by Aimée Thurlo
Chapter Thirteen
Jake had a lot of friends in town. When it was learned how badly he was hurt, and that bad weather had grounded the helicopter, even people who were sick turned out to help. Lucas rallied them to work together, trying to clear a narrow lane in the road that would allow the truck to get through.
The spirit that had always held their town together in a crisis finally reappeared, if only momentarily. And thanks to the state police, who prevented any outside interference with their efforts, the people of Four Winds managed to move enough rubble to allow the truck to attempt passage within thirty minutes.
Rocks and boulders shifted unpredictably beneath them as the truck climbed through the narrow gap. Lucas encouraged Marlee to keep the acceleration rate steady, knowing that if she got stuck or had to stop, it would mean failure, and possibly Jake’s death.
Every bump and slide to one side took a toll on his patient, but Lucas had seen worse. Jake would make it, and if he knew the former Ranger, Jake would be ready to take on whoever had ambushed him just as soon as he was back on his feet.
After five minutes of chaos, the ride suddenly became very smooth. They’d made it through the narrow pass. Lucas could finally do more than just keep his patient on the bed and the IV of plasma flowing.
As Lucas continued to work, he wondered what could have happened to Jake. The only thing he knew with certainty was that it had been an ambush. No one could have managed to get close enough to Jake to do this much damage otherwise.
AN HOUR LATER, Lucas came out of the emergency room of the county hospital to talk with Marlee and Gabriel, who had followed them in. “Jake regained consciousness just before they took him into surgery. He wanted to tell me something, but I couldn’t make it out.”
“I went through his truck while you three were in here,” Gabriel answered. “The only odd thing I found was an empty thermos bottle, and I doubt anyone shot him for that. Any idea where he’d been before you found him?”
“No.” Lucas glanced at Marlee, who shook her head in response.
“I have to figure out where he went, and why. You’ve been seeing a lot of people, Shadow. Ask around for me,” Gabriel said, then dropped heavily into a chair.
“You look like you’re not doing so well, Fuzz,” Lucas commented, and reached for his brother’s wrist to check his pulse.
Gabriel pulled his hand away. “It’s just this weird flu. Don’t worry about it. I’ll be okay, and I’m going to be staying away from my wife. She’s still healthy, and I intend to see to it that she stays that way. You two go on back to Four Winds. I’m going to stick around until after Jake comes out of surgery.”
Lucas walked out of the hospital with Marlee ten minutes later. “In case I didn’t tell you before, you did one heck of a good job getting us here.”
The respect that shone in his eyes made her shiver, but she suppressed it quickly, not wanting him to see how deeply he affected her. “I wasn’t at all sure we’d fit through that gap the people made for the truck. I just kept going and hoped it would be okay. Will Jake be all right, do you think?”
“He’ll pull through, and when he does, the person who shot him is going to be in a world of trouble. I’m no wuss, and I could eventually take him, but I sure wouldn’t want to go one-to-one with Jake.”
“I hope the person who shot him does worry big time.” Marlee paused, then continued. “Maybe he’ll get careless and we can spot him. Will Jake have a guard at the hospital?”
Lucas nodded. “My brother hired one of the local cops to sit outside his door.” Lucas flexed his hands on the wheel. “Something’s been nagging at me about that thermos my brother found in the truck. Jake periodically checks the town water for minerals, and I know he uses a thermos to gather the sample directly from the pump house.”
“So you’re thinking that’s where he was?” Marlee considered it. “It would make sense, but there’s no way we can be sure.”
“I’m going to call and find out if the lab ever checked the water sample I sent them for other than bacterial or viral contaminants. They’ve had it long enough.”
The ride over the narrow pass dug through the roadblock was a little easier coming back, because even more rubble had been removed. Still, any vehicle that didn’t have four-wheel drive and/or was low to the ground would have no chance of making it through.
