The Look of Love by Mary Jane Clark Read Free Book Online

really want to do this, Piper?”
    She nodded firmly. “Mm-hmm. For all the reasons we’ve already gone over.”
    Vin let out a deep sigh. “All right, then,” he said. “I want to go through a few things with you.”
    “Of course you do.”
    “Acid is reactive, lovey. When it comes into contact with another material, something is going to happen. If it comes in contact with any part of your body, it will rapidly break down the tissue, causing severe burns. To say it hurts like hell would be an understatement. Shock could set in. And burns can lead to secondary problems, like infection. And infection can lead to—”
    “Okay, Dad,” said Piper, cutting her father off. “I get it.”
    “I just want you to understand that burns are never trivial. Not to mention, for an actress, facial burns would very likely end any chance for a career.”
    “Are you trying to scare me?” asked Piper. She wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly chilly.
    “If that’s what it takes to get you to be careful, then yes.” Vin unzipped the compact black nylon bag on his workbench. “Let me show you what’s in here.”
    Piper knew there was no point in protesting that she didn’t want to take the bag with her to California. She resigned herself to paying attention as her father emptied its contents.
    “Here are safety goggles and a face shield,” Vin said, handing the items to her. “Sulfuric acid can erode concrete and etch metal. Imagine what it could do your eyes and face.”
    “Dad, I’m going to be making a cake. I’m not working with chemicals.”
    Vin ignored her and continued, taking plastic bottles from the bag. “If, God forbid, acid does get in your eyes, here is sterile water. Flood your eyes with it, over and over. If you run out of the sterile stuff, use lukewarm water from the tap. And here are tissues, a mirror, and eye patches.”
    “Really, Dad?” Piper said incredulously. “I’m making a wedding cake. ”
    “And what if you’re busy making your cake and somebody comes into the kitchen with his sulfuric acid and a plan to splash it all over you?” Vin didn’t wait for an answer to his question. “Here’s an acid-resistant apron and gloves. Wear them.”
    Piper took the apparel from her father.
    “Now, if you do come in contact with acid, rapid treatment is essential,” said Vin. “You have to get the acid off your body right away. Find a shower or a hose. Start washing while removing your clothes as quickly as you can. To hell with modesty. Strip off everything, even your shoes, and keep the water flowing for at least fifteen minutes. Do not apply any burn ointment or spray.”
    “Okay, Dad. Okay.”
    “I’ve written down all the information, including the hospital emergency room nearest to Elysium. Call 911 right away.”
    “Man, how did I end up with such a lazy father?” Piper smiled, trying to lessen the tension.
    “Oh, yeah, one more thing, lovey. If acid is swallowed, it will burn all the way down to the stomach. It’s important not to throw it up, because that will make for additional burning as the acid comes up again.”
    “So what do I do?”
    “Drink milk mixed with egg whites.”
    “Perfect,” said Piper. “I’ll mix that right up while the acid is eating through my esophagus.”

Chapter 14
    H udson had a standing card game every Wednesday night. He looked forward to it—not only because he liked to play gin but because he liked Michael Ghant, the evening security guard at Elysium, and he wanted to maintain their friendship. Hudson Sherwood also liked to keep up with what was happening at the spa, and the conversation during their card game provided a weekly update.
    At a few minutes before 9:00 P.M. , Hudson drove through the rear entrance to the Elysium property, a small unmarked driveway off the main road. One hundred yards in, he turned off the car’s headlights. He knew the paved single lane well, and the glow coming from the windows of Vernon Abernathy’s