Error in Diagnosis by Mason Lucas M. D. Page A

thorough briefing.”
    Sinclair shook his head and smiled sardonically. “Why do any of us need to see her tonight? Is there some pressing reason she needs to be seen urgently? The children’s hospital has an intensive care unit and neurologists on staff.”
    â€œShe’s a child,” Madison replied. “I’d feel more comfortable if I examined her tonight.”
    â€œSeems ludicrous. There are a couple of thousand other pregnant women in the country just as sick. The problem’s that teenage pregnancy is rampant in this country. If her parents had done their job, she wouldn’t be in a hospital.”
    After a few moments of silence Jack asked, “Would you mind if I tagged along?”
    â€œI don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Sinclair was quick to say.
    â€œThat’s very kind of you to offer,” Helen said, ignoringSinclair’s objection. She looked over at Madison. “I assume that’s okay with you.”
    â€œOf course,” she answered the dean’s rhetorical question without hesitation.
    â€œShe’ll be the youngest patient we’ve cared for,” Helen said.
    â€œActually, I suspect she’s the youngest patient in the country.”
    Helen removed her purse from the back of her chair. “I’ll walk you two to the lobby,” she said, pointing in the direction of the door. Jack anticipated Helen would offer a third-party apology for Sinclair’s remarks but she said nothing as she escorted him and Madison to the hotel exit. “If you had asked me a half-hour ago if it were possible for the mood of the country to be any worse, I would have said no. But if we are on the verge of discovering that GNS is capable of attacking children, there’s no telling what the catastrophic consequences might be. For starters, we may see every school in the country closed.” Her eyes dropped for a moment. “Please call me as soon as you’ve assessed this young lady’s condition.”
    â€œWe will,” Madison assured her.

21

    Five minutes after they’d boarded Marine One, Kellar and Brickell were airborne. They sat across from each other in wide leather chairs. They barely had time to review the events of the meeting when the helicopter settled on the south lawn of the White House. With the sound of its engine fading into the evening sky, they walked across the lawn.
    â€œHow fast do you think we’ll see the death rate escalate?” he asked her.
    â€œIt’s impossible to say, but in the continued absence of any real progress, I would expect it will be pretty rapid.”
    â€œMy understanding is there haven’t been any infant deaths as yet.”
    â€œThat’s correct, sir. All of the women we’ve lost underwent urgent C-sections and the babies were saved. They’reobviously all very ill, but it’s impossible to tell whether they have GNS or just severe prematurity.”
    The president shook his head slowly as he looked overhead at a full moon that had just emerged from behind a stack of clouds. For the first time since she’d met him, his face was painted with anguish.
    â€œHave you been watching much TV of late?” he asked.
    â€œExcuse me, sir?”
    â€œIt may not be what most people imagine their president does in his limited leisure time, but I enjoy watching a little TV at night. I especially like it this time of year because of all the holiday specials.” Renatta smiled, wondering where one of the brightest and most insightful men she’d ever met was going with this. “Since the GNS outbreak, there hasn’t been too much else on except the coverage. Most of it is understandably depressing. The tearful interviews with grieving friends and family members betray the terrified mood of the country. Millions of Americans, whether they have a loved one with GNS or not, are in mourning.” Kellar’s face went slack, and after