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Trent paused. “There is something else we can try–”
Chris cut him off. “Is there any point?”
“There’s always a point, Mr Rydell. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t explore every avenue.”
“Let’s put it another way, shall we? Is it going to cure me?”
Trent stared at Chris, taking his time to answer. “Some drugs work better than others. Everyone’s immune system operates differently.”
Politician’s answer, thought Chris. I ask a direct question, and he gives me anything but a straight response.
“I don’t need to hear all that. What I want to know is, will your latest drug cure me?”
“I can’t say, but–”
Chris leaned forward. “I’m sure you can, but you just don’t want to.”
He reached down to a rucksack on the floor, removed five bottles, each containing different pills. He placed them all on the desk, making sure each one of them was symmetrically placed next to the other.
“Those haven’t worked. And those were all the latest stuff. Now, I’ll ask you again. Is your next alternative going to cure me?”
“There’s no reason to think it will be any less efficient than the ones I’ve already prescribed.”
“Well it couldn’t be, could it?”
“We have to try, Mr Rydell.”
“And if I don’t want to?”
“I really would advise against that.”
“Like I said, what if I don’t?”
“I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you what would happen. You may live six months to a year longer with the drug, or indefinitely if it works.”
“And how long if I don’t?”
Trent sighed. “I’m sorry, I can’t answer that.”
“Give it a go.”
Trent sat back. “At best… maybe a month.”
“What symptoms can I look forward to now?”
“Very unpleasant ones.”
“Humour me.”
It was obviously against Trent’s better judgment, but he did as Chris asked. “Depending upon how quickly the liver failure develops, you will probably start to itch excessively as bilirubin starts to accumulate in the skin. Bilirubin is a waste product from broken down red blood cells that is normally metabolised in the liver. I can help with that.”
“I wouldn’t bank on it.”
“I can administer cholestyramine, which sequesters bile acids, and we can supply a menthol cream which soothes the itching.”
“Wonderful. Carry on.”
“As bilirubin accumulates, the whites of your eyes will turn yellow, followed by the skin. Your urine will become dark orange, but your stools will be pale, almost white.”
