Free Sphinx by Robin Cook Page B

suffering from jet lag, and I didn’t sleep well yesterday. Some other night, perhaps.”
    â€œWe could have an early dinner. I’ll have you back here by ten. After your experience today, I just don’tthink you should be sitting in your hotel room by yourself.”
    Looking at her watch, Erica saw that it was not quite six P.M. Ten would not be too late, and she had to eat anyway.
    â€œIf it would not be a bother to have me back by ten, then I’d like to have dinner with you.”
    Yvon tightened his grip on her wrist for an instant, then let go. “ Entendu, ” he said, and motioned for the check.

 
BOSTON 11:00 A.M.
    Richard Harvey looked down at the corpulent bulk of Henrietta Olson’s abdomen. The upper and lower sheets had been separated to expose the area of the gall bladder. The rest of Henrietta’s body was covered to preserve her dignity.
    â€œNow, Mrs. Olson, please point to where you felt the pain,” said Richard.
    A hand snaked out from beneath the sheets. With her index finger Henrietta indented her belly just under the right rib cage.
    â€œAnd also back here, Doctor,” said Henrietta, rolling over on her right side and jabbing her finger in the middle of her back. “Right about here,” said Henrietta, poking Richard with her finger at the level of his kidney.
    Richard rolled his eyes so that only Nancy Jacobs, his office nurse, could see, but she shook her head, feeling that Richard was being unusually short with his patients.
    Richard looked up at the clock. He knew he had three more patients to see before lunch. Although his three-year-old practice of internal medicine was doing amazingly well and he liked his work, some days were a little trying. Problems relating to smoking and obesity comprised ninety percent of his cases. It was a far cry from the intellectual intensity of his residency at the general. And now, on top of this problem, was the situation withErica. It made concentrating on problems like Henrietta’s gall bladder almost impossible.
    There was a quick knock, and Sally Marinski, the receptionist, poked her head in. “Doctor, your call is on one.” Richard’s face brightened. He’d asked Sally to ring up Janice Baron, Erica’s mother.
    â€œExcuse me, Mrs. Olson,” said Richard. “I must take this call. I’ll be right back.” He motioned for Nancy to stay.
    Closing the door to his office, Richard picked up the phone and pressed the connecting button.
    â€œHello, Janice.”
    â€œRichard, Erica hasn’t written yet.”
    â€œThanks a lot. I know she hasn’t written yet. The reason I called is to tell you I’m really going crazy. I want to know what you think I should do.”
    â€œI don’t think you have a lot of choices right now, Richard. You’re just going to have to wait until Erica gets back.”
    â€œWhy do you think she went?” asked Richard.
    â€œI haven’t the faintest idea. I’ve never understood this Egypt thing, right from the time she announced that she was going to major in it. If her father hadn’t died, he would have been able to talk some sense into her.”
    Richard paused before speaking. “I mean, I’m glad she has interests, but a hobby should not threaten the rest of your life.”
    â€œI agree, Richard.”
    There was another pause, and Richard absentmindedly toyed with his desk set. He had a question for Janice, but he was afraid to ask.
    â€œWhat do you think of me going to Egypt?” he said finally.
    There was a silence.
    â€œJanice?” said Richard, wondering if the connection had been broken.
    â€œEgypt! Richard, you can’t leave your office like that.”
    â€œIt would be difficult, but if it’s necessary, I can do it. I can get coverage.”
    â€œWell . . . maybe it’s a good idea. But I don’t know.Erica has always had a mind of her own. Did you talk