“Did you think of something else to test for?” Peter asked as he arrived at the laboratory door. He had his key out.

“I did,” Jack said. “Or actually, Dr. Laurie Montgomery did.”

Jack explained about the methemoglobin idea as he followed the lab tech into the lab and his tiny windowless office. Peter nodded as he hung up his coat.

“That means I should look for things like amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, and nitroprusside,” Peter said as he donned his white coat. “Did this patient have a history of heart disease?”

“Not that I know of,” Jack said.

“Then I can’t imagine she’d be taking any of those drugs,” Peter said. “But there’s a handful of other substances that can cause methemoglobinemia. Do you want me to test for all of them, whether or not she’d be likely to be taking them as a medication?”

“Please!” Jack said. “I’m desperate.”

“Okay,” Peter said agreeably. He started out of his office. Jack trailed him like a puppy.

“When can you do it?” Jack asked.

“I’ll set it up right away,” Peter said. “It’s better for me to get it going before Dr. DeVries gets here. Otherwise he’d start asking questions.”

“I do appreciate your help, Peter,” Jack said. “I hope I can reciprocate in some way. Speaking about your chief, do you happen to know about the status of David Jefferson’s samples?”

“Is that the prisoner-in-custody case?” Peter asked.

“It sure is,” Jack voiced.

“John was complaining about it yesterday,” Peter said. “As far as I know it’s done. Anyway it was positive for cocaine if that’s what you wanted to know.”

“Thank God for small favors,” Jack said. “Calvin is going to be jubilant. Now if I can only be so lucky with Connie Davydov.”

“I’ll give it my best shot,” Peter promised.

Jack started out of the lab but stopped when he remembered Laurie’s final suggestion. “There’s one other thing that Laurie suggested to test for,” he called back to Peter. “Botulinum toxin.”

Peter waved to indicate that he’d heard.

Jack climbed the stairs. With the Jefferson case sure to be completed by the Thursday deadline with what Calvin would consider a positive spin, there seemed to be a pinpoint of light at the end of Jack’s current tunnel of problems.

Back in the office, Jack ran into Chet, who was brimming with news of his previous evening’s experience at aerobics.

Not only had the girl with the curvaceous figure shown up, but she’d deigned to have a yogurt fruit drink with him after the class. Jack had to wait until he’d heard all about the woman before he could get a word in edgewise.

“Tell me, Casanova,” Jack said. “Would you know how to get ahold of any of those vets who gave that seminar you went to yesterday?”

“I think so,” Chet said. “Why?”