by Kim McMahill
She knew her lackluster behavior and limited conversation only served to increase Logan’s concern for her health, as he continued to fuss over her, expanding her guilty feelings. Grace regretted giving him the perception she was physically ill, but despite her desire to enjoy his company, she couldn’t push the disaster, which she now believed was solely a product of her own making, out of her mind.
After lunch, they located Logan’s favorite bulk store on the edge of the city. Grace followed him through the aisles as he efficiently stocked up on non-perishables. She acknowledged it was a smart practice while living so remotely and at the mercy of the weather, but she couldn’t force herself to focus on shopping when so much weighed on her mind and conscience.
Logan had been the perfect companion, insisting she eat a hearty lunch and making sure she didn’t overexert herself. As they walked through the store, he added bottled water, juice, and snacks to his cart for the trip home. How could she tell him that, physically, there was nothing wrong with her? Fainting was an isolated incident that had never happened before and probably never would again. Yes, she was exhausted, but the true culprit had been news which confirmed her worst fear and twisted her heart into a knot of overwhelming grief and guilt. She had probably subconsciously forgotten to breathe until she blacked out from lack of oxygen.
Back in the truck and on the road again, she leaned her head against the window. She closed her eyes and tried to rest, but sleep refused to buy her time to avoid the confession she had to make. Grace could feel the worried glances Logan kept giving her. She decided it was time to quit being a coward and tell him everything.
Grace’s mind reeled, wondering where to begin and how much to divulge. Normally, her work was strictly confidential, but now that a crime had been confirmed, it didn’t seem to matter anymore. As the truck left Highway 120, she knew it was pointless to delay the inevitable any longer.
“So, am I correct to assume the sheriff’s office will be investigating for arson, murder, and attempted murder?”
“It sure looks that way. It’s a little difficult to buy that two men, one inside the barn and one outside, both got hit on the back of the head by falling timbers. Where I keep getting hung up is motive. Why would anyone want to torch your uncle’s barn?”
Grace swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “I’m not sure how much you know about what I do, but basically I work for the research department of Uinta Vitamin and Nutrition in the animal health division. I primarily develop new animal supplements. Usually, nothing too life altering, we’re just looking for products that enhance the lives of pets or help the ranching industry function more efficiently. You can go into any large general retailer, vet, pet, or ranch supply store and see hundreds of products developed and manufactured by our company and a handful of others.”
She had no idea what was going through his mind. His expression was unreadable as his eyes continued to focus on the road. He waited patiently, and he didn’t interrupt, so after a sip from her coffee cup she continued.
“A couple of years ago, while working on a product to effectively and safely promote weight gain in livestock by better metabolizing foods and enhancing absorption of nutrients, my colleagues and I thought we had come across a digestive enzyme, that with slight modification, had the potential to drastically reduce malnutrition in developing countries. We got the blessing of UVN and a large government grant for the project, but we were never able to attain the desired results. The enzyme did help with digestion of poor quality foods, but instead of gaining or maintaining weight, the test subjects steadily lost weight.”
“It wouldn’t help ranchers trying to fatten cows or poor countries battling malnutrition too much. Sounds like you stumbled onto a product that might solve problems in well-fed countries, which would be a lot more lucrative.”
Grace was a little surprised how quickly he’d ascertained where she was going, and felt a twinge of sadness knowing he probably would lose all respect for her once he realized she was unintentionally responsible for the fire and Butch’s death.
“Somewhere in the neighborhood of forty to one hundred billion is spent on diet products annually in the United States alone. The figures vary depending on who is deciding what’s considered a diet product.
“Anyway, we reported back to the company and the government that the results were not achieved. When my boss, Dr. Stephen Clark, explained the data to the CEO, Hugh Miller, the man was giddy with the possibilities. Hugh wanted to file for patents, bring the legal team in, and go into production as soon as possible, but Dr. Clark and I didn’t feel we had adequate analysis of the long-term effects, and we hadn’t studied the transition from animals to humans.
“We firmly believe we need longer clinical trials to make sure the product is safe and a more in-depth comparative analysis. With the help of the Vice President of Product Development, Janice Green, Dr. Clark was able to negotiate three more months of testing, and he told me yesterday when we talked that Janice had been able to bargain for another thirty days on top of that. The four of us, now five including you, are the only people who know the project hasn’t been scrapped.”
Logan continued to stare at the road and didn’t glance in her direction, but she had no doubt he was listening closely, so she plunged on.
“We have a stock farm at the research facility where we do the majority of the animal trials. On most projects, that responsibility falls on me since I love to work with the animals, and many of the other scientists are a little afraid of them. Most would rather spend their time looking through microscopes.”
“I assume this project was no different?”
Grace sensed no judgment in his question, only the desire to understand her role.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve done it, and it’s always been with Dr. Clark’s knowledge and approval, but I like to monitor animals at the ranch, often, including this time, simultaneously with subjects at the research facility to study the effects of environmental conditions.
