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"We had the water tested last week," Calvin said, avoiding Terry's stare. |
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"Last week." Dr. Givens frowned. "How long have you known about the dump?" |
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"Since I bought the place," Calvin said uneasily. "Ten years" |
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"Terry didn't know . . ." |
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There was a moment of crackling tension. "I see." |
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"I was told when I saw the place how the land had been used, but that there had been no reports of health problems with the previous tenants," Calvin hurried on. "I didn't tell you, hon, you wouldn't have approved. And at the price it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up . . ." |
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Terry turned away toward the window. |
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Tojian broke the tension. "Do you know the nature of the research firm?" |
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"No," Calvin said. "And I think it folded some twenty years ago." |
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"Well," Dr. Tojian said, "there may or may not be a connection. But it makes sense that we take another look at your water before we draw any conclusions or file a report with any authorities. I have a friend whose lab is equipped to screen water for microbiology." |
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"How do we treat him?" Calvin asked. |
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"We're hoping that the standard treatment for precocious puberty and the related behavioral problems will check the progress. For the last twenty-four hours we've had him on antihypertensives and anticonvulsants, as well as L-dopa to reverse the hirsutism. We've also put him on propranolol to counter hormone stimulation." |
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"Propranolol," Terry repeated. "Isn't that what they use on rapists?" |
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"It's a widely used antiandrogenic agent to counter hormonal stimulation. At the extreme end of the spectrum, it is used to treat sexual offenders. It's commonly used for Cushing's Syndrome." |
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"When can he come home?" Calvin asked. |
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"Tomorrow. We still want to monitor his reaction to the different medication. So far it's working well." |
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"Then what?" Terry asked. |
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"He'll be sedated some," Dr. Hagan said, "but he can function almost as normal. However, we recommend that he take the next |
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