Chapter 12 - Genevieve’s samples
The medical examiner authorized additional testing.
I was in the twins’ hospital room when Dr. Whitaker received the result.
He asked me to step into the consultation room.
I said:
“Just tell me.”
He looked at Elena.
She started to leave.
“Stay.”
She did.
Genevieve’s stored specimens showed evidence consistent with significant exposure to the same contaminant class affecting the twins.
Not enough to rewrite her death certificate instantly.
Her final cause of death had been recorded as acute liver failure with cardiac complications, etiology uncertain.
Now the medical examiner reopened review.
Could environmental exposure have materially contributed?
Yes.
Could it be proven as the sole cause?
Not yet.
Genevieve had received medications.
Had underlying inflammatory findings.
Had complex organ injury.
Science did not owe me one clean villain.
I asked:
“Did the house kill my wife?”
Dr. Whitaker did not answer.
Correct.
He said:
“There is now substantial reason to evaluate environmental toxic exposure as a contributor.”
Contributor.
I wanted murderer.
Instead I got medicine.
That evening I sat beside Jonah.
He was sleeping.
Blythe was awake.
She asked:
“Did Mom get sick like us?”
I froze.
Children ask questions adults spend days preparing to answer and then ask while eating applesauce.
“Yes.”
“Because house?”
“We think the house may have had something unhealthy in it.”
“Why?”
“We’re finding out.”
She looked at Elena.
“Did Elena know?”
Elena said:
“Mom knew something felt wrong.”
“Why didn’t Daddy?”
There it was.
I answered.
“Daddy didn’t listen carefully enough.”
Blythe frowned.
“Why?”
Because I was busy.
Because Victor reassured me.
Because doctors had another theory.
Because Mercer men believed problems could be assigned.
All true.
I chose:
“I thought I knew more than I did.”
May you like
She accepted that.
Children often understand arrogance better when you remove the expensive vocabulary.
