"I'm not sure what you're getting at."
"From what I understand, Preston was adamant that the bulk of his fortune go to charity."
"I'm not sure where you're getting your information from."
"Preston had made several public statements to that effect."
"Like I said, he had a change of heart."
"You have to admit, it looks a little suspicious."
"Are you accusing me of something?"
"Your daughter wanted Preston to give the fortune to charity."
"It wasn't Sydney's money. She had no say in the matter."
“How did Sydney react when she found out about the changes?”
That question flustered her.
50
“I’m curious, Deputy,” Judy said. “What are your intentions?”
“To solve your daughter’s murder,” I said.
“And you think coming here, insulting me, making wild accusations is going to accomplish that?”
“I apologize if I’ve offended you.”
“I am in a state of mourning, overcome with grief. I’ve lost not only my father, but my daughter as well. How dare you come here and talk to me like this! I will be calling the sheriff and making my displeasure known. I will ask him to put more competent deputies on the case. If this is the state of policing in this city, I will be forced to sponsor another candidate come the next election cycle.”
I smiled. “I think you should call the sheriff and let him know exactly how you feel.“
“I’d like you to leave now.”
JD and I stood up.
I said, “Do you mind if I use your restroom?”
She huffed. “If you must. The guest bathroom is out of service. Use the one in Preston’s bedroom. It’s just down the hall,” she said, pointing.
I walked across the living room and down the hallway. The door to Preston‘s room was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and stepped inside. The sheets had been stripped off the bed, and the room was heavy with the man’s former presence. A silver walker still stood near the bed. Various bottles of medication lined the nightstand. I looked them over.
The man was on a cocktail of beta-blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, anticoagulants, blood pressure medication, opioids, and digoxin, among others.
The bottle of digoxin was empty, even though it had been refilled recently. It was a common medication for AFib or congestive heart failure. It quickly became toxic above prescribed doses.
In control of his medication, Judy could have easily managed her father's decline. Any of these medications or a combination thereof at the right levels could have caused his demise. Excess digoxin over a period of weeks could have brought him into the compromised position in the first place.
Proving foul play would be a different story.
I pulled a nitrile glove from my pocket, snapped it on, took the empty pill bottle, and placed it into an evidence bag. I slipped it into my pocket. It was fair game. She invited me into the house and told me to use the restroom in the bedroom. The pill bottle was in plain view. I didn’t know what good it would do me. Herprints were probably on it, but they had a legitimate reason to be there.
I stepped into the restroom and took care of my business, then returned to the living room.
JD and I showed ourselves out.
