again."
"That's nice," Cal responded, while thinking She'd damn well better not.
"She said she did it because she felt the gods would look kindly on her: sorta a life for a life. But now, because the gods saved her, she feels they want her to stay alive. In actuality, she believes the whole episode is her karma."
Like hell they saved her, Cal thought but didn't vocalize. In its place, he said, "I couldn't be happier, because we certainly need her." Cal studied Veena's face and wondered if she'd told Santana about the aggressive lovemaking episode or about the patient's disturbing agonal death throes, but her face appeared as inscrutably serene as usual.
When Cal had spoken with the other principals the night before after returning from the ER, he hadn't mentioned it either-exactly why, he didn't know. His best guess was that he was embarrassed at having been so clearly taken advantage of by Veena's sexual aggression. Cal was accustomed to manipulating women, not vice versa. In regard to the kind of death the succinylcholine had apparently caused, which was far different from the peaceful paralysis that had been described to him and he'd relayed to the others, he was afraid any discussion might dampen general enthusiasm for the scheme.
Cal had then excused himself and left, despite being mildly concerned the women might take the opportunity to discuss him. But he didn't worry about it for long. Exiting the bungalow and running out through the front gate, he began his jog. Chanakyapuri was one of the few areas of the city other than the coastal ridge reserved forest where running was enjoyable. Unfortunately, he was later than usual, and the traffic was already heavy and increasing with every passing minute. The dust and pollution were already almost to midday levels. In response, he exited the main road in favor of backstreets. There the air was better, but not far from the clogged main road he ran into a large group of monkeys, which always scared him. Delhi monkeys were remarkably bold, at least from Cal's experience. It wasn't that he thought they would attack him en masse, but more because he worried they carried some exotic diseases that he might catch, especially if one bit him. That morning, as if sensing this unease, the animals chased after him, baring their yellow teeth, chattering, and screeching as if they were crazed.
Deciding that monkeys and pollution were more than enough reason to consider the jog that morning a bust, Cal abruptly switched directions, causing the monkeys to flee in panic. Like a horse intent on returning to the barn, Cal rapidly retraced his route back to the mansion. After being outside for less than a half-hour, he was happy to be inside and particularly happy to step into his shower. While he lathered and shaved, and despite the disappointing jogging experience, he thought of the morning in a positive light. The short conversation with Santana had significantly relieved a concern about Veena. The suicide gesture had scared him, and until Santana's reassurance to the contrary, he'd been worried she might try it again. Now he was confident that wouldn't happen, and by involving the concept of karma, Veena apparently now thought of what she'd done to Mrs. Hernandez as part of her fate, which boded well for the cooperation of the other nurses.
After enjoying a breakfast of ham and eggs prepared by the bungalow's chef, Cal headed toward the glass-enclosed conservatory at the back of the house. When they had moved into the house, the room had only chairs, but they had added a round table and used the space as their morning conference room.
When Cal walked in, the other three were already seated and their lively conversation trailed off. Cal took his usual chair, facing directly out into the garden with his back to the mansion's interior. The others had taken their usual chairs as well, suggesting all four to be creatures of habit. Santana was to Cal's right, Petra to his left, and Durell
"That's nice," Cal responded, while thinking She'd damn well better not.
"She said she did it because she felt the gods would look kindly on her: sorta a life for a life. But now, because the gods saved her, she feels they want her to stay alive. In actuality, she believes the whole episode is her karma."
Like hell they saved her, Cal thought but didn't vocalize. In its place, he said, "I couldn't be happier, because we certainly need her." Cal studied Veena's face and wondered if she'd told Santana about the aggressive lovemaking episode or about the patient's disturbing agonal death throes, but her face appeared as inscrutably serene as usual.
When Cal had spoken with the other principals the night before after returning from the ER, he hadn't mentioned it either-exactly why, he didn't know. His best guess was that he was embarrassed at having been so clearly taken advantage of by Veena's sexual aggression. Cal was accustomed to manipulating women, not vice versa. In regard to the kind of death the succinylcholine had apparently caused, which was far different from the peaceful paralysis that had been described to him and he'd relayed to the others, he was afraid any discussion might dampen general enthusiasm for the scheme.
Cal had then excused himself and left, despite being mildly concerned the women might take the opportunity to discuss him. But he didn't worry about it for long. Exiting the bungalow and running out through the front gate, he began his jog. Chanakyapuri was one of the few areas of the city other than the coastal ridge reserved forest where running was enjoyable. Unfortunately, he was later than usual, and the traffic was already heavy and increasing with every passing minute. The dust and pollution were already almost to midday levels. In response, he exited the main road in favor of backstreets. There the air was better, but not far from the clogged main road he ran into a large group of monkeys, which always scared him. Delhi monkeys were remarkably bold, at least from Cal's experience. It wasn't that he thought they would attack him en masse, but more because he worried they carried some exotic diseases that he might catch, especially if one bit him. That morning, as if sensing this unease, the animals chased after him, baring their yellow teeth, chattering, and screeching as if they were crazed.
Deciding that monkeys and pollution were more than enough reason to consider the jog that morning a bust, Cal abruptly switched directions, causing the monkeys to flee in panic. Like a horse intent on returning to the barn, Cal rapidly retraced his route back to the mansion. After being outside for less than a half-hour, he was happy to be inside and particularly happy to step into his shower. While he lathered and shaved, and despite the disappointing jogging experience, he thought of the morning in a positive light. The short conversation with Santana had significantly relieved a concern about Veena. The suicide gesture had scared him, and until Santana's reassurance to the contrary, he'd been worried she might try it again. Now he was confident that wouldn't happen, and by involving the concept of karma, Veena apparently now thought of what she'd done to Mrs. Hernandez as part of her fate, which boded well for the cooperation of the other nurses.
After enjoying a breakfast of ham and eggs prepared by the bungalow's chef, Cal headed toward the glass-enclosed conservatory at the back of the house. When they had moved into the house, the room had only chairs, but they had added a round table and used the space as their morning conference room.
When Cal walked in, the other three were already seated and their lively conversation trailed off. Cal took his usual chair, facing directly out into the garden with his back to the mansion's interior. The others had taken their usual chairs as well, suggesting all four to be creatures of habit. Santana was to Cal's right, Petra to his left, and Durell
Similar Books
