Hangman's Root (30 page)

"Dottie explained that to me," I said. "A quarter of a million dollars sounds like a lot of money, but it really isn't—at least, not as far as animal labs go. The money was enough to build a small lab, nothing like what Harwick and Castle wanted."

"For that," Ruby remarked, "they probably had to have a lot of money."

I nodded. "It looked like they'd get it, too, when the regents approved the plans for the new science complex. They apparently thought that if the university had the money for a small lab, that's all they'd ever get. You can understand their reasoning."

"Sure," Sheila said. "If that money went away, there'd be more. Very logical."

"Exactly," I said. "So they stole the money and waited for the regents to pony up—using their loot to make their waiting a little less tedious, of course. Castle found a new wife, and Harwick bought a house and dropped some money into a couple of small business deals."

"Ah," Ruby said, nodding. "Yes, that makes sense." She looked at her watch. "Oops, sorry, you guys, I've gotta run. China, that was marvelous casta-whatever. Make it again sometime. "

The Whiz eyed her. "Heavy date, huh? Who is it? That guy from Wimberley? Max whazzit?"

"No," Ruby said regretfully. "I went out with him last night. I didn't like him all that much."

"You didn't?" I asked. "But I thought—"

"I know," Ruby sighed. "So did I. Sometimes these things work out, sometimes they don't." She stood up. "No, tonight is just an intimate family affair. I'm taking Amy and Kevin to dinner in Austin."

I was glad to see that Ruby and Amy were on speaking terms again. They had spent some time together that afternoon. Amy, Ruby told me, had explained that her chief reason for being so nasty was that she didn't want to involve her mother in the Harwick matter. I wasn't exactly sure about that, but I was willing to give Amy the benefit of the doubt, especially after meeting her adoptive parents and hearing the story about Tad.

"Amy's a nice young woman," The Whiz said approvingly.

"Looks like her mother." She sighed and turned her sherry glass in her hand. "Sometimes I wish I'd had children. But it's too late now. The biological clock says it's way past eleven. And I haven't identified a suitable male."

"Hey," Sheila said, "it's never too late. A friend of mine had her first at forty-five. Or you could adopt. You don't need a man for that."

"Let's not be rash," The Whiz said. "A guinea pig would be easier."

Ruby was at the door, but she turned around. "China, that letter Amy and Kevin wrote to Harwick—it won't get them into trouble, will it? And what about the break-in?"

"On the letter, I doubt it," I said. "To prosecute them would take more work than it's worth. But the break-in is a different matter." Amy and Kevin had broken into the department. When Amy learned from me about the existence of the incriminating computer backup copy, they knew they had to steal it.

"I've advised them to plead and pay for the damages," Justine said. "They'll probably get off lightly. But I must say, they had quite a plan. It's just as well Cynthia Leeds got to Harwick first."

"It was quite a plan," I said. "Kevin got himself hired in Har-wick's lab in order to dig up evidence of animal abuse, while Amy plugged into the local PETA to organize the protests. They were obviously out to destroy the man's reputation as a scientist, and to make a point about how the powerful victimize the powerless."

"She's her mother's daughter," Ruby said. "If Harwick had abused my brother, I'd have done some of the same things she did." She looked at me. "I'm glad you figured out who it really was, China. Amy and Kevin could really be in trouble."

"You know. Hot Shot," The Whiz said pensively, "you've got a lot on the ball. If you ever want to get back into practice, you could come in with me. And bring Ruby as an investigator."

"No kidding?" Ruby asked eagerly.

"Forget it, Ruby," I said. "Fm sticking to herbs. They don't carry guns. Anyway, I didn't figure it out. I was as surprised as anybody when the killer turned out to be Cynthia."

Sheila looked at Ruby, standing by the door with her hand on the knob. "How come you're going all the way to Austin for dinner. Ruby? There are half a dozen perfectly good places here in Pecan Springs."

"None of them are vegetarian," Ruby said. "Amy and Kevin don't eat animals."

"Amy has a T-shirt," I told them. "It says 'Cows Cry Louder Than Cabbages.'"

"Cute," The Whiz said. She took her fork and cut the last piece of castagnaccio in half. "Louder than pecans, too, Fll bet."

"What are you doing, China?" McQuaid said, making his third turn around my living room. "Why don't you just sign the damn thing and be done with it?"

