Chapter 11
The breakthrough came from a nurse named Paula.
She had worked the charity retreat where Laura died.
She saw the news about Vanessa and called Detective Brooks.
Paula remembered Vanessa arguing with Laura near a storage room.
She remembered Laura looking upset.
She remembered Vanessa holding the dessert tray later.
But the important part was the EpiPen.
Laura always carried two.
One in her purse.
One in her medical bag.
After the reaction, both failed.
At the time, investigators assumed heat damage.
Now the devices were tested again with modern methods.
Tampered.
Both.
My body went numb when Nora said the word.
Tampered.
Someone had made sure Laura could not save herself.
Detective Brooks found Vanessa’s fingerprints on Laura’s medical bag from evidence storage.
Old prints preserved under the latch.
Vanessa claimed she helped look for medication.
But Paula’s statement placed her near the bag before the meal.
Charges followed.
Second-degree murder.
Evidence tampering.
Premeditated assault by allergen exposure.
Vanessa screamed when she was arraigned.
Not graceful now.
Not polished.
“Laura was going to ruin everything!”
The courtroom froze.
Her lawyer grabbed her arm.
Too late.
Everything.
What everything?
Detective Brooks found that answer in Vanessa’s old emails.
Laura had reported Vanessa for accessing patient files.
Vanessa was about to lose her career.
May you like
Laura had become the obstacle first.
Noah was just the next one.
