Robin Cook Read Free Page B

manage? The money she earned from the Jason Conrad Dancers was their only income, except for the money her mother sneaked to her behind her dad’s and Adam’s backs.How would they ever support a baby? Well, maybe the test was wrong. She was using an IUD, which was supposed to be the most effective contraceptive device next to the pill. At least Dr. Vandermer would end the suspense. Jennifer knew that it was only because Adam was a medical student that the doctor had agreed to fit her into his crowded schedule.
    She turned to glance at the Sony clock radio her mother had given her. She hadn’t told Adam about the gift because Adam had become touchy over her parents’ generosity, or, as he termed it, their interference. Jennifer suspected this had become a sore spot with Adam only because of his own father’s stinginess. It was no secret to Jennifer that Dr. David Schonberg had been so set against Adam’s marrying her that when Adam had willfully gone ahead and done it, he’d been essentially disinherited. In one way Jennifer thought that she’d get a bit of pleasure knowing how mad the old doctor would be if she really was pregnant. Reluctantly, pulling her stiff joints into a steady position, she brushed out her lustrous long brown hair and carefully checked her face in the mirror to make sure its attractive oval planes and clear blue eyes did not reveal her anxiety. No need to upset Adam before she had to.
    Forcing a cheerful smile, she sallied into the living room where Adam was going over his speech for the tenth time.
    â€œIsn’t talking to oneself the first sign of dementia?” teased Jennifer.
    â€œClever!” acknowledged Adam. “Especially since I didn’t think Sleeping Beauty could cogitate before noon.”
    â€œHow are you doing with the presentation?” sheasked, putting her arms around him and turning her face up for a kiss.
    â€œI got it down to the required fifteen minutes. That’s about all I can say.” He bent and kissed her.
    â€œOh, Adam. You’ll do just fine. I tell you what: Why don’t you give the presentation to me?” She poured some coffee and then took a seat in the living room. “What disease does the patient have?”
    â€œTardive dyskinesia is the current diagnosis.”
    â€œWhat on earth is that?” asked Jennifer.
    â€œIt’s a neurological disorder involving all sorts of involuntary movements. It’s associated with certain drugs given for psychiatric problems . . .”
    Jennifer nodded, trying to appear interested, but Adam was only a minute into his speech when her attention turned back to her possible pregnancy.

CHAPTER
2
    Dr. Clark Vandermer’s office was just off Park Avenue on Thirty-sixth Street. Jennifer got there by taking the Lexington Avenue subway to Thirty-third Street and walking north. The building was a large apartment house complete with awning and liveried doorman. Entrance to the professional suites was to the right of the building’s main entrance. As Jennifer opened the front door, the slight smell of medicinal alcohol made her flinch. She had never enjoyed going to the gynecologist, and the idea that she might be pregnant made this particular visit especially upsetting.
    Jennifer walked down a carpeted hallway, reading the names painted with gold leaf on the doors. She passed the entrances to the offices of two dentists and a pediatrician, and came to a door on which was written “GYN Associates.” Below this was a list of names. The second name was Dr. Clark Vandermer’s.
    Jennifer took off the coat that she’d purchased secondhand in Soho for thirty-five dollars and draped it over her arm. Under the coat she wasdressed quite well in a smart Calvin Klein shirt-dress that her mother had recently bought for her at Bloomingdale’s.
    As she opened the door, Jennifer remembered the office from her previous visits. On the wall opposite