“Alexander developed a common cold and asked for medicine. An idea came to me, so I mixed a special formula for him and told him it was just for him. That is when I added the first half grain of mercury.” His deep laugh was triumphant and Ruth felt she would be sick. “He was cured for a time, and whenever he asked for medicine, I added another half grain of mercury to the formula.”
“That is quite clever,” Ruth remarked and fought to keep her composure and manage her anger. She wondered what Daniel might be thinking and hoped he heard every word. “I would never have thought of something so inventive. So, in every blend of his medication you added an extra half grain of mercury?”
Alistair nodded, giving her an arch look and steepling his fingers, his elbows resting on the table. “Alexander’s body became infected, and the lumps appeared, which resembled leukemia. I noted the side effects until he stopped taking his medication and became well again. Everyone believed he suffered leukemia,” Alistair explained with a pompous smirk. “You see, mercury takes quite some time to leave the body and when Alexander came to me for more medicine, I doubled the dosage in every blend that I made for him.”
“I see.” Ruth gave him the best smile she could muster and made sure to keep eye contact with him. “Thank you, Alistair, I believe you have told me everything. I know that I can trust you now. I still want you to teach me all you know about alchemy and medicine.”
“Do you want to hear the best part?” Alistair all but ignored her and continued, his light brown eyes glowing with delight. “The last few days of life he had left I whispered in his ear and told him all I had done and what I intended to do; my work was not complete. I wanted him to know I was the victor. I wanted him to know my plans for Daniel and the clinic.”
Ruth swallowed and wondered if there was no end to this man’s evil insanity. Her mind raced frantically, and her heart began to pound when he got up from his seat and approached her.
She closed her eyes and prayed for her life. Nothing he did now would surprise her, and she braced herself.
He stopped only inches from her and reached out, touching her cheek with the tips of his fingers, which made her skin crawl and yet she held still.
“Open your eyes, my dear,” Alistair entreated, his voice like velvet. She opened her eyes to see him bend down on one knee and pull a small blue velvet box from his jacket pocket. He snapped it open to reveal a large oval-shaped diamond ring that made her gasp as she felt inexorably pulled into his perverted plan. He smiled at her, clearly pleased with himself.
“Ruth,” Alistair began, “I offer you this ring and ask for your hand in marriage to become my cherished bride.”
Ruth felt she would faint as darkness began to color the edges of her vision and her head began to swirl crazily.Where was Daniel?Why had he not come yet? Surely, he was somewhere nearby.
As she leaned back, closing her eyes, an unexpected sound came from the parlor and Ruth sucked in an emergency supply of air, exhaled it sharply, and felt her heart race when Daniel suddenly filled the dining room entrance. His eyes glowered and he wore a fierce angry scowl.
Alistair’s eyes widened in surprise and shock at Daniel’s sudden appearance, and he slowly got to his feet. “How long have you been here?” he demanded. His normal pomposity was diminished, but there was anger in his eyes.
“Long enough,” Daniel’s eyes narrowed, his lip curled. “Step away, Ruth,” he ordered, his eyes never leaving Alistair, who reached out and grabbed Ruth’s arm. Daniel’s face darkened and he stepped forward in three large strides. With his left hand he grabbed Alistair’s collar, twisted it in a firm grip, balled his right hand into a fist and punched him squarely in the jaw. Alistair groaned as he staggered and released his hold on Ruth, who backed up against the wall.
Daniel stared down at Alistair and yanked him closer, their faces inches apart, his jaw set. “I should just kill you,” Daniel said, his voice clenched with fury, his chest heaving. “One life in exchange for another, what do you say?”
Ruth was trembling as reaction set in. She watched as fear overtook Alistair, but he recovered quickly.
“You cannot prove anything,” he scoffed, daring Daniel.
Daniel sneered as he gave Alistair a withering look. “I beg to differ,DoctorNagle. I found the orders of mercury bottles you tried to hide,” he gave his partner a jerk for good measure and held tight while the man squirmed.
Alistair tried to fight and kick at Daniel who tightened his grip on the twisted collar. Alistair stopped as he began to gasp for air.
“Ruth, get the curtain tie, please,” Daniel ordered, his gaze never leaving Alistair’s face which was now red from exertion and covered with a sheen of perspiration. Ruth went to the drapes and retrieved two thick golden corded ties with tassels at the ends and brought them to Daniel.
“My barrister … shall … hear … of this!” Alistair gasped and tried to wriggle from Daniel’s grip.
“From the sheriff, yes,” Daniel agreed as he flung Alistair to the floor, who groaned as his body hit the floor. He coughed and spluttered, trying to get up. Daniel firmly planted his foot on Alistair’s back and forced him flat to the ground, his face was pressed against the floor. Ruth handed one of the ties to Daniel, who grabbed Alistair’s flailing arms. He yelled as Daniel grabbed his hands and firmly tied them together with the corded tie and instructed Ruth to do the same at his ankles.
“You really are a snake among snakes.” Daniel lifted his foot from Alistair’s back, and watched as he struggled under the tight sashes, “It’s no use,” Daniel’s voice was full of contempt. “Those sashes are as tight as a rope.”
“No one will believe anything you say!” Alistair’s pompous arrogance returned in full force. “It will be your word against mine.”
“Oh, I imagine many people already know,” Daniel said knowingly as he walked slowly around Alistair, who watched guardedly.
Daniel’s eyes gleamed. “I knew that my word and Ruth’s word would be inadequate. Although I have the mercury order documents, I knew they weren’t proof positive. Fortunately, Miss Todd agreed to stand in the kitchen and listen to everything you had to say.
“Now if you will excuse me,DoctorNagle,” Daniel directed a self-satisfied smirk at Alistair, “these two fine women will keep an eye on you while I fetch the sheriff, and don’t think to try anything stupid because I had Miss Todd find your pistol.”
Alistair sniggered derisively. “She wouldn’t know where to find the trigger.”
“You forget, Alistair,” Ruth interjected with a sweet smile and saw confusion sweep over his face as he managed to turn his head toward her. “I recall telling you that I am skilled in many things. My father taught me everything he knew—not just his medical practice or work around the ranch. He also taught me how to keep away wild animals from our ranch.”
At that, Alistair seemed to deflate, as he realized that there was likely no escape for him. Ruth was relieved to see the anger in Daniel subside. For a moment she’d thought he would really kill Alistair. Now she watched him leave the way he arrived and was relieved at his skill in handling the situation. She was happy it was over, but her heart was still pounding when Miss Todd joined her in the dining room.
