Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN SOMEONE WANTED TO BLAME
By three in the morning, Evelyn had answered the same questions six times.
She sat in a small airport interview room with a paper cup of tea cooling between her hands.
Across the table, Detective Inspector Niamh O'Connell of the Irish police studied the notes from Evelyn's initial statement.
“Let's start with the medication case.”
Evelyn nodded.
“You saw it when the passengers boarded?”
“Yes.”
“Did you see anyone open it?”
“No.”
“Did you see anyone tamper with Mr. Vitelli's food?”
“No.”
“Then what made you concerned?”
“His symptoms.”
O'Connell nodded.
“You were the first to recognize he was in distress?”
“As far as I know.”
The detective turned a page.
“Mr. Vitelli's associates say he has a documented severe allergy. They also say his prescribed emergency medication was checked by his physician before departure.”
Evelyn frowned.
“Then why are they investigating the case?”
“Because the hospital found discrepancies in the contents.”
Evelyn went still.
“What kind?”
“I can't discuss all the findings yet.”
“Was he given the wrong medication?”
“We're investigating.”
Evelyn looked down at her tea.
For the first time, she understood that the medical emergency might not have been accidental.
At the hospital, Antonio Vitelli lay beneath a white blanket, furious that three physicians had forbidden him to leave.
His throat still hurt.
His chest felt bruised.
And the memory of being unable to draw air into his lungs had left him with a fear he refused to acknowledge.
Marco stood near the window.
“The police are reviewing the case.”
Antonio watched him.
“Who packed it?”
“Dr. Bellucci.”
“Who collected it?”
“I did.”
“Who handled it after that?”
Marco hesitated.
Antonio's expression hardened.
“Marco.”
“Your cousin Luca asked to check the contents before we left the house.”
Silence.
Antonio slowly turned his head.
“Luca?”
Marco nodded.
“He said you had forgotten one of your prescriptions.”
Antonio closed his eyes.
His cousin Luca Vitelli had been trying to convince him to sign away control of several shipping companies for months.
Antonio had refused.
Now he remembered the taste of the small tablet he'd taken before dinner.
It had come from the black case.
Luca had handed it to him that afternoon, claiming it was the usual medication his physician had packed.
Antonio opened his eyes.
“Find out exactly what he put in that case.”
Marco nodded.
“And Marco?”
“Yes?”
“Do not tell Luca I'm asking.”
Across the city, Evelyn finally reached her assigned hotel.
She entered her room, locked the door, and called her younger sister.
“Lucy?”
A sleepy voice answered.
“Evelyn? What's wrong?”
“Nothing. I just needed to hear your voice.”
Lucy laughed.
“At three in the morning?”
Evelyn looked toward the window.
“It's a long story.”
Her sister became serious.
“Are you okay?”
Evelyn swallowed.
“I think so.”
“Then tell me.”
May you like
Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed.
And began.
