CHAPTER TWELVE
“I have to admit, Blythe, you’ve taught me a few things over coffee this morning,” smiled Riley. “I studied genetics as it related to cancer but not extensively for other reasons. We don’t see a lot of cases of disease or deformity due to inbreeding.”
“Unfortunately, it’s still very common in some countries,” she nodded. “It was something my parents made me acutely aware of. They were worried about returning when my grandmother died but thought for certain no one would care. They were wrong.
“Many have changed their minds about the practice but in remote areas, some tribal leaders still believe it’s best to marry within the family.
Did you know that while all states prohibit marriage between close relatives, such as parents, children, siblings, aunts, or uncles, over a dozen states allow first-cousin marriage, including California, New York, Florida, and Massachusetts. ”
“You’re fucking with me now,” said Ham with a disgusted look on his face.
“I’m afraid not. Roughly thirty states ban or restrict first-cousin marriage.
But it’s legal in about nineteen, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.
Some states allow cousin marriage only if the couple is over a certain age, infertile, or obtains genetic counseling. ”
“Please tell me marriages between parents and their children or siblings isn’t allowed anywhere,” frowned Ham.
“No,” she smiled, “it is not allowed in any state.
Kentucky and Nevada are the only states that prohibit marriage between second cousins.
The truth is you might not even know who your third, fourth, or fifth cousins are.
The further back, the less likely any issues would arise.
The problems are with those that are very close.
“My father said in his village when he was a boy, a woman was forced to marry her first cousin. None of her children survived beyond the age of two due to complications directly related to the intermarriage. Even as a young boy he knew it wasn’t right and vowed that he wouldn’t allow it to happen to him. ”
“Did your grandparents allow it?” asked Logan. “I mean, were they in favor of it?”
“My grandparents were from different parts of the region and their marriage was arranged for political reasons. I’m fortunate. Had Fitzwilliam done his research, he would have known that my sister’s tissue and organs couldn’t help his cause.”
“I don’t think he gives a damn, honey,” said Riley.
“That’s what scares me. If he’s gone from Afghanistan now, he’s going to make his way to countries like Pakistan, India, Iran, and Iraq. There will be others as well.”
“We’re going to find him,” said Logan kissing her temple. She smiled up at him and nodded as the others watched the sweet exchange.
“Logan, we need to check your bloodwork today,” said Jane. “Why don’t you come with Blythe to the clinic and we’ll take care of both of you at the same time.”
“Are you not feeling well?” she asked.
“I’m fine now. Fitzwilliam poisoned me and left me for dead. If it weren’t for my friends, I wouldn’t be here.”
“How does one man get so out of control and obtain so much power?” she muttered under her breath.
“That’s a great question,” said Gator raising his brow. “I wonder if someone his helping him. But who? Who would gain from this idea?”
“In theory, if he could find a connection between those that married within their families, a weakness or chink in their DNA armor, so to speak, he could eradicate them. Without enough people in their country to defend it, he or someone, would be able to control the region,” said Blythe.
“Well, that just opened it to the entire world. The Middle East controls vast amounts of oil, minerals, and other things we need,” said Cowboy.
“We’re not going to solve this today,” said Jane. “Blythe, Logan, let’s get to the clinic and we’ll take care of the two of you.”
Taking the ATVs to the clinic, Logan was taken to the lab where his blood was drawn and he was examined to ensure there were no lingering effects of the poison.
“Did we ever figure out what they gave me?” he asked Suzette.
“We’re still looking into it. It’s nothing like we’ve ever seen before. But, for now, your blood work looks great, your lungs sound great, it appears that once again our beloved pond did its job.”
“I’m grateful every day for that,” he said pulling his shirt over his head and tucking it into his shorts.
“Blythe seems wonderful,” grinned Suzette.
“She is. I’m trying to take things slowly with her but it’s difficult. I knew the moment I saw her waving that gun at me she was the woman for me,” he grinned.
“Only a Belle Fleur man would think that way,” she laughed. “She’s obviously brilliant, Logan. She graduated from medical school early and her knowledge of genetics is impressive considering her specialties were emergency medicine and surgery.”
“I think she always had what her father told her about in his country in the back of her mind. I just need to figure out if Fitzwilliam’s sick brain is truly trying to kill of two-thirds of the population in the region.”
“Well, we’ve met our fair share of psychotic, narcissistic nut-jobs before. This won’t be the last.” He smiled at Suzette, giving her a hug as he left the exam room and found Jane, Marissa, and Blythe.
“We’ve expanded the trauma and emergency rooms at the back of the clinic for our own teams,” said Jane. “We like to keep them out of the public eye if possible, so the private entrances at the rear of the building can only be accessed by biometrics from our own team.”
“We have the same security at the animal compound and clinic, as well as the animal training center,” said Marissa.
“Animal training?” she frowned.
“Yes. Lucy and Sniff, as well as several others, train K9’s for the military and for police departments.
We also foster animals that have been given up by their owners.
Sometimes entire herds of cattle or horses from farms that were closed.
Sometimes,” laughed Marissa, “it’s even animals from zoos or wildlife sanctuaries. ”
“You’re joking,” smirked Blythe.
“I wish I was,” laughed Jane. “My grandmother is a nature, environment, and animal activist in every sense of the word. There is no animal too small or too large that we shouldn’t save. Ask Logan to take you to the animal sanctuary. We have bison, giraffes, elephants, alligators, snakes…”
“Oh no. Nope. I’m out on the whole snake thing,” said Blythe shaking her head.
“I’m with you,” laughed Marissa. “But honestly they’re all quite tame. Irene has the ability to communicate with them and she’s passed that onto her son and grandson.”
“Communicate? Like talk to them?” she frowned.
“I know it seems unbelievable but when you see it, you’ll understand. Just don’t be frightened by any animal on this land. They’re probably family.”