Chapter 7 - The Toxicology Retest Changed Everything
Alistair had not been embalmed before cremation.
That limited what could be tested later.
But hospital blood samples from his final admission had been retained for a period under standard policy.
Our attorney moved quickly.
An independent toxicologist reviewed the stored specimens.
The result did not reveal a cinematic poison.
No arsenic.
No cyanide.
No mystery substance.
Something more plausible.
And more disturbing.
Alistair’s blood showed evidence consistent with dangerously elevated levels of a prescribed medication that could contribute to electrolyte disturbance and arrhythmia.
The toxicologist was careful.
“This does not prove intentional poisoning.”
I appreciated that sentence.
“What does it prove?”
“That he had more of this medication in his system than would be expected from the documented cardiology regimen.”
“Could it have been accidental?”
“Yes.”
“Could it have contributed to death?”
“Yes.”
“Could someone have deliberately given him too much?”
“Yes.”
Three yeses.
Only one of them mattered to investigators:
Which explanation fit the evidence?
The prescription history showed overlapping supplies.
The household logs showed Lenora frequently handled the pill tray.
Dad’s notebook showed he questioned medication changes.
And one nurse’s note from his final week stated:
Patient repeatedly asks whether spouse’s daughter-in-law changed medication. Appears anxious regarding home pill management.
I had never seen that note.
Neither had Maris.
Lenora had.
She had requested a copy of the discharge paperwork after his previous admission.
When I asked her why, she said:
“Because somebody had to manage things.”
May you like
Again.
Control disguised as competence.