“I’m convinced the ranch environment is more conducive for the animals, so this dual method is kind of a side research project we’ve been conducting for years. In fact, Dr. Clark and I have nearly completed a paper on the effects of environment on how nutrients are assimilated by various animals.
“Also, Charlotte and the other two pigs were born at the ranch in the same litter, so they would have a similar genetic makeup, thus reducing the possibility of differing genetics influencing the results, another aspect I can observe between the two sets of animals. The ranch group doesn’t have the stress of being in tiny enclosures in some cold, sterile, unfamiliar research facility, so I think the data is more accurate. It is very difficult to keep secrets at the facility.”
“Seems a little unusual. I would think companies would want complete control over the test subjects in case something goes wrong and they end up in court. I suppose if your methodology is part of a dual research project, then maybe there’s justification, at least in the minds of your fellow researchers and your company.”
“It is a bit unconventional, but we’re not talking a cure for cancer here. UVN primarily develops, manufactures, and distributes vitamins and other dietary supplements for people and animals. How many wonder vitamins have you seen advertised on television which, when tried, appear to do nothing? Ask nearly any woman in America if she’s tried some magic diet pill, and if she confesses she has, she’ll probably also admit it was marginally effective, if at all.
“Dried spices and herbs are bottled and sold with any number of claims all over the world, and as long as the item doesn’t actually harm anyone, no one cares. Dietary supplements don’t need FDA approval before they are marketed. Companies are responsible for determining the dietary supplements it manufactures or distributes are safe, and that it has adequate evidence to substantiate any claims made about the product, though the company doesn’t have to provide the FDA with the evidence it uses to substantiate safety or effectiveness.
“So you’re saying all that stuff to help joints, eyesight, give us more energy, and induce weight loss without diet or exercise, is just a waste of money?”
“Not necessarily. As I mentioned, we must be able to substantiate our claims, so if we don’t find an improvement in a majority of test subjects we don’t market the product. Often, what these products do is simply replace a dietary nutrient that people or animals could get on their own with a healthy diet, but for varying reasons they might be lacking. Some products are more effective than others, and results vary considerably depending on factors like age, diet, exercise, genetics, and mental attitude.”
“If I believe it will work, it will?”
“There is a great deal of power in positive thinking,” Grace replied.
“Very interesting, but let’s get back to how this all ties into the fire,” Logan requested.
The fire… Grace’s mind never wandered far from the incident which would haunt her for the rest of her life.
She squeezed her eyes shut, and visions of Moss’s blistered flesh swam by, and the sound of Butch’s voice as he sang “Happy Birthday” to her on the phone only a month ago rang through her head. Despite the pain the images evoked, she pressed on.
“Only Dr. Clark and I know about Charlotte and, of course, Moss. My uncle made sure all three pigs were fed exactly the same, except for Charlotte who got the supplement. He maintained feed and weight logs, but he didn’t know what he was giving Charlotte or the specifics of the project. We purchased the three pigs from him, and paid him for the feed, animal care, and ranch production consultation, though never stated we were actually doing anything physically in Wyoming. I would come here once a month and take blood samples and examine the pigs, usually over a long weekend so as not to generate suspicion at work.”
“Hmm, folks in the valley thought you were an awfully dedicated niece, though I hear Moss pretty much raised you, so he’s more like a father.”
Grace nodded, but didn’t elaborate. She didn’t feel her upbringing was relevant and it was something she discussed with no one.
“Anyway, I pray this has nothing to do with the fire, but Charlotte was housed in the barn up until the morning of the fire. If we lost Charlotte we would still have the original results, but we’d have lost the ability to monitor her over the long-term, and we wouldn’t have the living proof of the animal’s health. Moss didn’t keep the supplements in the barn since they need refrigeration, but maybe someone thought the supplements were in the barn, or maybe Butch accidently came upon someone searching for them. If someone obtained the supplement, it’s a pretty simple process to reverse manufacture the product and figure out how to replicate the formula.”
“Is there anyone specific you would point a finger at?”
“The list is endless. If you sell diet products of any kind, you would want to keep the supplements from reaching consumers at all cost. The enzyme is fairly easy to isolate and modify, and cheap to produce, so it could be marketed to the masses. A thin society would be economically devastating to many in the industry. A competing pharmaceutical or nutritional supplement company would do anything to get their hands on the formula.
“All I know is that I’ve been doing secretive small-scale testing on a product worth potentially billions, and now someone very dear to me is gone forever, and I can’t help but feel the two are connected. As you already pointed out, what other possible motive could someone have to commit such atrocities? Money is always the biggest motivator.”
They slowed and turned off the highway. Conversation stopped as they met Harold and Red in the lane.
“You’re here late,” Grace said across the rolled-down windows.
