“But no one suffered any adverse effects?”
“Not unless you count the amount of bags of crisps Birdie got through.” She claps in delight. “I believe the young ones call it getting the munchies.”
I shake my head. We’re getting off topic, but the brownies and Kevin is something we’ll definitely be circling back around to.
“That isn’t actually the incident I was referring to,” I say. “I’m referring to Tristan.”
“Tristan.” She puckers her wrinkled lips as if in deep thought. “Isn’t he the nice young man who took a nap at the table? He did seem very tired.”
“He wasn’t sleeping,” I reply flatly. “He was drugged with some kind of sedative.”
“Oh,” she says innocently as she smooths her skirt. “You don’t say. I wonder how that happened. Are you sure he didn’t have one of the brownies?”
“No, he didn’t,” I reply. “And I think you know that.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you–”
She breaks off as Maddie walks back into the room, smiling.
“Oh, I think you do know what my partner is talking about, Ms Chappell,” Maddie states as she raises her hand holding a small plastic prescription pill pot which she gives a little shake. The rattle is loud in the suddenly quiet room. “Diazepam prescribed to Ms Ivy Chappell.”
“It’s just to help me sleep,” she says defensively.
“Ms Chappell,” Maddie says coolly. “You do realise that this is the exact benzodiazepine found in Tristan Everett’s bloodstream when he was admitted to hospital.”
We don’t know that, of course. The hospital hadn’t been able to confirm anything but the fact it was a type of sedative medication; there’s no way in hell to track it to a specific prescription, but Ivy doesn’t know that. Her eyes dart to me nervously, and I’m guessing I’m playing the good cop again, even though I’m not feeling it at the moment. I’m still enraged that someone drugged my boyfriend.
“Look, I’m sure you didn’t mean any harm.” I soften my voice and school my expression into one of understanding.
“I don’t…”
“Ms Chappell, this is your chance to tell us your side of it before we officially enter this medication as evidence,” Maddie bluffs, laying it on thick.
“It was an accident.” Her eyes shift between the two of us. “I didn’t mean to hurt the young man.”
“Then why did you do it?” I try to keep my voice even.
“I was just trying to be friendly, but you were so uptight and tense, I thought I’d help you relax. So I slipped a couple of my pills in your tea when you weren’t looking, but honestly, it wasn’t even that much. It usually only helps me relax and get a little mellow. It helps with anxiety.”
“Jesus, she must have the tolerance of a rhino,” Maddie murmurs.
“You had no right,” I snap, my temper finally getting the better of me. “Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? What if he’d had an allergic reaction to it? What if you’d put in too much? You could’ve killed him.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt him,” she says contritely.
“No, just to drug me.” I scowl at her. “You are in very serious trouble, Ms Chappell.”
“Look, I’ll apologise to the young man. Tristan, was it? I’m sure he’ll be very understanding.”
“Well, I’m not,” I say coolly. “And I’m sure Mrs Abernathy wouldn’t be either, if she were here.”
“Delores?” She frowns. “What does she have to do with this?”
“Are you telling me you didn’t poison her?” I accuse. “After all, you've proved you have no conscience when it comes to drugging innocent people.”
“I had nothing to do with Delores’ death,” she says indignantly.
“I’m afraid we’re going to have to continue this conversation down at the station.” I stand slowly, looking down at her. “And I suggest you find yourself some representation.”
