"Don't get philosophical on me." She pushed away, needing to move while her mind worked.
"But in the end, that's what we're dealing with. His philosophy. Or hers. He takes, because he can, because he needs, because he wants. From his view, the vessels, for lack of a better word, are unimportant, medically."
She turned back. "Then we're back to the organs themselves. Their use. And the glory. Reconstruction, rejuvenation, healing of what's considered by current science to be beyond healing. What else could it be? He's found a way, or believes he can find a way, to take a dying part and give it life."
"Dr. Frankenstein. Another mad, flawed genius who was destroyed by his own mind. If we move into that area, he's not just a surgeon, but a scientist, a researcher. A seeker."
"And a politician. Damn, I need to know more about Friend, and I need to know what Feeney got out of his interview with Wo."
"Why didn't you say so? Do you want hard copy or full video/audio transcript?"
She stopped pacing as if she'd run into a wall. "You can't do that. You can't get into interview files."
He sighed lustily. "I don't know why I tolerate your constant insults. It would, however, be simpler if you got the file number and time and date stamp, but I can work without it."
"God. I don't want to know how you do it. And I don't believe I'm going to stand here and let you do it."
"Ends and means, darling. It's all just ends and means."
"I'm getting coffee," she muttered.
"Tea. Your system's had enough insults for one day. And I'll have a cup myself. The data on Friend's suicide will be up on the wall screen."
She walked to the kitchen window, away, back again. What was she doing? she asked herself. How far over the line would she go?
As far as it took, she decided, and even as she turned to the 'link, it beeped.
"Dallas."
"Got to make it fast." Peabody's face was set, her voice brisk. "Louise Dimatto was attacked at the clinic early this morning. We didn't get the data until a few minutes ago. She's at the Drake. I don't have details yet, but she's critical."
"I'm on my way."
"Dall
as. Wo's at the Drake, too. Attempted self-termination is the current data. They don't think she's going to make it."
"Damn it. Did you get her into interview?"
"No. I'm sorry. And Vanderhaven's still loose. We picked up Young. He's in holding until we can get to him."
"I'm on my way."
"They won't let you see Wo or Louise."
"I'm coming in," Eve said shortly, and broke transmission.
• • • •
She got as far as the nurses' station in Intensive Care before she was blocked.
"Dimatto, Louise. Room and condition."
The nurse eyed her. "Are you family?"
"No."
"I'm sorry. I can only give that information to immediate family and authorized personnel."