Terminal by Robin Cook Page A

expressed. They had not expected such intimacy from such a powerful person.
    Sean turned to Claire. “I hate to be a drag,” he said. “But I’ve been up since five. I’m fading fast.”
    Claire put down her drink.
    “I’ve had enough as well. Besides, I’ve got to be at work early.”
    They found Dr. Mason and thanked him, but he was distracted and barely realized they were leaving. Sean was thankful Mrs. Mason had conveniently disappeared.
    As they drove back over the causeway Sean was the first to speak. “That speech was actually quite touching,” he said.
    “It’s what makes it all worthwhile,” Claire agreed.
    Sean pulled up and parked next to Claire’s Honda. There was a moment of awkwardness. “I did get some beer thisafternoon,” he said after a pause. “Would you like to come up for a few minutes?”
    “Fine,” Claire said enthusiastically.
    As Sean climbed the stairs behind her he wondered if he’d overestimated his endurance. He was almost asleep on his feet.
    At the door to his apartment, he awkwardly fumbled with the keys, trying to get the right one in the lock. When he finally turned the bolt, he opened the door and groped for the light. Just as his fingers touched the switch, there was a violent cry. When he saw who was waiting for him, his blood ran cold.
    “E ASY NOW !” Dr. Mason said to the two ambulance attendants. They were using a special stretcher to lift Helen Cabot from the Lear jet that had brought her to Miami. “Watch the steps!”
    Dr. Mason was still dressed in his tuxedo. Margaret Richmond had called just as the party was ending to say that Helen Cabot was about to land. Without a second’s hesitation, Dr. Mason had jumped into his Jaguar.
    As gently as possible the paramedics eased Helen into the ambulance. Dr. Mason climbed in after the gravely ill woman.
    “Are you comfortable?” he asked.
    Helen nodded. The trip had been a strain. The heavy medication had not completely controlled her seizures. On top of that they’d hit bad turbulence over Washington, D.C.
    “I’m glad to be here,” she said, smiling weakly. Dr. Mason gripped her arm reassuringly, then got out of the ambulance and faced her parents, who had followed the stretcher from the jet. Together they decided that Mrs. Cabot would ride in the ambulance while John Cabot would ride with Dr. Mason.
    Dr. Mason followed the ambulance from the airport.
    “I’m touched that you came to meet us,” Cabot said. “From the look of your clothes I’m afraid we have interrupted your evening.”
    “It was actually very good timing,” Mason said. “Do you know Howard Pace?”
    “The aircraft magnate?” John Cabot asked.
    “None other,” Dr. Mason said. “Mr. Pace has made a generous donation to the Forbes Center, and we were having a small celebration. But the affair was winding down when you called.”
    “Still, your concern is reassuring,” John Cabot said. “So many doctors are distracted by their own agendas. They are more interested in themselves than the patients. My daughter’s illness has been an eye-opening experience.”
    “Unfortunately your complaints are all too common,” Dr. Mason said. “But at Forbes it’s the patient who counts. We would do even more if we weren’t so strapped for funds. Since government began limiting grants, we’ve had to struggle.”
    “If you can help my daughter I’ll be happy to contribute to your capital needs.”
    “We will do everything in our power to help her.”
    “Tell me,” Cabot said. “What do you think her chances are? I’d like to know the truth.”
    “The possibility of a full recovery is excellent,” Dr. Mason said. “We’ve had remarkable luck with Helen’s type of tumor, but we must start treatment immediately. I tried to expedite her transfer, but your doctors in Boston seemed reluctant to release her.”
    “You know the doctors in Boston. If there’s another test available, they want to do it. Then, of course, they want to