Life After Divorce: The Rise Of Elijah Crawford

Chapter 5

Elijah's gaze remained steady, revealing little emotion. "That seems none of your business."

Winnie, sensing the tension, interjected with a clipped tone. "I'm sure you two can argue ethics later, but for now I need your cooperation."

David, still skeptical, glanced between them and scoffed. "I don't see how we can work together. We're dealing with a delicate case here."

Winnie turned to Elijah, who simply nodded his acknowledgement and said, "I'll do my best."

Elijah did have a teacher, but due to his reclusive nature, he kept this information tightly guarded. He chose to maintain a low profile, even if it meant occasionally bending the truth about his background.

Winnie briskly cleared a portion of the cluttered table, her eyes focused intently on the men.

"Well, gentlemen, don't just stand there," she urged.

In a swift response, Dr. David, seemingly engaged in a silent competition with Elijah, sprang into action. 

He began by checking old man Carter vital signs, noting an irregular pulse and shallow breathing. Moving on to palpation, Dr. David carefully assessed the old man's abdomen, observing subtle signs of discomfort. As he listened to the chest, his brow furrowed at the abnormal sounds emanating from the lungs and heart.

Completing the examination, Dr. David turned to Winnie. "Based on the physical findings, it's concerning. I suspect your grandfather might have been poisoned," he explained.

Winnie found it highly improbable that her grandfather could have been poisoned. The thought of someone intentionally harming him raised questions about who could possibly harbor such ill intentions towards him. Her eyes widened with worry. 

"Poison? Are you sure it's poison?" she asked.

"I'll run some tests to confirm," Dr. David replied. 

Winnie turned to Elijah. "Well what do you think?" 

"It's poison alright," Elijah replied confidently. From the moment he had entered into the room, he had already pinpointed the issue, without needing to undergo the extensive examinations that Dr. David had gone through.

"How can you be sure?" Dr. David replied tersely. "See, he is just a fraud. Readily agreeing with what I said to make it look like he knows what he's doing." 

Elijah scoffed. "Look at the discoloration around the lips, the rapid onset of symptoms, and the dilation of his pupils. This is classic poisoning, Doc. We don't need further diagnostics to prove all that."

Dr. David raised an eyebrow, skeptical of Elijah's assertion. "Discerning poisoning isn't merely a visual diagnosis. It requires thorough examination and lab tests. Your observations might be coincidental."

Elijah, undeterred, countered, "Coincidence doesn't explain the specific signs I've noticed. Trust me, I've seen this before."

Dr. David, unable to hide his disdain any longer, declared, "I think you should just leave now before your fraudulent act is exposed to all. If you leave promptly, you might salvage some level of dignity."

"It was Miss Winnie who invited me over, so she's the only one who can ask me to leave," Elijah replied calmly, his tone measured.

Winnie, caught between the clash of egos, intervened, "Gentlemen, let's focus on finding out what's wrong with my grandfather. We can settle personal differences later." 

"Right, right, I'm sorry Miss Winnie," Dr. David said, feigning resignation.

Winnie's attention shifted to her wheezing grandfather, prompting a concerned look. "Mr. Elijah, you mentioned seeing this before. What is it?"

Elijah, his gaze fixed on the struggling old man, hesitated before responding, "I've come across cases like this in remote villages. It's a rare poison derived from indigenous plants called moonroots. The symptoms match." 

Turning to Dr. David, Winnie inquired, "Well? Is he right or wrong?"

Dr. David, reluctant to admit Elijah might be onto something, acknowledged, "It's a possibility."

"What exactly is this moonroot?" Winnie asked. 

Dr. David explained, "It's a rare species of the root plants found deep within secluded regions, its toxic properties are hidden beneath its innocuous appearance." 

Winnie pressed, "Okay, so what's the solution?"

Dr. David solemnly nodded and explained, "Given the scarcity of the moonroot poisoning cure, I recommend a concoction made from Kola nut, Emberroot, and Frostleaf Essence. This mixture, I believe, is our best option to stabilize him until we find the antidote."

Elijah expressed his disapproval by clearing his throat. "That won't work. May I suggest something else?"

Winnie inquired, "What do you have in mind?"

"Ginger Ale," Elijah responded.

Dr. David erupted in boisterous laughter. "Are you serious? We're dealing with a life-threatening poison, and your proposed remedy is alcohol?"

Elijah answered confidently, "yes." 

Fed up with their constant bickering, Winnie addressed Elijah, instructing him to fetch the Ginger Ale, while directing Dr. David to gather the necessary ingredients for the concoction.

Elijah went outside to get the Ginger Ale from a store nearby. He didn't know that Dr. David already had what he needed for the mix.

After about twenty minutes, Elijah came back with the alcohol, but he found out Dr. David had already made the mixture and was about to give it to old man Carter.

"Stop! Don't give it to him," Elijah cautioned. "It'll only make things worse."

Winnie halted Dr. David with a dismissive gesture.

"Miss Carter, every moment is crucial! Are you seriously considering this uncertified quack over a qualified doctor like myself?" argued Dr. David.

Elijah remained composed, countering, "Certification doesn't guarantee effectiveness. Ancient healers endorse the Ginger Ale remedy, a method I've personally used countless times to slow down the effects of moonroot poisoning. Nothing else will suffice."

Caught in the middle, Winnie hesitated before finally questioning, "How sure are you, Mr. Elijah?"

Elijah, exuding confidence, replied, "You have to trust my judgment."

"Nonsense," Dr. David insisted. "Miss Winnie, I'm certain my concoction will offer a temporary solution until we find the antidote."

"Sorry, Mr. Elijah, it can't hurt if he tries, right?" Winnie said, torn between the conflicting advice.

Elijah sighed. "If he administers the concoction, it could result in the death of your grandfather."