Forbidden Cure Part Three: Sordid Aspirations

By William Rubin

In the wake of his beloved wife’s death, Detective Chris Ravello’s life is in shambles. Overwhelmed by grief and dogged by an unrelenting, devastating disease, Chris abruptly resigns as the NYPD’s Chief of the Division of Medical Crimes.

But his hopes for a healthier, less-troubled life are short-lived.

A harrowing near-death experience forces Chris to submit to a series of risky, ill-advised, and experimental treatments that will either cure him or kill him.

As Chris’ best friend, NYPD Detective Kevin Kennedy, investigates a series of perplexing and appalling deaths, he uncovers a disturbing truth – Ravello’s cure has already killed four other patients.

Just when all seems lost, hope comes from the unlikeliest of sources – an old nemesis making incredible claims:
Michelle Ravello is alive and he can lead the detectives to her and their killer.

But can Kennedy and Ravello trust one sociopath to catch another? And what is the terrible price they must pay for his cooperation?

• Language: English
• Publisher: William Rubin
• Release date: Nov 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781949189995

William Rubin

William Rubin is a practicing physician who enjoys weaving tales of medical/scientific intrigue. Writing for him is equal parts catharsis, creativity, and escape from the rigors of a busy medical practice and the joys and challenges of raising a family. The works of James Patterson, Robin Cook, Michael Palmer, and Patricia Cornwell inspired Dr. Rubin to create the Christopher Ravello Series. Challenges and tragedies in Dr. Rubin’s life, particularly the untimely death of his mother, provided some of the underlying drama, conflict, and turmoil for the series’ lead character. When he isn't busy practicing medicine or crafting his next medical thriller, Dr. Rubin enjoys time with his family and friends, running, playing piano, and travel. He values your thoughts, insights, and feelings on this book so please leave a review on your favorite website(s)

Book preview

BY WILLIAM RUBIN

FORBIDDEN BEGINNINGS: JACQUELINE’S TRAGEDY

FORBIDDEN BIRTH

FORBIDDEN CURE

MICHELLE’S CAPTIVITY

FORBIDDEN CURE 3

SORDID ASPIRATIONS

WILLIAM RUBIN

A Chris Ravello Medical Thriller

Crystal Vision

Publishing

Forbidden Cure is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the author. You can contact William Rubin at [e-mail].

This book is also available in print.

ISBN: 978-1-949189-99-5

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2018 William Rubin

Published by Crystal Vision Publishing

Cover Design by Carl Graves – Extended Imagery

Formatted by Christine Keleny – CKBooks Publishing

Chapter 1

More wine, darling?

Grayson’s voice reaches out to her from his large master bathroom. By all means. Not every night we get to play at my house.

Kiki eyes the closed bathroom door as she slides the crushed sleeping pill in a baggie out of her purse and pours it into his drink. I’m absolutely loving this, darling. Your place puts the Ritz-Carlton to shame, she replies as she stirs the drink to dissolve the powder. You’ll have to send your wife away more often.

Grayson pops out of the bathroom as she finishes mixing and joins her in bed. He leans over, kisses her passionately, and takes the offering.

If only it were that easy. They click glasses. To tonight, Grayson says, downing the entire drink while Kiki sips hers and smiles provocatively.

§

Kiki glances at the slumbering Grayson, her hands poised over the laptop. Let’s see what you’ve been up to, darling, what you know about Irina’s death.

Minutes fly by, coalescing into hours as Kiki searches Grayson’s laptop, left open when he went to the bathroom earlier. At last, her diligence is rewarded, her anger sparked. How could he have found all this out? Formulas, compounds we’re working on. She shakes her head. So much for feeling bad about using him... he must have found a way to use me to access our computers. But how?

Kiki skim reads pages upon pages of pilfered proprietary information, understanding little except for the extent of his espionage.

Nothing on Irina yet. Wait, what’s this... notes on us?

Wooing Todd Zigler is central to shuttering Hyslop’s operations. Zigler is highly skilled and knowledgeable. His loss would devastate their operations. Assessment: competent, caring, loyal. Everyone’s best friend. Weakness: grew up poor. Burning desire for wealth, recognition.

Kiki’s eyes scroll down, finding notes on herself!

Widow, financially precarious situation. Friendly, well kempt. Average intelligence at best. Joined Hyslop’s staff nine months ago from one of his referring doctor’s offices. Presumably motivated by the hope Hyslop will find a cure for her arthritis before the disease destroys her livelihood.

Kiki looks at the bed again. Smart enough to knock you out cold, asshole.

"Harold Hyslop: astute, creative scientist. True innovator. Poor people skills. Moody, condescending at times with staff, particularly Kiki Aloni. Will use that against him to turn her. Over-reliance on Todd Zigler is another weak point. Motivated by brother Phil’s desperate need for a heart transplant. When Hyslop is at his