"We’ve completed our initial analysis of the ceramic mug and its contents from the Haynes residence," Wagner began."I can confirm that the tea was contaminated with a toxic substance.We're still running tests to identify the specific compound, but that could take hours.But we can confirm that the victim was indeed poisoned.”
Kate and DeMarco exchanged glances. "How long before you can identify the specific poison?"DeMarco asked.
"We should have definitive results within the next three to four hours.However, I can tell you that whatever substance was used, it was present in a concentration that would have been lethal within thirty to sixty minutes of consumption.And I’m willing to bet it’s going to be plant-based."
Kate leaned forward toward the phone."Bill, this is Agent Wise.Based on the concentration levels, would the victim have experienced immediate symptoms?"
"Not immediate, but within five or ten minutes.But there’s one other thing you might be interested to hear: we also found textile fibers in the victim's nasal passages and around her mouth and nose area."
DeMarco frowned."What kind of textile fibers?"
"Cotton blend, consistent with fabric from a pillowcase or similar soft material.The positioning and depth of the fibers suggest they were introduced during the final stages of the victim's life, when she would have been weakened by the poison but not yet deceased."
Kate felt a chill of understanding."You're saying she was suffocated after being poisoned?"
"That's what the evidence suggests, though we'll need the medical examiner's full autopsy report to confirm the actual cause of death.But based on what we're seeing, it appears the victim was first incapacitated by the poison, then manually suffocated with a soft fabric item, probably a pillow or cushion."
The implications were disturbing.The killer hadn't been content to simply poison Jennifer and wait for the toxin to take effect.They had remained in the house, watching her suffer, then personally ensured her death by suffocation.
"Bill, is there any way to determine how the poison was introduced into the tea?"Kate asked."The victim was using a standard tea bag, so direct contamination of the liquid seems unlikely."
"We're examining the tea bag itself for trace residues, but you're right that it would be difficult to introduce poison into a sealed commercial tea bag without obvious tampering.More likely, the poison was added to the mug either before or after the hot water was poured.Maybe even the kettle from which the water was poured."
Kate considered this information.If the poison had been added to the mug or kettle, it suggested someone with access to Jennifer's kitchen and knowledge of her nightly tea routine.The killer would have needed to know that Jennifer would come downstairs after the book club meeting and prepare her usual chamomile tea.
"Thank you," DeMarco said."Please call us as soon as you have the specific identification on the poison."
"Will do.”
DeMarco ended the call and looked across the table at Kate."Someone poisoned her tea, then waited around to make sure she died.This guy has a pair on him, that’s for sure.”
Kate nodded, her thoughts turning to the book club members she'd observed the previous evening."I may have found something, too," she said."I did some studying up on the book Jennifer appeared to be reading when she was killed."She held up her phone, showing the Goodreads summary."Gaudy Nightcontains a scene where someone attempts murder by poisoning a woman's evening tea.The victim is supposed to be found hours later, appearing to have died from natural causes."
DeMarco's expression darkened as she absorbed this information."So our killer is definitely using mystery novels as blueprints for murder."
"It's more than that," Kate said, standing up from the dining room table and beginning to pace."Margaret was killed with a candlestick while readingMurder on the Orient Express, which features a prominent candlestick red herring.Jennifer was poisoned while readingGaudy Night,which includes attempted murder by poisoned tea.The killer isn't just using the books as inspiration.They're specifically targeting victims who are reading the novels that contain their preferred murder methods."
"That suggests someone with extensive knowledge of classic mystery literature," DeMarco observed."Anddetailed knowledge of what each book club member is currently reading."
Kate felt pieces of the puzzle beginning to form a clearer yet darker picture."Think about the timeline.Jennifer left the book club meeting around nine o'clock last night.She was probably home by nine-thirty, which gives her an hour or so to prepare for bed, come downstairs, and make her tea.The killer had to know her routine well enough to predict that she would be having tea and reading at that specific time."
"And they had to have access to her kitchen to contaminate the mug or the tea or whatever the hell it was that they did," DeMarco added."Either earlier in the day, or during the window when she was at the book club meeting."
Kate stopped pacing and turned to face DeMarco."Or they had help from someone who lives in the house."
The implication hung in the air between them.Rick Haynes had been upstairs sleeping when Jennifer died, according to his statement.He'd found her body the next morning and called 911 immediately.But he also had complete access to the kitchen, knowledge of Jennifer's nightly routine, and opportunity to contaminate her tea mug without suspicion.
"We need to question Rick more thoroughly," Kate said."His story is simple… and tragic.But right now, it all points to him.”
"He seemed genuinely devastated when we interviewed him," DeMarco replied."The grief appeared authentic.If he was faking it, he’sdamnedgood."
"Grief can be authentic even when someone is responsible for the death," Kate pointed out."People kill for complex reasons, and they can still mourn the loss even when they caused it."
DeMarco pulled out her phone again and started scrolling through her interview notes."Rick said he knew about the book club but admitted he usually tuned Jennifer out when she talked about it.He could name a few of the members, but didn't know details about their relationships or discussions.He said half the time, he didn't even know what book they were reading."
"That could be genuine disinterest, or it could be a deliberate attempt to distance himself from anything that might implicate him," Kate said."We need to dig deeper into their marriage, their finances, any recent stresses that might have motivated him to want Jennifer dead."
"But that doesn't explain Margaret's murder," DeMarco pointed out."If Rick killed Jennifer, who killed Margaret?And why would both murders be staged to reference mystery novels?"
