The Nursery (ePub)

It has been said that if Irelands historic political partys did not recognize the massive changes that are necessary because of the recession and the pressures of the worlds need for oil, food, and water that the people of Ireland may look to a messianic type leader.
The Nursery is a current events political intrigue story about two legislative TDs, Steven Hurley and Pat Gratton who formed the Democratic Independent Party. Over a few years they have identified and enlisted several TDs and Senators along with four Dubliners who have a strong desire to get even with the Government, The Phoenix Group. Two Fianna Fail Ministers and their Party Wip are murdered.
Steven Hurley with the help of a retired chemistry teacher made poisonous extracts from plants on sale in Hurleys Clonee Nursery. A lab in one of the Nursery buildings where Fox Glove, Yew, Daffodil bulbs, Sweet Pea, Lantana and others are prepared as a liquid, powder, or tablet. A poison to fit the need. MRSA and C-diff cultures are also on hand.
The other three members of the Phoenix Group are a retired nurse, a retired Garda, and an expert intelligence and surveillance person.

Hospital doctors become suspicious of Minister ODowds and Party Wip, John Boyles cause of death. The Attorney General is contacted and the inquiry is turned over to detective Michael Gillen, of the ISS intelligence group. The ISS is a secret organization to investigate highly sensitive government situations. Less than a dozen people are aware of its existence. Only Michael Gillen and the ISS head, Sean Murphy, know of the inquiry.

At the outset Michael is skeptical. John Boyles death was caused by a severe infection of MRSA and C-diff following a mugging. Sean ODowds death was caused by an apparent overdose of a hospital drug, digitalis. Further investigation indicates ODowd, who was in the hospital due to an atrial fibrillation occurrence. A lethal tablet of Fox Glove extract triggered the formation of digitalis allowing organ failures. A mystery nurse had been at his bedside early that morning.

Michael and his wife Sheelaghs rural home happened to be located five miles south of the Hurley nursery. Sheelagh loves her gardening while Michael loves his golf, a continuous battle. A short course in poisonous plants and it is not long before Steven Hurley is Michaels prime suspect. Michael orders surveillance of Hurleys and Grattons home and office. Meanwhile Robert Sullivan, Hurleys intelligence man alerts the Phoenix Group to what Gillen would be doing. They take precautionary steps. A cat and mouse game begins.

While Michael is doing his pick and shovel work Hurley and Gratton are busily lining up their candidates for both the June local elections and the upcoming re-call election they plan to make happen. Robert Sullivan has identified seven Fianna Fail back bench T Ds to be blackmailed into voting for a recall. He has also lined up a Dail bar attendant to use a few drops of daffodil bulb juice to put a TD or Senator in the bathroom for a day or two with diarrhea and vomiting.
Hurley and Gratton continue doing the math while assessing their candidates for Dail seats following the recall elections in late July.
The recessions occurrence has made their chances for success better.
They hire one of newspapers best reporters as their PR person. Janet Smith is doing a great job. She knows all the politician players and the games they play. The June local election is successful. The Democratic Independent party has elected two of the three bi-election candidates for the Dail. They now have four DI Party seats plus the Magnificent Seven plus three Fianna Fail, two Fine Gael and one Labour TD switchers. Seventeen votes for a recall.
Michael has identified the mystery nurse, Sara Logan, and is convinced of her guilt but has absolutely no proof. Hurley had his staff do landscaping at Saras home to cover the phone calls. None of the DI Party efforts would be possible