Free Seizure by Robin Cook

D.C.”
    â€œWashington!” Daniel exclaimed. “Well, that settles it.” He crumpled the note, stepped over to the concierge’s desk, and asked one of them to file it in the circular file.
    Stephanie was rooted to the spot where she’d handed Daniel the note. Her mind was churning as she watched Daniel start toward the elevators. Making a sudden decision, she dashed to the desk, took the note from the concierge who still had it clutched in his fist while speaking to another guest, and ran after Daniel.
    â€œI think you should call,” Stephanie said, slightly out of breath as she reached Daniel.
    â€œOh, really?” Daniel questioned superciliously. “I don’t think so.”
    The elevator arrived, and Daniel boarded. Stephanie followed.
    â€œNo, I think you should call. I mean, what do you have to lose?”
    â€œA little more of my self-esteem,” Daniel said.
    The elevator rose. Daniel’s eyes were glued to the floor indicator. Stephanie’s were glued to Daniel’s. The doors opened. They started down the hall.
    â€œI think I recognized the number’s prefix from having called Senator Ashley Butler’s office last week. I think the prefix was two-two-four, and if it was, then it is a Senate Office Building exchange.”
    â€œAll the more reason not to call,” Daniel said. He keyed open the door to their room and entered. Stephanie was right behind him.
    While Daniel was removing his coat, Stephanie ducked into the sitting room. At the desk, she smoothed out the note. “It is two-two-four,” she called out to Daniel. “The emergency is underlined. Maybe the old codger changed his mind!”
    â€œThat’s about as likely as the moon dropping out of orbit,”Daniel said, joining Stephanie. He looked down at the message. “It is weird. What the hell kind of emergency could it be? Originally I thought it was from the media, but not if it’s a Senate Office Building exchange. You know, I don’t care. Being cooperative with anyone who has anything to do with the U.S. Senate is not high on my priority list at the moment.”
    â€œCall! You might be cutting off your nose to spite your face. If you don’t, I’ll do it. I’ll pretend I’m your secretary.”
    â€œYou, a secretary? How entertaining! All right, for God’s sake, call!”
    â€œI’ll use the speakerphone so you can hear.”
    â€œWonderful,” Daniel said sarcastically. He sprawled out on the sofa with his head on one of the furniture’s arms and his feet on the other.
    Stephanie dialed. There was the sound of only one electronic ring before the connection went through. A decidedly female voice snapped a hello as if the person had been eagerly waiting on the other end.
    â€œI’m calling for Dr. Daniel Lowell,” Stephanie said. She locked eyes with Daniel. “Is this Carol Manning?”
    â€œIt is. Thank you for calling back. It is extremely important that I talk with the doctor before he checks out of the hotel. Is he available?”
    â€œCan I ask what this is in relation to?”
    â€œI’m Senator Ashley Butler’s chief of staff,” Carol began. “You might have seen me this morning. I was seated behind the senator.”
    Daniel quickly ran his index finger across his throat to get Stephanie to hang up. Stephanie ignored him.
    â€œI need to talk with the doctor,” Carol continued. “As I said, it is extremely important.”
    With the addition of an angry grimace, Daniel again gestured with his finger as if he were cutting his throat. He did it again when Stephanie hesitated.
    She motioned to him to stop his antics. It was clear to her that he was not about to talk with Carol Manning, but she was not about to hang up.
    â€œIs the doctor there?” Carol questioned.
    â€œHe’s here, but momentarily indisposed.”
    Daniel rolled his eyes.
    â€œMay I ask