When they arrived at the school-based clinic, Lucas went directly to his desk. Finding the lab’s direct number, he dialed, then waited. The conversation didn’t take long. After two minutes, Lucas set the phone down hard. “Every lead just turns into another question,” he said. “There were no known poisons or heavy metals in the water, but they found minute traces of organic compounds and plant material—basically —some kind of herbs. They haven’t identified these yet, but the concentration was so slight that they assure me it’s highly unlikely that it’s the source of any existing problem.”
“That may not give us any answers, but at least it is some good news.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. There are some herbs that have a strong initial effect, whose potency decreases quickly. I’m not saying that there’s anything to worry about—I’m just not quite willing to dismiss this, not now after someone ambushed Jake. I’m going to recommend that the town stick to canned foods and bottled water, until we’re positive we’re not getting something like nightshade, for instance, added to our water supply.”
“I think you’re right.”
“We also need to go up to the pump house to examine the source, but right now, there’s no way anyone can get there, not in this weather.” He gestured toward the window. Snow was coming down again, heavily, creating a ghostly landscape of white evergreens. Many were so snow laden they were starting to droop, like giant ice-cream cones.
“I can’t imagine any resident of Four Winds doing something like tainting the water supply. Pure drinking water is such a scarce natural resource in New Mexico.”
He thought about it for a moment. “Maybe that’s the trail we need to follow. Let’s find out who the newest resident is in Four Winds.”
“Let’s see. There was Lanie, and after that, Nydia. Who else am I forgetting?”
“What about the new bank teller? He’s been here less than three months,” Lucas added thoughtfully. “Do you know the one I mean? The guy with the beard, or is it a mustache?”
“Earl Larrabee? I’ve met him. He’s harmless. He loves to gossip but he wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
“It’s too late to catch him at the bank, but I’d still like to talk to him.”
“The custodian, Garry Johnson, works there until midnight, usually. He might know where Earl lives,” Marlee offered. “Larrabee’s so new he won’t be in the latest phone book. If Garry doesn’t know, we can always check with your brother when he is back in his office.”
They arrived at the bank a little past seven. When Lucas knocked on the locked door to get Garry’s attention, an attractive young teller, Mary Sandoval, came to the door and greeted him warmly. Her nod to Marlee was barely polite.
“Well, look who’s here! The bank’s been closed for hours, Lucas. Is there something I can help you with?”
Lucas gave Mary an apologetic grin. “I’m trying to find Earl Larrabee’s address. He’s not working late, too, is he?”
She scowled. “No, he’s the reason I’m here now. Earl’s been out all week, and I’m stuck with a lot of work that should have been his. I’ve got to say I’m surprised he hasn’t called you. Earl’s never been the type to suffer in silence. I’ve got his number if you want it, but not his address. That would be in the personnel cabinet, and I don’t have a key to that. Let me go ask Garry if he knows.”
With a wave, she rushed back across the lobby, and out of sight.
A minute later, Mary returned with a number on a notepad. “The best we can come up with is his phone number. Will that help?”
Lucas thanked Mary, then they both returned to his car. “We’ll go to my b
rother’s office, see if we can get Larrabee’s address, then go check on him. That’ll give me a chance to see Gabriel, too. I want to make sure he’s okay.”
When they arrived at Gabriel’s office, they found him working on the reports of the day’s events.
Lucas noted the pallor on his brother’s face, but seeing the determined, challenging look Gabriel gave him, refrained from commenting on it. Gabriel told them Jake had come through the surgery fine, but wouldn’t be able to answer any questions until tomorrow at the earliest. Lucas filled him in on their speculations about the thermos, telling him what they’d learned, and explaining his suspicions about the water.
“Soto’s got a point, but so does Marlee. If it was the water, the pets would have also become sick,” Gabriel said.
“Yeah, maybe. But animals don’t always react the same as humans.”
“Good point.”
“There’s something else that I want to follow up on,” Lucas added, telling him about Larrabee.
“Be careful. You’re starting to speculate now, and maybe going off on a wild-goose chase.” Gabriel leaned back. “I appreciate the help, but you’ve got your own job to do.”
