Silent Treatment
Michael Palmer
Language: English
Pages: 480
ISBN: 0553572210
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
In his five bestselling novels, from The Sisterhood to Natural Causes, physician Michael Palmer has drawn on years of firsthand emergency-room experience to create the drama of a frighteningly authentic world--a world where the line between medicine and murder is scalpel-thin. Now, in his most harrowing suspense novel yet, Palmer reveals how the power to heal can become a license to kill....
With his wife, Evie, scheduled for surgery the next day, Dr. Harry Corbett goes to the hospital for what he hopes will be a quiet evening of reconciliation. In recent weeks Evie, never quick to share her feelings, has been more closed and distant than ever.
But when Harry reaches Evie's room, it is too late for reconciliation. Shockingly, without warning, Evie is dead. The police suspect homicide. And their only suspect is Dr. Harry Corbett.
Harry is not prepared for the stunning revelations that follow: His bright, beautiful, highly ambitious wife was leading a double life; she may have had
dangerous secrets. But what secret could have been explosive enough to die for?
Then the killer strikes again, boldly, tauntingly murdering one of Harry's favorite patients in such a way that only Harry knows the death was not natural. This time Harry is certain: The killer, medically sophisticated, coolly arrogant, moving undetected through a busy urban hospital, could only be a doctor. And he wonders--how many more will die?
Desperately Harry probes deeper, following the only clue Evie left. What he finds is a sinister pattern that threatens patients in every hospital in the city. Harry is engaged in a life-and-death battle of wits with a chillingly efficient monster. And until the doctor is unmasked, no patient is safe from his lethal silent treatment.
Michael Palmer has done it again, delivering a no-holds-barred novel of medical intrigue-- a gripping thriller that features the most terrifying physician
since Hannibal Lecter. Silent Treatment will keep your pulse racing from beginning to end
hoped to. She just … just wanted more. That’s all. “Dammit, Evie,” he said softly, “why couldn’t you at least have talked to me? Told me what was going on? Why couldn’t you have given us a chance?” He reached through the bedrail and took her hand. It had been stupid and naive to believe she could become a different person—or even that she truly wanted to. A hand settled gently on his shoulder. “Harry, are you okay?” Doug Atwater looked down at him with concern. “Huh? Oh hi, Doug. Actually,
wreckage of his apartment and took the crosstown bus back to the hospital. The two policemen who had been sent in response to his call had tried for a few fingerprints, but in the main, their crime-scene check was uninspired. A robbery in a Manhattan apartment was clearly of little more interest to them than a derelict shaking the coins in his cardboard cup at passersby on the street. The officers’ conclusion, arrived at after a half hour, was that this was a run-of-the-mill B and E by a
know. That’s why I need to see you. Somehow, I’ve got to find out who he is and you’re the only one who’s seen him.” There was a prolonged silence. “When did you want to see me?” she said finally. “I don’t know. Tonight?” “Can’t.” “Tomorrow, then.” He considered adding that it would be his birthday—his fiftieth birthday—but decided against it. “Maura, listen,” he said, “if you’re embarrassed about drinking, please don’t be.” “Seven-thirty,” she replied. “You have my number, so I assume you
Bantam Book All rights reserved. Copyright � 1995 by Michael Palmer Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 94-42807 No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information address: Bantam Books. eISBN: 978-0-307-78123-9 Published simultaneously in the United States and Canada Bantam Books
okay.” He spun the machine around and wheeled it out. Instantly, it seemed as if everyone was talking and gesturing at once. Harry noticed that several members of the medical staff were laughing. Willard McDevitt looked as if he was going to charge Mel Wetstone. Instead, he listened to some whispered words from the hospital attorney, shoved his chair back, and stalked out. For his part, Wetstone carefully avoided appearing smug, or even pleased. He sat placidly, allowing his theatrics to hold