again. “Blurred vision, dilated pupils, vasodilation, rapid heartbeat, excitement, dizziness, delirium, confusion, hallucination, then death resulting from circulatory and respiratory failure.”
“How long?”
Perez read on. “Onset of action is rapid from fifteen minutes to two hours, with death in one hour to one day, dependingon lots of factors—route of exposure, dose, sensitivity, health.”
“If we go by what time the first call was logged in Sarasota, Florida, to what time Gordon thinks she died, we’re looking at between two-and-a-half and three hours max from onset. So what dosage are we talking about?”
“The fatal dose of atropine for that time period is—” Perez scanned the sheet of paper “—fifteen milligrams, which is five drops of concentrated extract.”
Jordain was surprised to find his cup of coffee was already empty. He got up and refilled it. “And I suppose this stuff is shockingly easy to come by?”
“You aren’t going to believe how easy.”
“Try me.”
“It’s used in dozens of medicines. Anti-Parkinson drugs, gastrointestinal antispasmodics, urinary tract antispasmodics, ophthalmology, colic, motion sickness, dry secretions, pre- and post-op. It treats bradycardia and is the antidote to organophosphate insecticides. Atropine is also the antidote for cholinergic nerve gases. One interesting note is that, in the Gulf War, much more toxicity was reported from inappropriate use of the atropine syringes found in soldiers’ emergency kits than from actual nerve-gas attack.” He paused, looked up from the piece of paper and shook his head. “But get this. The easiest way to get the damn stuff is from prescription eyedrops. Anyone working in any hospital can grab a handful of vials and slip them into a pocket or purse. No one would notice them missing. A typical stock bin holds about two hundred and fifty vials, and it’s not even considered dangerous. It treats inflammation and is a basic in any eye exam.”
Jordain started to ask his next question when the phone rang. He let it go until the third ring, then grabbed it, said his name, listened, said a brief yes, and then hung up. “Follow-upon the Bullard case. Nothing that can’t wait. I was about to ask if there are other places as easy to get it as a hospital.”
“Yup.” He checked the sheet. “Army supply units would have it. Any doctor might prescribe it. The prescription eye drops would most likely go by the brand name Homatropine or Isopto Atropine, which of course you could get from an online pharmaceutical site. Know what else? You can buy the stuff from any shop or Web site selling Wiccan supplies. They use it to introduce hallucinations. Butler checked and found three atropine injectors for sale at eBay.”
“Paper trail,” Jordain muttered.
“There’s an even easier way to get it. You can grow it yourself. Or take a field trip with a little pocket knife to one of the dozens of medical gardens attached to so many museums and schools. Quite a few have a poison garden and—”
“Damn it, Perez, I got it. You can get the stuff anywhere and everywhere. I can get the stuff. Butler can get it. It’s a no-brainer. It’s probably even growing in Central Park.”
“Probably.”
“Great, so, we know the
what.
Do we know anything about the how? Do you know the details?”
“That’s the part you aren’t going to believe.”
Jordain’s expression went from serious to impatient, tinged with slight annoyance.
“The poison entered her system through mucous membranes. Specifically through the membranes in her vaginal wall.” He paused.
Jordain made a hurry-up motion with this hand.
“The atropine was mixed into the lubricant she slathered on her dildo.”
Thirteen
I opened the door to the English lab at five twenty-five to find three members of the group sitting there in the shadows. Hugh was scrolling through a PDA. Barry seemed to be sleeping with his head on his arms, which were folded
“How long?”
Perez read on. “Onset of action is rapid from fifteen minutes to two hours, with death in one hour to one day, dependingon lots of factors—route of exposure, dose, sensitivity, health.”
“If we go by what time the first call was logged in Sarasota, Florida, to what time Gordon thinks she died, we’re looking at between two-and-a-half and three hours max from onset. So what dosage are we talking about?”
“The fatal dose of atropine for that time period is—” Perez scanned the sheet of paper “—fifteen milligrams, which is five drops of concentrated extract.”
Jordain was surprised to find his cup of coffee was already empty. He got up and refilled it. “And I suppose this stuff is shockingly easy to come by?”
“You aren’t going to believe how easy.”
“Try me.”
“It’s used in dozens of medicines. Anti-Parkinson drugs, gastrointestinal antispasmodics, urinary tract antispasmodics, ophthalmology, colic, motion sickness, dry secretions, pre- and post-op. It treats bradycardia and is the antidote to organophosphate insecticides. Atropine is also the antidote for cholinergic nerve gases. One interesting note is that, in the Gulf War, much more toxicity was reported from inappropriate use of the atropine syringes found in soldiers’ emergency kits than from actual nerve-gas attack.” He paused, looked up from the piece of paper and shook his head. “But get this. The easiest way to get the damn stuff is from prescription eyedrops. Anyone working in any hospital can grab a handful of vials and slip them into a pocket or purse. No one would notice them missing. A typical stock bin holds about two hundred and fifty vials, and it’s not even considered dangerous. It treats inflammation and is a basic in any eye exam.”
Jordain started to ask his next question when the phone rang. He let it go until the third ring, then grabbed it, said his name, listened, said a brief yes, and then hung up. “Follow-upon the Bullard case. Nothing that can’t wait. I was about to ask if there are other places as easy to get it as a hospital.”
“Yup.” He checked the sheet. “Army supply units would have it. Any doctor might prescribe it. The prescription eye drops would most likely go by the brand name Homatropine or Isopto Atropine, which of course you could get from an online pharmaceutical site. Know what else? You can buy the stuff from any shop or Web site selling Wiccan supplies. They use it to introduce hallucinations. Butler checked and found three atropine injectors for sale at eBay.”
“Paper trail,” Jordain muttered.
“There’s an even easier way to get it. You can grow it yourself. Or take a field trip with a little pocket knife to one of the dozens of medical gardens attached to so many museums and schools. Quite a few have a poison garden and—”
“Damn it, Perez, I got it. You can get the stuff anywhere and everywhere. I can get the stuff. Butler can get it. It’s a no-brainer. It’s probably even growing in Central Park.”
“Probably.”
“Great, so, we know the
what.
Do we know anything about the how? Do you know the details?”
“That’s the part you aren’t going to believe.”
Jordain’s expression went from serious to impatient, tinged with slight annoyance.
“The poison entered her system through mucous membranes. Specifically through the membranes in her vaginal wall.” He paused.
Jordain made a hurry-up motion with this hand.
“The atropine was mixed into the lubricant she slathered on her dildo.”
Thirteen
I opened the door to the English lab at five twenty-five to find three members of the group sitting there in the shadows. Hugh was scrolling through a PDA. Barry seemed to be sleeping with his head on his arms, which were folded
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