St Kilda Consulting 01 - Always Time to Die

started getting nauseated herself.”
    “What about the minister?”
    “He was a little queasy but didn’t hurl. Same for Pete. Lucia said she threw up once and that was it. No one else on the ranch was sick, even the Sandoval women who prepared the food and drink. Same for the Snead brothers, who were snitching samples.”
    Shivering, Carly drew blankets up over herself and Dan. He pulled her back into place along his side, tucking her head against his neck.
    “Carly and I were sick, but we’re fine now,” Dan said. “Are they testing the drink we toasted Sylvia with?”
    “Nothing was left of it.”
    “Not even a drop?”
    “The container is gone. So are the cups. One of the maids saw Winifred smashing everything and throwing it in the fireplace to burn. She said it was part of the ritual. But that’s not for the general public,” Gus cautioned.
    Dan looked at Carly. She nodded; she wasn’t going to spread the news around.
    “What did Sheriff Montoya say?” Dan asked.
    “For the record?”
    “Fuck the record.”
    “Right,” Gus said without a pause. “Montoya said that the old curandera must have screwed up her potion, added something that was an emetic, and made folks sick.”
    “That’s how he’s treating it? Accidental poisoning?”
    “Poison was never mentioned. Bad food, according to the report. Maybe even flu.”
    “Off the record,” Dan said.
    Carly looked at the grim line of Dan’s mouth as he waited for Gus to speak.
    “Agreed,” Gus said unhappily.
    “I don’t know what hit the others, but Carly and I were fed a hefty dose of opiate.”
    Gus whistled softly. “You okay?”
    “I had enough body mass to dilute the dose. Carly didn’t. If she’d been alone, she would have nodded off and frozen to death. Somebody was expecting her to be alone.”
    She felt the tension that didn’t show in Dan’s voice. Coolness slid over her skin. She didn’t like remembering how close she had come to waking up dead.
    “What?” Gus said. “How can you be sure? Wait. Forget I said that. You’re like Mom, always knowing things. Shit, brother. Shit. Why would anyone want to hurt Ms. May?”
    “Somebody doesn’t want the Senator’s family history researched and put into print. Things have happened to her since she arrived. Threats and vandalism.”
    “Are you talking about Governor Quintrell being the one behind it?” Gus asked cautiously.
    Carly was curious about that herself.
    “He’s number one on my list,” Dan said. “But there has to be someone else working with him.”
    “Why?”
    “He didn’t have a chance to slip anything into whatever Winifred prepared,” Dan said.
    “You’re sure? From what the doctor said, it was a near thing for Winifred. If she’s dead, the history won’t get done.”
    “The governor never came near the stuff except to drink some. In any case, Carly has made it real clear that she’s going to finish the history, no matter what.”
    She nodded vigorously.
    “She can’t finish it if she’s dead,” Gus pointed out.
    Dan made a rough sound.
    “What can I do?” Gus asked.
    “Find out everyone who was born in this county three years on either side of Sylvia’s stroke.” Then, remembering his work with the photos, Dan added, “Stillbirths and miscarriages, too.”
    Gus didn’t say anything.
    Dan looked at Carly and saw the same question in her eyes that must have been eating at Gus.
    “Mind telling me why?” Gus asked finally.
    “I don’t know.”
    “You don’t know? Then how—”
    “Call it a hunch, okay?” Dan interrupted.
    “A hunch. Hell, bro. You and that silver forelock are going to make me crazy. You sure you’re all right?”
    Dan brushed a kiss over Carly’s lips. “Never better.”
    “Then tell Mom. She knows where you were. Everyone knows there was something wrong with the food. She’ll be worried and she’s too stubborn to call you and ask. I’ll let you know when I have the names.”
    “Thanks. And, Gus?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Don’t tell anyone what you’re doing for me. Anyone. ”
    “You’re saying you don’t trust anyone, including family?”
    Dan waited.
    “Okay,” Gus said. “Call me Zipped Lips.”
    The phone went dead.
    “Why the births?” Carly asked when Dan hung up.
    “Something sent Sylvia over the edge. Given the Senator’s track record, I’m thinking it was one of his women. Question is why? And who? When we know that, maybe we’ll know who wants you seriously inconvenienced, as