Chapter 4 - The Poisoner's Ledger
The funeral hall emptied within minutes. The director and his staff had fled, terrified of the miraculous—and horrifying—resurrection they had just witnessed.
Ethan stood near the shattered coffin, his handsome face pale as he stared at the empty syringe cap lying half-hidden under a pile of fallen white roses on the platform floor. He picked it up with a gloved hand, his eyes narrowing into cold slits.
“Someone set this up,” Ethan muttered, his voice dropping into a dangerous register. “Someone wanted her buried before the toxicology report from the county lab came back.”
Emma sat on the velvet bench near the aisle, holding a glass of water to Sophia’s pale lips. Sophia took tiny sips, her hands still shaking so badly that water spilled onto her white burial dress.
“Who was the man standing by the door, Ethan?” Emma demanded, her green eyes flashing with anger. “You looked at him like you knew him!”
Ethan turned slowly, slipping the plastic syringe cap into his jacket pocket. “I’ve never seen him before in my life, Emma.”
“Liar!” Emma snapped, her voice echoing off the empty marble walls. “You froze! You looked like you saw a ghost! And why was Sophia’s face wrapped in medical bandages inside a sealed casket? Who put those on her?!”
Ethan took two heavy steps toward his sisters, his tall, broad frame casting a long shadow over them. “The funeral home said it was done per family request due to post-mortem facial trauma from her accident. I signed the paperwork because the family lawyer said it was protocol!”
“I didn't have an accident,” Sophia rasped, her voice gaining a fraction of its strength. She looked up at Ethan, her golden hair clinging to her damp cheeks. “I was at the summer house in Bellevue. I drank the wine you brought me, Ethan. Ten minutes later, my throat closed up, my muscles paralyzed, and I couldn't move or speak. I could hear everything... even when they put me in that box.”
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Ethan stepped back as if he had been struck in the chest. “I didn't bring you any wine, Sophia. I was in Chicago for the board meeting all weekend!”
“Your car was parked in the driveway, Ethan,” Sophia whispered, tears filling her eyes again. “I saw your silver Porsche through the window before I passed out.”
