Chapter 5 - THE NURSE’S DIAGNOSIS
The parlor fell into a chilling silence.
Dr. Vance stared at Ru in disbelief.
“That’s impossible,” the doctor stammered.
“Miss Voss only ate the family dinner prepared by our private chef.”
“Check her blood pressure again,” Ru instructed, holding Elena’s wrist steady.
“And check the silver wine goblet she was holding.”
Harland stood up slowly.
His face was carved from dark granite.
He walked across the hallway toward the private dining room.
Ru continued to monitor Elena’s vitals.
“She’s stabilizing,” Ru murmured, wiping sweat from her forehead.
“The oxygen is keeping her brain oxygenated.”
Dr. Vance shook his head in lingering astonishment.
“You have incredible instincts, Miss Callaway.”
“Instincts don't pay for board exams, Doctor,” Ru replied dryly.
Moments later, Harland returned.
He held a crystal wine goblet by the stem.
His knuckles were white.
He set the glass down on the table near Dr. Vance.
“Test the residue,” Harland ordered.
Dr. Vance pulled a chemical testing strip from his case and dipped it into the remaining droplets of red wine.
The strip instantly turned a dark, unnatural shade of violet.
“Digitalis,” Dr. Vance whispered, horror in his eyes.
“A massive dose of heart medication.”
“Someone tried to kill my sister at her own dinner table,” Harland said.
His voice was terrifyingly calm.
The kind of calm that preceded a hurricane of violence.
He looked down at Ru.
“You saved my daughter tonight,” Harland said softly.
“And now you’ve just saved my sister.”
“You are no longer just a waitress in my house, Ru Callaway.”
“Does that mean I get a raise?” Ru asked, trying to mask her shaking hands with humor.
Harland’s lips twitched into a dangerous smile.
May you like
“It means you have protection.”
“And whoever did this is about to find out what happens when you poison a Voss.”