“And I’m doing it. I’m going to see Larrabee in my position as the town’s medic. Of course, while I’m there, I intend to do some digging.”
“You do have the perfect reason to be there.”
Lucas’s muscles tensed as he looked at his brother. Between his pallor and the unsteadiness in his hands, he knew Gabriel was a lot sicker than he wanted anyone to know. “You’d better get home and to bed, Fuzz. You can’t afford to push yourself now. This illness will push back, and then you’ll be no good to anyone.”
“I’m leaving soon, but I’ll be sleeping in the spare room and not letting my wife get close.” Gabriel reached for the loose-leaf telephone book that covered the entire county, including monthly updates from the phone company, and looked up Larrabee’s address. He scribbled it on a piece of paper, then handed it to Lucas. “Let me know how it goes, Shadow.”
“Before I leave, let me check your temperature and—”
“Go. I have enough problems without you hovering.”
Lucas nodded once, understanding far more than his brother’s words had said. As in his own case, frustration and uncertainty met Gabriel’s investigation at every turn. People were counting on them, including the people they both loved, and their efforts were meeting with failure.
As they left the sheriff’s office, Marlee reached for Lu-cas’s hand almost as if she’d guessed his thoughts. For that brief instant, he felt a closeness to her that transcended touch. The need to make it a more intimate physical contact pounded through him, but he held back. Those feelings would lead only to one major heartache. That was the last thing he’d wish for her, or himself, though he had a feeling it was already too late for him.
“We will find answers. And don’t worry about your brother. Lanie will call you if he gets worse. She’ll take care of her husband, just as he takes care of her.”
Lucas was close enough to Marlee to pull her into his arms, but he did not. He simply held her gaze, staring down at her with desire and the hunger that came from too many nights of wanting her.
She looked away, but he couldn’t tell if it was because she didn’t want to face what she read in his eyes or because she was afraid he might read the same feelings in hers.
LARRABEE LIVED at the end of a long driveway, in a cottage that bordered a wooded area. The snow was really deep out here, having accumulated in drifts.
As they reached the front door and knocked, Marlee glanced at the path going around the side of the house leading to the woodpile. “He’s been up and around. There are fresh tracks out there.” She pointed.
Before Lucas could answer, the door opened. Earl Larrabee looked surprised to see them, but politely invited them in.
Lucas glanced around, studying everything, though he tried to appear casual. “I heard you’ve been ill,” he said, focusing back on Larrabee. “I was in the area, and thought I’d come over and check on you. How are you doing?”
“Oh, it’s just this flu that’s going around—I’m sure of it. Rather than spread it to everyone at the bank, I figured I’d stay home for a few days.”
“Let me take your temperature and check your vitals, then. Maybe there’s something I can give you that’ll help.”
Larrabee shook his head. “Thanks, but don’t worry about me. It’s nothing, really. My stomach’s queasy, and my muscles ache a bit, but that’s about it, except for the headaches.” He picked up the can of cola on the table, finished it in one gulp, and then tossed the can into a paper bag next to his desk.
“I’m glad that you’re drinking a lot of liquids,” Lucas said. “Water, too, I hope.”
“Nah, I prefer colas, always have.”
“If you do switch to water, remember to only drink the bottled kind. I’m also recommending that people restrict their food intake to canned goods or prepackaged foods.”
“You think it’s food poisoning of some sort, then, from the water, or maybe ground beef or produce?”
“Not really, but we can’t afford to leave any stone unturned.”
Charts and paper in hand, Marlee began asking questions about Larrabee’s food and water supplies, the same questions she’d asked others around town. Larrabee answered patiently until she was finished, then showed them to the door.
“If there is anything else I can do to help, all you have to do is ask,” he said.
Lucas was quiet as they drove back to town. He had an instinct that had always served him well as a diagnostician. Right now, that instinct was telling him that Larrabee wasn’t sick.
“I hate to say this, Lucas, but Earl looks healthier than any of the people I’ve seen in town. You know what I think? He wanted a few days off from work, and took the first opportunity that came his way.”
