Unnatural Acts (Stone Barrington 23)

Shelley swam slowly into consciousness and found herself in what looked like the guest room in some tasteful person’s home, except for the hospital bed she lay in and the equipment surrounding her, ticking and beeping. A nurse sat at her bedside reading a newspaper. She looked up. “Oh, you’re awake!”

“I seem to be,” Shelley said. “May I have a mirror?”

The nurse laughed. “Oh, you don’t want that,” she said, “at least not yet. You have a bandage across your nose and two black eyes. You look like a raccoon.”

“Swell,” Shelley said. “What do I do now?”

“The doctor will be in in a moment, then you can relax, read, watch TV, or just rest. He’ll discharge you tomorrow morning.”

The doctor came in, smiling. “Everything went perfectly,” he said.

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“You’ll be out of here in the morning, and by that time I can minimize the dressing.”

“And I’ll look like someone who’s just had a nose job,” Shelley said.

“No, like someone who’s had an accident, maybe in the car.”

“Can I go to the hairdresser’s tomorrow?”

“Of course, as long as you’re feeling up to it.”

“I’m feeling up to it now.”

He patted her on the shoulder. “Just rest today. You’ll feel fine tomorrow, and I’ll give you something for the pain.”

“Pain? You didn’t mention pain!”

“There’s always some pain associated with any surgery, but I’ll give you some medication that will make it go away.”

“Right now I just feel numb all over.”

“That’s normal. Now, if you need the nurse or me, just use your bedside buzzer, and we’ll be here. In any case, I’ll stop by to see you again before I leave the office, around seven.”

“Thank you, Dr. Charles.”

The doctor left, and Shelley drifted off to sleep again.

Herbie dialed the number, and a woman with a British accent answered. “The Holbrooke Group, good morning.”

“Kent Holbrooke, please.”

“And who may I say is calling?”

“Herbert Fisher, of Woodman and Weld.”

A moment later, Holbrooke came on the line. “Herb Fisher?”

“That’s me.”

“Marshall Brennan says good things about you.”

“Marshall is my smartest client.”

“We need to get together. Where do you want to do it?”

“If you want to see what we look like, you can come here, otherwise I’m happy to come there or meet you somewhere.”