Looking at these three women, Wendy asked: “Have any of you been told that your tubes were sealed by tuberculosis or what looked like TB under the microscope?”

Each made a questioning gesture, raising their eyebrows. They weren’t sure.

“Have any of you been advised to take a drug called isoniazid or INH?” Marissa asked. “It would have been suggested that you take it for months.”

Two of the women raised their hands. Both said that they had been sent to their internists after their laparoscopies and that a drug was mentioned that they’d have to take for an extended period of time. In both instances, however, the drug was not given, and they’d been told to come back every three months.

Marissa wrote down their names and phone numbers: Marcia Lyons and Catherine Zolk. Both promised to inquire with their family doctors to find out for certain if the drug had been isoniazid.

Utterly astonished, Marissa took Wendy aside. “This is unbelievable. I think we have four cases. But if these two women had TB, then our medical school rotation at Bellevue is off the hook.”

“Four cases doesn’t make a series,” Wendy cautioned.

“But it is mighty suspicious,” Marissa said. “Four cases of a rare disease in one geographical area. Besides, it sounds as if none of us has any signs of infection elsewhere. I think we are on to something. I’m going to follow up on it,” Marissa vowed.

“Let’s do it together,” Wendy suggested.

“Wonderful,” Marissa agreed. “The first step will be to take advantage of my contacts at the CDC. We can start that tonight. Where is your car?”

“It’s over at the Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary,” Wendy said.

“Mine’s closer,” Marissa said. “I’ll drive you to yours and you can follow me home. You game?”

“I’m game,” Wendy said.

Saying their goodbyes and thanking their hostess, Marissa suddenly had an idea. She asked Susan if she knew the cause of Rebecca Ziegler’s infertility.

“I think it was blocked tubes,” Susan said after thinking for a moment. “I can’t be sure, but I believe that’s what it was.”

“Do you happen to have her phone number?” Marissa asked.

“I believe I do,” Susan said.

“Would you mind giving it to me?” Marissa asked.

Susan got the number from her study and gave it to Marissa. “You aren’t going to call Rebecca’s husband, are you?” Wendy asked when they got to the street. “The poor man is probably in shock.”

“I will if I have the courage,” Marissa said. “Besides, I was told they’d separated.”

“As if that would make much difference,” Wendy said. “If anything, I would think that would make him feel worse, even responsible.”

Marissa nodded.