The Pelican Brief

Montrose Theatre, still boarded and burned out. He showed her the daily circus at Dupont Circle.

They were parked on the street at two-fifteen when a red Mazda stopped in the narrow driveway. “There she is,” Gray said, and got out. Darby stayed in the car.

He caught Judith near the front steps. She was friendly enough. They chatted, he showed her the photo, she looked at it for a few seconds and began shaking her head. Moments later he was in the car.

“Zero for six,” he said.

“That leaves Edward Linney, who probably is our best shot because he clerked there two summers.”

They found a pay phone at a convenience store three blocks away, and Gray called Linney’s number. No answer. He slammed the phone down and got in the car. “He wasn’t at home at ten this morning, and he’s not at home now.”

“Could be in class,” Darby said. “We need his schedule. You should’ve picked it up with the others.”

“You didn’t suggest it then.”

“Who’s the detective here? Who’s the big-shot investigative reporter with the Washington Post? I’m just a lowly ex-law student who’s thrilled to be sitting here in the front seat watching you operate.”

What about the backseat? he almost said. “Whatever. Where to?”

“Back to the law school,” she said. “I’ll wait in the car while you march in there and get Linney’s class schedule.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

A different student was behind the desk in the registrar’s office. Gray asked for the class schedule for Edward Linney, and the student went to look for the registrar. Five minutes later, the registrar walked slowly around the corner and glared at him.

He flashed the smile. “Hi, remember me? Gray Grantham with the Post. I need another class schedule.”

“The dean says no.”

“I thought the dean was out of town.”

“He is. The assistant dean says no. No more class schedules. You’ve already gotten me in a lot of trouble.”

“I don’t understand. I’m not asking for personal records.”

“The assistant dean says no.”

“Where is the assistant dean?”

“He’s busy.”

“I’ll wait. Where’s his office?”

“He’ll be busy for a long time.”

“I’ll wait for a long time.”

She dug in and folded her arms. “He will not allow you to have any more class schedules. Our students are entitled to privacy.”

“Sure they are. What kind of trouble have I caused?”

“Well, I’ll just tell you.”

“Please do.”

The student clerk eased around the corner and disappeared.

“One of the students you talked to this morning called White and Blazevich, and they called the assistant dean, and the assistant dean called me and said no more class schedules will be given to reporters.”

“Why should they care?”

“They care, okay? We’ve had a long relationship with White and Blazevich. They hire a lot of our students.”

Gray tried to look pitiful and helpless. “I’m just trying to find Edward Linney. I swear he’s not in trouble. I just need to ask him a few questions.”

She smelled victory. She had backed down a reporter from the Post, and she was quite proud. So offer him a crumb. “Mr. Linney is no longer enrolled here. That’s all I can say.”

He backed toward the door, and mumbled, “Thanks.”

He was almost to the car when someone called his name. It was the student from the registrar’s office.

“Mr. Grantham,” he said as he ran to him. “I know Edward. He’s sort of dropped out of school for a while. Personal problems.”

“Where is he?”

“His parents put him in a private hospital. He’s being detoxified.”

“Where is it?”

“Silver Spring. A place called Parklane Hospital.”

“How long’s he been there?”

“About a month.”

Grantham shook his hand. “Thanks. I won’t tell anyone you told me.”

“He’s not in trouble, is he?”

“No. I promise.”

They stopped at the bank, and Darby left with fifteen thousand in cash. Carrying the money scared her. Linney scared her. White and Blazevich suddenly scared her.

Parklane was a detox center for the rich, or for those with expensive insurance. It was a small building, surrounded by trees and sitting alone a half mile off the highway. This might be difficult, they decided.

Gray entered the lobby first, and asked the receptionist for Edward Linney.

“He is a patient here,” she said rather officially.

He used his best smile. “Yes. I know he is a patient. They told me at the law school that he was a patient. What room is he in?”

Darby entered the lobby and strolled to the water fountain for a very long drink.

“He’s in room 22, but you can’t see him.”

“They told me at the law school I could see him.”

“And who might you be?”

He was so friendly. “Gray Grantham, with the Washington Post. They told me at the law school I could ask him a couple of questions.”

“I’m sorry they told you that. You see, Mr. Grantham, we run this hospital, and they run their law school.”

Darby picked up a magazine and sat on a sofa.

His smile faded considerably, but was still there. “I understand that,” he said, still courteous. “Could I see the administrator?”

“Why?”

“Because this is a very important matter, and I must see Mr. Linney this afternoon. If you won’t allow it, then I have to talk to your boss. I will not leave here until I speak to the administrator.”

She gave him her best go-to-hell look, and backed away from the counter. “Just a moment. You may have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

She left and Gray turned to Darby. He pointed to a set of double doors that appeared to lead to the only hallway. She took a deep breath, and walked quickly through them. They opened into a large junction from which three sterile corridors branched out. A brass plate pointed to rooms 18 through 30. It was the center wing of the hospital, and the hall was dark and quiet with thick, industrial carpet and floral wallpaper.

This would get her arrested. She would be tackled by a large security guard or a heavy nurse and taken to