Kate studied the scene, her trained eye taking in details that might not be obvious to others.She knew that the biggest link here wasn’t anything tangible; it was the fact that Mr.Rodriguez had recently opened his home to a child in need.And there was also the fact that he had recently been having health issues.
"Would you mind if I took a look at his medications?”she asked the coroner’s assistant.“I'm curious about what he was taking."
"Be my guest.Just don't disturb anything, please."
Kate stepped inside, finding the space even smaller and more cramped than it had seemed from the outside.The medicine cabinet was to the right of the sink, in a drawer…so notreallya medicinecabinet.It was filled with prescription bottles, their labels facing outward in neat rows.
Most of the medications were what she'd expect for an elderly man with heart problems: Metoprolol for blood pressure, Lipitor for cholesterol, and Warfarin for blood clots.But one bottle caught her attention immediately.The label read "Lorazepam 1mg."
It was an anti-anxiety medication – and the prescribing physician was listed as Dr.Cassandra Chen.It was the same anti-anxiety medication she’d prescribed for Carol Bennett.
Kate felt her pulse quicken.She looked over to DeMarco and showed her the bottle.
"Same doctor as Carol Bennett," DeMarco said quietly.
"Same doctor," Kate confirmed."And same prescription, too.And look at the date on this prescription.It was filled just two weeks ago."
DeMarco studied the label."You think there's a connection?"
Kate looked around the small bathroom, taking in the other details she'd missed on her first pass.The other medication bottles were organized with the kind of precision that suggested someone who took their health seriously, someone who wouldn't make careless mistakes with their pills.But the Lorazepam bottle was slightly out of place, sitting at an angle that didn't match the careful arrangement of the others.
"I think it’sverysuspicious, actually," Kate said."
They made their way back to the living room, where Maria was had come inside.She was sitting with Officer Jenkinson the couch.The coroner's assistant was preparing to remove the body with the help of the ME, who had just arrived.It all now had the feel of a scene that was beginning to wind down.
"Mrs.Rodriguez," Kate said, approaching her gently."I have one more question.Do you know if your father was seeing a psychiatrist or therapist recently?Someone who might have prescribed him anxiety medication?"
Maria looked surprised."Dad seeing a shrink?No, I don't think so.At least, if he was, he certainly didn’t tell me.”
“Did you know he was one anti-anxiety medication?”
She shook her head slowly, as if ashamed of not knowing this bit of information.
“Well, that’s all out of us for now,” DeMarco said.“We’ll reach out if we have any further questions.And I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” Maria said in little more than a whisper.
As they prepared to leave the scene, Kate found herself feeling that the solid lead they’d established was a string one.Jake Bennett had been a suspect due to mere circumstance.But right now, every single finger in the case seemed to be pointing to Dr.Cassandra Chen, and the line of evidence was simple enough to follow.
Both victims were empty-nesters.And they had both been prescribed the same medicine by Dr.Cassandra Chen.
And both were now dead.
The next step was quite obvious, and it was communicated in nothing more than a glance between Kate and DeMarco as they got back into the car under a moonless sky that seemed indifferent to the entire ordeal.
CHAPTER NINE
"What the bloody hell is going on?"
The question came from the mouth of Mr.Alex Chen, and it was very loud.
Kate stood in the tastefully decorated living room of Dr.Cassandra Chen's home at 3:40 in the morning, watching as two backup officers placed handcuffs on the psychiatrist while DeMarco read her rights.The scene felt surreal in the soft glow of the table lamps that had been switched on to illuminate the arrest.Dr.Chen, roused from sleep and still wearing silk pajamas, looked bewildered and frightened as the metal restraints clicked into place around her wrists.
Mr.Chen, a tall man with graying hair, stood in the doorway between the living room and kitchen, his face flushed with anger and disbelief.He wore a rumpled t-shirt and boxer shorts, having clearly been awakened by the commotion of police entering his home with a warrant.
"You have the right to remain silent," DeMarco continued, her voice steady and professional despite the early hour."Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
"This is insane," Mr.Chen said, his voice rising."Cassandra, don't sayanything.I'm calling our lawyer right now."He pointed an accusatory finger at Kate."You people have made a terrible mistake."
