“Hey, she’s not going to a beauty pageant,” Jack said. “She’s only got to get by the guard at the end of the hall.”

They had Maria tied in the wheelchair and supported the best they could.

“I’m worried about the smell,” Neil said, making a face.

“That we can’t do anything about,” Jack said. He stepped forward and slanted the hat even more. “Let’s do it. If the guard complains, we just have to move a little faster. After all, they are going to know she’s gone the moment they look in here.”

“Is the van already out back?” Laurie asked.

“It is,” Jack said. “Now, here’s how we’re going to do this. Arun, you leave the hospital via the front door. I don’t want you taking any chance of getting into any trouble, which we might for absconding with this corpse.”

“Fair enough,” Arun said. “I’ll go now and come around the back. I want to ride with you so you don’t get lost en route to Gangamurthy Medical College.”

“Is your friend Dr. Singh going to meet us there?” Laurie asked.

“He is,” Arun said.

“Okay, see you outside,” Jack said to Arun as Arun opened the heavy insulated door and left. Then Jack turned his attention to Neil. “You push the beauty queen.” Glancing at Laurie, he said, “You walk along on the left side between Maria and the guard. Also, be prepared to support her if she starts to sag. I’m going to engage the guard in conversation. He and I are old friends since I’ve already passed him twice. Is everybody on the same page?”

“Let’s do it,” Laurie said. She looked at Neil, who had positioned himself behind the wheelchair.

“Let me check out in the hall,” Jack said. He pushed open the door and stepped half out. Glancing down at the elevator he saw Arun board. Looking the other direction, he could see the guard sitting in his chair. He saw no one else.

Jack opened the door all the way and motioned for the others to move. “The coast is clear,” he said.

No sooner had Neil negotiated the wheelchair over the cooler threshold than several doctors came out of the cafeteria.

“Jesus . . .” Jack voiced. The doctors acknowledged Jack as they passed, deep in conversation. Jack was afraid to look back but forced himself to do so. When he did, he saw that the doctors were already beyond Maria. Neil shrugged. Apparently, there had been no problem. Jack motioned for Neil and Laurie to pick up the pace to get by the cafeteria entrance to avoid any other confrontation.