Page 83 of Two Kinds of Stranger

‘The poison acts fast, according to what we’ve read about it,’ said Harry, and Elly nodded along.

‘Yeah, it took maybe a couple of minutes before I felt the full effect,’ said Elly.

‘And considering both James and Harriet were found in the apartment, we’re guessing that’s where they ingested the poison. When did you leave the apartment?’ he asked.

‘The same day I found them in bed. I hastily packed a bag, and I left, and I haven’t been back since. I stayed at a hotel.’

‘There were no signs of a break-in at the apartment,’ I said. ‘I take it you still have your key. You didn’t lose it?’

‘No, I have it.’

I looked at Harry and then Kate. We were no closer to finding out how the victims were poisoned.

‘Elly,’ I began, ‘we think the DA knows how they were poisoned. Tetrahydrozoline has to be ingested, so it had to be in something they ate or drank. They’re going to say there was no sign of a break-in. That you had the only other key to the apartment. And that you hated James and Harriet for betraying you, so you snuck into the apartment while they were out and dosed some food or drink with tetrahydrozoline. We don’t yet know the vehicle for ingestion, but we’ll find out once we get further discovery. That’s their case. That’s the case we have to beat.’

Elly’s voice faltered. She hadn’t had time to process her husband’s betrayal never mind his murder.

‘I didn’t know Visine drops were poisonous. To me they’re just eye drops. I didn’t hate James or Harriet. I loved them. I just felt so hurt. I didn’t want them to suffer. That’s why I deleted that video, the one where I found them together. But by then itwas too late. People had taken it and shared it. That’s the thing about social media – it’s there forever. Jesus, if I could just go back and change what happened. . .I never wanted it to come to this. I didn’t want them to be abused online. I didn’t want some maniac coming after them. . .’

‘Did James have a TikkyTok account?’ asked Harry.

Strangely, Elly smiled at Harry. It was only a brief smile. A momentary respite from the pain and stress.

‘Yeah, but he took all of his accounts down after my video went viral. He was getting a lot of abuse from my followers. His whole life fell apart. He lost his job. Harriet too. They both deleted their accounts. Why do you ask?’

‘Because you put out a lot about your personal life on your social media. That’s how this killer was able to know so much about you. Did James post diary videos about his routine?’

‘No, he was more private,’ said Elly.

‘Okay, we’ve got work to do. We can build a defense. Elly, is there anything else you can tell us that you think might help?’ I asked.

She folded her arms, sank into her seat. Her eyes were far away. Thinking. Glistening with fresh tears.

‘No,’ she said, ‘I don’t think so.’

Her voice was small and flat, filled with fear and sorrow.

‘Thank you, Elly, this has been really—’

I didn’t finish my thought.

There was a crash behind us. The sound of a door slamming into a wall.

We all stood and looked toward the door to the office.

Denise was in reception, on her feet, her hands on her cheeks in shock.

Detective Bill Sacks had flung open my office door. He was flanked by two cops in uniform. He had a folder of papers under his arm and a nasty grin on his face.

I came out of the conference room, said, ‘Do you know where you are? What the hell is going on, Sacks?’

He took the folder from under his arm and handed me a bundle of pages, stapled together.

‘I’m here to do two things, Flynn. First, I’m serving your client with anex parteorder.’

‘What the hell are you—’

‘Next, I’m arresting her for murder.’