Patient by Michael Palmer Read Free Book Online Page A

know that they are in direct competition with us for every cent in grant money we get for this project. If word gets out that you had a major failure in the operating room, there’s no telling what the fallout will be.”
    “But—”
    “There’s more, dammit. Just shut up and let me finish. I’ve already submitted our application to the human experimentation panel here at the hospital. When word gets out that ARTIE ate away half of this poor stiff’s brain stem, what do you think they’re going to do?”
    “It was a minor technical problem. I’m almost sure of it.”
    “Really? And suppose it was operator error? You’ve had more screwups in the animal lab than I have—many more.”
    Yes, because I was trying to do much more complicated maneuvers than you’ve ever risked , Jessie wanted to shout.
    “I suppose operator error is always possible,” she said instead, her fists balled at her sides. “But I think I was on top of things. Whatever it turns out to be—even if it’s that I have more practicing to do—it’s got to be better to know about it now than when we’re operating on a live patient.”
    “That is beside the point. I didn’t bring you into my lab to end up second to that bozo from Houston or any of the others. If Terwilliger scoops us on this because we had to go back to the drawing board, there’s going to be hell to pay.”
    “I’m almost certain the problem is mechanical and will be easily correctable. Skip is working on it now.”
    “I know. I just came from there. He works for me, remember?”
    How could I possibly forget? How could anyone forget that we all do?
    “Look, Carl, I’m sorry. From now on I won’t even change a lightbulb in ARTIE without clearing it with you.”
    “See to it that you don’t. Now, I want a detailed op note and Skip’s report on my desk by morning.”
    “But—”
    “I don’t care if you have to type it yourself. I want it.”
    Without waiting for a response, Gilbride stalked off.
    Jessie checked the time and pictured Eileen excitedly pulling out the convention card the two of them used, then heading off to the bridge club, which was a good half hour from her house. It was too late now for her to talk her husband into playing. With any luck, there wouldn’t be some inept loner hanging around the club waiting for a partner, and Eileen could play with the director. Jessie used Information to get the number of the Cavendish.
    “Ray, Jessie Copeland here. ... Yeah, I know, I know. I miss seeing everyone there, too. Actually, I was planning on playing with Eileen tonight, but I’m not going to be able to make it. Do you think you could play with her? ... Ralph Pomm? The guy with the horrible toupee? Ray, he’s kind of tough to play with. Can’t you match him up with someone else? ... I see. Okay. Tell Eileen I’m sorry, and that I’ll call her tomorrow.”
    Ralph Pomm —self-centered, loudly opinionated, and pedantic. Everything she and Eileen hated in a partner.
    Well, Eileen , Jessie thought as she headed back toward her office, at least he’s not Carl Gilbride .

Chapter 5
    JESSIE’S DAY OF RECKONING WITH SARA DEVEREAU began at five in the morning with fifteen minutes of stretching and two dozen push-ups, followed by a cup of decaf and half a melon, a quick shower, and finally two games of Pin Bot—the full-sized pinball machine that occupied a significant portion of her living room. It was clear from the pile of covers on the floor by her bed that her sleep had been fitful, although as usual, she had no clear recollection of any dream. If a nightmare was responsible for the bedding pileup, she was reasonably certain that a bug-eyed bullfrog had played a leading role.
    As always on a day when she was scheduled to operate, Jessie felt keyed up—excited and on edge. She was the starting pitcher in a World Series game, but with no hope of being taken out for a reliever no matter how hard she was being hit. Facing a day as the principal in