Lethal Remedy (29 page)

She looked from Rip to Mark and back again. Both men had stood by her through this trying time. Since she'd first met Rip, she'd been fond of him, but more like a brother than any thing else. After Jack had swept her offher feet, Rip had melted into the background, always there to talk to, never showing his true feelings. But those feelings had become clearer as they'd worked side by side to solve the Jandramycin problem. There was affection there, and she had to admit that she felt the same thing.

Mark had only been in Sara's life a short time, but he'd let her know clearly he wanted to be more than just a friend. She was no psychologist, but Sara recognized the likelihood that Mark's attraction to her was a reaction to his own loss in the death of his first wife. She hoped he'd find another woman to love, but she was certain it wouldn't be her. On the other hand, the possibility of a great friendship—with her and with Rip—was certainly there.

She'd have to deal with her feelings for both men in the days ahead, but that would come later. For now, she was overcome with relief that this ordeal was over.

Sara was no longer experiencing nighttime terrors. No one was trying to harm her anymore. And out of this terrible scenario had come the cure for a disease that would rival the pestilence and plague of the Old Testament.

Her mind went back to the words she'd read in her mother's Bible. "You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday."

Thank you, God, for that promise, and for fulfilling it in my life.

In my thirty-six years of medical practice I was privileged to serve as a consultant to a number of pharmaceutical companies, and I never encountered even a hint of actions such as those portrayed here. Jandra Pharmaceuticals and the characters in this book are products of my imagination, and have no basis in fact. The novel contains instances in which I exercise literary license and in those areas I ask my readers to extend the traditional "suspension of disbelief " that is a hallmark of some fiction. But this is not to suggest that the events described here could not take place. Given enough power, money, and selfcentered greed, I have no doubt that men and corporations could act in this way. We are fortunate that they do not.

I'd like to express my appreciation to the clinicians and researchers who work to develop and make available the medications we have come to take for granted. We've come a long way since Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin almost a century ago. Who can predict what frontiers medical research will conquer next? I can hardly wait.

1. One of the reasons for the increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is the use of antibiotics when they are not indicated. Has this ever affected your doctor's treatment decision? How did you react?
   
2. Do you believe that most researchers are ethical? Why or why not? Does this affect your confidence in medications your doctor prescribes?
   
3. Were you able to form a mental picture of John Ramsey's late wife, Beth? How would you characterize her? Do you think her advice to him was good?
   
4. Picture yourself as Sara Miles, forced to work closely with a man who has hurt you deeply. Could you maintain a professional relationship, or would your history color your actions? What if he held the only key to your patient's survival?
   
5. Did your concept of Rip Pearson change as the story progressed? Was there a point when you didn't trust him? What about Mark Wilcox?
   
6. What qualities did you find in Jack Ingersoll? What about Carter Resnick? What did you think their driving force was?
   
7. Contrast Sara's feelings toward Chelsea Ferguson and Randall Moore. What factors influenced her attitude?
   
8. Rip was faced with suggesting a treatment that would save a patient's life but might have late consequences that would be life changing and possibly fatal. Assume the patient was unable to make a decision and no family was available. What would you do?
   
9. Do you believe God should have punished Jack for his deeds? What do you think is the basis for bad things happening to people?
   
10. What did you take away from this novel? How will it affect the way you live your own life?
    

Want to learn more about author
Richard L. Mabry, M.D., and check out other great fiction
from Abingdon Press?

Sign up for our fiction newsletter at
www.AbingdonPress.com
/fiction
to read interviews with your favorite authors, find tips
for starting a reading group, and stay posted on what
new titles are on the horizon. It's a place to connect
with other fiction readers or post a
comment about this book.

Be sure to visit Richard Mabry online for
"Medical suspense with heart."

www.rmabry.com

www.rmabry.blogspot.com

The Glory of Green,
by Judy Christie

"Once again, Christie draws her readers into the town, the life, the humor and the drama in Green.
The Glory of Green
is a wonderful narrative of small-town America, pulling together in tragedy. A great read!"
—Ane Mulligan, editor of
Novel Journey

Always the Baker, Never the Bride,
by Sandra Bricker

"[It] had just the right touch of humor, and I loved the characters. Emma Rae is a character who will stay with me. Highly recommended!"
—Colleen Coble, author of
The Lightkeeper's Daughter
and the
Rock Harbor
series

Diagnosis Death,
by Richard Mabry

"Realistic medical flavor graces a story rich with characters I loved and with enough twists and turns to keep the sleuth in me off-center. Keep 'em coming!"—
Dr. Harry Krauss, author of
Salty Like Blood
and
The Six-Liter Club

Sweet Baklava,
by Debby Mayne

"A sweet romance, a feel-good ending, and a surprise cache of yummy Greek recipes at the book's end? I'm sold!"—
Trish Perry, author of
Unforgettable
and
Tea for Two

The Dead Saint,
by Marilyn Brown Oden

"An intriguing story of international espionage with just the right amount of inspirational seasoning."—
Fresh Fiction

Shrouded in Silence,
by Robert L. Wise

"It's a story fraught with death, danger, and deception—of never knowing whom to trust, and with a twist of an ending I didn't see coming. Great read!"—
Sharon Sala, author of
The Searcher's Trilogy: Blood Stains, Blood Ties,
and
Blood Trails.

Delivered with Love,
by Sherry Kyle

"Sherry Kyle has created an engaging story of forgiveness, sweet romance, and faith reawakened—and I looked forward to every page. A fun and charming debut!"—
Julie Carobini, author of
A Shore Thing
and
Fade to Blue.