"I won't argue that. I don't know why he does it. I'd think it would be counterproductive to a successful psychiatric practice. But then, financial considerations aren't much of a motivating force in the life of a man of his wealth. And besides, from what I understand, it hasn't adversely effected his patient flow."
Rob said, "I doubt the patient I know would be going to him if it weren't for his special qualifications in the area of her problem."
"That multiple personality you mentioned? Well, as I said, she couldn't be in better hands. But you know, I did see Larry's cold facade crack once: when his brother Gabor contracted pneumonia."
With the mention of Gabor, Rob's interest surged.
"When was that?"
"During Larry's residency—third year, I believe. Gabor caught the flu but didn't kick it. Being an invalid, he quickly developed pneumonia. Larry had one of the pulmonary guys admit him to Downstate so he could keep an eye on his brother while going about his regular duties as a psychiatry resident." Doc Winters leaned forward and pointed his ballpoint at Rob. "He never left the hospital once during Gabor's illness, Harris. He lived there. That's the real Larry Gates."
Rob was surprised. Maybe he had Gates pegged wrong.
"Gabor survived, I gather."
"Yes."
"But died later."
"Years later, somewhere in his forties. His longevity was a testament to the care he received from Larry."
"Why do you say that?"
"Gabor Gati was a nightmare. Grotesquely deformed by multiple congenital defects… nearly blind, aphonic—"
"Pardon?"
"Mute. Couldn't speak. I doubt very much that his intelligence was above the idiot level. His body was bulbous and scoliotic, with atrophic limbs. He was totally dependent. Couldn't feed or clothe or change himself. Quite repulsive, actually. But Larry was intensely devoted to him. He had hidden Gabor from the Nazis and had helped him escape the Commies—he wasn't going to let some lousy bacterium claim his brother." Winters shook his head. "Quite a guy."
"Sure sounds it," Rob said but decided to withhold the Nobel Prize just a little longer.
"Now what was it you wanted to see me about?"
"Gates signed Gabor's death certificate. That struck me as irregular."
Winters' brow furrowed. "In most cases it would be. Highly irregular for a first degree relative to sign. But not illegal. Larry is a licensed M.D. and qualified to sign. And he acted as Gabor's attending physician most of the time, so he would have been most familiar with the particulars of Gabor's medical history. It's a unique case. I don't see anything to get excited about." Rob sighed and rose from the chair. "Neither do I. Just checking. Thanks, Doc."
"It's okay. And relax about Larry Gates. He's dedicated. Hardly ever takes a vacation, from what I hear. A workaholic, perhaps, but a good man."
"If you say so, Doc, that's good enough for me." But that doesn't mean I have to like him.
▼
1:37 P.M.
The voice of Ed Bannion's secretary came through the intercom.
"There's a Kara Wade on seven-six. Says it's personal. "
Ed felt a quick surge of excitement.
"Got it, Nancy." He jabbed the blinking button. "Hello! You're a hard woman to find."
"I went back to Pennsylvania for a while. I got back yesterday. I got your note."
"Yeah." He laughed. "After calling a few dozen times, I figured that was the best way to get hold of you."
"What's this about Kelly's estate?"
"She didn't have a will."
"How do you know?"
"I checked. A will was never filed for her."
"Why would you check?"
Ed detected a note of hostility creeping into Kara's voice. Maybe she thought he'd been prying.
Well, she was right. He had been rooting around for a way to maintain contact with her and had come up with an ingenious solution. He figured that if Kelly Wade was like most single people in her age bracket, she didn't have a will. They hardly ever do. Only if they're married and have kids do they start thinking about who's going to get what they leave behind if they kick the bucket unexpectedly.
He was right. Kelly had died in testate.
"I'm just trying to help, Kara. Trying to repay a debt. Kelly helped my family through her profession, now it's my turn to help Kelly's through my profession."
He'd made up that story about his mother being in the hospital, but what he was about to tell Kara was all true and legally sound. He just had to make sure he didn't come on too strong as he tried to sell her on it.
"If you want to avoid probate, if you want access to her bank account or accounts—I have no idea what she had—you'll have to be named administrator."
"I don't want her money."
"It's not as vulturish as it sounds. She's got bills due, I'm sure—utilities, charge cards, etcetera. They'll need to be paid, otherwise her creditors can take her estate to court."
There was silence on the other end of the line. Ed let it run its course.
"I never thought of that," Kara said finally.
"Of course, you didn't," Ed said, trying to sound jovial. "That's what us legal eagles are for. Besides, if you don't take over her accounts, the Government will. I'm sure you can put them to better use."
"I guess so. What do I do?"
"I'll do most of it. I'll act as your counsel and go before the surrogate and file to have you appointed administrator of Kelly's estate. That should be no problem. Since she had no husband or children, her twin sister is the obvious choice—unless your mother or father protest."
"No one will protest."
"Fine. Then you can pay off her bills from her account, clean out her apartment, take whatever you want to keep as memories, and be fully in the clear legally."
"What will this cost?"
"It's on the house. Quid pro quo. Should I get the paperwork started?"
Say yes! Please say yes!
"All right," she said slowly. "This is very considerate of you."
"Think nothing of it. Now, we'll have to get together and have you sign a few papers. Is tomorrow good for you?"
"Only the afternoon. I have an appointment in the morning."
Ed had to babysit some money men from the West Coast all afternoon and evening tomorrow.
"How about Thursday?"
"Thursday would be better. I have the whole day free."
"Good. I'll meet you at Kelly's and we'll go someplace for lunch."
Another hesitation. Say yes, Kara.
Finally: "Okay. That sounds nice. See you then."
Ed hung up, jumped up, and was doing a little victory dance around his desk when his secretary walked in.
"Are you all right, Mr. Bannion?"
Ed stopped abruptly and straightened a few papers on his desk top.
"My foot fell asleep. But now I'm fine, Nancy. Just fine."
And I'm going to be even better!
▼
11:02 P.M.
Kara dragged herself back to Kelly's apartment with the promise that if the next few nights went as well as last night, she'd pronounce herself safe to sleep at Ellen's. It was the only way she could cajole herself into returning. The thought of another night alone in that apartment was daunting.
That was why a warm glow suffused her when Rob popped out of his car and intercepted her at the door to the apartment house. It would be good to have company for a while.
"I can't stay," he said. "I just wanted to see how you were doing. I called a few times but there was no answer."