“And I assume everything was fine. Okay. Rothman’s and Yamamoto’s deaths are a blow to everyone here at the medical center, particularly the school. I knew Dr. Yamamoto a little, and he was a fine colleague. Dr. Rothman I knew better, of course, and I understand you got along well with him, Miss Grazdani. He certainly took a keen interest in your progress and afforded you more privileges than he did other students.” And any fellows, thought Dr. Bourse. “I viewed that interest as a compliment to your abilities as a researcher and to the potential that Dr. Rothman recognized in you.”

Pia was staring at the ground.

“Of course it’s terribly ironic that Dr. Rothman, who spent so much time uncovering the pathogenicity of salmonella, should die from the same organism he’d come to understand so well. . . .” Bourse let the thought drift.

“So, Miss Grazdani, I have arranged for you to do research, starting today, with Dr. Roselyn Gorin, who is one of the most talented people on campus. She has a Lasker Prize, as you may know, and she’s doing absolutely groundbreaking work on the differentiation of stem cells into specific adult cells. Roselyn is a friend of mine. She’s a wonderfully warm and understanding person. I just talked with her ten minutes ago, and she’s very happy to take you on. Happy’s not the right word in these circumstances, but she’s very willing to help.”

Dr. Bourse smiled hopefully.

“Today? I can’t possibly start today,” Pia said.

George winced as it was apparent to him that Dr. Bourse’s first reaction was of intense irritation.

Dr. Bourse paused in order to gain control of her emotions, as she was as irritated as George had sensed. Roselyn was a friend, but in fact she hadn’t been overjoyed about taking on a new student, especially Rothman’s student, who had built up a reputation of her own, fairly or not. Dr. Bourse wanted to tell Pia to get her act together, but she held her tongue.

“I’m very grateful for what you’ve done,” Pia said quickly, trying to sound sincere. “Really,” she added, as if she sensed she was pushing it. “But I just got this news an hour ago, and I really can’t think straight. I need a couple of days. To get my head together.”

Dr. Bourse sighed again. Pia was not the easiest individual to get along with. At the same time what she was saying was undoubtedly true. Everyone at the center was going to be shaken by the deaths. Dr. Yamamoto was a very popular presence and even if few could tolerate Rothman on a one-on-one basis, his death was still a blow, especially under these circumstances. He was, after all, the center’s scientific celebrity.