“Why does Evelyn look like me?”
Daniel lowered his eyes.
“She was someone very important to my father. She helped raise him, and later she developed a complicated neurological condition.”
His father had become a physician and dedicated himself to studying her illness.
Eventually, he became convinced that certain processes involved in her condition might be connected to aging.
He began exploring an experimental treatment he hoped could improve her health.
“Was it successful?” I asked.
Daniel shook his head.
“No. Evelyn passed away after struggling with her condition.”
I glanced at the photograph.
“And the other three women?”
“My father continued the research using participants with characteristics he believed were similar.”
Dr. Reeves interrupted.
“Physical resemblance alone isn’t a scientifically valid reason to select research participants.”
“I understand,” Daniel replied.
I was losing patience.
“What happened to them?”
Daniel swallowed.
“All three experienced serious medical difficulties. Two eventually passed away, and the third continued dealing with long-term health complications.”
