Jerry ended the call. Rothman and Yamamoto. It seemed like the two of them were piloting the whole ship on their own. Jerry checked his watch. It was nearly twelve-thirty, almost four and a half hours since he’d spoken with Hooper. Suddenly Jerry felt crushingly tired. It was vital to him that Hooper find something he could use as leverage on Edmund Mathews. His brain was close to fried; he had to have someone help him with this. He knew Hooper would call him the second he had anything, but like the previous evening, he couldn’t resist calling.

“It’s me,” he said redundantly when Hooper picked up.

“Is there a problem?”

“Just checking in,” Jerry said, trying to control his voice.

With his antennae constantly up, Hooper sensed there was a problem, and the problem was Jerry. Jerry had said only five words, but it sounded to Hooper like Trotter was tweaking on crystal meth. Having been a policeman, he’d had to deal with all manner of drugs. “You don’t sound so good.”

“I’m tired is all.”

“Well, I got some lines in the pond,” said Hooper. “Just waiting for a bite. Just try and relax.”

Sure, thought Jerry, as he broke the connection. That’s easy for you to say.

Chapter 22.

22.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
NEW YORK CITY
MARCH 4, 2011, 12:35 P.M.

The night before, Pia had taken the time to set the alarm that George had given her as well as her own cell phone and had awakened refreshed and ready to go at 6:30. She’d slept like a rock. First time in more than a week. After showering, Pia had taken a trip to the cafeteria and knocked on George’s door bearing a toasted bagel with cream cheese and a cup of coffee.

“Wow, this is a first,” George had said when he answered the door. “And you brought breakfast. Come in!”

“I’m just returning the favor. Or favors. But where were you yesterday and the day before? I was late both days, and yesterday I ended up scrubbing beakers for two hours as punishment.”

“Oh, I . . .”

“Doesn’t matter. I have some news.”

“Good news?”

“I think so.”

George had continued getting ready while Pia sat on his bed.

“Rothman wants me to work in his lab full-time when I graduate.”

George had come out of the bathroom holding his toothbrush. His mouth was agape and foaming.

“Can he do that?”

“I think around here, he can do pretty much whatever he wants. All he has to do is threaten to go to Harvard or Stanford.”

“So what did you say?”