Тесс Герритсен - Bloodstream стр 24.

Claire sat down and gently placed her hand on Wandas. The lab results have come back on the spinal tap, and theyre completely normal. Taylor doesnt have meningitis.

Wanda Darnell released a deep sigh, her shoulders slumping forward in the oversize suit jacket. Thats good, then?

Yes. And judging by the CT scan, he has no tumors or signs of hemorrhage in his brain. So thats good, too.

Then whats wrong with him? Why did he do it?

I dont know, Wanda. Do you?

She sat very still, as though struggling to come up with an answer. He hasnt been right. For almost a week.

What do you mean?

Hes been out of control, angry at everyone. Cursing and slamming doors. I thought it was because of the divorce. Hes had such a hard time of it..

Claire was reluctant to bring up the next subject, but it had to be addressed.

What about drugs, Wanda? That could change a childs personality. Do you think hes been experimenting with anything?

Wanda hesitated. No.

You dont sound sure.

Its just that She swallowed, tears flashing in her eyes. I feel like I hardly know him anymore. Hes my son, and I dont even recognize him.

Have you seen any warning signs?

Hes always been a little difficult. Thats why Dr. Pomeroy thought he might have attention deficit disorder. Lately, it seems hes gotten Worse. Especially since he started hanging out with those awful boys.

Which boys?

They live up the road from us. J.D. and Eddie Reid. And then theres that Scotty Braxton. All four of them got into trouble with the police back in March.

Last week, I told Taylor he had to stay away from the Reid brothers. Thats when we got into our first really big fight. Thats when he slapped me.

Taylor did?

Wandas head drooped, the victim ashamed shed been abused. Weve hardly spoken to each other since then. And when we do talk, its so obvious that Her voice slid to a whisper. That we hate each other.

Gently Claire touched Wandas arm. Believe it or not, disliking your own teenager isnt all that abnormal.

But Im also afraid of him! Thats what makes it even worse. I dislike him and Im scared of him. When he hit me, it was like having his father back in the house. She touched her fingers to her mouth, as though remembering some long-faded bruise. Paul and I are still in a custody fight. Two of us battling over a boy who doesnt like either of us.

Claires beeper went off. She glanced at the digital readout and saw the lab was paging her. Excuse me, she said, and left the chapel to make the call from the hospital lobby.

Anthony, the lab supervisor, answered the phone. The Bangor lab just called with more of Taylors results, Dr. Elliot.

Did anything turn up positive on the specific screens?

Im afraid not. Theres no alcohol, cannabis, opioids, or amphetamines in his blood. Thats a negative for every drug you wanted screened?

I was so sure, she said in bewilderment. I dont know what else could cause this behavior. There must be some drug Ive forgotten to test for.

There may be something. I ran his blood through our hospital gas chromatography machine, and an abnormal peak showed up at one minute, ten seconds retention time.

What does that mean?

It doesnt pinpoint any particular drug. But there is a peak, which indicates something out of the ordinary is circulating in his blood. It could be completely innocuous-an herbal supplement, for instance.

How do we find out what it is?

Wed need more extensive analysis. The Bangor lab isnt equipped to do that. We have to draw more blood and send it to our reference lab in Boston. They can simultaneously screen for hundreds of different drugs.

Then lets do it.

Well, heres the problem. Its the other reason I paged you. I just got an order to cancel any and all remaining drug tests. Its signed by Dr. DeIRay.

What? She shook her head in disbelief. Im Taylors doctor.

But DelRays writing orders, and his are contradictory to yours. So Im not sure what to do.

Look, let me talk to the mother and Ill clear this up right now She hung up and returned to the chapel.

Even before she opened the door, she could hear a mans voice, raised in anger. never exerted any control! Completely useless, thats what you are. No wonder hes so screwed up!

Claire pushed into the chapel. Is there a problem here, Wanda?

The man turned to her. Im Taylors father.

Personal crises bring out the worst in people, but Paul Darnell was probably not likable even at his best. A partner in the largest accounting firm in Two Hills, he was far more stylishly garbed than his wife, who seemed to shrink to inconsequential size in her ill-fitting suit. The brief interaction Claire had witnessed between these two ex-spouses told her what this marriage must have been like: Paul the aggressor, full of demands and complaints. Wanda always appeasing, retreating.

What is this about my son taking illegal drugs? he asked.

Im trying to find a reason for what happened today, Mr. Darnell. I was just asking your wife-

Taylor hasnt been taking any drugs. Not since you stopped the Ritalin. He paused. And he was fine on the Ritalin. I never understood why you took him off it.