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“In terms of physical evidence, the crime scene technicians went through Ms. Jang’s home a second time without finding anything to suggest a struggle inside the condo or on the balcony. We also reviewed the lobby camera footage without identifying any unexplained visitors coming in or out of the building. And the property manager was able to confirm that Ms. Jang didn’t buzz anyone in through the intercom the entire day.”
“Oh,” Holly says, feeling even more disheartened. “What about the bottles?”
Rivers frowns. “The empties at the scene?”
“Yes. Aside from them, did you find other alcohol in her home?”
“No. Just those two. But we did get results back from the toxicology testing. And alcohol was the only drug found in her system.”
“No ketamine? Or…” Holly stops herself before asking about MDMA or midazolam.
“No.” He clicks his tongue. “But her blood alcohol level was 0.37.”
“Wow! That’s almost five times the legal limit.” Holly, herself, would be comatose with a level that high, but alcoholics like JJ often build up a degree of tolerance to such high concentrations in their bloodstream.
“Also, the preliminary autopsy results are consistent with someone who jumped,” he says.
“They can tell that from a person who smashed into the pavement from eleven stories above?”
“Not with certainty, no. But there are indicators. For example, the medical examiner didn’t find any ligature marks, circumferential bruising, or defensive wounds that might suggest homicide.”
“I see,” Holly murmurs.
“I’ve also spoken to Ms. Jang’s siblings and two of her ex-husbands. None of them were aware of those concerns she shared with you. Ms. Jang never mentioned any regrets to them over Ms. Golding’s death. Or not having warned her about something.”
“JJ was spooked. She probably only told a select few.” Holly thinks of what Reese told her about Simon’s conversation with JJ. “I believe she did share her concerns with a fellow client in her group.”
Rivers eyes her with a knowing smile. “But as you’re aware, Dr. Danvers, I’m not privileged to the names of the other group members.”
Holly considers it for a moment. “What if I were to put the client in question in direct contact with you?”
“That would be really helpful,” he says with an encouraging nod. “So far, the only person I’ve been able to track down is Simon Lowry.”
Her lip twitches. “You already spoke to Simon?”
“Yes. And he acknowledged he was in the same group as Ms. Jang.”
“Simon is the other client I was referring to,” she says, unable to conceal her disappointment. “Did he corroborate what I told you? About JJ’s misgivings over Elaine’s death?”
“No, he did not.”
Why would Simon deny it?
“Look, Dr. Danvers,” he continues. “I take your concerns very seriously, but so far, I’ve found no evidence of a crime. And I hope that reassures you.”
“I wish it did.”
“I’m willing to keep digging, Dr. Danvers. But Newport has a small detectives’ division, and we’re backlogged with cases.” He studies her with what appears to be genuine sympathy. “I just thought you should know that the coroner is likely to rule Ms. Jang’s death to be a suicide.”
Holly can’t hide the defeat in her voice when she says, “Thanks for letting me know, Detective Rivers.”
After he leaves, Holly sits and stares at her blank computer screen. She tries to convince herself that the detective is right. That she should be relieved there’s no evidence of foul play in either client’s death. That as tragic and senseless as two self-inflicted deaths in one group are, homicide would be worse.
But it doesn’t do much good. Her gut screams that a huge piece of the puzzle is missing. Holly thinks of Liisa’s description of Elaine as “determined” in her final hours and how her death doesn’t fit with a needle-phobic patient who was about to overdose by injecting fentanyl. And Holly can’t overlook how coincidental it is that Elaine and JJ both fell off the wagon within hours of their deaths.
No. Despite the coroners’ convenient conclusions, Holly knows she will not—cannot—simply accept them.
“I’m sorry, Papa,” she mutters aloud. “I don’t see any other way.”
