Part 3: Alternate Treatment
"How's the Roslin enquiries going?"
Didi balanced the phone between her chin and shoulder. "Fine," she answered cautiously.
"Who have you interviewed?"
"The oncologist Markhem. Well, his nurse actually."
"And?"
"And I have an appointment with Roslin's personal assistant this afternoon."
"And?"
"And that's it."
"You've done one interview? As usual, you're dragging your feet."
She ignored his dig. "I did some research. Into chamalla."
"The drug?" he asked slowly.
"No, the dance," she replied dryly. "Yes. Markhem's nurse claims Roslin took chamalla, which is still only an experimental drug for cancer patients today, let alone in 5265. The problem is its array of side effects: hallucinations, paranoid episodes, extreme insomnia, delusions of grandeur... The list goes on."
"Adar's people never found out? They would've given their eyeteeth for even a whiff of that information."
"Exactly."
"So, the nurse was either lying, or Roslin's supporters kept one very big secret. Wonder what the doctor who treated her after Markhem will reveal. She was treated at CCF Hospital afterwards?"
"Yes, which is odd in itself. She goes from a private clinic to a military hospital. As we know, Fleet hospitals aren't limited to treating only military personnel. They accept anyone who's worked in civil service, including Cabinet members. But we also know Laura Roslin died a very rich woman. She could afford to stay with Markhem instead of attending such a crowded hospital."
"So, did she leave Markhem because he wouldn't give into her demands for alternative therapy? Or for some other reason?"
"Or did someone coerce her to change? Let me tell you about the doctor who took over her care at CCF. He wasn't a cancer specialist at all, but a physician who'd transferred to the hospital from a Battlestar. Would you like to guess which one?"
"Galactica."
"Jackpot."