Read Online Deep Storm by Lincoln Child - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lincoln Child
Tags: Fiction, General, thriller, Suspense, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Atlantis, Thrillers, Mystery & Detective, Espionage, Body, Mind & Spirit, Mystery And Suspense Fiction, Technological, Atlantis (Legendary place), Lost continents, Geographical myths, Fiction - Espionage, Mythical Civilizations
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they dug deeper, ran more extensive tests, some commonality would surface. And despite what Bishop had told him, he was still betting on caisson disease as the main differential.
You never answered my question before, he said. There is a hyperbaric chamber here, right?
She nodded.
Id like this man placed in the chamber. Lets see if repressurization and pure oxygen ease the pains in his extremities.
But
Dr. Bishop, Asher told me this Facility uses some kind of classified pressurization technology. Basically untested in the field. That makes the bends the most likely culprit by far.
Bishop did not reply; instead, she frowned and looked away.
Crane felt himself growing impatient. Feel free to talk to Asher if you dont like it, he said crisply, but he brought me down here to make suggestions. Now please get this patient to the chamber. He paused to let this sink in. Shall we visit patient number three?
He had saved the most interesting case for last: a woman who presented with numbness and weakness in both hands and face. She was awake when they entered her room. Latest-generation monitoring equipment surrounded her, bleating quietly. Immediately, Crane sensed a difference. He noted the distress in her yellowish eyes, the wasting body rigid with worry. Even without performing a diagnostic procedure, he knew this case might be serious.
He opened the clipboard, and the LCD screen sprang to life. The patient history came up automatically. Must be tagged to her RFID chip, Crane thought.
He glanced over the summary data:
Name: Philips, Mary E.
Sex: F
Age: 36
Brief Presentation: Bilateral weakness /
numbness of hands and face
When he looked up from the clipboard he noticed a naval officer had slipped into the room. The man was tall and lean, and his pale eyes were set unusually even oddly close together. The right eye appeared to be exotrophic. Commanders bars were on his sleeves, and his left collar sported the gold insignia of the Intelligence Service. He leaned against the door frame, hands at his sides, acknowledging neither Crane nor Bishop.
Crane looked back toward the patient, tuning out this new arrival. Mary Philips? he asked, falling automatically into the neutral tone hed long ago learned to use with patients.
The woman nodded.
I wont take up much of your time, he said with a smile. Were here to see you back on your feet as quickly as possible.
She returned the smile: a small jerk of the lips that vanished quickly.
Youre still feeling significant numbness in your hands and your face?
She nodded, blinked, dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. Crane noticed that when she blinked her eyes did not seem to close completely.
When did you first notice this? he asked.
About ten days ago. No, maybe two weeks. At first it was so subtle I barely noticed.
And were you on or off shift when you first became aware of the sensation?
On shift.
Crane glanced again at the digital clipboard. It doesnt say here what your station is.
It was the man in the doorway who spoke up. Thats because it isnt relevant, Doctor.
Crane turned toward him. Who are you?
Commander Korolis. The man had a low, soft, almost unctuous voice.
Well, Commander, I think her station is very relevant.
Why is that? Korolis asked.
Crane looked back at the patient. She returned his gaze anxiously. The last thing he wanted to do, he decided, was increase that anxiety. He motioned Commander Korolis in the direction of the hall.
Were performing a diagnostic procedure, he said, in the corridor and out of the patients earshot. In a differential diagnosis, every fact is relevant. Its quite possible her work environment is in some way responsible.
Korolis shook his head. Its not.
And how do you know that?
Youll just have to take my word for it.
Im sorry, but thats not good enough. And Crane turned
You never answered my question before, he said. There is a hyperbaric chamber here, right?
She nodded.
Id like this man placed in the chamber. Lets see if repressurization and pure oxygen ease the pains in his extremities.
But
Dr. Bishop, Asher told me this Facility uses some kind of classified pressurization technology. Basically untested in the field. That makes the bends the most likely culprit by far.
Bishop did not reply; instead, she frowned and looked away.
Crane felt himself growing impatient. Feel free to talk to Asher if you dont like it, he said crisply, but he brought me down here to make suggestions. Now please get this patient to the chamber. He paused to let this sink in. Shall we visit patient number three?
He had saved the most interesting case for last: a woman who presented with numbness and weakness in both hands and face. She was awake when they entered her room. Latest-generation monitoring equipment surrounded her, bleating quietly. Immediately, Crane sensed a difference. He noted the distress in her yellowish eyes, the wasting body rigid with worry. Even without performing a diagnostic procedure, he knew this case might be serious.
He opened the clipboard, and the LCD screen sprang to life. The patient history came up automatically. Must be tagged to her RFID chip, Crane thought.
He glanced over the summary data:
Name: Philips, Mary E.
Sex: F
Age: 36
Brief Presentation: Bilateral weakness /
numbness of hands and face
When he looked up from the clipboard he noticed a naval officer had slipped into the room. The man was tall and lean, and his pale eyes were set unusually even oddly close together. The right eye appeared to be exotrophic. Commanders bars were on his sleeves, and his left collar sported the gold insignia of the Intelligence Service. He leaned against the door frame, hands at his sides, acknowledging neither Crane nor Bishop.
Crane looked back toward the patient, tuning out this new arrival. Mary Philips? he asked, falling automatically into the neutral tone hed long ago learned to use with patients.
The woman nodded.
I wont take up much of your time, he said with a smile. Were here to see you back on your feet as quickly as possible.
She returned the smile: a small jerk of the lips that vanished quickly.
Youre still feeling significant numbness in your hands and your face?
She nodded, blinked, dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. Crane noticed that when she blinked her eyes did not seem to close completely.
When did you first notice this? he asked.
About ten days ago. No, maybe two weeks. At first it was so subtle I barely noticed.
And were you on or off shift when you first became aware of the sensation?
On shift.
Crane glanced again at the digital clipboard. It doesnt say here what your station is.
It was the man in the doorway who spoke up. Thats because it isnt relevant, Doctor.
Crane turned toward him. Who are you?
Commander Korolis. The man had a low, soft, almost unctuous voice.
Well, Commander, I think her station is very relevant.
Why is that? Korolis asked.
Crane looked back at the patient. She returned his gaze anxiously. The last thing he wanted to do, he decided, was increase that anxiety. He motioned Commander Korolis in the direction of the hall.
Were performing a diagnostic procedure, he said, in the corridor and out of the patients earshot. In a differential diagnosis, every fact is relevant. Its quite possible her work environment is in some way responsible.
Korolis shook his head. Its not.
And how do you know that?
Youll just have to take my word for it.
Im sorry, but thats not good enough. And Crane turned
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