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“I’m freaking out over this,” Lori said. “Was the murderer someone I know?”
“That’s likely,” Gunner said. “Is there anyone you suspect?”
“We’re talking about murder,” Lori said. “I just don’t know. And why would anyone want to kill my father?”
Gunner considered the mob, but did they pose a threat? There wasn’t enough to go on. Lori’s interactions with the mob boss could be unrelated, yet he didn’t want to rule them out. There must be something he was missing.
“Let’s go over the events just prior to your father’s death,” Gunner said.
Lori went over it again. She had told Gunner before, but maybe she would remember something important. “My father was alone during the days prior to his death,” Lori said. “I know the murder was premeditated.”
“How can you be sure?”
“He was poisoned days before he died.”
“Could your father have been aware of the poison?”
“The murderer chose well,” Lori said. “Thallium is odorless and tasteless.”
“How fast is it?”
“It’s perfect, when you think about it,” Lori said. “The victim doesn’t die immediately. At the time of death, the killer is long gone.”
“It’s a slow death, then?”
“Food contamination is the most common method of poisoning,” Lori said. “If it wasn’t a large dose, symptoms might be delayed up to forty-eight hours. Initially, the symptoms are neurological, like a headache and blurred vision. That’s followed by nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.”
“Which appears to be the flu.”
“That was why my father wasn’t concerned about his condition,” Lori said. “Death likely didn’t occur until five to seven days after ingestion, but thallium toxicity is lethal if not treated rapidly. It results in respiratory paralysis and failure.”
“The murderer was aware that his victim would suffer for days before the end came,” Gunner said. “That’s just…savage.”
“What am I going to tell the police that I haven’t just told you?”
“We won’t leave it up to the police,” Gunner said. “I’ll get backup from my team. We will find out who did this.”
“I have to,” Lori said. “I won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t.” She put her hand on Gunner’s arm. “I need your help. I don’t know how to solve this on my own.”
“Trust me,” Gunner said. “You won’t have to. I can’t give you answers yet, but I won’t rest until this matter is taken care of.” He vowed to make the murderer pay for his crime.
*****
The next morning while Lori was sleeping, Gunner made a call. It was later in Houston, so Rip picked up on the first ring. “You’re up early.”
“Things have changed out here,” Gunner said. “I have a murder investigation on my hands.”
“The autopsy substantiated that?”
“Yes, and that’s the reason for my call,” Gunner said. “The LAPD is handling this matter. How long will it take them to get up to speed?”
Rip had relatives in law enforcement in L.A. “It’s likely that new cases take priority. The primary investigator will open a file to start the process.”
“How long does that take?”
“It varies,” Rip said. “I’ll make some calls and see what I can find out.”
“That would be helpful,” Gunner said, then shifted gears. “How’s it going out there? How’s Lela?”
