Chapter 9 - THE BOTTLE IN CLAIRE'S BAG
The bottle sat inside Claire’s red travel case beneath a silk scarf.
Label correct.
Prescription in her name.
Half empty.
Police photographed everything before touching it.
Claire felt sick.
Ryan’s attorney called it devastating.
The medication connected to Vanessa was found among Claire’s belongings.
Claire had motive to hate Vanessa.
Claire had threatened Ryan.
Claire had access to the bowl before Vanessa took it.
For the first time, even Vanessa looked uncertain.
“Did you know that was there?”
“No.”
“You’re asking me to trust you.”
“Yes.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“Interesting feeling.”
Fair.
Forensics found Ryan’s fingerprints on the bottle.
And Claire’s.
Not surprising in a marriage.
Then a third set.
Megan Evans.
Ryan’s assistant.
Megan broke down during questioning.
She admitted handling the pharmacy package at Ryan’s request.
Then, two days later, Ryan asked her to bring the bottle to the Whitmore home because Claire “might need it.”
Megan left it on Ryan’s desk at home.
She never put it in Claire’s travel bag.
Someone moved it later.
Still no placement proof.
Then Rosa remembered something.
The morning of the dinner, Susan Whitmore—Ryan’s older sister—had borrowed Claire’s red travel case because the family chauffeur needed to move gifts between rooms.
Claire stared.
Susan?
No motive.
At least none she knew.
Susan served on the Whitmore Coastal board and supported Harbor Crown.
If Claire became unavailable, Susan’s voting influence increased.
Naomi said:
“Do not jump.”
Claire knew.
They pulled home security.
At 11:14 a.m., Susan entered the dressing room carrying the red case.
At 11:19, Ryan entered.
At 11:26, Ryan left.
At 11:28, Susan left with a different bag.
The camera did not show what happened inside.
Then Susan’s attorney called before Claire contacted her.
That meant Susan already knew investigators were looking.
She requested immunity before giving a statement.
Claire felt the floor shift.
May you like
If Ryan had an accomplice, it might be his own sister.
And Susan was apparently afraid enough to bargain.
