked a short distance behind the BMW, Toni Contardo could not believe her good fortune. It was the car that had forced the scientist from the road, she was sure.
    She was in front of an old stone building on the University of Milan campus. The walkways were lined with colorful flowers, and the grass was landscaped nicely to the