He listened for two minutes without interjecting a word as the person outlined the latest request. Instead of refusing outright, as he had planned to, Forbes found himself saying: “I will let you know in thirty minutes.”

Forbes hung up the phone, but his curiosity was piqued. The offer was the best one yet. The money would allow him to accelerate retirement plans; not that he felt any urgency to retire at age forty-two, but he liked having the option. Cash payment aside, the job would demand his utmost creativity. Even artistry. The challenge tempted him more than the money.

Still, Forbes recognized the inherent danger of associating for too long with one client. Such long-term relationships always heightened the risk of exposure. Or betrayal.

Weighing these factors over a cup of tea at the downtown Internet café, in the end he found the offer too appealing. With some misgivings, Forbes sat down at a terminal and e-mailed back his acceptance.

As soon as he hit the SEND button, his thoughts turned to logistics. He planned to return to Philadelphia on the first available flight. But he realized that another “accident” wouldn’t work. And time constraints were far tighter. Rather than having the luxury of waiting for opportunity to arise, he would have to create his own opportunity.

I will do this, he thought. Focus.

Then he took another sip of his barely drinkable tea.

40 - Seattle, Washington

40

Seattle, Washington

Kilburn was thankful for the change of scenery Seattle brought. The suspension of his hospital privileges had yet to sink in, and he didn’t miss his on-call pager. Even the break from Kyra was welcome. And from her phone silence, he inferred that she’d stayed sober.

He stuck a hand out into the warm wind blowing by the convertible’s windshield. He looked over at Lina Lopez who was staring at the road ahead with chic sunglasses resting on her nose. He grinned at her attractive profile.

Lopez glanced over at him. “What’s so funny, Graham?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “I’m feeling a bit more upbeat. That’s all.”

“Doctor, are you holding out on some good news?” she demanded with a playful frown.

He laughed. “Hardly. It’s just that I think there’s a good chance Oraloxin will help stem the spread of this little monster.”

“I wish I were as convinced as you are,” she sighed.

“Lina, I’m not at all convinced, either. But if you have a better strategy than groundless wishful thinking, I’d love to hear it.”