Chapter 9 - THE PILL BOTTLE IN THE GREENHOUSE
Police obtained a warrant to search Manuel’s rooms.
His medicine cabinet had been emptied after the funeral.
The private nurse said Veronica had ordered her to dispose of everything.
Veronica denied it.
A security recording showed her carrying a black bag from the study on the night Manuel died.
The camera did not show what was inside.
Lucy reviewed every angle.
She noticed Veronica entering the greenhouse afterward.
A second camera showed her without the bag when she returned.
Police searched the greenhouse.
Behind a loose brick near the irrigation controls, they found a prescription bottle.
Manuel’s name appeared on the label.
The pills inside were not his normal heart medication.
They contained a drug capable of creating a fatal rhythm disturbance.
Detective Naomi Cruz questioned Veronica.
Veronica arrived with three lawyers.
She claimed Manuel had changed medications often.
The pharmacy records disagreed.
Only one prescription had been altered.
The change occurred through an electronic request sent from Dr. Paul Mercer.
Mercer worked for Adrian Vega’s medical-investment company.
He admitted approving the medication after Veronica told him Manuel suffered severe insomnia.
The drug was not an insomnia treatment.
When confronted, Mercer asked for immunity.
He said Adrian wanted Manuel confused during a board meeting.
Veronica delivered the pills.
Adrian claimed the dose was harmless.
Manuel died after taking two tablets.
Teresa watched the interview from behind the glass.
Veronica finally whispered,
“I only changed the bottle.”
Detective Cruz leaned closer.
“Why?”
“My father was destroying everything.”
“He was giving control to a stranger.”
“Teresa was his niece.”
“She was the maid.”
The words hung in the room.
Veronica had known Teresa’s identity.
She had simply believed poverty canceled blood.
“Did you intend for Manuel to die?” Cruz asked.
“No.”
“I wanted him weak.”
“I wanted another week to complete the warehouse sale.”
Veronica began crying.
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Teresa felt no satisfaction.
Her uncle had been killed because his daughter needed seven more days of control.
