The Ugly Duckling by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online

Minnesota
    Joel Lieber met them at the airport with an ambulance and a scowl. “I told you I didn’t want to become involved with this business, Nicholas. I’m too busy to deal with men like Kabler. They interfere with my—Be careful!” He turned toward the paramedics who were unloading the stretcher. “No jarring. How many times must I tell you that there must be no jarring.” Following the stretcher to the ambulance, he tossed back over his shoulder, “Go to my office. I’ll see you there after I’ve examined her. Has she regained consciousness?”
    “Only once right after we found her. The knife wounds aren’t deep, but she has a broken arm and clavicle. The emergency room in Athens set those breaks, but I told them to leave her face alone.”
    “So that I could have that dubious honor,” Joel said sarcastically. “Along with all the grief from Kabler that goes with it.”
    “I’ll stand between you and Kabler.”
    “You mean you’ll try. He’s already called me twice today. It seems he didn’t approve of me aiding the illegal transporting of a material witness.”
    “She needed you, Joel.”
    “The whole world needs me,” he said with a sigh. “It’s the bane of being brilliant.” He got into the ambulance. “Unfortunately, I’m only Superman, I’m not God. I’ll let you know later today if I can help her.”
    “I think the only degree he doesn’t have is for veterinary surgery.” Jamie’s gaze was fixed on the diplomas and awards on the wall of Lieber’s office. “I wonder how he missed that one.”
    “He knows enough to get by. He set Sam’s leg once when it was caught in a coyote trap.”
    “You mean he leaves all this adulation to visit you in the backwoods?”
    “Even Superman gets tired of being stroked.”
    “Only occasionally.” Joel Lieber strode into the office, tossed his briefcase on the desk, and dropped into the leather executive chair. “Worship is the food and drink that nourishes genius. I prescribe a daily mega-dose of it for myself.”
    “I can understand that,” Jamie said.
    “How’s business at the pub?” Joel asked.
    “Flourishing.”
    “Then you should have stayed in Dublin and away from Nicholas.”
    “Ah, but what we should do and what we do so seldom coincide.” He smiled. “We see a problem, a challenge, and we go for it. Isn’t that right, Joel?”
    Joel grimaced. “I may not pick up this particular challenge.”
    “Bad?” Nicholas asked.
    “There are no cuts, but her entire face will have to be reconstructed. I can do the initial surgery in one operation, but then there will be psychotherapy and checkups and—Do you realize how much work that will take? I’m booked up for the next two years. I don’t have the
time
.”
    “She needs you, Joel.”
    “Don’t lay that guilt trip on me. I can’t solve everyone’s problems.”
    “Her husband and child were murdered in that raid.”
    “Oh, shit.”
    “She’s lost everything. Are you going to tell her that she’s going to have to live the rest of her life looking like a gargoyle?”
    “I’m not the only surgeon in the world.”
    “But you’re the best. You tell me so all the time. She deserves the best.”
    “I’ll think about it.”
    “I met her. She’s a nice woman.”
    “I said, I’d think about it, dammit,” Joel said through his teeth.
    “You do that.” Nicholas stood up and moved toward the door. “I’ll bring her dossier tomorrow and we’ll talk. Come on, Jamie, let’s get some dinner.” He paused. “By the way, how’s Tania?”
    “Fine.” Joel scowled. “She’ll want to see you. I suppose you can come to dinner at my house.”
    “It’s difficult for me to refuse such a warm invitation, but I think I’ll pass.” He smiled. “Why don’t you get Tania’s opinion on whether you should commit yourself to helping Nell Calder?”
    “Damn you,” Joel said.
    Nicholas was smiling as he closed the door.
    “Who’s Tania?” Jamie asked as they passed