Hubby made me a cup of coffee which had a very strange smell.…

James, still visible through the window, sank into a chair in the hallway, his head in his hands. The Henderson account, I said slowly, pieces clicking into place. It wasn’t just about that presentation, was it? You needed me out of the way permanently because the client specifically requested me as their lead.

Nina’s face contorted with a mixture of anger and fear. You were ruining everything! I built that client portfolio for years, and then you show up and suddenly everyone wants to work with you instead. James said he could fix it.

By killing me? The words hung in the air, heavy with accusation. We weren’t trying to… Nina started, but Dr. Phillips cut her off. The concentration in the coffee you drank today, the doctor stated, looking directly at Nina, was significantly higher than previous samples we’ve analyzed from Mrs. Bennett’s earlier hospital visits.

If she had consumed it, the outcome would have been severe, possibly fatal. Detective Mendoza turned to the other officer. We’ll need a full warrant for both their homes and offices, and contact the pharmaceutical company listed on these bottles.

Find out how they obtained these substances. Nina slumped back against her pillows, the fight draining from her face. It wasn’t supposed to go this far, she whispered.

James kept saying we just needed one more try. I stepped closer to her bed, my voice steady despite the trembling in my hands. Every time I got sick, every meeting I missed, every client I lost, you were both there, watching, taking notes on how your poison was affecting me.

What kind of people does that make you? The silence that followed was deafening. Outside I could hear James being read his rights as additional officers arrived. Nina stared at her hands, unable to meet my gaze.

Detective, I said, turning away from my sister-in-law, I’m ready to make my formal statement now. The trial lasted three weeks, but it felt like years. I sat in the courtroom each day, watching as the prosecution methodically laid out their case against James and Nina.

The evidence was overwhelming, the bottles from James’ office, their detailed notes on each poisoning attempt, the recorded conversations and text messages discussing their plans. What struck me most was their demeanor throughout the proceedings. Nina, usually so polished and confident, looked small in her defendant’s chair.

James couldn’t even look at me, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor as expert witnesses detailed the potentially lethal effects of the substances they’d been using. Dr. Phillips’ testimony was particularly damning. She presented a comprehensive analysis, showing how they had gradually increased the dosages over time, demonstrating clear intent to cause serious harm…