Page 63 of Wild Fever
I gave a reluctant nod of agreement. I had given him my word. A deal with the devil, perhaps. I would have to put aside the badge. I’d have to conveniently forget everything I learned about the island. Somehow, I kept finding myself in these situations I'd rather not be in.
We continued past the Hillbilly Claymore toward the lab. Dr. Malcolm pointed to the surrounding underbrush. "This whole area is rigged with booby traps. I would advise you not to wander off and only step down paths that we've already traversed."
"Why the heightened security?” I asked, already knowing where this was going.
Dr. Malcolm gave me a flat look, then continued walking up the steps.
The boards squeaked as we climbed to the veranda. He unlocked the door, flipped on the light, and we followed him inside. The place was filled with beakers and vials, drums of chemicals, an array of high-tech equipment, test tubes and burners, you name it. I knew right away what kind of lab this was, and that sense of dread twisted in my stomach. Dr. Malcolm had been putting his chemistry skills to use in a more lucrative market.
"What exactly are you cooking up out here?"
The eccentric doctor shot me another look. "Anybody ever tell you, you ask too many questions?”
It was hot and stuffy in the lab. Dr. Malcolm flicked on a wall unit air conditioner. It wouldn’t take long to cool the place off.
He told Kara to take a seat, then gathered the items for a blood draw—a number of blood collection vials, a vacutainer needle, and a rubber armband. Dr. Malcolm prepped her arm with an alcohol swab. He tied it off like a junkie shooting heroin, tapped her vein a few times, then pierced her vein with the needle.
Kara flinched slightly.
Vernon connected a collection tube, and the syrupy crimson flooded in. After he filled a few containers, he placed a piece of gauze over the puncture, removed the needle, and taped down the gauze. "Leave that on for about 15 minutes."
Kara knew the drill.
The lab had a small centrifuge, a portable mass spectrometer, a gas chromatograph, a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, a high-powered microscope with digital capture, reagents, solvents, and more.
"This is going to take a little time," Dr. Malcolm said.
"How much time?" Kara asked.
Malcolm shrugged. “We know the toxin is working as designed. It's elevating heart stress, clotting activity, and muscle breakdown, causing vascular damage. The question becomes, how efficiently is it functioning, and is there a weakness in this adulterated design that we can exploit?"
His eyes flicked between the two of us to make sure we were following along.
Kara nodded.
"I need to run this through molecular modeling software and do an isotope analysis. I can’t give you a timeline, but I'll try to work as efficiently as possible." Dr. Malcolm paused. "I can't make any promises. I have to be frank, I'm not optimistic. If I were you, I would try to enjoy your last moments."
Kara scoffed. "And just how am I supposed to do that?”
"Spend time with someone you love. Go for a walk on the beach. See the sunset. Breathe the air. Try to appreciate the moment. Enjoy a last meal full of saturated fat.”
She laughed.
“Indulge your deepest desires.” He paused. "If it were my last day, I’d probably call up a few people and tell them to go fuck themselves."
Kara laughed louder. "That might take more than a day.”
"Prioritize," Malcolm said. "Pick what's most important to you."
"Well, I don't think we’re gonna find anyone to deliver pizza out to the island. All of my loved ones are gone. Maybe I should take in that last sunset.”
"The nicest beach is on the west side of the island. I go there sometimes and sit when I need to think. It's peaceful and calm. Helps me get out of my head when I’m stuck on a problem. Just be mindful of the booby-traps. Go out the way you came, then head to the west. I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere.”
Without a boat, there was no other way off the island. Dr. Malcolm couldn't leave without us.
"I work better alone, anyway. Less distractions.” He moved to the mini fridge, powered by solar. He pulled open the door and grabbed a small bottle of champagne. He handed it to Kara, then found two glass beakers.
She looked at him like he was insane. "I don't think we have anything to celebrate just yet.”
