“You were Dr. Grant’s physician. Do you think that if he wasn’t aware of the effects of a high dosage of mercury, might he have consumed more than the recommended amount in an attempt to cure himself?” Ruth frowned as he pondered the situation.
Alistair remained silent as he considered her, and his eyes narrowed. Just as she began to squirm, to Ruth’s surprise he burst out laughing.
“I find you delightfully entertaining,” Alistair chuckled. “No, no one, not even Alexander, would ever have thought to drink a bottle of mercury. He was a practicing physician and founder of the clinic. He made sure all medication was kept under my control. Why do you think the Memorial Laramie County hospital seeks my counsel?” He shook his head at her as one would to a helpless child. “I am the only doctor in town who is experienced in alchemy and medications like mercury.”
Ruth managed to keep composure as she realized the truth was indeed as she feared, but she needed him to say more and was determined to get him to confess everything. She tried not to look at the windows and thought of Daniel, standing by the trees outside the window. She hoped he could hear everything Alistair was saying and wondered what was going through his mind. She knew it would be difficult for him. She prayed from her heart.
Lord, I can’t imagine what Daniel must befeelingin hearing all of this. Please help him to stay steady and not do anything foolish that will stop Alistair from confessing in full what he’s done.
“Alistair,” her expression hardened, “I did not ask in jest. You have just admitted to knowing the effects of mercury since you are the only person who knows how to administer it.”
“Why so serious, Ruth?” he peered at her with a raised brow. “Tonight is a joyous affair and I hoped you would enjoy this feast I had prepared for you.”
Lord,Ruth thought,help me find the right words. She felt her heart thud, and drew in a deep breath. “I must ask if you found it challenging or relatively easy to poison Dr. Grant? I would think that such bold action would take some careful planning.”
“That is quite presumptuous, Ruth,” Alistair lifted his nose in the air. “I knew there was more to you than what just meets the eye. Tell me more of your tale. I find it interesting, actually—rather amusing.”
“You grew up in poverty and unfortunate circumstances. Perhaps you studied furiously to become a doctor for your sister who died,” she paused for a breath and noticed his expression had not changed. “You despised your parents and refused to be like your brothers who disappeared in the mines. You became jealous of those with power and wealth,” she stopped and observed him. “Did you meet Dr. Grant in medical school and desired his lifestyle? Your jealousy overtook you once he married the woman you loved, and you decided to slowly poison him with doses of mercury. You wanted the successful life that he worked hard to gain, and he had the happy life that you so desired.”
Ruth took another deep breath, disgusted by Alistair’s desires. The Bible verse Exodus 20:17 came to mind, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.”
Ruth noticed that Alistair suddenly appeared as if he’d awakened from his stupor, and his gaze was decidedly less benign.
“You have quite the imagination, my dear,” Alistair chuckled. “No one would ever believe such a tall tale. Perhaps you should write a book for children; you might acquire wealth with such fiction.” His mouth twisted and he added, “Even so, Ruth I do not think anyone would believe such a story, for I am a well-respected doctor, and you are, after all, nursemaid to Daniel’s son. Do you really want to go back to that life? The life of being a nursemaid, anobody?Wouldn’t you rather be someone that people look up to? To wear the clothes of a lady who travels in high circles of society and fashion? You’d be the envy of women in all of Wyoming—everywhere in fact.”
Ruth tilted her head and looked at him closely. She thought he appeared nervous and although sickened by his words, she pressed on. She wondered what had gone through Esther’s mind as she went through the dangers of protecting her people in Biblical times. Ruth reminded herself that she needed to be brave and strong in order to secure the truth. The more she heard Alistair speak, the more wanted to put him in his place.
Did he not know that those who put their trust in their wealth and boast about themselves and their riches could never be redeemed? That pride in wealth breeds corruption?
“You may be right, Alistair. But why would I want to be the envy of Wyoming? What would I gain from that? Superfluous looks from women who may become friendly, or jealous and desire all that I have? Suppose I take your suggestion and put it in a book, would it not raise suspicion?” Ruth smiled inwardly as Alistair’s face darkened to a frown and he contemplated her words.
“I don’t fully understand you Ruth,” he declared, giving her a haughty look. “I invited you for dinner because I do believe we are much alike and well-suited, and your questions have certainly entertained me. Although it does not sit well with me that your attention falls regularly on Dr. Grant and that you would accuse me of poisoning him. I’ve offered you a priceless opportunity that many would give their eyeteeth for, and yet I still wonder what your answer is.”
Ruth maintained her stance and sighed, “Marriage is an honorable estate as the words of the ceremony state, and I cannot marry a dishonest man,” she shrugged lightly. “Whether you poisoned Dr. Grant or not, I do not think I can trust you, and trust is critical in a marriage. There should be no secrets between a man and his wife. When two people are wed they are bound to one another, are they not?”
Alistair remained silent, pursed his lips tightly and frowned thoughtfully.
“Let’s be honest, Alistair,” Ruth persisted, feeling her heart pound faster. “I know your secret and even just a slight whisper would cause suspicion and stain to your reputation. A wife cannot turn against her husband just as a husband cannot turn against his wife.”
“I agree. I see your point,” Alistair said, and he was suddenly very alert. “There can be no secrets and you will need to tell me everything there is to know about Daniel. To take the clinic I will need to know certain information about him.”
“How could I tell you anything?” Ruth pretended uncertainty and shook her head. “We are not wed, nor have you have acknowledged anything I have said. I can only consider your offer if you are truthful with me.”
“Very well, my dear,” Alistair gave her a smile. “I do believe that I have convinced you and won you over,” he chuckled with satisfaction. “It is true that I became friends with Alexander, and I hated him when he married Isabel. By all rights, Daniel should have been my son. Alexander could have had any woman he pleased, but he chose the only one I ever loved.” His expression darkened, “And I blame him for her death.”
“But she died before much was known about her illness,” Ruth protested. “How can Dr. Grant be blamed for that?”
Alistair shot daggers in her direction that made her uneasy, and she quickly gulped down the remainder of her drink and refilled her glass.
“Isabel’s illness was treated too late,” Alistair said angrily. “If it were up to me, she would be alive today.”
Ruth did not want to hear anymore but she knew she had to keep him talking to get him to confess his crime.
“And you bear a grudge against a man who no longer lives? Even against his son?” Ruth inquired in disbelief. She had no trouble acting as if he had her full interest.
“All I desire is what is mine, or what should have been mine.” Alistair’s deep voice was hard and stern, his expression stiff, and he looked at her with conviction. “And assure you I will get it!”
“Yes, I am sure you will get what is yours,” Ruth soothed. “There must be more you can share with me.”
