Mara Chen, took my description of the odor seriously without promising an answer.

“Some environmental exposures produce nonspecific symptoms,” she explained.

“So do many illnesses.

We need to rule out urgent problems and involve specialists who can assess the home safely.

Do not attempt to collect or handle unknown material yourselves.”

Kenneth nodded so quickly that he looked like a student determined not to miss an instruction.

When Dr.

Chen stepped out, he sat beside me in the waiting room.