The Anatomy of Deception - Lawrence Goldstone [77]
The Professor sighed. “It was the cocaine.”
“And you are sure he is no longer under its influence?” Both Monique and Haggens had indicated that Turk was in the drug trade. What other reason could there be for a man like Halsted to seek Turk out?
“Why would you think otherwise?”
“No reason at all,” I ventured hastily. “But cocaine craving has proven to be so terribly difficult to overcome….”
“You cannot imagine,” sighed the Professor. “It’s been torture for the poor fellow. And to think it was his own fearlessness that caused the problem in the first place.”
“How do you mean?” I asked.
“He always proceeded according to what he thought best, regardless of personal consequences. Some years ago, when his sister suffered a postpartum hemorrhage, Halsted performed an emergency transfusion, using his own blood, and saved her life. When his mother became ill one year later, he diagnosed the ailment as gallstones. Her physicians insisted he was wrong and refused to operate, so Halsted performed the surgery himself, although he had never operated on a gallbladder before. He saved her life as well.
“When the opportunity came to experiment with cocaine as an agent to block sensation in individual nerves, he chose to use himself as the first subject. After he became addicted, he was shunned by those very colleagues who had lauded him. Only Welch, who had been the chief pathologist at New York Hospital, stood by him. Eventually, Welch brought him here to stay in his home. Is it any wonder that a man who has been through such an experience would undergo a change of personality?”
I agreed that it was understandable.
“Understandable?” exclaimed the Professor. “Inevitable, more likely.” Then he paused, as he often did when a revelation overtook him. “But why all this interest in Halsted?”
“It is just that he is so riveting,” I replied, attempting to keep my response casual. “A man of such ability who has been forced to overcome an immense obstacle cannot help but be an object of fascination.”
“It’s true. Excuse my shrill tone, Ephraim. It’s simply that those of us who have witnessed his ordeal have become extremely protective of him.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “I understand.”
CHAPTER 16
WE PASSED AN AGREEABLE EVENING with the Gilmans, and then retired early. The return trip to Philadelphia, late Sunday after another round with the Hopkins staff, was more subdued than our ride south, both the Professor and I retreating to our thoughts.
At the hospital on Monday, Simpson was curious about the visit to Baltimore, but I could not spare the time. She was matter-of-fact as I hurried off to discharge my duties, but she nonetheless seemed insulted at my avoidance. I did not want to cause her distress, but I was preoccupied by what I must do that evening.
After I had finished for the day, I once more made my way across the city. I arrived soon after six and Mike stepped aside to let me pass, even venturing a small smile. I was now, it seemed, an accepted member of the Fatted Calf family.
Haggens also seemed pleased to see me. “Well, Doc,” he said with a grin, “welcome back. Didn’t expect to have the pleasure again so soon.” His affability, as always, was offset by the sly squint that he never seemed able or willing to suppress. “I’d like to think you came because of our classy décor,” he went on, “but I figure it’s because you want something.”
“True enough, Haggens,” I replied. I discovered I was becoming more comfortable in his company. There was a freedom in Haggens’ world that was absent in mine: I was finding it held great appeal. I had also come to understand that, so long as I did not betray him, there was little threat of arbitrary violence. “The last time I was here, you offered me your associate’s services if I ever needed to wander about alone down here. I was hoping the offer was sincere.”
His brow furrowed slightly as he calculated the implications of my request. Haggens was as accomplished in the science of survival as was the Professor in the science of medicine. After a few seconds’ consideration,