Daniel closed his eyes and clamped his mouth shut to suppress his anger from manifesting. How dare Alistair be so arrogant and forward with Ruth? He hoped that she could get Alistair to confess soon because as it was, he struggled against barging into the dining room to strangle the man.
“You didn’t answer my question, Alistair,” Ruth said, her voice chiding but still friendly. “How do you plan on ridding the clinic of Daniel?”
“Oh, have you not noticed?” Alistair’s voice was condescending as he responded to Ruth’s silence. “I have noticed that he has lost some weight and has begun to develop symptoms much like his father did.”
Daniel was horrified and heard Ruth insist, “His health is not in a poor state.”
“Believe as you see fit, my dear,” Alistair seemed to taunt her and dramatically emphasized every word, “You shall see before your very eyes that I am correct.”
Daniel remembered what Ruth had said and reached inside his pocket, feeling for the documents which described the dates and quantities of mercury that Alistair had ordered. He began to suspect that mercury had everything to do with Alistair’s plans.
Chapter Thirty-One
Ruth felt her stomach turn at Alistair’s terrible words and remembered there were many nights at the ranch when Daniel refused a meal, saying he wasn’t hungry. At first, she thought it had been because of the drink, but knew Daniel had now stopped drinking liquor altogether. After listening to Alistair, she began to doubt whether her reasoning was correct. The thought of Daniel being poisoned by Alistair made her blood run cold.
“Suppose you’re right,” Ruth argued and took a sip of apple juice, “what would you do to help him? With your expertise how could you save him? After all, do you not want to show people you are capable?”
Alistair’s laugh sounded forced, “I will, of course, help him in every way I can; however, the disease is passed down in families from generation to generation.”
“What I find to be interesting is your work,” Ruth smiled with false interest. “How do you manage to create medicineandbe a practicing doctor? For anyone else it must be challenging, but for someone like you who is skilled, I imagine it would come quite easily to you.”
“It takes a fair amount of skill and knowledge, my dear,” Alistair admitted. “Anyone as adept as I am knows that this type of work is only for the accomplished, so you are indeed quite correct. You must be aware that Memorial Hospital seeks my counsel frequently.”
“I am indeed aware,” Ruth gushed. “Not many doctors this far west have their own laboratories.”
Alistair chuckled. “I see you are beginning to understand.”
“Would you be willing to teach me?” Ruth ventured, giving him a look of earnest interest. “A doctor as talented as you should find it easy to teach me. After all, I am a quick learner.”
“Uh, ahem, unfortunately not, my dear,” Alistair replied, sounding regretful. “The chemicals I work with are quite fragile and some are volatile. I would never want to make you overwork your lovely hands. In fact, you shouldn’t work at all. You do not need to concern yourself with any of this.”
“I have another question,” Ruth stared at him with a small frown. “Is it necessary to use a large portion of mercury when creating medicine?”
Alistair almost choked on his wine.
“Oh dear. Are you alright, Alistair? I am so sorry.” Ruth feigned a look of wide-eyed concern. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, no, I am quite alright,” Alistair coughed. “Why do you ask?”
Ruth gave a sideward shrug and leaned toward him. “The other day when I helped to prepare more room for possible diphtheria patients, I found a half-empty bottle of mercury and I do not remember my father using much mercury,” she paused, “or did Cheyenne have an outbreak of some kind before I arrived? I cannot imagine the size of an outbreak of disease to cause so much to be used.”
“A half-empty bottle of mercury, you say,” Alistair frowned at Ruth, who began to feel uncomfortable. She put it down to the wine but noticed he had become more talkative about himself since opening the bottle. “Interesting,” he remarked, “where is this bottle of mercury you found?”
“I put it somewhere very safe,” she assured him. “I would never allow it to be left lying around carelessly somewhere.”
“That is wise,” Alistair placed the back of his hand at his mouth to clear his throat. “I think perhaps you’d better give it to me tomorrow.”
Ruth changed the subject. “Would you mind in telling me again about Dr. Alexander Grant’s symptoms?” She shifted in her chair and thought if the muscles in her back could talk, they would all be screaming now. She could not fathom why so many women had taken to this fashion.
“Why do you ask?” Alistair looked surprised, “I cannot tell you any more than what I already have.”
“I read about it in a book. I think it actually might have been your book,” Ruth sipped her juice delicately. “I found it along with the bottle of mercury and I read many curious things.”
“Oh?” His handlebar mustache lifted at both ends as he smiled, “What curious things? Do enlighten me.”
“After I learned about Dr. Grant’s leukemia symptoms, I found them to be very strange, and then I came across your book and discovered that many of the same symptoms Dr. Grant experienced were listed in your book.” Ruth paused and it seemed she had his full attention. “They were quite similar to mercury poisoning. I was shocked.”
“Is that so?” Alistair eyed her with raised eyebrows. “I admit that is quite strange, indeed.”
