Free Provoked by Angela Ford Page B

a temperature near forty degrees Fahrenheit. He led Kennedy past the refrigerated section that consists of individual drawers.               “The drawers are where they keep the bodies,” Riley laughed.
                  “Smartass,” Kennedy nudged Riley with his shoulder. The two were still laughing when Lynette walked out of the autopsy room. Kennedy peeked through the doors at the stainless steel operating table and the body on it. His eyes travelled to the scale hanging above the table.
                  “Are those body parts in the scale?”
                  Riley cleared his throat and smiled at Lynette. “Sorry, he doesn’t get out much.”
                  “Riley Briggs, you never called me.” The beautiful brunette in scrubs and a white lab coat questioned Riley.
    “Hi, Lynette, I got shot,” Riley answered her with such few words and no emotion.
    “I heard. I figured New York’s confirmed bachelor hadn’t run off and gotten married,”               she laughed and quickly changed the subject. She didn’t seem affected by his not calling her. He’d always made it quite clear of his confirmed bachelor—no strings attached status. Lynette had agreed that night he took her home, and when he woke the next morning, she’d already left. Riley introduced Kennedy.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Detective Kennedy.”
    Lynette cured Kennedy’s curiosity.
    “Yes, in answer to your question earlier. Those are body parts in the scales.”
    She laughed and then explained they’re used to weigh body parts as part of their investigation.
    Kennedy raised an eyebrow. “And the saw?”
    “The Striker saw is used for ripping bone.”
    Kennedy shivered and everyone laughed. Lynnette winked at Riley. “Think I’ve given him enough information, or should I keep going?”
    “No, thanks, I’ve heard enough,” Kennedy answered without hesitation.
                  She put on her glasses and sat at her desk. “You mentioned you wanted to know more about poisoning from insecticides.” She opened a file on her computer and began to read.
    “Pyrethrin is one of two liquid esters derived from pyrethrum that are used as insecticides. Pyrethrum is related to kerosene. These are usually derived from chrysanthemum flowers.”
    “My wife loves those flowers,” Kennedy spoke up, and Riley gave him the look to shut up. Kennedy shrugged. Lynette continued to explain what that meant.
    “The fact that they are derived from plants causes some people to think, and a point played by companies using this toxin in their products, that they are safe. Lots of plants are toxic, some in small quantities, others in large. Just because it comes from something lush and ornamental does not mean it can’t be lethal. Like oleander, azalea, mistletoe, and foxglove; those are just a few of the pretty, yet highly toxic, plants.”
    “So what you are telling me is that a large dose could kill someone?”
    Briggs needed a simple yes or no. He wasn’t as interested in its origin or how pretty it could appear.
    “Permethrin is a synthetic Pyrethrin. In other words, it is a man-made poison that is a copy of two poisons found in plants. Yes, Riley, a lethal dose could kill someone.”
    Lynette removed her glasses and turned to look up at Riley.
    “And these are commonly found in the home in insecticides?” He wanted to know how easily accessible the poison could be.
    “An increasing number of insects have developed high levels of resistance to pyrethroids, such as cockroaches, head lice, and tobacco budworms . Many of these species are resistant to more than one pyrethroid. Because insects reproduce, and adapt, far more quickly than do vertebrates; they are far better able to evolve defenses against the toxins we throw at them, resulting in an ever-expanding range of poisons developed and thrown into our environment.”
    “What’s