The Cure (7 page)

Erin was speechless, but Apgar didn’t have this same problem. This decision impacted him as much as it did his student. As her advisor, Apgar would be a coauthor on the scholarly papers that would come from the research. “Richard, these unfortunate deaths are a separate issue,” he insisted. “Having nothing to do with the
Wall Street Journal
piece. So I hope you didn’t factor them in to reach your decision. Two prisoners had a stroke and died in their sleep. Yes, it was one in a million, but one-in-a-million events happen. Every day. The pathologist verified their strokes had nothing to do with Erin’s research activities.”

“Okay, two deaths are one in a million,” responded the dean. “But then add in her being attacked in the trailer. I don’t believe in curses, but if I did, this project would be cursed. Three inmate deaths. What are the odds of
that
?”

“Would you have preferred I let him kill me?” said Erin angrily. “Would that have helped the odds? Two inmates and a grad student dead?”

“No, of course not. Although you could have told us you were a female Chuck Norris earlier. Before this happened, Jason and I used to wonder if we were insane for agreeing to let you do this project in the first place. If we would have known how easy it was for the hundred-and-twenty-pound damsel to strike a lethal blow against the two-hundred-pound, weight-lifting inmate, we could have saved ourselves the trouble.”

“I didn’t mean to crush his windpipe,” said Erin. “It was self-defense, and I struck harder than I realized. But why rehash any of this? I can only second what Dr. Apgar has said. The prison conducted a thorough investigation of all three deaths, and I was exonerated. If I hadn’t been, the prison wouldn’t have let me continue. So that’s in the past. It isn’t fair to link that case and this one.”

“Yes it is,” said Borland. “Because I’ve already been asked about these deaths today by the media. The media and the ACLU don’t have to do much digging into your research to learn about these incidents. It’s not like they’re hidden. They just pop right out. I have no doubt some people will wonder if you’re
studying
inmates, or picking them off one by one,
Ten Little Indians
style.”

Erin frowned deeply. “The thing about the wireless psychopath detector was a mistake. I admit that. But one I made years ago and didn’t repeat. The other incidents happened, but I had nothing to do with them. Please don’t do this,” pleaded Erin. “Not now. Just give me a single week.”

The dean shook his head, his expression even grimmer than before, if this was even possible. “I’m sorry,” he said in a tone that suggested he really wasn’t. “But you’re done. As of this second. And no power on earth is going to change that.”

5

“GOOD MORNING, ERIN,”
said Alejandro cheerfully as she entered the prison grounds and the heavy steel door slid shut loudly behind her.

“Morning,” she said, adjusting her hideous and useless glasses and trying hard not to look as nervous as she felt.

She had ended her meeting with Dean Borland by making sure he knew how much she disagreed with his decision, but also making it clear that she was prepared to respect it. She would halt her current study and begin writing her doctoral thesis. He was right. This was long overdue, and she had enough data for two doctorates.

She had assured both the dean and her advisor that she would inform prison authorities immediately that her study had come to an end, and make arrangements for the mobile lab to be removed from the yard once and for all. She had also told them she would be taking a two-week vacation to sort things out in her head and get a new lease on life, starting immediately. She would get a fellow grad student to fill in for the two missed teaching days this would entail.

After they had left the dean’s office, Apgar had apologized profusely for what had happened, and told her she was the most impressive graduate student he had ever had. She thanked him for trying to defend her and reassured him that her thesis would make him proud.

But she had no intention of pulling up stakes. Not when she was this close.

“I know you won’t believe this,” she said to Alejandro, “but I’m actually taking a vacation soon.” He had often told her she spent more time on the prison grounds than the inmates, and encouraged her to do just this.

“No!” said the guard in mock horror. “Say it isn’t so.”

Erin forced herself to smile. Her actions needed to appear perfectly normal, no matter how nervous she was on the inside. “I’m afraid it’s true. I finally decided to take your advice, Alejandro.”

