Read Online I Do Solemnly Swear by D.M. Annechino - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: D.M. Annechino
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Recognizing the importance of the situation, Kate led McDermott through the door to her private office. No one dared invade this sanctuary without an invitation.
She sat in the Victorian armchair adjacent to the window overlooking the rose garden. McDermott sat opposite her in the damask-upholstered Queen Anne chair. She watched him incessantly blinking and wondered why he was so frazzled. His hands were trembling.
“You look like you need a Valium.”
He hesitated a moment and let out a heavy sigh. “The venom that killed President Rodgers was from a sea animal known as a box jellyfish.” He removed a piece of paper from his shirt pocket. “Cubomedusa is its scientific name.”
“So the mysterious poison is from a
fish
? That’s, by far, the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It gets worse. Crazy as it sounds, this particular jellyfish is found only off the coast of northern Australia and in waters near the Philippines.”
“I’m supposed to believe that someone extracted jellyfish poison from halfway around the world, flew it to Washington, and got it into President Rodgers’s bloodstream—
without
it being detected by the Secret Service?”
“Maybe you should speak to LaPlant yourself.” His voice was edged with impatience.
She got up, turned her back on the COS, and gazed out the window. “OK, let’s assume that someone figured out a way to bypass the Secret Service. How could President Rodgers have consumed enough jellyfish poison for it to be lethal?”
“The box jellyfish produces the most toxic venom in the world. LaPlant said an ounce or two could stop a healthy heart in a very short time.”
Katherine Miles pivoted on the balls of her feet. Her eyes locked on McDermott. “I’d like someone to research this box jellyfish and give me a detailed report.”
McDermott pointed to a brown folder. “I’ve already done my homework, Madam President. There are few substances in the universe as deadly as Cubomedusa venom. One jellyfish has enough venom to kill sixty people.” McDermott swallowed hard and looked at his notes. “The venom attacks the central nervous system, the heart, and the skin, and the victim feels an intense burning throughout his or her body.”
Kate could feel her throat knot up. It was like sitting in front of a dentist, trying to force that last swallow just before she had to open wide. A strained whisper was the best she could do. “How badly did he suffer?”
Stress lines formed on McDermott’s brow. “When someone is actually stung by a box jellyfish, death comes quickly—in as little as three minutes.” He hesitated and stared at the folder. “But in this situation, President Rodgers didn’t drink enough to kill him quickly. It was likely a long, painful process.”
McDermott loosened his tie and licked his lips. “It wasn’t pleasant, Madam President.”
Kate curled her fingers into fists and could feel her nails digging into her flesh. She envisioned David Rodgers doubled over in excruciating agony.
“Damn! Damn! Damn! When we find these bastards, I want to personally flip the switch and watch them roast!” She sat on the window seat and could feel her pulse throbbing in her temples. “I’d like some privacy, Charles. Tell Emily not to disturb me unless it’s urgent.”
After McDermott left, Kate stared out the window at the few remaining roses. Soon they’d surrender to autumn’s frosty nights. It was the cycle of life. She wanted to speak with Leonard LaPlant, to find out more about the poison. But she was afraid to learn the truth. She didn’t want to hear the morbid details of how horrible his death might have been. Then something occurred to her. If David’s final moments had been agonizing, why hadn’t he called out to Elizabeth? Elizabeth had told Kate that David went to sleep and never awakened. How could anyone have suffered as much as he had and not yell for help?
She went to her desk and pushed the intercom
She sat in the Victorian armchair adjacent to the window overlooking the rose garden. McDermott sat opposite her in the damask-upholstered Queen Anne chair. She watched him incessantly blinking and wondered why he was so frazzled. His hands were trembling.
“You look like you need a Valium.”
He hesitated a moment and let out a heavy sigh. “The venom that killed President Rodgers was from a sea animal known as a box jellyfish.” He removed a piece of paper from his shirt pocket. “Cubomedusa is its scientific name.”
“So the mysterious poison is from a
fish
? That’s, by far, the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard.”
“It gets worse. Crazy as it sounds, this particular jellyfish is found only off the coast of northern Australia and in waters near the Philippines.”
“I’m supposed to believe that someone extracted jellyfish poison from halfway around the world, flew it to Washington, and got it into President Rodgers’s bloodstream—
without
it being detected by the Secret Service?”
“Maybe you should speak to LaPlant yourself.” His voice was edged with impatience.
She got up, turned her back on the COS, and gazed out the window. “OK, let’s assume that someone figured out a way to bypass the Secret Service. How could President Rodgers have consumed enough jellyfish poison for it to be lethal?”
“The box jellyfish produces the most toxic venom in the world. LaPlant said an ounce or two could stop a healthy heart in a very short time.”
Katherine Miles pivoted on the balls of her feet. Her eyes locked on McDermott. “I’d like someone to research this box jellyfish and give me a detailed report.”
McDermott pointed to a brown folder. “I’ve already done my homework, Madam President. There are few substances in the universe as deadly as Cubomedusa venom. One jellyfish has enough venom to kill sixty people.” McDermott swallowed hard and looked at his notes. “The venom attacks the central nervous system, the heart, and the skin, and the victim feels an intense burning throughout his or her body.”
Kate could feel her throat knot up. It was like sitting in front of a dentist, trying to force that last swallow just before she had to open wide. A strained whisper was the best she could do. “How badly did he suffer?”
Stress lines formed on McDermott’s brow. “When someone is actually stung by a box jellyfish, death comes quickly—in as little as three minutes.” He hesitated and stared at the folder. “But in this situation, President Rodgers didn’t drink enough to kill him quickly. It was likely a long, painful process.”
McDermott loosened his tie and licked his lips. “It wasn’t pleasant, Madam President.”
Kate curled her fingers into fists and could feel her nails digging into her flesh. She envisioned David Rodgers doubled over in excruciating agony.
“Damn! Damn! Damn! When we find these bastards, I want to personally flip the switch and watch them roast!” She sat on the window seat and could feel her pulse throbbing in her temples. “I’d like some privacy, Charles. Tell Emily not to disturb me unless it’s urgent.”
After McDermott left, Kate stared out the window at the few remaining roses. Soon they’d surrender to autumn’s frosty nights. It was the cycle of life. She wanted to speak with Leonard LaPlant, to find out more about the poison. But she was afraid to learn the truth. She didn’t want to hear the morbid details of how horrible his death might have been. Then something occurred to her. If David’s final moments had been agonizing, why hadn’t he called out to Elizabeth? Elizabeth had told Kate that David went to sleep and never awakened. How could anyone have suffered as much as he had and not yell for help?
She went to her desk and pushed the intercom
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