Danger at the Border by Terri Reed

together in apparent puzzlement. “Is this the only pest control you use?”
    Aaron shrugged. “As far as I know.”
    “Don’t you oversee the operation?” Jeff asked.
    Narrowed dark eyes bore into Jeff. Tension crackled off Aaron like live electricity. The AK-47 hanging from a strap across his chest shifted as his hand closed over the grip. “You calling me a liar?”
    Tessa’s hand clamped on Jeff’s arm in silent warning. He clenched his jaw shut, biting back a reply that could potentially get them killed.
    “This is neem oil,” Tessa said quickly. “It’s a naturally occurring pesticide found in the seed of the neem tree. It wouldn’t cause the toxicity that I found in the dead fish.”
    “What about people?” Jeff asked, diverting his attention away from Aaron.
    “Some skin irritation if directly exposed. Maybe digestive issues if swallowed.”
    But not respiratory distress . The unspoken words hung in the air.
    There was something else at play here. Some other substance invading the flow of liquid streaming down the mountain slope to the lake. But what?
    “Could something else have been added to the neem oil?” Jeff asked.
    “It’s possible.” She turned to Aaron. “I need my sample kit from my duffel bag. I can at least test what’s here to see if it has a different chemical component to it.”
    Aaron stared at her for a moment before curling his lip. “You can ask Sherman about that.”
    Jeff sensed there was some animosity between the two men.
    Aaron shut the doors to the shed. “Let’s go.”
    He escorted them toward the main house. Jeff stared at the greenhouse. Several men exited. One looked their way. Tessa let out an audible gasp. Jeff sent her a questioning glance. Aaron must have heard her, as well, because he whipped his gaze to her.
    “Twisted my ankle. Loose rock,” she said hastily and produced a sudden limp. Then pointed to the greenhouse. “What are you growing in there?”
    “More of the same,” Aaron muttered, nudging Jeff in the kidney with the barrel of his rifle.
    “You’re using hydroponic growing,” Jeff said.
    Aaron grunted but kept poking Jeff to keep him walking.
    “I’ve heard of hydroponics but have never seen it,” Tessa said, keeping pace while playing up her imaginary limp. Jeff wondered what had her so freaked out.
    “The plants are grown in an inert growing medium, like rock wool or clay, rather than soil. The plants are fed with a nutrient-rich solution. It gives the grower more control of the harvest time and yield,” Jeff explained.
    “We should look in there, too,” Tessa said.
    “It’s off-limits,” Aaron snapped just as they reached the house where Sherman and Emil waited for them on the porch.
    “You know a thing or two about our business, agent man,” Aaron said.
    “It’s not rocket science,” Jeff shot back. But everything relating to the growth, processing and distribution of drugs did play a huge role in a border agent’s workday. It was his job to know a thing or two.
    “Maybe not, but it does require some chemistry and dedication,” Sherman said. “Thank you, Aaron.”
    Aaron grunted and walked away. Once he was out of earshot, Jeff said, “The insecticide used for the plants isn’t the cause of the toxin.” He pointed to the greenhouse. “We need to look in there.”
    “I’d like to see the hydroponic system you have,” Tessa chimed in.
    “I’d like to show it to you,” Sherman said with a smile aimed at Tessa. He grabbed the wheels of his chair and rolled toward the ramp.
    Emil stepped in front of Sherman, forcing the older man to brake. Sherman frowned. “What is it?”
    “Going into the greenhouse is not a good idea,” Emil said. “Aaron keeps a tight rein on the product in there.”
    “Who runs this organization?” Sherman asked, his voice deadly soft.
    “You, sir,” Emil said.
    “That’s right.” Sherman waved Emil out of the way. “It’s about time I looked in on things in the greenhouse. Dr.