The Tetrodotoxin Case

By Perry D. DeFiore

Ralph Mullen finds himself in trouble once again as he investigates the intriguing puffer fish, whose toxin is so potent it could kill twenty-six humans. He knows how to safely handle the specimen, but finds himself having to solve problems that are not associated with the tetrodotoxin of the puffer fish.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Jun 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781648959912

Perry D. DeFiore

The sea is like Perry's backyard, especially the Pacific. While he entertains his readers with this knowledge of marine science, he continues to accumulate more scientific knowledge about the universe. Perry lives in the Houston area of Texas, was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is married, and has six children and seven grandchildren. He still enjoys his fishing and golf.

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The Tetrodotoxin Case

Copyright © 2022 Perry D. DeFiore

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Stratton Press Publishing

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in the work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-64895-990-5

ISBN (Ebook): 978-1-64895-991-2

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 1

It was June 22nd. Ralph hadn’t shaved since that day in the middle of May, not even gotten himself a trim. His hair was long and uncombed. He bought a new bed, one of those that you could raise like a hospital bed with a remote. Arcelia had washed all the blood and fragments of bone and flesh from the bookcase at the headboard. Ralph spent most of these days sitting up in his bed, bare chested with just a pair of shorts on, a pillow under his knees, staring into nowhere in particular for hours on end. He hardly ate. Arcelia brought him sandwiches and soups and cereals and fruits, but she threw all but a bite or two out. He drank a lot of water, no juices, no alcohol, no carbonated drinks, and no sports drinks. He hadn’t exercised since that day. He didn’t answer the many calls he received. His mind was stuck in limbo in a faraway place, and he had no idea where that place was.

His mother and father visited frequently, but he chased them away, his mother going home with tears clouding her eyes. At first, his father felt bad, pitied him, but now he was angry at his son who had given up on living, had totally disengaged himself from society, including his own family. This wasn’t the son he knew that fought every challenge and overcame any obstacle. He needed help, professional help, but he refused to listen to anyone.

It was a little after three in the afternoon on a Friday. Three men entered his bedroom and stood at the foot of his bed, staring down on him, their arms crossed across their chest, standing like statues with a disgusted look on their faces. They glanced at each other. Frank Marino was the one on the left, of Italian origin whose parents still lived in Passaic, New Jersey. His large dark brown eyes stared at the specimen lying in the bed with only a pair of green Duluth Chill underwear. He was in his forties now and had retired from the navy SEALs last year. The man in the middle was Syril Alla, the same age as Frank, a force recon marine corps colonel. He was planning on retiring next year. He looked down at a sad excuse of a man with his beady black eyes and black hair that was now salt and pepper and thinning. His parents had died of cirrhosis. The man on the right was George Rottinger, who had retired at the same time as Frank. Ted was also a decorated SEAL. He was a year older than Frank and Syril. His blue eyes had pity for the man in front of him. He had let his blond hair grow a good two inches.

Ready? Frank said to the others. They nodded. "You have two options, Ralph. A, you get your ass out of that bed and into the shower and get dressed on your own, or B, we do it for you."

Ralph stared with a big question mark that suddenly appeared on his forehead at the three men that had saved his life on more than one occasion and had saved his grandfather’s life on even more occasions. Ralph looked confused. Not a single muscle seemed to cooperate in his body.

Why are you guys here? He wanted to sound angry, but the long history of the men in front of him didn’t allow his voice to come out louder than a soft whisper.

To snap you out of your self-pity you are wallowing in. To help you deal with it, military style, since you won’t do it on your own.

Ralph waved them away. Who gives a shit? Just go away. I don’t need anyone. Leave me alone.

Frank looked at the others. Looks like option B, gentlemen. George, turn the shower on— lukewarm. George left through the closet to the shower.

You guys aren’t really gonna do this, are you? Ralph said, suddenly a little worried.

You made the choice. Syril and Frank grabbed him by the arms and began to drag him to the bathroom.

Okay, okay. I’ll do it. Just leave me alone, all right! His voice had found a little volume. What the hell is the matter with you guys! Ralph picked himself up off the floor after the two men let go, and he fell to the wooden deck with a thud. Frank and Syril just stared at him, their eyes daring him not to cooperate. Okay, okay, I’m going, see? Jesus! They followed Ralph into the shower, then the three watched him shower.

Hey, how ’bout a little privacy here, Ralph complained as he turned the heat up of the water. He did notice now that the odor that emanated from his body was quite foul, even to him, as if his nostrils just freed themselves of whatever was blocking them. Ralph scrubbed himself down from head to foot, shampooed his hair and beard twice. When he finished, his guests threw a dry towel at him, but didn’t leave Ralph out of their sight. Ralph wouldn’t admit it to them, but he did feel a little better.

They followed Ralph into the closet and supervised him getting dressed. Ralph complained all the while he dressed in blue jeans and a red Duluth shirt with a breast pocket. After he finished he stared at the three of them. Now what?

Now you come with us, Frank said matter-of-factly. The three of them escorted Ralph out of the house. As they went past the kitchen, Arcelia silently mouthed, Thank you, and Frank sent her a wink as they continued out the door.

Make sure you tell his parents, Frank yelled back at Arcelia as he continued walking out through the garage door.

Where are we going? Ralph complained.

You’ll see, Frank said as they piled into Ralph’s golf cart, which had three seats to accommodate six people including the driver.

Frank took off through the main gate through Frank’s acreage on Mullen’s Island and pulled up to the dock where the pontoon was moored. They all boarded the boat, leaving the keys in the cart. Frank cranked the motor and let it idle a couple of minutes while Syril and George untied the ropes. Frank called Arcelia to send Pedro to pick up the golf cart.

When they crossed to the mainland, they docked then debarked and walked up to the garage. Frank opened the garage with a key.

Hey, where did you get a key to my garage? Ralph accused.

Pedro made me a copy. Frank walked to the black Hummer EV and got in the driver’s seat. He turned the ignition, and she exploded to life.

Nice wheels, George said as he climbed into the back seat with Syril.

Smells new, Syril added.

It is, Frank stated, sending them hostile looks.

Ralph looked at Frank sharply from the front passenger seat. How do you know?

You told me.

Oh. Ralph didn’t remember when he told Frank he bought the Hummer. He had bought it in April, after terminating his employment with the DEA. All that seemed like it was years ago now.

It didn’t take more than forty minutes to get to the nearest barber. They walked in. The employees greeted them with a smile as they were thinking they had four customers on a quiet Friday afternoon. Most people went to the amusement parks or fishing from Friday to Sunday.

Just this guy, Frank explained. Then he looked at George and said, Maybe this guy, too. Three-eighths inch on both on the top and one quarter around the sides and back. Thin out this guy’s beard, too.

"Hey, why do I have to cut my hair off?" George complained.

Because we have work to do, and your hair is too long for that, Frank stated simply. Sit down.

Twenty minutes later, they were out the door. Frank drove them half way to the airport and pulled into a small mom-and-pop restaurant called Susan’s Eats.

Great, George said. I’m starving!

You’re always starving, George. Frank chuckled.

All this way to get something to eat, Frank? wondered Ralph out loud.

Gotta get your strength back, Ralph. Frank smiled under his breath.

"There’s nothing wrong with my strength," Ralph complained but followed them in, and they grabbed a table for four by the