Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
“Wait, how do you know what the poison is? A better question is, how are you making the poison?”
I explained the characteristics of some of the chemicals and how they reacted when heated, their properties changing from something that’d make a person mildly sick to killing them outright. The amount of heat and pressure applied was the catalyst.
“Previously I had thought it was the accumulation of the coating’s chemicals building up in a person’s body,” I said. “And that is still true. But I also think it depends on the batch. If the person making it isn’t careful, that product could be a killer all by itself.”
“Is there a way to tell?” Finley asked, looking over my setup.
“For me? Yes. I just need to get some new supplies. I blew up all my others. For the person buying the product? None. And that doesn’t factor in that semi-toxic coloring. I’m not sure what that paint is supposed to be used for, but it shouldn’t be on fucking food. I have no idea what Granny is even thinking. Has she lost her mind? Her pure ignorance means she’s creating problems that shouldn’t exist!”
“Breathe,” Vemar said slowly. “Breathe.”
I took a deep breath as instructed. “Right. Sorry. Anyway, I can probably make something to test the toxicity level, but what’s the point? It’s just one more thing for people to buy that they very likely can’t afford. I’d rather create something that can eat away that coating, thus making the product safer. But again, what’s the point? It’s yet another thing to buy, it’ll make the product soggy and gross, and there might be some lasting toxicity. Those aren’t realistic solutions.”
Finley put a hand on her hip. “Then what is the solution?”
I shook my head, waving my hand to clear smoke. “Find the culprit and kill them?”
“Sounds familiar,” Vemar murmured.
I huffed out a laugh and scratched my head. “Maybe I can create something that works much faster to stave off the addiction. But then again, it’s not actually a solution. The danger is still there. Maybe people won’t buy as much, but they’ll still buy it.”
“Can we negate the danger?”
“Possibly. Or maybe you can, if I find a better way to explain what creates it. You’re the medicine woman, not me.”
“Or . . .” Vemar leaned back and put his hands behind his head, flaring his big arms out like wings. “You flood the market with safe, non-habit-forming products that look messy but don’t kill anyone.”
“Non-addictive? Some products are habit forming for some people . . .” I muttered.
Finley scoffed. “We are not going to fight drugs with more drugs, Vemar. Don’t be daft.”
“Why not?” he asked. “Make it cheaper and make it a competitor to Granny. It’ll dry up her business. Combine that with her not having quality product—since we kidnapped the original drugmaker—and that might just put her out of business. I mean, look. Some of the stuff Aurelia makes might as well be medicine. A relaxant? I tried one and barely saw a difference.”
“You’re pretty calm when you’re not in a rage,” I told him.
“And why would I want to calm a rage? I wouldn’t. The replacement for the pregnancy tea? Not a drug. The product that makes you happy? I hate it. It made me very lovey, and I am not interested in hugging Liron, who immediately got the wrong idea. But if distributed by the right people who handle the more dangerous medicines? I can see it being necessary for some people. Then just throw the hallucinogens into the shadow market, put an actual warning on them, instructions on the wrapper that tell you how to get out of a bad trip, and you’re good. I really don’t see the problem here. Aurelia’s product has been around for years. No one cared until three years ago when it started killing people.”
“He really does make a lot of sense,” Hannon told Finley.
She chewed her lip as she looked at her brother.
I pointed at the fire beneath the cauldrons. “My instructions note to tend that fire. Also, you all have modern materials in the other work sheds. Why are you still stoking fires here?”
Finley didn’t answer me, just stood looking out the door.
“Look.” I held up my hands as Hannon stood and headed for the cauldrons. “That is a pretty radical proposal. Let’s just leave it in the air for now. Let me first figure out how to make the coating, okay? There could very well be a solution I haven’t yet thought of. Or maybe I’ll find something in my journals that’ll help us locate the other production area. We can try to get records of cure-all Everlass elixirs being sold.”
That snapped Finley out of her reverie. “Why would that be relevant?”
Vemar looked at me with raised eyebrows. “She didn’t see us throwing up all over the place earlier.”