“We stirred the hay around with a bunch of snow using the backhoe, and we were able to totally extinguish the smoldering embers. We’ve hauled everything off and prepped the site, but we’ll have to pray for a warm snap to pour footers unless you want to go with a cinder block foundation, and even that would probably settle a little when the spring thaw hits. We’ve done about all we can until the weather gets better, but we’ll be back to deliver the materials as soon as the mill has the lumber ready.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you two coming over so quickly.”
“Think nothing of it. We’re happy to help wherever we can,” Red said as he waved and continued toward the highway.
Grace was surprised when Logan said nothing for the rest of the drive to the house. He killed the ignition but remained silent, driving her crazy with his lack of response.
Did he think she was a horrible person and responsible for all the tragedy? Was he judging her?
She watched as he unlocked a small hidden compartment under the seat and retrieved a couple spare clips to the gun she assumed was already on him. He grabbed a duffle bag from behind the seat and strode toward the house.
Forgetting about the groceries, Grace exited the vehicle and jogged after him. When they reached the front door, he took the keys from her hand and unlocked the door. He tossed his duffle on the couch and shrugged out of his coat.
“What are you doing?”
“Making myself at home.”
“I didn’t invite you in.”
“No, but until we get a better grip on what’s going on, I’m not leaving you here alone. I figured I’d lose any fight to try and convince you to come home with me and leave the animals here alone, so I guess I’m bunking here.”
Grace wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or angry. She was used to taking care of herself and had never relied on anyone else except for Moss. She didn’t like being told what to do, but she couldn’t push away the fear that the fire and death were tied to her work. Logically, since the results survived, the supplements hadn’t been located, and the project was still on target, it was likely the culprit might return. Despite the fear, her pride wouldn’t let her cave so easily.
“It really isn’t necessary. I’ve got a shotgun behind the door, and Blue and Aussie are very protective.”
Logan looked over at the two mutts sitting politely in the kitchen by the door leading to the garage, thumping their tails on the floor, anxiously waiting to be fed. He glanced back to Grace and raised his eyebrows in question.
“Okay, I agree they don’t look too terrifying right now, but they have no reason. You should have seen them yesterday when Don Matthews stopped by.”
“You didn’t mention he stopped by. What did he want?”
“He said he came by to offer his condolences for Butch and see if I needed help, but I had already laid into him so he withdrew the offer and left in a huff.”
“Rumor has it he and your uncle have some decades-long feud going on, so it seems out of character for him to rush over here, don’t you think?”
“Definitely, and when the first words out of his mouth were, ‘Are you alone?’ I bristled and may have overreacted,” Grace stated as she walked through the kitchen toward the garage with Aussie and Blue racing excitedly around her legs.
“You should have told me.” Logan mulled over everything he just learned as he watched Grace exit with the dogs. If Grace’s work was the motive, he didn’t see how Don Matthews figured in, so he dismissed that bit of information. Something about this whole mess stank, but life had to go on.
He couldn’t lock Grace in a bulletproof room and guard her twenty-four hours a day. For one, he doubted she would be agreeable. Between caring for the animals, her job, and making preparations to bring Moss home, she didn’t have the luxury of hiding. This wasn’t his only open case at the moment, and he still had the rest of his job to do.
Accidents happened. Snowmobilers got lost, and more storms were on th
e way. After he filled the sheriff in, he had no doubt the fire, the murder, and Grace would be the number one priority.
“Can you just humor me? I won’t sleep at night if you’re here alone, and I get real grumpy if I don’t get my eight hours,” he stated as she strode back into the kitchen.
Grace absorbed the concern and compassion in his eyes and wanted nothing more than to throw herself in his arms and revel in his protective embrace. Instead, she kept her voice calm and let out an exasperated huff to indicate he had won but that she wasn’t happy about the outcome.
“I don’t think I need a babysitter or a bodyguard, but if I can’t talk you out of staying, I guess you can have Moss’s room…top of the stairs, first door on the right. I washed and changed the sheets yesterday so everything would be nice and clean when he got home, and there are fresh towels in his bathroom.”
“Thank you. I’m sure we’ll get this all sorted out soon, so you can bring Moss home and try to get back to normal. I’m truly sorry for everything you’ve been through, and I just don’t want any more tragedy for you or Moss.”
Grace felt like a heel, but she just couldn’t help her childish behavior. He was thanking her and apologizing when she was the one who should be grateful, and she was, but leaning on someone was so foreign to her she struggled to express her feelings adequately.
“Look, I really appreciate all you’ve done, but you don’t need to keep doing my work. Moss has a long road to recovery, so I might as well get used to taking care of things alone. Now, I’ve got groceries to unload and chores to do, so feel free to shower, cook dinner, watch TV, or whatever intrigues you.”
He had expected more of a battle. Despite everything he had heard about Moss’s serious, independent, obstinate, standoffish niece, he sensed she was relieved. In the few days he’d known her, he had seen her cry, arrogant and ready to fight when threatened, sad and scared, and riddled with guilt, and the combination made him want to gather her close and hold her.