“And how would strychnine be sourced?” Lillie asked. “Would it have been difficult for the murderer to acquire?”
“Unfortunately, no,” Dr. May said. “It can be used as a rodentpoison, which means it’s likely being used in abundance during the Exposition. It’s also used as a stimulant for the heart and bowels, and it rapidly metabolizes in the human body. Fatal doses cause severe muscular convulsions that eventually paralyze the respiratory muscles, causing asphyxiation. The autopsy would have shown concentrations in the blood, liver, kidneys, and stomach wall.”
Grace shuddered.
She remembered Harriet, so alive on the roller coaster as she laughed and screamed, clutching Oliver’s hand with delight. Singing at the restaurant with that fire in her eyes; thanking Grace that first night in the boat. Dreaming of her future.
Who did this to you, Harriet?Grace wondered.
“So there is no way to track the particular kind of strychnine?” Lillie asked. “No variants to help determine where it came from?”
“I’m afraid not,” Dr. May said.
“What about drug addicts?” Grace asked quietly. “Do they use it?”
“Not usually,” Dr. May said. “No. I’ve heard of some cases where strychnine can be used to adulterate drugs like heroin and cocaine, but then ingestion is accidental.” She paused thoughtfully. “Well. But then there’s the Keeley Cure.”
“The Keeley Cure?”
“It’s a treatment for addicts. Concoctions that contain gold, strychnine, and alcohol that are injected into those battling addictions. To be honest, I have my suspicions about it. I wonder if it does more harm than good.”
Lillie stole a glance at Grace, and the questions Grace had been prepared to ask suddenly died.
Other questions, the ones she most desperately wanted to know, rose up within her, coating her mouth like bubbles. Could this woman tell her—were the truest, loveliest parts of Walt still safe and hiddenaway somewhere? Able to be unfurled and reached again? To be coaxed back out and into the sunshine?
“My brother—” Grace paused. “He…”
“What can be done to help an addict?” Lillie asked, jumping in for her. “What resources are there?”
“Unfortunately, there are too little right now,” Dr. May said. “I know of some doctors exploring treatment options in New York City. There are a few private options available for those with a substantial amount of money here in this city. But I’m seeing a need for a clinic or something to help those without as many resources. It’s something I’d like to look into after the fair.”
Dr. May’s eyes blinked at them behind her large glasses like a small, inquisitive bird. “I’ll need to get back to the hospital soon. What else?”
Grace watched the sunshine and shadows dance over her fingers. “Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all of the hurting people?” she asked.
Dr. May touched her hand gently. “Life often feels like one long, dissonant chord, waiting for release, doesn’t it?” she said. “Well, I look for those places I can create a little relief for people. Brief moments of harmony.” Her face melted into a glorious smile. “And what’s been most unexpected is that the notes end up playing a melody in my life as well.”
Grace held on to that, as though Dr. May had given her a life raft, a rope made of light to cling to.
“Thank you for seeing us, Dr. May,” Lillie said, standing. They helped bring the teacups to the sink.
As Dr. May walked them to the door, Lillie asked, “One more question. Is it possible that the strychnine was administered earlier in the day? How long until the onset of symptoms?”
Dr. May shook her head. “The onset is quick. It would have had to be administered in that room. And it would have had to be put into the victim’s drink specifically, because no one else at the party was affected.”
“Interesting,” Grace said.
“If I were you, I’d get a list of who was in that room that night. And then find out if any of them knew Harriet Forbes before.”
“Thank you, Dr. May,” Lillie said.
“You’re good sisters,” Dr. May said. She smiled at them with a tender understanding that touched something buried deep in Grace’s heart.
“It’s clear that you would do anything for your brothers,” she said, meeting Lillie’s eyes. “Both of you.”
Grace and Lillie hitched a trolley ride back to the fairgrounds.
“I’m meant to meet Walt for lunch,” Grace said with a glance at the beating sun as they walked through the turnstiles into the Exposition. They made their way toward the restaurant where she had seen Walt two days ago.
