Marauder (Oregon Files 15)

“You could have started with that,” Murph said. The voice box didn’t accurately conv

ey the snark that Sylvia knew was there.

“There’s an antidote,” Sylvia said. “We found extensive documentation of the testing they did with it.”

Julia sat up at that. “Do you have the formula?”

Eric nodded and handed her several pages of printouts.

She quickly scanned them.

After a long pause, Murph asked, “So can you make it?”

“I could if this formula were complete,” Julia said. “I have everything I need to replicate the process, except for a single chemical ingredient. Here it’s simply called nuxoleum.”

“Nuxoleum?” Eric said. “It sounds like a brand of engine grease.”

“If my Latin is correct, that means ‘nut oil.’ I need to know what kind of nut, and I need enough of it to make the antidote for the six hundred people who’ve been afflicted.”

“There’s no description of it in the files we’ve found so far,” Eric said.

“We’re still looking, though,” Sylvia said. “I’m sure we’ll find something helpful.”

Julia stood. “I’ll get back to the infirmary and start setting up a production system. I want to be ready to crank out the antidote once we have a supply of this mystery nut.”

Eric got up abruptly. “I’ll go with you. I’ve got some more info to help with your setup. It’s easier just to show you.”

He gave a slight nod to Sylvia and left with the doctor.

“He’s acting weird,” Murph said.

“I think he’s nice,” Sylvia said.

“What do you mean nice?”

“I don’t meet a lot of cute young intellectuals in my line of work.”

Murph glared at her. “You do know he’s my best friend.”

“And an adult. So am I.”

“You’re my little sister.”

“And your point is?”

Murph sighed. “I thought this situation couldn’t get any worse.”

“I’m not saying I’m going to do anything with him, but if I did . . .”

“La-la-la-la-la-la, I am not listening. Please put my hands over my ears.”

“Relax. I won’t tell you if anything happens. Deal?”

“I think I’ll have a talk with Eric.”

“You’ll do no such thing. If it’s that big of a problem, let me know now.”

“Fine,” he said after hesitating. “But I don’t want to know a thing. Now, let me help decipher the rest of the data. You know I can still help.”