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Lori was trembling, so she gripped the arms of the chair. Nick slumped in his chair but appeared interested. Sheldon maintained his composure.
Glenn read the report without looking up. Lori stared at him as he went through the findings one by one. She dared not look at anyone else, as she couldn’t bear to see their faces. Much of the report was medical information that made more sense to Lori than it would to the others.
But Lori’s suspicion had been valid. An examination of a hair sample revealed that thallium had been in her father’s system. Despite the weeks of waiting, the news still came as a shock. For a moment, Lori felt faint and tried to steady her breathing.
Sheldon reached over and took her hand. She glanced at him, noting his look of devastation. The shock of hearing the truth rendered her speechless.
“What does all that mean?” Nick said. “What are you saying about my father?”
“The pathologist’s report is talking about your father’s sudden death,” Glenn said. “His autopsy report determined the cause of death, and his report can be used as evidence.”
“Father died of thallium poisoning,” Lori said. “That means he was murdered.”
“Maybe he took the poison accidentally,” Nick said, looking horror-struck.
“That’s not likely,” Sheldon said. “After Lori shared her reason for suspecting poisoning, I looked into it. Thallium was used as rat poison, but it was banned long ago, so the substance is not readily available. Poisoning wouldn’t have been accidental.”
“I spoke to the coroner,” Glenn said. “Forensically, thallium is not the first thing considered. But in this case, poison residue was picked up in the autopsy. I was informed that there is no other way to get a high level of the element in the tissues, except by poisoning. And with modern analytical techniques, the substance can’t be mistaken for anything else.”
That shut Nick up. He looked at Lori, as if for guidance.
“This is a lot to take in,” Lori said.
“I assume the police will follow up?” Sheldon said.
“The coroner will call for an inquest to begin a legal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert Waters,” Glenn said. “I realize how upsetting this must be for all of you. I will be available to assist you in any way that I can.”
Lori stood, and her uncle hugged her. “I’m so sorry,” she said.
“We’ll need a chance to process all of this,” Sheldon said to Glenn.
“Of course,” Glenn said. “I will keep you updated. But you should expect to hear from an investigating officer.”
Nick shuffled out of the room, then Lori and Sheldon followed. The report had thrown Lori into emotional upheaval. Her worst fear had been confirmed, yet one question remained unanswered.
Who had murdered her father?