"Fm reading the fine print," I said. "I never sign a legal document without reading it first." I picked up the pen. "Why are you pacing like that?"

"Fm estimating," McQuaid said. He sat down beside me on the sofa. "Fm trying to figure out whether we can move all this stuff in my pickup, or whether we'll have to rent a U-Haul."

I sighed. "What happens if this doesn't work out? What if Brian hates living with me? What if Khat detests Howard Cosell? What if it turns out that you and I can't get along?"

McQuaid put his arm around me. "We've got five bedrooms, haven't we?"

I

Refe

erences

Readers who are interested in pursuing the fascinating mysteries of herbs have hundreds of wonderful books from which to choose. Some are Hsted at the end oi Witches' Bane, the second book in this series. Here are the titles and authors of several other interesting and useful books. They demonstrate the current range of interest in herbs and herb products in the general area of this book.

The Healing Herbs, by Michael Castleman. Descriptions of traditional herbal remedies, with up-to-date research backgrounds, of 100 herbs. This book gave me the information about catnip that led to the title of Hangman's Root. (No, I didn't make it up! It is true that American colonists believed that tea made from catnip root made the drinker angry. If you want the full story on catnip, this is a book to consult.)

Cats Naturally: Natural Rearing for Healthier Cats, by Juliete de Bairachi Levy. A complete guide to the use of herbs for your cat (in addition to catnip), along with herbal treatments for feline ailments, written by a witty and affectionate cat lover. The author says that catnip (called catmint in England) is a "skin vermin deterrent and also an herb tonic."

Natural Insect Repellents for Pets, People, and Plants, by Janette Grainger and Connie Moore. An excellent self-published review of herbal repellents, including catnip. The authors suggest that if you want to keep cats away from your catnip, you should plant a border of rue. Available from The Herb Bar, 200 West Mary, Austin, Texas, 78704.

Using Herbs in the Landscape: How to Design and Grow Gardens of Herbal Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs and Trees, by Debra Kirkpatrick. This book offers detailed information on garden styles, designs, and themes, along with planting, maintenance, and requirements. Catnip's gray-green color and compact growing habit makes it a lovely border plant.

An Elders' Herbal: Natural Techniques for Promoting Health and Vitality, by David Hoffman. Explains why herbs are effective healing agents, details common conditions, and suggests herbal therapies for older readers. According to Hoffman, catnip's volatile oils include citronellol, geraniol, and citral. "A traditional cold and flu remedy," he writes. Also for stomach upsets and diarrhoea. Elders (and anyone else!) might try catnip tea as a mild sedative before bedtime: pour one cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoonfuls of dried herb; infuse for ten to fifteen minutes.

Herbal Treasures, by Phyllis Shaudys. Wonderful things to do with herbs. If your cat is one of those genetically disinclined to indulge, or if you don't have a cat, try the recipe for Candied Catnip Leaves.

The Herb Companion is a bimonthly magazine brimming with herbal information. That's where Ruby found out how to henna her hair with cinnamon and paprika. The article she read is called "Herbal Hair Care," by Kathleen Halloran (in the August/September 1993 issue).

China's Garden is an herbal newsletter published three times a year by China Bayles and her friends. In it you'll find sage lore, thymely tips, savory recipes, and a potpourri of information about Pecan Springs and the China Bayles mystery series. For a sample copy, send two first-class stamps and your name and address to China's Garden, PO. Drawer M, Bertram, Texas, 78605.

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(continued frow front fla pj

("The Whiz"), and stunning Sheila ("Sman Cookie") Dawson, Chief of Security at CTSU, China digs for the root of evil deep in the hearts of people who had a motive for murder

But meanwhile she must also dig deep into her own heart to discover how she feels about sexy ex-cop Mike McQuaid, who gives her a final ultimatum about their relationship.

The China Bayles mysteries are a spicy brew of remarkable characters, intricate plots, and small-town shenanigans, stirred together with a rich seasoning of herbal magic. Hangman's Root is the best yet in this original and critically acclaimed series.

Susan Wittig Albert is the author of Thyme of Death, nominated for the Agatha and the Anthony, and Witches' Bane, A former professor of English and university administrator, she earned her Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley She and her husband, Bill, her frequent coauthor, live in the country outside Austin, Texas.

Jacket design and illustration by Jon Weiman

Printed in the U.SA Gopynght © 1994 Simon & Schuster Inc.