Pride and Pestilence: The Evie Chester Files: Case Four by Nita Round

Author:Nita Round [Round, Nita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pink Tea Books
Published: 2022-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

21

IT JUST GETS BETTER

After Remzi’s little demonstration of her gift, Evie didn’t think it could get much worse, but it did. She hadn’t even had a chance to discuss this recent development with Hesta before Grobber announced Fin was waiting for her at the back door.

“Morning, Miss Chester, Miss Bethwood,” Fin welcomed them.

“You have replies for our notes?” Hesta asked.

“Well, now, replies might be putting it a little hopefully,” he said. “The medics said meddling amateurs should mind their own business. There is no Gho in Bristelle. We have flu, and the medical men are professionals who know what they are doing.”

“Really? Was that from the hospital?” Hesta asked.

“Well, some of them medics were a little more descriptive about how much they knew and how little you knew.” He snuffled loudly. “Some of the lads decided they were being idiots and told ‘em so. That didn’t go well either.”

“So I take it they’ll not heed the warning?” Evie asked.

Fin looked away. “The doctor said he knew you were special an’ all that, but also said you didn’t know what you were talking about. Fevers is fevers, they come and they go every year. They are professional men who know what they are doing.”

Evie sighed. “I suppose they need better information than I have. They cannot trust anything I say without proof.”

“The pride and ego of educated and powerful men is a strong force. The proof being the death of the people of Bristelle,” Hesta said.

“Yes, that.”

“There is one thing, seeing as you mentioned rats an’ all. The lads have been seeing more dead uns about. Not many, but a couple here and there. More than normal, and everyone ignored it as one of those things. Until I spoke with you, now we notice such things more,” Fin said.

“Anything else? How about the dockers union?” Evie asked.

Fin sniffed and wiped his nose across his sleeve. “Them medics were as bad as all others. Said they know what they’re doing and to get your nose out of other people’s business.”

Hesta put her hand on Evie’s shoulder and squeezed. “We did what we could.”

Evie patted Hesta’s hand. “I know. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Fin shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “All the messages are done now, miss. But we have a problem in the ‘ouse, and now we need your help.”

“What problem is that?” Evie asked.

Fin put two fingers into the corners of his mouth and blew a single shrill whistle. Four of the largest boys came rushing around the corner of the house carrying a stretcher. They put it down beside the door, and Evie instantly recognised the child there. Farik.

“He got a fever, and we don’t trust no medics right now,” Fin said. “Can you ‘elp him?”

“How long has he been like this?”

“Since this morning,” he answered. “He got bit by a rat yesterday, now he’s sick, like.”

Evie knelt beside the stretcher and looked at the boy. Sweat dripped from the side of his face as he lay there shivering.

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