Dead Pan by Gayle Trent

Author:Gayle Trent [Trent, Gayle]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Mystery
ISBN: 9781408492659
Google: x1-j6mQ5XhkC
Amazon: 1410428664
Barnesnoble: 1410428664
Goodreads: 7111115
Publisher: Chivers
Published: 2008-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“How can that be?” Ben asked when I called him to pass along Fran’s information.

“Fran said the police had been back in touch with Connie and told her none of the food tested positive for the campylobacter bacteria.”

“Then how did those people get sick?” Ben asked. “Was someone going around passing out free bacteria samples?”

“Now that you mention it, Fran did point out that none of the doctors got sick.”

“Daphne, those doctors are not stupid enough to infect a group of partygoers—most of whom are their employees—with a bacterium simply to test a new product. First of all, that would be business suicide. Second, there was no need. The drug had been widely tested, approved and was set to hit the market in January.”

“Two excellent points.”

“As things stand, the drug release is on hold until Fred’s death has been fully investigated and the drug found to have played no part. Instead of looking at the doctors, I think we need to learn who’d want to sabotage them.”

“Like a disgruntled employee,” I said.

“Or a disgruntled girlfriend.”

“I don’t know Cara all that well, but that doesn’t seem to be her style,” I said. “She appears to me more the type who’d merely dump the guy and move on to someone richer and better looking, not ruin the guy’s career.”

“You didn’t think she’d try to get photos of Fred’s mom either.”

“You’ve got me there. I’ll talk with her and try to get a feel for where she and Doctor Holloway stand.”

“Thanks. I’ll talk with some of Brea Ridge Pharmaceuticals’ employees to see if anyone had a grudge against the company.”

After talking with Ben, I called Cara’s cell phone. She told me she was back in Richmond until Friday and that she’d give me a call when she got back in town. I said that sounded great. After all, how do you casually ask someone about her current relationship when she’s obviously trying to rush you off the phone?

I had plenty of leftover pinwheel cookie dough in the refrigerator; so I baked the cookies, boxed them up and took them—all but one box—to the Save-A-Buck. I took the other box over to Lucas and Leslie, my twin nephew and niece.

Violet hadn’t got home from work yet, but my brother-in-law Jason was there. He has a thick head of red hair and a boyish sprinkling of freckles across his face. Lucas and Leslie had taken their blonde hair and blue eyes from Violet.

The instant I walked through the door, Leslie and Lucas swarmed in. Lucas took the cookies while Leslie gave me a crushing hug and asked when we were going Christmas shopping.

“Since I hate going on the weekends this time of year, how about we go Monday morning if it’s okay with your mom and dad?” I asked.

“Yay! Lucas,” Leslie called, following him to the kitchen. “Aunt Daphne is taking us shopping on Monday.”

I could hear their excited chatter as I joined Jason in the living room. “Is that okay with you?”

He grinned. “Of course, it is.

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