“Mostly intuition, I guess, which is hardly scientific. She just does not strike me as a truthful person. She wanted me to decide on the disposition of my grandmother’s body and didn’t want the issue to be diluted. I don’t know.”

“Do you think you are going to be able to keep stalling them?”

“I truly don’t know. As irritated as I am, I know they’re irritated, too; at least the case manager is. Why do you ask?”

“Because I’m going to come over there as soon as I possibly can and give you a hand. I don’t think I’d forgive myself if I didn’t come. Remember, she was as much a mother to me as she was to you and your brothers. Listen, I’ll come unless you think you won’t be able to deal with a hormone-addled crazy woman.”

Jennifer was stunned. Laurie being willing to come all the way to India had never even occurred to her. “Hormones or no hormones, it wouldn’t make a particle of difference, but it’s one hell of a long flight,” she warned. “I mean, I’d love to have your help and support. Don’t get me wrong!”

“I don’t doubt that it is one of the longest,” Laurie said, “but how bad can it be? I just read that Air India has New York-Delhi nonstops.”

“I suppose that would have been better than the two stops I was relegated to.”

“Where are you staying?”

“It’s called the Amal Palace, and it’s the best hotel I ever stayed in. Of course, I’ve stayed in very few hotels.”

“Wait a second!” Laurie suddenly said, sounding disgusted with herself. “What am I thinking? I can’t wing off to India. I’m in the middle of an infertility cycle.”

“Right! You told me, and I forgot, too,” Jennifer said. Selfishly, she felt a big letdown. Having Laurie there with her would have been terrific.

“Actually,” Laurie said, “I believe I can do it after all, providing I can bring my sperm factory. That’s what Jack has been calling himself the last few months. That means it will be up to Dr. Calvin Washington, the deputy chief. I know he’d let me go, but whether he’d let both of us go without more warning, I have no idea. But it’s worth a try. Here’s the plan: We’ll both be coming or neither will come. I’m sorry about that. Can you live with the uncertainty?”

“Of course,” Jennifer said. “Tell Dr. Washington I’m asking him pretty please to let you guys come.”

“That’s a good ruse. He’s never gotten over your week stay fourteen years ago.”

“Neither have I, and I’m finally getting a payoff this June with my M.D. diploma.”