“You’re what?” Daniel queried with a frown, and he looked away to hide the sense of betrayal he felt in his heart.
She spoke urgently. “Daniel, I know this is going to be hard to believe, but I suspect that Alistair killed your father.”
Daniel stared at her, and his heart tightened. His eyes narrowed and time stood still. Had he heard her correctly?
“Daniel?” Ruth spoke again. “If you’ll just bear with me, I believe I can prove it.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head, “First Richard’s death, then you and Alistair, and now you say he may have killed my father?”
“Yes,” Ruth said slowly and peered at him curiously. “I agreed to have dinner with him. I think I can get him to confess to what he’s done.”
“You’re really serious,” Daniel peered closely at her, feeling more composed. “What makes you think Alistair killed my father?” He looked past her through the doorway. “Where is Alistair?”
“He left to purchase a suitable dinner dress for me.” Ruth made a face and sighed, “He said my uniform was not appropriate for dinner.”
“Alright, now sit and tell me everything you know.” Daniel’s full attention was directed toward her.
Ruth explained everything she had learned from the medical alchemy book, the half-empty bottle of mercury she found, and her earlier conversation with Alistair.
Daniel let out a sigh of relief, realizing the notion of romance between Ruth and Alistair was far-fetched and ludicrous.
“I can’t let you do it,” Daniel looked at her tenderly, his voice husky. “If what you say is true, then it’s too dangerous. His mind is sharp, he is wily and he’ll try everything he can to trick you.”
“Daniel, I fear he will poison you, too.” Ruth was anxious but determined. “He is not aware of what I have discovered.”
“Why would he want to poison my father—and me?” Daniel asked, bewildered. “And, for what purpose?”
“That is what I want to find out,” Ruth explained. “I need to do this. It is the only way I can stop him from hurting you.”
“Are you certain of this?” Daniel asked, frowning as she nodded vigorously. “Then I will not let you go alone. I’ll come with you.”
“What?” Ruth looked fearful, shaking her head. “I can’t bring you with me; it will prevent what I hope to accomplish.”
“I have been to his house,” Daniel said, his jaw clenched as he thought about Alistair’s lack of consideration in failing to escort Ruth back to the clinic. “He lives on Morrie Street opposite Lakeside Park. He’ll take you along 19th Street and boast about his view.”
Daniel was outraged at the possibility of Alistair behind his father’s death and his unscrupulous manipulation in planning to be alone with Ruth.
“Is there a safe place for you to hide?” Ruth asked, deep worry lines along her forehead.
“Yes, I’ll be able to hide Spark out of sight and wait in the shadows of the trees.” Daniel said as he lifted his head and tightened his fists. “You’re right, Ruth; we can’t allow him to get away with this.”
The sound of footsteps on the staircase announced Alistair’s imminent arrival.
“Oh, there you are, my dear,” he exclaimed with an overconfident expression, his head held high. Daniel tightly gripped the arms of his chair to hold himself back from rising and strangling the supercilious man.
“Be careful Ruth,” Daniel whispered. She gave a small nod before she stood and walked toward Alistair, who handed her a package. “I took the liberty of choosing this garment for you, which I think is quite suitable for dinner tonight.” He shot Daniel an imperious look, “I trust you have released Ruth into my care for dinner?”
“Yes,” Daniel said crisply. “See that Ruth is not out too late.”
Alistair snorted in exasperation followed by a self-assured chuckle, “Of course, Daniel. I am a gentleman, after all,” he said in a patronizing tone.
Daniel glowered as he observed Ruth entertain Alistair by pretending to admire the dress with a dark blue and red bodice, lace sleeves and a dark blue silk skirt featuring artful pickup gathers with a red silk sash to tie at the back.
Daniel looked down at his desk, his fingers massaging his temples, ruminating about all that Ruth had disclosed. He remembered his father would help patients who couldn’t pay their bills and Alistair would get angry, declaring they could not offer free services. Ruth was right. Alistair was the only person among them who knew which chemicals were needed to order and how to mix medicine for patients in specific illnesses and he was strangely domineering when it came to his laboratory.
“Lord Jesus,” Daniel prayed, closing his eyes and his voice was calm. “Please keep Ruth safe and help her to find out the truth.” A scripture came to his mind that gave him hope. John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Daniel felt a tug within his chest. He looked over at Alistair’s desk and felt a sudden impulse to search his drawers.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
