Chapter 16. Here Comes That Rain Again
House and Cameron had lunches to deliver to two more rooms. They knocked on Ralph and Kelly's door first, and Cameron held House back from barging in. "We don't know what they might be doing."
"You have a point," he admitted just as Ralph opened the door.
He looked surprised to see them, and a little grateful. "Is the storm almost over?" he asked hopefully.
"No, it seems to have picked up again," House replied.
"We brought you some lunch," Cameron said, handing one of the bags to Ralph. "Soup and sandwiches, compliments of Mo and Linda."
"Oh, good!" Kelly said. "I'm starving!"
"How are the other patients?" Ralph asked.
"They're all responding to the medication, at least to some extent. But as soon as we confirm what we think caused this, we'll start another treatment," Cameron answered.
Ralph nodded. He took out a container of soup from the bag and handed it to his wife before getting one for himself. "What do you think it is?"
"We think exposure to a pesticide triggered the symptoms," House said. "We're running a test on the blood samples we took. But we also have to determine how everyone was exposed. Kelly, do you remember where you were Monday morning just after eight?"
"Monday? Let's see. I worked Monday, so I probably arrived at the market at just about eight," she seemed to think about it. "Employees have to park at the far end of the lot, so I guess I was walking across the lot. I know I arrived in the store by eight fifteen."
House nodded. "You were outside when the pilot was spraying."
"Seth Davis?" Ralph asked.
"Yeah. You know him?" House wanted to know.
"This is a very small town, doctor, and everyone knows everyone, but Seth and I are fishing buddies," Ralph said. "Yeah, I know him."
"It's beginning to appear that all of the patients here were outside while he was spraying, and the symptoms are consistent with exposure to the insecticide including the shortness of breath and the lingering dryness," Cameron said. "So we have a probable cause and opportunity. If our tests confirm that everyone's suffering from inhibited cholinesterase activity, we'll be back with a more appropriate treatment."
"Why can't you start the treatment now?" Kelly asked.
"Because if it's not necessary, the treatment can be dangerous," House said.
"We have to bring lunch to Harry," Cameron told Ralph and Kelly. "We'll see you both later. Let's go, House."
As they walked out of Ralph and Kelly's room, House said, "I'll take lunch to Harry. Go on back to Vivian." They were immediately pelted with rain.
"Why don't you want me to go with you?" she asked. Raindrops were already streaming down her face.
"Because he wants to get into your pants," House admitted.
"So do you," she countered. "The only difference is that I don't want him to succeed." She walked toward Harry's room without waiting for him to process that statement.
"Finally!" Harry greeted them when they opened his door.
"I told you we'd be here," House said.
"We brought you lunch," Cameron added.
"You're an angel!" he said, grinning at her.
House grimaced. "Before you make your play for Dr. Cameron, where were you Monday morning between eight and nine?"
"Why? Was someone murdered? Am I a suspect?" Harry chuckled at his little attempt to be funny. No one else laughed.
"Just answer the question." House glared at him. The fact that his wet hair was dripping into his icy blue eyes didn't diminish how imposing he looked.
Harry blew out some air. "I'm on vacation, you know. I probably slept in," he added with a shrug, then something seemed to occur to him. "Monday you say? Buddy and Lori had to go to work, so she made breakfast early. Let's see, they left just before eight, and I went out to the backyard with a cup of coffee and the morning paper." He grimaced. "They won't let me smoke in the house. The last time I tried when they were away, they noticed as soon as they got back and read me the riot act."
"So you were outside. How long?" House asked.
"Half hour, maybe a little longer. Long enough for a couple of cigarettes and to read the rag that passes for a newspaper in this town."
"Bingo!" House said to Cameron and she nodded.
"What's this all about?" Harry asked.
"We think you were exposed to the insecticide that was sprayed throughout the town that morning," Cameron replied. "It triggered your symptoms."
"So now what?"
"As soon as we have confirmation, we'll give you a shot that should counteract the worst of the symptoms," House said. He turned to Cameron. "I think we're through here for now."
She nodded again. "Eat your lunch. We'll be back later."
House opened the door and they were immediately struck by the full force of the wind. House shielded Cameron as they practically ran back along the building. "Why don't you go back to Vivian?" he shouted.
Cameron shook her head. "I want to see if we've gotten any results from the cultures."
"It's a little too soon. Maybe by the time we eat our own lunch...". They'd reached Room 12 and entered, finding Pete and Linda laughing over a game of gin rummy.
"Well, lookee here. They're back!" Pete said with a grin.
"Mission accomplished," Cameron announced. "At least everyone will be well-fed." A thought occurred to her and she turned to Linda. "What about anyone else who was staying at the motel?"
"Zach and Mo brought them all lunch, too," Linda replied. "You know we closed the diner, didn't have any customers for breakfast and Zach doesn't want to use up the fuel for the generators." She put down the cards in her hand. "Well, I'd better go. They'll be wonderin' what happened to me. Thanks, Pete. This was fun."
"Any time Linnie!" he said.
She pulled on her slicker and left.