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the word got around it might weaken our case. Apart from which, it could be embarrassing for you.’
    â€˜How do you mean?’ said Fowler.
    â€˜Well – ‘ I shot a sideways glance at Miriam. ‘You want to come out in public for faith healing? Even if it worked? Isn’t your research program funded by one of the big multi-national drug companies?’ I sat back and let the poison do its work.
    Fowler’s eyeballs bounced off the rims of his glasses as he figured out the implications. ‘You’re right,’ he mused.
    I shrugged. ‘No point in rocking the gravy boat.’
    â€˜No,’ said Fowler. ‘And anyway, why should I help line the pockets of those dinks. Screw ’em.’
    â€˜Good thinking,’ I said. Then added helpfully, ‘Jeff, why don’t we play it like this? You keep the samples. Junk them or work on them all you want, but let’s agree to keep this whole thing under wraps. It’s going to make life a lot simpler. Okay?’
    Fowler looked at each of us then nodded. ‘Okay. But don’t be surprised if you hear from me again. I’m going to stick with this until I come up with a satisfactory explanation.’
    I threw up my hands and quoted the Bard. ‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Jeff. Let me give you a refill.’ I gave my fellow-conspirator a loaded look.
    Miriam smiled sweetly. ‘Leo, why don’t you call Carol and see if she can make up a four for dinner?’
    Carol was my friendly neighbourhood nymphomaniac. If she got on Fowler’s case he would soon forget about abnormal blood samples. In fact, by the time she was through, he wouldn’t even remember the difference between red and white corpuscles.
    Luck was certainly on our side on that particular night. Or so I thought. Now, of course, I know better. But don’t let’s jump the gun. Not only was Carol free, she was bowled over by Fowler’s blend of academic diffidence and Old World courtesy that he probably picked up from watching
Upstairs, Downstairs
on Channel Thirteen. Frankly, I found Fowler to be something of an asshole but with the aid of some spurious goodwill we managed to pass an agreeable evening over some Szechuan specialities then sent them both off in a taxi to finish what they had started under the tablecloth.
    Miriam and I went back to my place with similiar intentions but I made the mistake of first seeking praise for the way I’d handled Fowler’s questions about the blood.
    â€˜Yes, it was very good,’ she said flatly.
    â€˜Very good? It was a goddamn stroke of genius,’ I crowed. ‘All we have to do now is to keep him sedated with heavy doses of stunned admiration.’
    â€˜Yes,’ said Miriam. ‘Unfortunately, Fowler isn’t our only problem.’
    I stopped nibbling her ear. ‘How do you mean?’
    â€˜Well,’ she began. ‘I meant to tell you earlier but then Jeff arrivedand – etcetera. The thing is, I was having coffee this morning with some of the hospital administrators and just by chance somebody mentioned the ambulance.’
    I felt my lustful passions wilt. ‘What ambulance?’ As if I didn’t know.
    â€˜The ambulance that answered the NYPD call and brought the body to the Manhattan General. Instead of taking it to the city morgue.’
    My eyes were riveted on hers. ‘Go on …’
    â€˜It was stolen from the Gouverneur Hospital.’ she said. ‘The two paramedics who drove away with the body did all the right things but nobody knows who they are. It certainly wasn’t any of the regular crews. I asked Lazzarotti about them. All he can remember is that they were both tall slim guys. Like basketball players.’
    â€˜How about the police?’ I asked.
    â€˜You mean the squad car that escorted them to the hospital? They don’t know more than we do.’ Then added with a shrug. ‘Listen, an