The Unlucky Turn by Mark Twain 235
Given Mr. Chilton’s special status, they couldn’t afford any delays now that the results were out.
Marlon was anxious on Leilani’s behalf.
“Leilani, you don’t have any other patients right now, do you? When can you leave? Do you want me to send a car for you?”
“No need,” Leilani said. “I bought a car recently. I know the address. I’ll drive myself. I’m packing up now and heading out immediately.”
Leilani knew exactly why Marlon was so eager. Curing Mr. Chilton sooner meant one less thing for everyone to worry about.
Hanging up, Leilani checked the time, then looked down to check Arnold’s vitals one last time. Confirming everything was stable, she turned to the nurse. “Record his temperature and blood pressure every two hours. If there are any abnormalities, notify me immediately.”
“Understood, Dr. Sloan,” the nurse nodded quickly.
Leilani wasn’t one to waste time. She packed her things efficiently and, without even stopping at home, drove straight to Brass City.
Two hours later, at the Chilton family villa.
Leilani had just parked when she saw Floyd Dillon waiting at the door, a stack of data reports in his hand.
“Leilani! Come look at this!”
Seeing her, Floyd waved, his excitement impossible to hide.
Leilani walked over quickly, took the report, and flipped through a few pages, her eyes scanning the key data points.
“So, versions three and seven were the most effective?” she asked, looking up.
“Exactly!” Floyd said. “Version three achieved a toxin clearance rate of 78%, but the side effects are significant. Version seven only had a 65% clearance rate, but it’s much gentler and better suited to Mr. Chilton’s current physical condition.”
Leilani thought for a moment, her fingertip tapping lightly on the report. “With his current state, we have to start with version seven and observe for a few days. If the toxin levels drop steadily, we can switch to version three for a stronger effect.”
Floyd nodded in agreement. “That’s what I was thinking too.”
Just then, footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway. Several researchers in lab coats were approaching.
Floyd suddenly realized he was still standing at the main entrance; they had been conducting this entire conversation in the doorway.
16:15
Realizing his breach of protocol, he coughed lightly, composed himself, and lowered his voice. “Ahem… let’s go inside. It’s not appropriate to discuss this in the hallway.”
Leilani nodded. “Alright.” She followed him into the lab, closing the door behind her.
Floyd immediately reverted to his excited state, rushing to the lab bench and pointing at the data curves on the computer screen. “Look, this is the peak efficacy for version three. It’s much faster than we anticipated.”
Leilani leaned in to look, a faint smile touching her lips. “Looks like we’re on the right track.”
Floyd rubbed his hands together, his eyes shining. “If this antidote works, this protocol will definitely make it into ‘The Lancet’! When that happens, I’m giving you lead authorship.”
“The Lancet” was one of the world’s top medical journals. For a career researcher like Floyd to offer Leilani first billing showed his sincerity and generosity.
Leilani laughed softly. “You’re certainly planning ahead.”
If Floyd hadn’t mentioned it, that aspect hadn’t even crossed her mind.
16:15
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