Darlene listened wide-eyed, occasionally brushing her hands down the length of her arms, as though the termites Lou was describing were crawling there.

As he expected, Darlene gleaned the significance of the tale immediately. “You think this airborne toxin causes mutation in the insects?” Darlene asked.

“I think along with a number of other questions, it’s one worth answering.”

“And how do you propose to go about doing that?”

“Dr. Oliver Humphries,” Lou said.

“Who?”

“One of the world’s leading experts on termites. My smartphone and I are sort of joined at the hip. I found him while I was Googling ‘flesh-eating termites’ after my visit to Joey’s. I certainly hadn’t connected the little beasties to corn, but I was running out of paths to follow in investigating John Meacham’s rampage.”

“So you had already planned to speak with this bug man about these termites?”

“Yes. I have an appointment with him the day after tomorrow. Now I have more questions to ask him, such as whether some sort of airborne mutagen might be at work.”

“And if perhaps the effect on people is different from that on the termites, but caused by the pollen nonetheless,” she said with new excitement. “Where is he based?”

“He teaches entomology at Temple University in Philly.”

Darlene turned and beckoned Victor over. An exchange Lou could not hear followed, with Victor doing a lot of head nodding and Darlene a lot of talking. Victor ended the conversation with another quick nod, then retreated back to where he was. Darlene returned to Lou’s side.

“So,” Lou said, “did you tell him I was delusional and needed to be closely watched?”

Darlene smiled. “No, I don’t think you’re delusional at all. What I told Victor was to make arrangements.”

“Arrangements for what?”

“I’ve decided that we’re going to speak with your Dr. Humphries together.”

Chapter 39

CHAPTER 39

Roberta Jennings was through being fat.

For the third time this week, she had overeaten at Millie’s and vomited up much of her meal. It was her ninth or tenth unintentional purge for the month. Even that would not have been so bad if she had just dropped a pound. One lousy pound. Instead, though, she had gained three.

It’s time for a change.

Roberta had survived a lifetime of obesity by internalizing her struggles. She endured endless taunts during her school years and later had learned to ignore the snickering at the office and whispers at restaurants. Her self-esteem was all but gone by the time she finished middle school. She chose the persona of a giggly, cheery friend to all. But in truth, the horrible ache inside her never abated. If not for meeting and marrying Terry, there was no telling what she might have done.