The Magic Bullet (51 page)

“Markell’s willing to back that?”

“What choice does he have? You got a desperate man in there.”

Logan smiled. “Sounds good. Let’s go back and talk turkey.”

“Well?” asked Markell when they emerged.

“You’re right. Obviously, we have to do everything we can.” Logan paused thoughtfully, then looked directly at Shein. “I’m going to want to head up my own team, of course.”

Shein blanched. For the first time in Logan’s experience, he appeared wholly at a loss for words.

“I understand,” agreed Markell.

“I’ll pick my own people—starting with Dr. Como and Ruben Perez.”

“Of course. Whoever you feel you need.”

“What about the FDA? We’re going to be working with an untested compound.”

Markell waved this away. “That can be handled. Just tell me how much of the stuff you need fabricated, we’ve got guys who can get it to you tomorrow.”

“Good.” Logan looked from Markell, to Larsen, to Shein. “Thank you, gentlemen. Now, where do I get some fresh clothes? I’d like to see my patient.”

O
n an evening almost precisely ten months later, Logan felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Mrs. Rivers,” he said, surprised.

“I believe you promised me a dance, Doctor.”

“It must’ve been one of those lies doctors tell to buck up patients.” He grinned sheepishly, aware of the dozens of pairs of eyes on them. “I don’t want to embarrass you in front of all these people.”

“That’s the same thing he always says to me,” noted Sabrina, “and nobody looks at us. This is a guy who just does not know how to have fun.”

“Well, I don’t embarrass easily. C’mon, here comes a slow song. Don’t worry, I’ll lead.”

She took his hand and led him toward the crowded dance floor, other revelers clearing a path as they went.

“You
should
dance with her,” she teased, “she’s the best-looking woman here.”

“So …” he changed the subject, gazing around the vast hotel ballroom, “how long do you have to stay at each party?”

She laughed. “Who knows, I just do what I’m told. Believe me,
seven
inaugural balls wasn’t my idea.”

“Anyway,” he offered, “I guess congratulations are in order.”

“Thank you—but doesn’t that go both ways? It looks to me like you guys are quite a success story yourselves.”

He smiled. “Right.” The reference was to his recent appointment as Director of Basic Research at New York’s prestigious Roosevelt Cancer Research Institute—with Sabrina
named Director of Clinical Trials. “They’re keeping us pretty busy.”

“I just hope you’ll be available, if needed.”

“Of course.”

Logan was relieved to hear her say it. She looked stupendous and—in this he took even greater pride—her CAT scans had been clean for over five months. But he knew as well as anyone that with this disease, it is tempting fate to think in terms of definitive cures: for some time to come, she would have to be closely monitored.

“Word is you plan to put the drug into a major clinical trial.”

“Yes, there’s still a lot about this compound we need to know. I’d like to get a couple of hundred patients signed on to move things along.”

“Have you put in for the patent?”

He grinned. “How close are you to the IRS?”

“Don’t worry, I can be trusted.”

“Anyway, three quarters of the profits are going to Nakano’s daughter. Believe me, money was never the point.”

Elizabeth Rivers looked at him closely and nodded. “I know that.”

“I don’t know how to have fun?” demanded Logan, opening the hotel room door. “Me? You got me confused with someone else, lady.”

Sabrina laughed. “All right, I admit, this kind of fun you know.”

He gazed at her with a mix of tenderness and lust. She was wearing a black Versace gown, as drop-dead sexy as it was elegant. “C’mere.”

“Just wait a second, please. I need to take off these fancy jewels, no? They are rented.”

He removed his tuxedo jacket and shoes and collapsed onto the oversized bed. Idly, he picked up the remote and switched it on. “Almost ready? You’re driving me crazy here.”

“You are already crazy, Logan. This is one of the things I love about you.” She took off her second earring and carefully laid it on the bureau. “There. Ready.” She moved to the bed and fell into his arms.

They were so lost in a passionate kiss, the words in the background didn’t even register.

“Authoritative sources at the renowned American Cancer Foundation announced today …”

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