Lucas gave her a surprised look. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. His so-called symptoms seemed based more on what he’s been hearing about the condition of the others who are sick than on fact. It sounded to me like he added that headache as an afterthought. Physically his color was good, and he didn’t looked dehydrated or weakened by symptoms at all. But what bothered me most was his reliance on sodas.”
“I’ve known people who hardly ever drink plain water from the tap. It’s not that unusual, especially if you come from a community where the water has a taste to it.”
“But it sends up a flag, particularly in view of the possibility of water contamination. I’m bringing this up with Gabriel first thing tomorrow morning. Right now——” he yawned “—I’m ready to get some sleep. It’s been a long day.”
RIGHT AFTER BREAKFAST the next morning, they stopped by Gabriel’s office. Lucas had used the pretext of reporting on his visit to Larrabee to check on his brother, and now he was glad he had. Brushing aside Gabriel’s protests, he checked his brother’s vitals and temperature. Gabriel accepted some pills for nausea, but quickly got back to the business of the day.
As Lucas filled him in, he could see the suspicion growing in Gabriel’s eyes, and knew it matched his own take on Larrabee.
“I’m going to start a full background check on Earl Larrabee. I know very little about him.”
Lucas and Marlee were ready to leave when Gabriel stopped them. “One more thing. I’ve been hearing some talk around town. I’ve tried to squelch it as much as I can, but it’s going to continue—I’m sure of it,” he said, then glanced at Marlee with a worried frown.
“It’s about me, isn’t it?” Marlee asked.
He nodded. “There’s a rumor going around that herbs were found in the water.”
“How did they get that information?” Lucas demanded.
“I checked it out. Apparently Alex has a source up at the lab in Santa Fe.”
Lucas swore loudly. “I’m going to talk to the people at the lab. They’re supposed to keep test results confidential.”
> “I’ve already taken care of that,” Gabriel said, “but the damage has been done. I’ve heard there’s an editorial coming out in this morning’s edition of the paper.”
Lucas paced around the room. “I hate that rag,” he growled. “If Ralph was here, he’d keep Alex on a tighter leash, and that idiot sure needs somebody looking over his shoulder.”
“I agree, but I can’t interfere with what he’s doing,” Gabriel said. “Freedom of the press and all that.”
“Looks like I better buy a copy,” Marlee muttered.
Hearing a loud thunk at the front door, Gabriel stood up. “You may not have to. I think that’s probably it.”
He went to the door, and retrieved the paper from where it had bounced off the wood and into the snow. He opened the wet plastic wrapper, then reached for some paper towels.
Gabriel laid the paper on his desk and read the headline, which reported the attack on Jake. Then he opened to the editorial page. “That idiot.”
Lucas skimmed the op-ed page, reading over Gabriel’s shoulder and growing angrier by the minute. “Without actually saying so, he’s connecting Marlee’s herb garden and knowledge of herbs to the contamination of the water and the fact that people are getting sick.”
Marlee read it over. “If I fight him on this, it’ll just perpetuate the story. Since it’s under the editorial banner, he’d claim he hasn’t actually said anything libelous, and that he’s entitled to state facts and print his opinion. I can’t win either way.”
“He knows that, too,” Lucas said. “This sentence about Mrs. Burnham’s dog, Muzzy, really surprises me, though. He’s the only pet that’s become ill since this started, as far as I’ve seen or heard. Of course, this vague reference makes it impossible to tell what’s wrong with Muzzy. He may have sprained a leg jumping, for all we know, and that would have nothing to do with the illness we’re facing here.”
“This is going to terrify Rosa,” Marlee said. “She’s already afraid that people will hold her responsible. She’s the only grocer in town, and we’ve been considering a food or water contaminant. That’s why she’s been giving me such a hard time. She needs to hold me up as a suspect, because without that, suspicion will turn in her direction. This news is going to make her really come after me now. She’ll want people focusing on me as a suspect, because without that, she’s the only other candidate.”
