With the deal done, the four men went back to Arleigh’s camp for a celebratory supper of steaks on the grill. On the short drive, Mr. Brown made several phone calls.
Whiskey flowed, field trial stories were told by Arleigh and Brown’s dog man, some true, some maybe not. The steaks, supplied by Mr. Brown and grilled by his dog man, an expert, were the best Bob had ever eaten and though food didn’t taste good to Arleigh since the onset of his illness he enjoyed the first few bites.
Then Mr. Brown made an announcement.
“Arleigh, here is what we are doing tomorrow. Bob and Fred (Brown’s dog man) are going to drive your rig back to Georgia. You and I are going to fly to Cleveland, to the Cleveland Clinic. You are going to undergo some tests, and if they go as expected you will be enrolled in an experimental drug trial I’ve been backing. Of course that will be your decision.”
When Arleigh’s illness had been diagnosed, Sam Nixon had talked with him about the possibility of enrolling in a drug trial. He had declined. He had not changed his mind, but he was going to listen to what the doctors had to say. He now had something to look forward to. It would be great to see Bob out of his home environment with a chance to make a life.
After the trials ended Arleigh had called Ben Reach to ask about Bob’s jeopardy from the assault charge.
“With your testimony that will not be a problem. The judge is a big basketball and bird dog fan,” Ben said.