Chapter 26
I Can’t Say
I figured my next move was to call the state department of agriculture and find out what they knew about cattle deaths in the county. My call was re-directed to the division of animal health where I finally got the ear of a veterinary toxicologist. I explained I was writing a story for The Standard Weekly Standard about the recent outbreak of strange cattle deaths. She hesitated but confirmed she had analyzed cattle deaths in Standard County. I didn’t like what I heard.
Doctor Diane Harwood said she had never experienced this kind of mass cattle deaths but had read scientific studies where the cause of death was similar.
I asked, “How similar?”
“Similar in that the cause of death was from nitrate poisoning associated with the application of herbicides contaminating water supplies, such as drinking troughs on pasture land, or shallow ponds.”
“Oh. How did that get into the water?”
She paused as if to edit her comments. “I interviewed all the area ranchers and none of them had any ideas of how their water could have been tainted.”
“Interesting. And what was your conclusion?”
She sighed. “While I don’t have direct evidence, it would appear that someone may have maliciously dumped product into the water.”
“Are you saying this was purposeful?”
“It looks that way. Again, I emphasize I have no direct evidence.”
“Where does one get nitrate in quantities like this?”
“The most common carrier is fertilizer.”
“And who around here would have that large amount of product?”
Again, she hemmed and took her time. “There’s only one supplier we know of.”
“And who is that?”
“Miss Eggers, please, I don’t want to get anybody in trouble. I shouldn’t say more until we release an official statement.”
“Dr. Harwood, I understand, but you must know these cattle deaths are destroying the livelihoods of area farmers and ranchers. And if these deaths were caused by humans, we’re looking at a criminal act.”
She didn’t respond but I could hear her breathing on the other end of the call. Finally, she said, “I really must go.”
“Wait a second, please. When will you release an official statement?”
“I’m still working up the report. It may be a couple of weeks.”
“Will you, or have you turned this information over to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation?”
“Um, not, yet officially. Only what I just told you. Not until, I, or we, can state a definite cause.”
“Have you shared any of this information with local authorities, such as the Standard Sheriff’s Office?”
“Only what I just told you.”
With that tidbit, I knew I had what I needed to write up a damning story. I thanked her for her time and encouraged her to call me or email me as soon as she had the official report. I also told her I couldn’t wait that long and would be publishing the preliminary results she just shared with me. She balked, “Oh, please don’t do that. This hasn’t been settled yet and my comments to you were off-the-record, I hope you understand that.”
“Dr. Harwood, nothing is off-the-record, especially when it comes to information relevant to criminal acts. I look forward to hearing from you. Good day.”
My next call was to Acting Sheriff Deputy Dawg Martin. Carolann put me through.
“Yes, what is it, Sam?”
“Tell me what you know about nitrate fertilizer lying around in water troughs and pasture ponds?”
I swore I heard him gulp. “What do you mean?”
“Doug, you know exactly what I mean. I just spoke to the state division of animal health. Dr. Harwood said she gave you preliminary results of her investigation into the sudden cattle deaths happening in the county. What else do you know about this?”
“Listen, Sam, we’re in the middle of an investigation. I can’t share anything with you.”
“But the state has evidence of how the deaths occurred and suspect it was human caused.”
“That’s nice, but I have no comment.”
“Are you investigating this, or not?”
“Can’t say.”
“C’mon, Doug. The farmers and ranchers I’ve talked to tell me you haven’t followed up on any of this, nor has the Sheriff. Why not?”
“Can’t say.”
“When can you say, anything?”
His disenchanted laughter rubbed me wrong. “I’ll let you know.” He hung up.
I stared at my computer screen where I had opened a blank page in Word. The white light glowed at me, as if illuminating a new understanding upon me. The white page implored me to fill it with words that explained my new reality, loud and clear, to anyone and everyone in the county and beyond. My heart felt cold and I thought I heard the mocking voice of Father laughing and saying in my head, “Curiouser and curiouser.”