She sighed. “But here’s the bad news. I have a lot I want to accomplish before I go. So I’ll be working far more hours than normal for at least the next few days. And seeing far more prisoners.”

“Is that even possible?”

“You wouldn’t think so,” she admitted. “But I’m planning to be very efficient. The inmates will be in and out. Like an assembly line. Each examination will be much shorter and more focused than usual.”

Her research would be quick and dirty. But she would have her confirmation. She hadn’t run a marathon to be stopped just a few blocks short of the finish line. Too much was at stake to let an academic bureaucrat stand in the way—even if he was right—which she knew in her heart he probably was. So she would forge ahead at top speed, not even stopping for the weekend, which luckily wasn’t a necessity, since a prison was the ultimate 24/7 establishment.

As Alejandro left to bring her the first prisoner on her lengthy list, she pulled out her cell phone and called her advisor, knowing he wouldn’t be in for another hour yet. She took a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves. The phone rang and then was kicked over to voice mail. She waited for his message and the beep, her heart beating faster than normal. This kind of deception wasn’t like her. But then again, she had been engaged in a vast deception for years—so maybe it
was
like her. She wasn’t sure
who
she was anymore.

She heard a loud beep and began. “Jason, this is Erin. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve notified the prison I won’t be coming back. And Mobile Medicine will pick up their MRI trailer later today, although, according to the lease, they’ll still bill us ’til the end of the month. If you need me for any reason while I’m away, feel free to call my cell. Anyway, give my best to everyone in the lab, and I’ll see you in a few weeks. And thanks again for giving me a chance to do this work—and for defending me.”

Erin ended the connection and stared off into space. If Apgar or the dean happened to call the prison this week, things could get very ugly, very quickly. And while they probably wouldn’t call, there were no guarantees. So she was working on borrowed time. At some point, something would happen to tip them off that she had lied to them and hadn’t yet pulled the plug. So she was in a race to the finish line. If she were caught, she was almost certain she could kiss her Ph.D. good-bye.

Alejandro returned with yet another in an endless series of men dressed in orange. The first of the morning. The first she would see in direct violation of the dean’s edict. This one was named Tony, and he had robed three convenience stores, wearing a Homer Simpson mask, killing the clerk in each store with a single bullet between the eyes.

Erin told Tony the visit would be shorter and more focused than usual.

“Too bad,” he responded with a friendly smile. “You know how much I enjoy your company.”

She nodded but didn’t reply. If only she hadn’t seen his record, or known him for what he was, she might have enjoyed his company as well.

Erin braced herself psychologically. It was going to be a long, long day. The first of many.

6

FIVE STRESS-FILLED DAYS
and fifty-seven prisoners later, looking over her shoulder the entire time, expecting to be found out at any moment, Erin had her answer.

Her preliminary results had been confirmed. And then some.

She had purposely not breathed a word of her progress to Hugh Raborn in California. She hadn’t wanted to raise false hopes, only to later uncover sharp, exposed nails beneath what at first glance looked like a plush, inviting carpet. During her recent discussion with Raborn, she had been careful not to even hint that there was anything newsworthy to report. She hadn’t mentioned that she had been pulled from the project, or that she had been forging ahead against direct orders.

So should she call him now? Tell him the great news about their joint project?

She had finished her work by noon on Sunday and was all set to call him that night when she had an inspiration. This was the pinnacle of their work together. This news warranted more than just a video chat. It called for a celebration.

Everyone she knew was always encouraging her to open up, to be more spontaneous. So what better time to do it? Her entire lab thought she was on vacation, anyway, so why not take advantage of that and
really
get away for a few days?

And she had never even met Hugh Raborn. Sure, they had Skyped many times over the past few years, but for this, the ultimate achievement, she wanted to meet him in person. She had previously proposed coming out to San Diego to meet him, but the few times she had found a seam in her busy schedule, he was traveling. This was bad luck, certainly, but since he seemed to travel more than any ten people she knew, combined, it wasn’t entirely surprising—just disappointing. His travels usually led him to centers of biotechnology excellence like Boston, Washington, D.C., and the Bay Area. Unfortunately Tucson wasn’t on this list, and his duties as an executive and his travel schedule had so far precluded even a brief visit to the university to meet her.

