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First published in the United States by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 1996
This ebook edition published by HarperCollinsPublishers 2019
Copyright © Faye Kellerman 1996
Cover design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2018
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Faye Kellerman asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the authorâs imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
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Ebook Edition © March 2019 ISBN: 9780008293550
Version: 2018-12-08
To Jonathan for a quarter century
of love, laughter, and just plain fun
To Jesse, Rachel, Ilana, and Aliza,
the keys to my heartâ
thanks for putting it all in perspective
To Mom, my lifelong friendâlove ya, kid
And to Ritaâfor all the inappropriate giggles
âThis is ateam effort, Grace. You know that.â
Even through morphine-laden stupor, Grace knew that. From her hospital bed, she looked up at her doctorâs faceâa study in strength. Good, solid features. A well-boned forehead, Roman nose and a pronounced chin, midnight blue eyes that burned fire, tar-black hair streaked with silver. His expression, though grave, was completely self-assured. Someone who knew what he wanted and expected to get it. Truth be told, the man looked downright arrogant.
Which was exactly the kind of doctor Grace had wanted. What she hadnât wanted was some young stud like Ben Casey or an old fart like Marcus Welby with the crinkly eyes and the patient, understanding smile. She had wanted someone bursting with ego. Someone whose superiority was touted, worn with pride like Tiffany jewelry. A self-possession that spoke: Of course the operation is going to be successful. Because I always succeed.
Because getting a new heart was serious business.
Grace Armstrong had to have the best and the brightest. Had the luxury to afford the best and the brightest. And in Dr. Azor Moses Sparks, she had gotten numero uno.
Dope was winning the battle of wits with Graceâs brain. Sparksâs face had lost clarity, sat behind a curtain of haze, his features becoming blurry except for the eyes. They peered through the muck like high-beam headlights. She wanted to go to sleep. But Sparksâs presence told her she wasnât permitted to do that ⦠not just yet.
He spoke in authoritative, stentorian tones. The sounds bounced around Graceâs brain, words reverberating as if uttered through a malfunctioning PA system. Doctorâs voice â¦
â⦠what we have here, Grace. A team comprised of me: the primary surgeon; you: the patient; and my staffâthe other fine surgeons and nurses whoâll assist me in this procedure.â
Grace liked how Dr. Sparks had emphasized his fine staff. As if he owned New Christian Hospital.
Maybe he did.
She closed her eyes, anxiety now replaced by the overwhelming need to go comatose. But Sparks wouldnât let up.
âGrace, open your eyes. We still have uncompleted business to finish.â
Grace opened her eyes.
âWe mustnât forget someone very important,â Sparks reminded her. âThe most important member of our team.â
The surgeon paused.
âDo you know who that is, Grace? Do you know whose Hands really control this entire effort?â
Grace was silent. Though groggy and heavy, she felt her ailing heart fluttering too fast. He was testing her and she was flunking. She regarded Sparks through panicky eyes. The doctor smiled, gently patted her hand. The gesture reassured her immensely.