“Can someone survive exposure?” Roth asked.
“Depends on the type of exposure and dosage, but yes, I’m sure they could. If the doctors found out about it early enough, they could treat the appropriate symptoms and do preventative medicine and stop it. If it’s ingested, you treat like any other poison, with a charcoal lavage. Inhalation, it’s primarily supportive measures. Similar to the steps taken for ricin poisoning. There’s just not a lot of documentation on abrin poisonings, so it’s not going to be first and foremost in the responders’ minds, you know? Usually people and animals who die from it are exposed by accident—the rosary pea is often used in jewelry in the tropics and Africa. Cracked seed, open wound, ground dust, it gets in there and it can definitely kill.”
Roth continued to tap his chin thoughtfully.
“What is it?” Xander asked.
“Oh. You’re thinking about old man Gerhardt,” Sunshine said.
Roth nodded. “About a year ago Crawford’s buddy Sal Gerhardt got real sick, all of a sudden, and no one could pinpoint what was wrong with him. They thought it was lung cancer, but then it cleared up. A couple of months ago, he got sick again, but this time he died, and so did some of his animals.”
“What kind of animals?”
“Cattle. Some calves and cows. The bulls were fine. They felt it was grass tetany. Low magnesium levels. Common in the spring. Everyone around took measures to make sure the stock was fed the proper balance of food, and it ended.”
“Did they necropsy the cows?”
“I believe they did. They had to—they found them dead in the fields, if I recall correctly. Back in April. It was a warm spring, they put the cattle out in the high pastures early. Tetany sometimes happens with the new grass.”
“If the cows died from...what was it again?”
“Grass tetany.”
“Okay. I need to look that up. I’m assuming Mr. Gerhardt didn’t eat grass. What was his cause of death?”
“Don’t know.”
Xander pushed back from the table. “I know how we can find out. Sam, are you about finished?”
She took a last bite of bacon. “I am now.”
“Good. We have a lot to go do.” He looked to his parents. “If you will excuse us, we should get into Dillon. Will the Chief have the information on Gerhardt, you think?”
Roth nodded. “I would assume. Will you be back for lunch? Sun is making her special stew in your honor, Sam.”
Sunshine lit up again. Sam couldn’t help but feel happy around her—the woman was better than a bottle of antidepressants.
“You will love it, Sam. Every root vegetable we grow goes in it, plus a number of spices I can’t reveal, and we have that fresh venison for extra flavor, and a few extras.”
“It sounds delicious, thank you.”
Xander gave his parents an affectionate glance. Sam was glad to see that they got on so well. It was nice being with a family again. She’d lost her own parents a few years back, and she missed the normalcy of meals, or just having someone to talk to when you needed to hear a friendly voice. She’d adored her parents, and they her, and she felt their loss daily.
Xander hugged his mom, then his dad. “We’ll do our best. Maybe one or so, okay?”
“Sounds good, son. Do you want me to come along?”
“I think we’ll handle this morning, Roth. But we may need to go see the Crawfords again, and if that’s the case, I definitely would like you there.”
“Of course. Anything you need.” He patted Xander on the back and took his plate into the kitchen. Sam followed suit, but Sunshine scooted her away. “No, no, that’s my job. You go on with Moon. I’ll take care of this. It is lovely to finally meet you, Samantha. You are a very special girl. You’re going to fit in with the family perfectly.”
“Good grief, Sunshine, we aren’t married yet.”
Xander realized his slip just as Sam whipped her head toward him. Marriage? Did he just mention marriage? She felt a little faint. My God.
Sunshine waved a hand at them. “Like that was ever a question. You can see it written across both your faces. Love is a beautiful emotion, and it makes me happy to see you both basking in it. Now go find out about Gerhardt, and be back by one.”
Chapter 33