If the truth were to be known, they had a great working relationship. And while she had made some feeble attempts to arrange a meeting, she suspected neither of them were sure this was a good idea. What if an actual, physical meeting somehow changed the dynamic between them? Why take any risk with such an effective relationship? If it wasn’t broken, why try to fix it?

But Erin knew her roommate was right. She did need human companionship. And a healthy dose of affection would do her psyche a world of good as well at this point. Hugh Raborn was older than she and wasn’t exactly a movie star, but she found him quite attractive. And he was single. Maybe she’d have her one-night stand. Maybe more than one night. They had become quite friendly, and although they mostly discussed the project, they had certainly connected on an intellectual basis. He would be thrilled by her unexpectedly quick breakthrough, and if she made her visit a surprise, delighted by this gesture.

Besides, one of her good friends, with whom she had become quite close when they were both winning medals at regional eighteen-and-under martial arts tournaments, lived in San Diego. So instead of holing up in her apartment until her fictitious vacation ended, she could get out. Go to the beach. See a friend. Clear her head. And maybe ignite the beginning of a romance.

Erin called her friend, Courtney, in San Diego. After catching up for fifteen minutes, Erin got to the point. “How do you feel about a visitor?” she said.

“You’re coming to San Diego?” said Courtney excitedly.

“I am. I’ve decided to be spontaneous for once.” She paused. “Which means that the visit is on short notice. Sorry about that.”

“Better short than never, I always say. And my apartment is your apartment. When are you coming?”

“I’m on the earliest flight in the morning.” The flight between Tucson and San Diego was little more than an hour. “I’ll be in by nine.”

Erin filled Courtney in on her plan to surprise Hugh Raborn, and possibly seduce him, without telling her about what they had been working on, or that she would be leaving the university sooner than she had expected. She would save that for when they were together. Maybe she would apply for a postdoc at the University of California, San Diego. Living in the most perfect climate on earth was tempting, and this way she could be close to both Raborn and Courtney.

“If Hugh Raborn is in,” said Erin, “and I’m not even going to check before I come—how’s that for spontaneous? Anyway, if he’s in, with any luck, I won’t need a place to sleep Monday night.”

“I’ve seen your effect on men, Erin. You won’t need
luck
. Well, as long as he’s not taken.”

“He’s not.”

“And he’s not gay?”

“No, he’s not gay.” Erin paused in thought. Raborn had mentioned he wasn’t in a current relationship, but he hadn’t spoken much about past ones either. “At least I don’t
think
he is,” she amended. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

“I have to admit, I’m intrigued by this new side of you.”

“Yeah, I’m full of surprises,” said Erin. “I should be the poster child for
Girls Gone Wild,
” she added wryly.

Erin waited for the laughter to subside on the other end of the phone. “How does this sound?” she continued. “We’ll definitely get together on Tuesday, whenever you can. And I’ll plan on spending the night at your apartment Tuesday night, if that’s all right with you.”

“Absolutely,” said Courtney. “And I think I can switch some things around at work and take the day off Tuesday, so we can hang out the entire day.”

“Fantastic,” said Erin happily.

“And if your … friend … isn’t in, or if things don’t work out, we can have dinner Monday night and you can stay at my place then as well.”

“I really appreciate it, Court. And sorry for putting top priority on this guy for Monday.”

“Are you kidding?” said Courtney. “I’m psyched for you. I can hardly wait to hear all about it when you wander in Tuesday morning,” she finished in amusement.

7

ERIN LEFT THE
airport rental car lot in a white Ford subcompact. Soon she was accelerating onto the I-5, which would lead her to her destination in La Jolla, Asclepius Pharmaceuticals, in only fifteen or twenty minutes.