Seizure by Robin Cook Page B

on North Capital and then left on D. It was a familiar area because of its proximity to the Senate Office Building. By the time she was heading back to the Union Station, it was three minutes before nine. When she pulled directly in front of the station, it was nine on the dot.
    â€œThere they are,” Ashley said, pointing over Carol’s shoulder. Daniel and Stephanie were huddled beneath a Four Seasons umbrella. They stood out from the crowd because of their immobility. Everyone else in the area was hustling to gain shelter, either in the station or in one of the waiting taxis.
    Carol flicked the high beams up and down to get the doctors’ attention.
    â€œThere’s no reason to cause a scene,” Ashley growled. “They’ve spotted us.”
    Daniel could be seen checking his watch before sauntering toward the Suburban, Stephanie holding on to his left arm.
    The doctors came to Carol’s window. She lowered it.
    â€œMs. Manning?” Daniel asked offhandedly.
    â€œI’m in the backseat, Doctor!” Ashley called out before Carol could respond. “How about you joining me back here and your exquisite collaborator joining Carol up front.”
    Daniel shrugged before he and Stephanie rounded the car. He held the umbrella for Stephanie to climb in, then he did the same himself.
    â€œWelcome!” Ashley beamed, as he stuck out one of his broad, thick-fingered hands. “Thank you for coming out to meet with me on such a dreadfully wet evening.”
    Daniel eyed Ashley’s hand but made no motion to take it in his own. “What’s on your mind, Senator?”
    â€œNow here’s a true Northerner,” Ashley said cheerfully, as he withdrew his hand and seemingly took no offense at Daniel’s rebuff. “Always ready to cut to the quick without wasting time on the refinements of life. Well, so be it. There will be time for handshaking later. Meanwhile, my intention is for you and I to get to know each other. You see, I am very much interested in your Aesculapian talents.”
    â€œWhere to, Senator?” Carol questioned, while peering at Ashley in her rearview mirror.
    â€œWhy don’t we take the good doctors on a tour of our fair city,” Ashley suggested. “Head down to the Tidal Basin so they can enjoy our city’s most elegant memorial!”
    Carol put the car in gear and headed south on First Street. Carol and Stephanie exchanged a quick, appraising glance at each other.
    â€œHere’s the Capitol itself on the right,” Ashley said, pointing. “And on our left is the Supreme Court, which I just personally love architecturally, and the Library of Congress.”
    â€œSenator,” Daniel said, “with all due respect, which I’m afraid isn’t a lot, I’m not interested in your giving us a tour of the city, nor am I interested in getting to know you better, especially after the sham hearing you put us through this morning.”
    â€œMy dear, dear friend . . .” Ashley began after a short silence.
    â€œHow about cutting out the Southern bombast!” Daniel snapped scornfully. “And for the record, I’m not your dear friend. I’m not your friend at all.”
    â€œDoctor, with all due respect, which I mean sincerely, you do yourself a great disservice by indulging in such effrontery. If you allow me to offer a bit of advice: You hurt your own cause when you allow your emotions to overpower your considerable intellect as you did this morning. Despite your adequately expressed animosity toward me, I wish to negotiate with you on a man-to-man and preferably gentleman-to-gentleman basis on a most important but sensitive matter. We both have something the other desires, and in order to realize those desires, we each have to do something we would rather not do.”
    â€œYou’re talking in riddles,” Daniel grumbled.
    â€œPerhaps I am,” Ashley admitted. “Do I have