Chapter 6 - The laboratory found something
Three days after the gala, Detective Aaron Bell called.
“We have preliminary testing.”
I sat down.
The preserved water contained a nonprescription concentrated compound that was not supposed to be consumed in that form.
I will not name it.
The name adds nothing useful.
It was plant-derived.
Commercially available for limited specialty applications.
In concentrated form it could cause severe gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, blood-pressure changes, and dangerous cardiac effects depending on dose and individual susceptibility.
Was there enough in the glass to kill me?
The toxicologist would not say yes.
Good.
The measured concentration was concerning but not easily translated into a swallowed dose because:
The water volume.
Sampling.
Unknown original amount.
Potential degradation.
My size.
My health.
Too many variables.
Could it have made me seriously ill?
Yes.
Potentially.
Could it have killed me?
Possible in extreme circumstances, but the evidence did not support declaring the glass a planned lethal dose.
That distinction became central later.
I asked:
“Was it the product Nora found on the receipt?”
“Consistent with that product category.”
Not courtroom final.
Enough for police to expand the investigation.
Vanessa was asked to surrender the silver purse under warrant after initially claiming she had misplaced it.
Inside:
Cosmetics.
Phone charger.
Keys.
Two small containers.
One empty.
One partially used.
The partially used container contained the same compound class.
Vanessa’s attorney said the product belonged to her horse.
She did ride.
Her family owned horses.
Possession itself was not illegal.
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Why was it in her evening bag?
No answer yet.
