Robin Cook by Toxin

Author:Toxin [Toxin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Published: 2012-05-15T12:31:13+00:00

THIRTEEN

Saturday evening, January 24th

Tracy felt shell-shocked. Her divorce had been tough, especially the custody battle with Kim, but it was nothing compared to what she was feeling now. Thanks to her experience as a therapist, she recognized clearly the symptoms; she was on the verge of slipping into a serious depression. From having counseled other people in similar circumstances, she knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but she wanted to fight it. At the same time, she knew she had to let herself grieve.

As she rounded the final bend in the road and approached her house, she could see Carl’s yellow Lamborghini parked at the curb. She didn’t know whether she’d be glad to see him or not.

Tracy pulled into her driveway and turned off the engine. Carl came down the steps to meet her, carrying a bouquet of flowers.

Tracy stepped out of her car and into Carl’s arms. For a few minutes they didn’t talk; he just held her in the late-afternoon darkness.

“How did you find out?” Tracy asked, with her head still pressed against Carl’s chest.

“Being on the hospital board, I hear all the news,” Carl said. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you.” Tracy said. “God. I feel drained.”

“I can imagine,” Carl said. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”

They started walking up the pathway.

“I hear Kim really lost it. That must make it extra tough on you.”

Tracy only nodded.

“The man’s clearly out of control. Who does he think he is - God? I tell you, the whole hospital is in an uproar.”

Tracy opened the door without responding. She and Carl went in.

“Kim’s having a hard time,” Tracy said.

“Ha!” Carl commented. He took Tracy’s coat and hung it along with his in the hall closet. “That’s an understatement. As usual, you’re being generous. I’m not nearly so charitable. In fact, I could club him for carrying on the way he did in the Onion Ring restaurant last night about Becky’s getting sick there. Did you see the article in the paper? It’s had a big effect on the Onion Ring share price. I can’t tell you how much of a paper loss I’ve suffered from his lunacy.”

Tracy went into the living room and collapsed on the couch. She felt exhausted and yet wired and anxious at the same time. Carl followed her.

“Can I get you something?” Carl asked. “Like a drink or some food.”

Tracy shook her head. Carl sat across from her. “I spoke to some other members of the Foodsmart board,” he said. “We’re seriously thinking about suing him if the share price continues to fall.”

“It wasn’t an idle accusation on his part,” Tracy said. “Becky had a rare burger there the night before she got sick.”

“Oh, come on,” Carl said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Becky didn’t get sick there. Hundreds of thousands of burgers are made in the chain. No one gets sick. We cook those burgers to death.”

Tracy didn’t say anything. Carl quickly realized what he’d said.

“I’m sorry. That was a poor choice of words under the circumstances.

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