Chapter 4 - The bottles
After the church disclosure, police contacted the medical examiner before they interviewed Lucy.
That mattered.
The phrase “white powder” did not automatically prove poison.
Infant formula is powder.
Probiotic supplements can be powder.
Certain prescribed infant products are powder.
Even residue from formula preparation could look strange to a four-year-old.
The investigators did not start from:
Grandmother poisoned twins.
They started from:
Child spontaneously described an additive.
The original death-scene team had collected several feeding items because of the unexplained dual deaths.
Prepared bottles.
Formula container.
Water source sample.
Medications in the house.
A bottle from the refrigerator that still contained a small amount of prepared formula from overnight.
I had forgotten that bottle existed.
Evelyn told police it was “extra.”
Investigators had sealed it.
Now the medical examiner asked the lab to prioritize testing of the bottle residue in light of Lucy’s statement.
I was told none of that immediately.
At the church, officers photographed my face and scalp.
They took statements regarding Evelyn’s assault.
The church had security cameras.
No audio at the altar area.
But enough video to show:
Evelyn striking me.
Grabbing my hair.
Forcing me against the coffin.
Daniel grabbing my arm.
My attempt to grab Evelyn afterward.
Everyone’s conduct.
No convenient editing.
No saint version of me.
I had lunged after Lucy’s disclosure.
That was there too.
The pastor asked if I needed medical attention.
I said no.
An officer suggested I let someone examine my forehead.
I refused.
Then Hannah told me:
“You have blood near your hairline.”
Tiny cut.
Nothing serious.
I agreed.
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I felt ashamed for caring about my forehead while two coffins sat twenty feet away.
Grief creates absurd guilt.
