Vanish by Tess Gerritsen Read Free Book Online Page A

Maybe I shouldn’t have talked to him.”
    “We’ll find out soon enough,” said Louise, her eyes back on the computer screen. “When his
    column comes out in the Tribune on Friday.”

    FIVE
    Jane could not tell if the news was good or bad.
    Dr. Stephanie Tam bent forward, listening through the Doppler stethoscope, and her sleek
    black hair fell over her face so that Jane could not read her expression. Lying flat on her back,
    Jane watched as the Doppler head slid across her bulging belly. Dr. Tam had elegant hands, a
    surgeon’s hands, and she guided the instrument with the same delicacy one might use to pluck
    a harp. Suddenly that hand paused, and Tam dipped her head lower, in concentration. Jane
    glanced at her husband, Gabriel, who was sitting right beside her, and she read the same
    anxiety in his eyes.
    Is our baby all right?
    At last Dr. Tam straightened and looked at Jane with a calm smile. “Take a listen,” she said,
    and turned up the volume on the Doppler.
    A rhythmic whoosh pulsed from the speaker, steady and vigorous.
    “Those are strong fetal heart tones,” said Tam.
    “Then my baby’s okay?”
    “Baby’s doing fine so far.”
    “So far? What does that mean?”
    “Well, it can’t stay in there much longer.” Tam bundled up the stethoscope and slipped it into
    its carrying case. “Once you’ve ruptured your amniotic sac, labor usually starts on its own.”
    “But nothing’s happening. I’m not feeling any contractions.”
    “Exactly. Your baby’s refusing to cooperate. You’ve got a very stubborn kid in there, Jane.”
    Gabriel sighed. “Just like mom here. Wrestling down perps to the very last minute. Can you
    please tell my wife she’s now officially on maternity leave?”
    “You’re definitely off the job now,” said Tam. “I’m going to get you down to Ultrasound, so
    we can take a peek in there. Then I think it’s time to induce labor.”
    “It won’t start on its own?” said Jane.
    “Your water’s broken. You’ve got an open channel for infection. It’s been two hours, and still
    no contractions. Time to hurry junior along.” Tam moved briskly toward the door. “They’re
    going to get an IV in you. I’ll check with Diagnostic Imaging, see if we can slip you in for a
    scan right now. Then we need to get that baby out of there, so you can finally be a mommy.”
    “This is all happening so fast.”
    Tam laughed. “You’ve had nine months to think about it. It shouldn’t be a complete surprise,”
    she said, and walked out of the room.
    Jane stared up at the ceiling. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
    Gabriel squeezed her hand. “I’ve been ready for this a long time. It seems like forever.” He
    lifted her hospital gown and pressed his ear to her naked belly. “Hello in there, kid!” he called
    out. “Daddy’s getting impatient, so stop fooling around.”
    “Ouch. You did a bad job shaving this morning.”
    “I’ll do it again, just for you.” He straightened and his gaze met hers. “I mean it, Jane,” he said.
    “I’ve wanted this for a long time. My own little family.”
    “But what if it’s not everything you expected?”
    “What do you think I expect?”
    “You know. The perfect kid, the perfect wife.”
    “Now, why would I want the perfect wife when I can have you?” he said and dodged away,
    laughing as she took a swing at him.
    But I did manage to land the perfect husband, she thought, looking into his smiling eyes. I still
    don’t know how I got so lucky. I don’t know how a girl who grew up with the nickname Frog
    Face married a man who could turn every woman’s head just by walking into the room.
    He leaned toward her and said, softly: “You still don’t believe me, do you? I can say it a
    thousand times, and you’ll never believe me. You’re exactly what I want, Jane. You and the
    baby.” He gave her a kiss on the nose. “Now. What am I supposed to bring back for you,
    Mom?”
    “Oh, jeez. Don’t call me