Read Online Transhuman by Ben Bova - Free Book Online Page B

her.”
    â€œOf course! I’ll do anything I can, you know that, Luke.”
    Petrone had flown to Boston when Luke’s wife died. She had been an aid and comfort during those devastating first days after Adele’s funeral. Once she saw that Luke was able to stand on his own feet again, she returned to Washington, but only after getting him to promise he’d stay in touch with her. He did, in his own way: They saw each other at meetings and conferences, always with other people around, never just the two of them alone. And now he had come to her for help.
    â€œI appreciate it, Yolanda,” he said, with some emotion.
    She got up from the sofa and went to her desk. “I’ll make the arrangements…”
    The phone rang before she got there.
    She picked it up. “Mr. Jimenez? Oh, from legal. Yes, hello. How are—”
    Yolanda Petrone’s eyes narrowed as she listened to Jimenez’s voice. She turned and stared at Luke.
    At last she said, “Yes. I’ll see him. This afternoon, after lunch.”
    She put down the phone. “I’m going to be visited by an FBI agent. He’s looking for you.”

 
    Kennedy Clinic
    T HE KENNEDY CLINIC was a small, unobtrusive building set in a residential neighborhood across the highway from the NIH campus.
    â€œWe’ve used the facility for years,” Yolanda Petrone explained as she steered her Lexus up the driveway. “Top-flight facility, and very private.”
    Luke nodded absently.
    â€œPlenty of politicians and media stars have been treated here for various problems,” she continued while she parked the sedan in a RESERVED FOR STAFF slot. “Your granddaughter will be in good hands.”
    â€œI really appreciate this, Yolanda.”
    â€œIt’s the least I could do for you, Luke.”
    She led him into the clinic’s hushed entryway and down an empty corridor to the administrative office. In half an hour Angela was registered as a “Jane Doe” patient.
    â€œI don’t how to thank you,” Luke said.
    Petrone smiled. “You can let me take you to dinner, once the child is safely tucked in here.”
    Luke said, “Fine. I’ll bring her here, then give you a buzz.”
    â€œWonderful,” said Petrone.
    *   *   *
    A GENT HIGHTOWER WAS waiting in her office when Petrone returned from lunch. As she entered the room he got to his feet, rising like a mountain before her.
    His hand engulfed hers as he introduced himself. Petrone went to her desk, and Hightower sat down again. Even seated he looked immense to her.
    â€œYou’re interested in Professor Abramson?” she asked.
    â€œThat’s right. We want to talk to him about a possible kidnapping.”
    â€œKidnapping?”
    Hightower went through the story, ending with, “So I’ll need to know who his associates are, who he might go to for help.”
    Glad that he hadn’t asked if she herself had seen Luke, she replied, “You mean other than the people here at the National Cancer Institute.”
    â€œIncluding your people, ma’am.”
    The “ma’am” nettled her slightly. He must think I’m some fuddy-duddy grandmother, Petrone said to herself. Suppressing a frown, she said as innocently as she could manage, “Well, his main point of contact here at NCI would be me, of course.” Quickly she added, “But Professor Abramson didn’t get a renewal of his grant this year, so technically we don’t have anything to do with him anymore.”
    â€œThat’s what Mr. Jimenez told me.”
    â€œFrom our legal office,” Petrone murmured. “Yes, of course.”
    Leaning forward ponderously, Hightower said, “But you must know the other scientists in his field of research, the people he works with, consults with. His friends and associates. I need their names.”
    Petrone said, “Let me think a moment.