The Renaissance of Aspirin by Glenn Parris

Author:Glenn Parris [Parris, Glenn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781483633015
Publisher: Xlibris US
Published: 2013-05-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

Behind the Curtain

There was a rising murmur of panic in the dark room.

Orson Quirk’s voice rang out, “Don’t fret, friends. Stay calm.”

Somehow he had an LED flashlight handy. “I’m sure the lights will be on in a moment. The night’s young.”

He panned the beam around the room. The faces were universally fear stricken, even the drunk ones.

The room soon illuminated with the eerie light of several dozen cell phones coming to life. Everyone was whipping out a cell phone, mostly to check for news updates. Panic-stricken patrons were dialing friends or family to let them know what was going on more so than for help.

A voice shrieked in the darkness, “There’s no signal. Can anyone get a signal?” Jack didn’t recognize the man.

Why is Orson Quirk so damn calm? Jack wondered.

“Glazer has six limousines outside. We’ll ferry everyone safely home. Just stay calm.”

Guided by his lamp, Orson made his way to the front doors and peered out. “I can see lights in the distance. Just a few blocks probably. It’s not the whole city in darkness.”

Jack could see his reassuring smile reflected on the glass door as they all crowded around the light like moths.

Orson opened the door, shouting commands to his Glazer employees. “David, you have a rental. Take these two wherever they need to go.” He herded Al and Khandi to the front of the line.

“Lucy, you can’t get upstairs anyway, so you’ll have to find accommodations elsewhere. It’s on the company. Take one of the limos and escort these four.” He selected Dasher, Stormi, and another couple.

It was Raja Kadam and his girlfriend, one of the psychiatry residents, Rekha Reddy. They hurried toward the exit.

Jack saw Dr. Hargrove whispering to Tony near the door. They both looked around the crowd for someone they couldn’t find.

Anita, no doubt, Jack thought.

Tony dove back into the throng against the current and disappeared.

No sooner had Fusco disappeared than Anita found Jack. She rested her hand on his shoulder.

“Have you seen Tony?”

Jack hesitated. “He went that way,” he said truthfully, pointing into the darkness engulfing the hotel lobby.

She turned her head in that direction and Jack grabbed for her arm. “You can’t go there Anita. It’s dark and dangerous. He’ll be back. Just wait here… Please?”

Before long, David came out of the shadows, shaking his left hand vigorously. Jack could see that it was bloody.

“What happened, David?” Anita asked, concerned but obviously more worried about the missing Tony Fusco.

“Damn marble floors,” he said. “I slipped in a wet spot. Someone must have spilled a drink or something. I caught myself on my hand.” He shook it out again.

“Let me see it,” Anita demanded gently.

“I don’t think it’s broken, just bruised,” David said, extending the hand for her examination.

After a brief exam, Anita agreed. The three were near a serving table stacked with silverware rolled up in sets of three utensils. She dumped the knife, spoon, and fork set out on the table and then wrapped the satin dinner napkin around David’s hand and pressed softly.

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