Greedy Bones by Carolyn Haines Page B

patients, but I am concerned. Times are tough enough for farmers. This could mean economic devastation for some of the last large landowners."
    Clearly I could see why. But a cotton crop could be replanted. Oscar and Gordon and the women might die. There would be no replacing them in the hearts of their families.
    "What will you do?"
    "We've collected some samples. Beaucoup is the authority on weevils. She'll take them up to Mississippi State University at Starkville. It's the best facility in thenation for this kind of study and she also has a contact with one of the world authorities on insects that affect farm crops."
    "What about Oscar and Gordon and--"
    "We're still working on that. We'll begin testing the water tomorrow. There's a chance they drank from a tainted well."
    Waterborne microbes fell under Peyton's expertise. He was new to the CDC, but Coleman had been impressed by Peyton's research background. "If that were the case, you guys wouldn't be in Sunflower County," I pointed out to him.
    "I don't have the answers you want."
    "That's not going to reassure anyone. If people perceive this as something that could spread, a panic will result."
    "That's why we're holding a press conference. Sheriff Peters will give the facts, and Beaucoup will explain the basic science. This problem is contained to that single plantation. While it is potentially serious, we're on top of it."
    "Would it be possible for me to go to the estate myself?"
    His dark eyebrows arched in amusement. "You don't trust us to do our job?"
    "My best friend's husband may die. I can't leave anything to chance. I would never forgive myself."
    He shook his head. "Until we're certain that whatever is out there isn't airborne, I can't let you go. We've quietly quarantined the plantation. Several local farmers are helping us turn people away from the area. Luckily, the land is on a private road."
    "What about the other landowners? You're sure there're no problems?"
    "Sarah Booth, it's my belief that somehow this is all connected to that particular cotton crop. So far, the only cases of illness have come from people who've set foot there."
    "And two of those people are my friends."
    "Sarah Booth, your dedication to your friends is admirable, but you have a reputation for taking matters into your own hands. Don't do that here. We don't need another sick person. The CDC is on-site, and we should be able to reassure the people. Another new case would break the public's confidence in us."
    He checked his watch, reminding me it was time for the press conference. I eased toward the door. "I'll check back with you. I want to watch the press conference."
    I left the chancery clerk's office and walked down the empty hallway to the stairs. While I didn't care to be seen, I wanted to hear what Coleman and Bonnie Louise had to say. The simplest way to accomplish this was to slip out onto the small balcony that fed off the second-floor landing. I would be right above the action. While I couldn't see Coleman and Bonnie Louise--I simply could not bring myself to call her Beaucoup--I could hear them.
    Surprised that no one else had thought of listening from above, I found myself alone. Coleman was already talking.
    "I want to assure everyone that this is under control. We have four reported cases of an unspecified illness. But there have been no new cases."
    "Is this an epidemic?" a male reporter asked.
    " 'Epidemic' is not a word that applies here," Coleman answered. "Our medical staff in Sunflower County is on top of this. Experts have been consulted. We have the sickpeople isolated, and this is under control, but there is no indication that this is a problem with the potential of spreading. It is contained."
    "What does the CDC have to say?" another reporter called out.
    Bonnie Louise's tone was crisp and authoritative, but it still contained a trace of drawl. "We have full faith that in a matter of hours we'll have an explanation for the illness, which I point out has not