Chapter 11 - THE MEDICINE CABINET
Police reopened the investigation into Manuel’s death.
The mansion’s medical cabinet had been emptied after his funeral.
Veronica claimed the nurse disposed of everything.
The nurse denied it.
A security log showed Veronica entering the medical room with a black bag.
She left seven minutes later.
The camera covering the hallway had no audio.
Lucy examined the video repeatedly.
“Pause there.”
Veronica’s bag was partly open.
A white prescription bottle was visible inside.
Arthur obtained a search warrant for Veronica’s private apartment.
Officers found the bottle inside a locked bathroom cabinet.
The label carried Manuel’s name.
The pills inside did not match the prescription.
They contained a medication that could interfere with his heart rhythm when combined with his normal treatment.
Veronica was questioned.
She said she found the bottle after Manuel’s death and kept it because she did not trust the household staff.
Teresa’s anger became immediate.
“You accused the staff to explain why you hid evidence.”
Veronica stared at her across the interview room.
“I did not kill my father.”
“Then why keep the bottle?”
“Because he was making reckless decisions.”
“You mean the decision to recognize me.”
“He was dismantling the family.”
“The family was already broken.”
Veronica looked toward the one-way glass.
“I changed one pill.”
The room became silent.
Her attorney turned sharply.
Veronica continued before he could stop her.
“I only wanted him tired during the board meeting.”
“Harrison said the dose would make him confused.”
“I did not know his heart would stop.”
Detective Cole leaned forward.
“You replaced medication prescribed for a man with a heart condition.”
“I was protecting the company.”
Teresa closed her eyes.
Again.
Protecting the family.
Protecting the company.
Protecting the name.
Always protecting an institution by sacrificing a person.
Veronica was arrested for evidence tampering, elder abuse, and causing Manuel’s death.
As officers led her away, she looked toward Teresa.
“He left you everything because I made one mistake.”
May you like
Teresa shook her head.
“He left it because you kept calling every choice a mistake after planning it.”
